Bachelor in Biomedical Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Carnegie Mellon University

Program Overview

The Biomedical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University combines a traditional engineering discipline with biomedical sciences, allowing students to apply engineering principles to healthcare, medicine, and biological systems. It is designed for students who want a strong engineering foundation while developing specialized expertise in areas such as biomechanics, biomedical devices, biomedical imaging, neuroengineering, and tissue and cell biotherapeutics.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1: Students begin with their primary engineering discipline while building their biomedical foundation through courses such as 03-121 Modern Biology and 42-101 Introduction to Biomedical Engineering. Students must declare the additional BME major by the second semester of their first year.

Year 2: Students develop a stronger understanding of biological systems and engineering applications through courses such as 42-202 Physiology, 42-203 Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, and their primary engineering coursework. The laboratory component gives students direct experience applying biomedical engineering concepts experimentally.

Year 3: Students advance into engineering analysis and begin developing depth in a selected BME track. Courses such as 42-302 Biomedical Engineering Systems Modeling and Analysis can be combined with specialized subjects such as Introduction to Biomechanics, Bioinstrumentation and Measurement, Introduction to Biomedical Imaging, or Introduction to Neural Engineering, depending on the student's chosen track.

Year 4: Students bring their engineering and biomedical knowledge together through 42-401 Foundations of Biomedical Engineering Design and 42-402 Biomedical Engineering Design Project. The capstone experience emphasizes teamwork and the development of real-world biomedical applications, while the selected BME track allows students to deepen their expertise in a specific area.

Focus Areas:

Biomechanics, Biomedical Devices, Biomedical Signal and Image Processing, Neuroengineering, Tissue and Cell Biotherapeutics, Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology, Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Self-Designed Biomedical Engineering.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop biomedical engineering knowledge alongside their primary engineering discipline, with skills in physiology, biomedical laboratory methods, systems modelling, engineering design, teamwork, and specialized biomedical applications. The curriculum also provides opportunities for original BME research supervised or co-supervised by BME faculty.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Biomedical Engineering Additional Major itself is not presented by Carnegie Mellon as a separately ABET-accredited bachelor's degree. Students graduate with their primary engineering degree, and Carnegie Mellon states that its traditional engineering programs—including Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering—are ABET accredited.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

Carnegie Mellon University's College of Engineering reports its 2026 U.S. News & World Report undergraduate Biomedical Engineering ranking as #21 in the U.S. The university also reports that 94% of the Class of 2025 BME additional-major graduates were employed or in graduate school, with an average salary of $79,047 six months after graduation.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Biomedical Engineering Additional Major at Carnegie Mellon University, students gain practical experience by combining their primary engineering discipline with biomedical laboratory work, research, and multidisciplinary design. The program includes a dedicated Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, systems modelling, and a two-course capstone sequence in which students work as teams to develop real-world biomedical applications. Students can also pursue faculty-guided research during the academic year or summer, with access to specialized biomedical research facilities and clinical experiences through CMU’s collaborations in Pittsburgh.

Key experiential learning opportunities include:

Biomedical Engineering Laboratory: 42-203 Biomedical Engineering Laboratory provides dedicated hands-on laboratory experience as part of the BME core curriculum.
Team-Based Capstone: 42-401 Foundations of Biomedical Engineering Design and 42-402 Biomedical Engineering Design Project develop teamwork and real-world biomedical problem-solving skills.
Research Projects: Students can undertake 42-X00 Biomedical Engineering Research Project under the supervision or co-supervision of a BME faculty member; qualifying research can count toward the additional major.
Summer Research: Students can apply for CMU's SURF program and BME-supported summer research opportunities, working with faculty mentors on biomedical engineering projects.
Clinical Exposure: The Pittsburgh Heart Summer Research Program, conducted with UPMC, includes laboratory research, professional development, and clinical immersion involving areas such as cardiology, imaging, catheterization labs, and cardiothoracic surgery.
Computational Tools: Biomedical engineering coursework includes quantitative modelling and analysis; CMU BME courses and research use tools such as MATLAB, including for biomedical data analysis and modelling.
BioShare Research Facility: BioShare in Scott Hall provides access to advanced biomedical research equipment for imaging, biomolecular analysis, and biological sample processing, including multiphoton, confocal, PALM/STORM, and widefield microscopy.
Specialized Research Equipment: BioShare's Analytical Suite includes equipment for applications such as PCR, gel imaging, and nanoparticle quantification, while its Support Suite provides laboratory infrastructure including biosafety cabinets and autoclaves.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration: The program connects BME with CMU's traditional engineering departments and major medical institutions in Pittsburgh, giving students opportunities to work across engineering and biomedical environments.

Facilities:

Students in the Biomedical Engineering Additional Major at Carnegie Mellon University have access to specialized facilities including the Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, BioShare research facility in Scott Hall, Analytical Suite, microscopy facilities, molecular biology equipment, biosafety laboratories, and biomedical research spaces. These facilities support hands-on laboratory work, biomedical imaging, biomolecular analysis, cell and tissue research, microscopy, PCR, and other experimental research activities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biomedical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University gives students a pathway into biomedical engineering careers while they retain the depth of their primary engineering discipline. CMU reports that 94% of the Class of 2025 BME additional-major graduates were employed or in graduate school six months after graduation, with graduates moving into companies, research institutions, and advanced academic programs.

Typical Job Roles: Biomedical Engineer, R&D Engineer, Medical Device Engineer, Clinical Engineer

Career development and progression opportunities include:

University Career Support: BME academic advisors help students plan courses, electives, research opportunities, and career goals, while track advisors provide guidance related to specific BME areas.
Employment & Salary: For the Class of 2025, CMU reports 94% employed or in graduate school and an average salary of $79,047 for graduates with BME as a secondary major.
Industry Connections: CMU BME has highlighted alumni working with companies including Merck, Bayer, Medtronic, Abbott, Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, Philips, and General Electric, providing students with exposure to biomedical and healthcare industry career paths.
Accreditation Value: Because BME is an additional major rather than a standalone bachelor's degree, accreditation applies to the student's primary engineering degree. CMU's traditional engineering bachelor's programs include ABET-accredited programs, providing the relevant professional accreditation foundation.
Graduation Outcomes: CMU reports graduates progressing into organizations such as Medtronic, Merck, Google, Johnson & Johnson, Philips, and Abbott, as well as graduate study at institutions including Carnegie Mellon, Harvard, MIT, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Pittsburgh.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the undergraduate program, students can continue into Carnegie Mellon's M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, or the joint M.D.-Ph.D. program with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The BME department also notes that its Ph.D. program is designed for research careers in biomedical engineering across university and industry settings.