Biomedical Engineering (BME)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Hawaii Manoa

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Engineering Science with a concentration in Biomedical Engineering combines engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, and biological sciences to prepare students to address challenges at the intersection of engineering and healthcare. It is well suited to students interested in developing biomedical technologies and solutions while building an interdisciplinary foundation across engineering and life sciences.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students begin by developing strong foundations in mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering, and communication. Coursework includes MATH 241 Calculus I, CHEM 161 General Chemistry I, CHEM 161L General Chemistry I Laboratory, and ENG 100 Composition I, giving students the quantitative and scientific preparation needed for advanced engineering study.

Year 2:

The second year expands students' mathematical, physical-science, and biological knowledge while introducing additional engineering concepts. Courses include MATH 243 Calculus III, PHYS 272 General Physics III, BIOL 171 Introduction to Biology I, and CEE 270 Engineering Mechanics I, helping students connect fundamental science with engineering applications.

Year 3:

Students move into upper-division engineering and biomedical coursework, developing deeper knowledge of mechanical systems, electrical engineering, microbiology, and biomedical science. Key courses include ME 311 Thermodynamics, ME 322 Fluid Mechanics, MICR 361 General Microbiology, and BIOC 241 Biochemistry, creating a strong foundation for biomedical engineering applications.

Year 4:

The final year brings together engineering design, biomedical science, and advanced technical electives. Students study courses such as ME 481 Engineering Design I and ME 482 Engineering Design II, while biomedical-focused electives can include BE 373, BE 420, and EE 480 Introduction to Biomedical and Clinical Engineering, allowing students to tailor their studies toward emerging biomedical applications.

Focus Areas:

Biomedical engineering, engineering design, biomechanics, biological sciences, biochemistry, microbiology, biomedical and clinical engineering, mathematics, physics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and interdisciplinary engineering.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop the ability to identify and solve complex engineering problems using engineering, science, and mathematics; apply engineering design while considering public health and safety; communicate effectively; work collaboratively in teams; conduct experiments and analyze data; recognize professional and ethical responsibilities; and acquire new knowledge as needed.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Biomedical Engineering concentration is part of the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Science program. The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa states that the Engineering Science program is not currently accredited by ABET, although the College of Engineering applies the same high standards and processes used across its accredited engineering programs.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's College of Engineering was ranked No. 139 among U.S. undergraduate engineering programs in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings. The university also reports that its engineering subject area was ranked 501–600 worldwide in the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, providing broader recognition of the university's engineering and research environment.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Engineering Science, Biomedical (BS) program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa combines engineering design with biomedical science, giving students opportunities to apply concepts through laboratory work, engineering design, and research-oriented projects. The curriculum includes hands-on laboratory courses such as CHEM 161L, CHEM 162L, PHYS 170L, PHYS 272L, and BIOL 171L, while the senior ME 481 Engineering Design I and ME 482 Engineering Design II sequence provides a substantial design experience. The College of Engineering also supports interdisciplinary research and biomedical projects, giving students opportunities to connect engineering with healthcare applications.

Students can build practical experience through:

Engineering design projects: ME 481 and ME 482 provide senior-level engineering design experience, allowing students to apply their technical knowledge to real engineering problems.
Biomedical research: The College of Engineering supports biomedical-related research, including biomedical devices, medical imaging, instrumentation, and AI-based healthcare applications.
Laboratory experience: Students complete laboratory-based coursework in chemistry, physics, and biology, developing practical skills in experimentation and scientific analysis.
Interdisciplinary opportunities: The Engineering Science program specifically emphasizes emerging areas and interdisciplinary education, with Biomedical Engineering as its concentration.
Research participation: UH Mānoa engineering students can participate in faculty-led research and project teams, including opportunities connected to biomedical technologies and medical applications.
Career and industry exposure: The College of Engineering holds career fairs each fall and spring, with approximately 80 companies and organizations participating according to its published program information.

Facilities: Students benefit from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Engineering's engineering laboratories and research facilities, including environments supporting biomedical devices, instrumentation, electronics, prototyping, and engineering design. Biomedical-related research also connects students with facilities and research groups across the wider university, including the UH Cancer Center and medical-imaging research activities involving AI, ultrasound, DXA, mammography, and 3-D optical scanning.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Engineering Science, Biomedical (BS) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa can apply their interdisciplinary engineering and biomedical knowledge to careers involving healthcare technology, biomedical devices, research, and engineering design. The program emphasizes emerging areas, research, leadership, and service, giving students a foundation that can be applied across engineering and biomedical industries.

Typical career roles: Biomedical Engineer, Biomedical Researcher, Clinical Engineer, Medical Device Engineer.

Students can build their career pathway through:

Career services and employer access: The College of Engineering runs a semiannual Career Expo that regularly attracts 80+ employers from Hawaiʻi and the U.S. mainland, with employers offering internship and full-time opportunities. It also maintains an online jobs board connecting students with employers year-round.
Industry connections: The College's Pearl Harbor Co-op Program and Community Innovation Mentorship Program provide opportunities to work with employers on real-world challenges while earning college credit.
Employment opportunities: Career Expo employers include organizations recruiting University of Hawaiʻi engineering students for employment and internships; the university's career materials specifically identify Engineering Science among the disciplines sought by participating employers.
Accreditation: The Engineering Science BS is not listed among UH Mānoa's ABET-accredited undergraduate engineering programs. The university itself is institutionally accredited, while ABET accreditation currently applies to its civil, construction, computer, electrical, and mechanical engineering BS programs.
Graduate outcomes: The Engineering Science program specifically emphasizes research, leadership, and service, preparing graduates to work across emerging interdisciplinary engineering areas, including biomedical engineering.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS, students can continue into graduate study in areas such as biomedical engineering, engineering science, bioengineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or related biomedical and health-technology fields. Graduate study can also support progression toward research-oriented careers and more specialized work in biomedical devices, medical imaging, instrumentation, and healthcare technologies.