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Virginia Tech’s Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering combines engineering fundamentals with biomedical science, preparing students to develop technologies and solutions for healthcare, medical devices, diagnostics, and other complex biomedical challenges. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, research, design, technology transfer, and interdisciplinary collaboration, with students able to build depth through technical electives in areas such as biomechanics, cell and tissue engineering, and biomedical devices and imaging.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1: Students establish a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering, and communication. Key courses include CHEM 1035 General Chemistry (3 credits), CHEM 1045 General Chemistry Laboratory (1 credit), MATH 1225 Calculus of a Single Variable (4 credits), MATH 2114 Introduction to Linear Algebra (3 credits), and ENGE 1215/1216 Foundations of Engineering (2 credits each).
Year 2: The curriculum moves into core biomedical engineering and engineering mechanics, connecting biological knowledge with quantitative engineering methods. Students take BIOL 1105 Principles of Biology (3 credits), BMES 2014 Biomedical Engineering Professional Practice (1 credit), BMES 2104 Introduction to Biomedical Engineering (3 credits), BMES 2074 Computational Methods in Biomedical Engineering (2 credits), and ECE 3054 Electrical Theory (3 credits).
Year 3: Students develop deeper expertise through laboratory work, physiology, fluid mechanics, statistics, instrumentation, and problem-solving. Courses include BMES 3024 BME Cell Engineering Laboratory and Design (2 credits), BMES 4064 Introduction to Medical Physiology (3 credits), BMES 3034 Bioinstrumentation Laboratory and Design for Living Systems (2 credits), and BMES 3184 Problem Solving in BME (3 credits), alongside technical electives.
Year 4: The final year focuses on advanced technical electives, professional responsibility, and a substantial senior design experience. Students complete BMES 4015 BME Senior Design and Project (3 credits), BMES 4016 BME Senior Design and Project (3 credits), BMES 4134 Global, Societal, and Ethical Considerations in Biomedical Engineering (3 credits), and additional technical electives, completing 124 total credits for the degree.
Focus Areas
Biomechanics, Cell and Tissue Engineering, Biomedical Devices and Imaging, Bioinstrumentation, Biomedical Engineering Design, Computational Biomedical Engineering, Medical Physiology, Materials Engineering
Learning Outcomes
Students learn to solve complex biomedical engineering problems using engineering, science, and mathematics; design solutions while considering public health, safety, ethical, environmental, social, and economic factors; communicate effectively; work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams; conduct experiments and interpret data; and continuously develop new technical knowledge.
Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at Virginia Tech is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Bioengineering and Biomedical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
Reputation & Employability
Virginia Tech's official 2024–25 outcomes data reports that 93% of Biomedical Engineering graduates who reported salary information were represented in the salary dataset, with a median starting salary of $80,000. The university's employer data also shows graduates moving into positions with organizations including Abbott, Edwards Lifesciences, Merck, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Texas Instruments, and Johnson & Johnson's DePuy Synthes.
Virginia Tech places strong emphasis on hands-on biomedical engineering experiences through undergraduate research, laboratory-based courses, design projects, internships, co-ops, and entrepreneurial activities. Students can work alongside faculty researchers on projects involving biomaterials, cardiac stem-cell delivery, neural circuits, traumatic brain injury, and other biomedical problems.
The curriculum includes dedicated laboratory and design experiences such as BME Cell Engineering Laboratory and Design and Bioinstrumentation Laboratory and Design for Living Systems, where students work with biological molecules, cell viability and migration, biomedical sensors, physiological signals, digital acquisition, filtering, and experimental design.
The program is designed to prepare graduates for professional careers across industry, healthcare, academia, and government, while also supporting progression into graduate and professional education. Virginia Tech's 2024–25 Biomedical Engineering data reports a $80,000 median starting salary, while official employer records show graduates entering engineering, clinical, consulting, product, research, and technical roles.
Typical career roles include Biomedical Engineer, Clinical Engineer, Product Engineer, Biomedical Device Engineer.
Further Academic Progression: Graduates can progress to master's and Ph.D. study in biomedical engineering and related engineering or scientific fields, as well as health-professional programs such as medicine and dentistry. Virginia Tech also offers an accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate pathway: eligible BME students can apply after completing 90 credits, with minimum GPAs of 3.3 for BS/MS and 3.5 for BS/PhD, and may double-count up to 12 graduate credits toward both degrees.
Applications are reviewed holistically, considering academic performance, course rigor, grades and grade trends, standardized test scores when applicable, and the requested major.
Personal factors considered include extracurricular activities, employment, family responsibilities, service, research, disciplinary history, first-generation status, residency, veteran status, Corps of Cadets interest, pipeline programs, and personal statements.
Recommendation letters and art portfolios are not considered as part of the admissions review process.
Competitive freshman applicants typically demonstrate A/B grades in a rigorous academic curriculum, with overall academic performance considered in the context of their school. US universities use a holistic admissions review. Beyond grades and standardized test scores, they weigh the strength of your overall profile to understand who you are as a student and a person.
Profile Assessment: Engineering applicants are generally assessed on the strength of their preparation in advanced Mathematics and laboratory sciences, particularly Physics and Chemistry. Calculus, technical projects, robotics, engineering competitions, research and evidence of practical problem-solving can strengthen the application. Universities may also look for creativity, teamwork and the ability to apply scientific concepts to real-world challenges.Advanced Placement(AP) Guidance: AP availability depends on the student's school. Relevant APs can strengthen an application and may earn university credit, but are not compulsory unless the university or programme explicitly requires them.Essays & recommendations: Personal essays and teacher/counselor recommendations give context to your achievements and help demonstrate fit with the program.Biomedical EngineerBiomedical Device EngineerClinical EngineerDesign EngineerBiomedical Patent ExaminerResearch EngineerProduct Development EngineerMedical Robotics EngineerHealthcare Data AnalystRegulatory Affairs SpecialistBiomechanics EngineerBiomedical Research Scientist
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