BS - Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Florida International University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at Florida International University combines engineering, science and medicine to prepare students to develop technologies that address challenges in healthcare. The program is well suited to students interested in areas such as tissue engineering, biosignals and systems, biomaterials and biomechanics, with the curriculum building both scientific knowledge and engineering design skills.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students begin by developing a foundation in mathematics, science and biomedical engineering, including BME 1008C – Introduction to Biomedical Engineering, which introduces the major subareas and current and future directions of the field. Foundational courses in biology, chemistry, physics and calculus establish the scientific preparation needed for upper-level engineering study.

Year 2:

Students progress into the core engineering and life-science preparation required for biomedical engineering. Courses such as BSC 2010/L – General Biology I and Laboratory, CHM 1045/L – General Chemistry I and Laboratory, and MAC 2281 – Calculus for Engineering I strengthen their understanding of biological systems, chemistry and quantitative engineering methods.

Year 3:

The curriculum increasingly connects engineering principles with biomedical applications, allowing students to explore areas such as molecular engineering, immunology, genetics and analytical chemistry. Students also begin developing the multidisciplinary knowledge needed to work with biomedical systems, materials, devices and biological signals.

Year 4:

Students apply their knowledge to advanced biomedical engineering problems and complete the program's Senior Design Project, where engineering concepts are brought together to address practical biomedical challenges. Elective options allow students to develop further expertise in areas such as Tissue Engineering/Pre-Med, Biosignals and Systems, and Biomaterials and Biomechanics.

Focus Areas:

Tissue engineering, biosignals and systems, biomaterials and biomechanics, molecular engineering, immunology, genetics, analytical chemistry, biomedical devices, clinical technology, biomedical research, medical technology.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop the ability to apply quantitative engineering principles to biological systems, understand biomedical engineering fundamentals, design innovative biomedical technologies, analyse scientific and engineering problems, develop creative solutions, and work toward professional practice or advanced study in engineering, medicine and applied sciences.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at Florida International University is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering. This provides professional recognition that the program meets established standards for biomedical engineering education.

Reputation (Employability):

FIU's official program information highlights career opportunities across medical-device research and development, product development, quality assurance and regulatory affairs, as well as pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and consumer-product industries. Graduates may also pursue roles or further study connected with organisations and agencies such as the FDA, NIH and USPTO, while the program specifically prepares students for professional practice as biomedical engineers and advanced study.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at Florida International University gives students practical experience at the intersection of engineering, medicine and technology. Students work on real biomedical problems through laboratory research, a two-semester Senior Design Project, and undergraduate research opportunities such as the Coulter Undergraduate Research Excellence (CURE) Program. The curriculum is supported by modern biomedical engineering laboratories and research groups working in areas such as biomaterials, drug delivery, imaging, cardiovascular systems and biomechanics.

Students can develop practical and research skills through:

Senior Design Project: The program includes a two-semester capstone in which students work as a team under the guidance of faculty and industry mentors. Students undertake product design, implementation and budgeting to address a real-world biomedical engineering problem.
CURE undergraduate research: The Coulter Undergraduate Research Excellence (CURE) Program pairs students with faculty mentors for laboratory-based research. Students progress from laboratory training and shadowing to assisting with research and eventually conducting independent research, analysing data and presenting their findings.
Paid research experience: Eligible CURE Researcher students receive a $1,800 stipend for a 12-week semester, while CURE Fellows receive $2,160 for 12 weeks. Students commit at least 15 hours per week to research activities and present their work at research events or conferences.
Summer research internship: The Norman R. Weldon Summer Internship provides undergraduate BME students with a funded opportunity to work in a faculty research laboratory for 10 weeks. Award recipients work 20 hours per week at $14 per hour and present their research at the undergraduate research poster session.
Research presentations and networking: Biomedical engineering students can present their work through the Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Research Celebration and Senior Design Showcase, giving them opportunities to communicate their research to specialised and multidisciplinary audiences and connect with alumni and industry-related communities.
Specialised research facilities: FIU's Biomedical Engineering facilities include the Biomedical Engineering Core Labs, Airehab, Drug Delivery and Imaging Guided Therapy Lab, Hutcheson Cardiovascular Matrix Remodeling Lab and Packaging Lab. These research environments support work in areas including medical devices, drug delivery, biomedical imaging, cardiovascular systems, rehabilitation and biomaterials.
Modern engineering environment: The FIU Engineering Center and Modesto A. Maidique Campus provide classrooms and laboratories for engineering education and research, while the College of Engineering & Computing's Innovation Complex adds teaching labs, emerging-technology and computer labs, active-learning classrooms and expanded research facilities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at Florida International University prepares graduates for professional practice in biomedical and healthcare-related engineering as well as advanced study in engineering, medicine and applied sciences. The program specifically develops capabilities in clinical applications, biomedical product development, manufacturing and commercialization, research, and multidisciplinary teamwork.

Typical career roles include Biomedical Engineer, Medical Device Engineer, Biomedical Researcher, and Product Development Engineer.

Students can build their professional pathway through:

Career services: FIU’s College of Engineering & Computing Career and Talent Development provides resume and cover-letter support, interview preparation, networking guidance, job and internship search strategies, salary negotiation support, and career coaching. Students can also use Handshake to find internships and jobs, connect with employers and attend career events, while VMock provides automated resume feedback.
University–industry connections: The Biomedical Engineering Industry Advisory Board includes professionals from organisations such as Jabil, Cordis, Terumo Aortic, Novo Nordisk, Beckman Coulter Diagnostics, GE HealthCare, Sanofi-Aventis and Medtronic. The board provides industry expertise to help guide the department's development and effectiveness.
Industry and research partnerships: FIU’s College of Engineering & Computing works with industry partners on research involving biomedical technologies, giving organisations access to FIU faculty, students, laboratories and research facilities.
Employment and salary information: FIU provides students with access to current employment information through its Career and Talent Development resources and Lightcast industry database, including employment trends, employers and skills. The official BME sources reviewed do not publish a current program-specific median salary or graduate employment rate, so no unsupported figure is included here.
Professional accreditation: The BS in Biomedical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering. This provides an established professional quality framework for the degree and supports preparation for biomedical engineering practice and continued professional development.
Graduation outcomes: FIU's BME educational objectives state that graduates are prepared to pursue advanced study in engineering, medicine or applied sciences or professional practice in biomedical or healthcare-related engineering. The program also identifies career development in clinical applications, product development, manufacturing and commercialization, multidisciplinary teamwork and biomedical engineering research.

Further Academic Progression: Students can continue into FIU's accelerated BS/MS in Biomedical Engineering, allowing high-achieving students to combine undergraduate and graduate study. FIU also offers a Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, providing pathways into advanced research and specialised biomedical engineering careers.