Biomedical Engineering, B.S.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Mississippi

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering with a Biomolecular Engineering emphasis at the University of Mississippi combines engineering, molecular biology, biophysics, chemistry and medicine to prepare students to develop innovative molecules, materials and biomedical approaches. It is a strong fit for students interested in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, molecular medicine and research, while also providing pathways into biomedical industry, graduate study and professional fields such as medicine, dentistry and pharmacy.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students build the mathematical, scientific and engineering foundation needed for biomedical engineering through subjects such as Math 261–264, Chem 105/115 and 106/116, Phys 211/221, and Engr 101 and 111. This foundation develops quantitative problem-solving skills while introducing students to chemistry, physics and engineering principles that support later biomedical coursework.

Year 2:

Students begin connecting engineering concepts directly with biology and healthcare through courses such as BME 200: Introduction to Biomedical Engineering, BME 222: Biomaterials, and BME 305: Bioengineering Thermodynamics & Kinetics. The curriculum increasingly focuses on how engineering principles can be applied to biological materials, living systems and biomedical problems.

Year 3:

Students develop more advanced biomedical engineering capabilities through coursework including BME 333: Biological Transport, BME 370: Intro to Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, and BME 444: Biomedical Systems and Controls. Alongside the common BME curriculum, the Biomolecular emphasis introduces deeper study at the intersection of molecular biology, biophysics and chemical engineering.

Year 4:

The final stage allows students to strengthen their Biomolecular Engineering specialization through BME 520, two additional BME courses selected from BME 510, BME 522, BME 523 and BME 524, and approved emphasis courses from areas such as biochemistry, chemistry and chemical engineering. Students also complete BME 461: Senior Design I and BME 462: Senior Design II, developing their ability to apply engineering knowledge to biomedical design and problem-solving.

Focus Areas:

Biomolecular engineering, molecular biology, biophysics, chemical engineering, biomaterials, biological transport, bioengineering thermodynamics and kinetics, drug and gene delivery, biomedical systems, bioinformatics and biostatistics, biomedical design.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop the ability to apply mathematics, science and engineering to complex biomedical problems; design solutions while considering health, safety, environmental and societal factors; conduct experiments and interpret data from living systems; communicate effectively; work in multidisciplinary teams; make ethical engineering decisions; and continue developing their knowledge for professional or advanced study.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. This provides an established quality framework for the engineering curriculum and supports preparation for professional engineering practice, while the program's educational objectives also emphasize continued professional development and advanced study.

Reputation (Employability):

The University of Mississippi's Biomedical Engineering Department highlights career pathways in medical device design, biotechnology, pharmaceutical research and sales, biomedical imaging and telemedicine. The department also emphasizes undergraduate research, internships and co-op experiences, giving students opportunities to connect their engineering education with real biomedical applications.

The university's current Biomedical Engineering accreditation page also publishes program enrollment and degree-award data as part of its ongoing accreditation and program-quality reporting.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering – Biomolecular Engineering emphasis at the University of Mississippi gives students opportunities to move beyond classroom theory through undergraduate research, internships, co-op experiences and hands-on biomedical engineering projects. Students can work at the intersection of engineering, biology and medicine, with research opportunities spanning biomaterials and drug delivery, biomedical microdevices, molecular biophysics and neuro-biomechanics. The program also connects students with the School of Pharmacy and major university research centers, creating opportunities to experience biomedical research and technology development in an interdisciplinary environment.

Students can gain practical experience through:

Undergraduate research: BME students are encouraged to participate in research projects with faculty. Current research areas include Biomaterials and Drug Delivery, Biomedical Microdevices, Molecular Biophysics, and Neuro-Biomechanics, with students able to contact faculty about openings in their laboratories.
Biomolecular research facilities: The Center for Nano-Bio Interactions (CNBI) provides access to specialized Biomaterials Characterization and Biomolecular Analysis facilities. Equipment includes an Attune NXT Flow Cytometer, Bigfoot FACS, IVIS In Vivo Imaging System, QuantStudio 3 qPCR, Absolute Q Digital PCR, Chromium iX Single Cell Analyzer, and Agilent Tapestation. These resources are particularly relevant to students interested in biomolecular engineering, biomaterials and nanobiotechnology research.
Senior design: The curriculum culminates in BME 461: Senior Design I and BME 462: Senior Design II, giving students the opportunity to apply engineering knowledge to biomedical design and problem-solving.
Internships and co-ops: The Biomedical Engineering department specifically highlights internship and co-op experiences as part of the student experience, providing opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in professional settings.
Interdisciplinary projects: Students can work across engineering, medicine and biological sciences and benefit from connections with the School of Pharmacy, as well as the National Centers for Physical Acoustics and Natural Products Research.
Medical technology development: The Center for Diagnostics, Design, Devices and Biomechanics (CD3B) brings together science, medicine and engineering to develop medical technologies, devices and surgical approaches, with collaboration involving university faculty and industry experts.
Collaborative STEM learning: The Jim and Thomas Duff Center for Science and Technology Innovation includes more than 50 technology-enhanced classrooms and laboratories, including six Technology-Enabled Active Learning (TEAL) labs designed around collaboration, shared displays, touchscreen controls and group problem-solving.

Facilities & Resources: Students have access to a strong network of biomedical and STEM research facilities across the University of Mississippi. The Center for Nano-Bio Interactions provides dedicated Biomaterials Characterization and Biomolecular Analysis suites with advanced instrumentation for biomaterials and biomolecular research, while the Center for Diagnostics, Design, Devices and Biomechanics supports work connecting engineering, medicine and medical-device development. The university's Duff Center for Science and Technology Innovation adds modern teaching laboratories and technology-enabled collaborative spaces, while the Biomedical Engineering Department's connections with the School of Pharmacy, National Centers for Physical Acoustics and Natural Products Research, and other research centers broaden the opportunities available to students interested in biomolecular engineering and biomedical innovation.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering with a Biomolecular Engineering emphasis at the University of Mississippi prepares graduates for careers at the intersection of engineering, biology and medicine, as well as graduate and professional study. The Biomolecular pathway is particularly relevant to biotechnology, pharmaceutical research, molecular tools and materials, while the broader degree also supports pathways into medical devices, biomedical imaging and telemedicine.

Typical career roles: Biomolecular Engineer, Biomedical Engineer, Biotechnology Researcher, Pharmaceutical Research Associate.

Students can build toward these opportunities through Ole Miss's career services, industry connections and professional experiences:

Career services: The Ole Miss Career Center provides career advising, resume reviews, mock interviews, graduate-school planning, Handshake job and internship opportunities, and employer networking. The School of Engineering also organizes biannual career fairs, company information sessions and hands-on events connecting students with employers recruiting for full-time positions, internships and co-ops.
Internships and co-ops: Engineering students can complete paid co-ops in professional engineering settings, working alongside engineers and industry leaders. Ole Miss states that most co-op students earn $20+ per hour plus housing assistance, while most internships offer at least $15 per hour, although some internships may be unpaid. Co-op participation is optional and can provide substantial professional experience before graduation.
Employment and salary information: Ole Miss does not currently publish a program-specific graduate employment rate or current median salary for the Biomolecular Engineering emphasis on its official program pages. The university's official engineering publication previously reported an average starting salary of $65,200 for May 2018 graduates in its Haley Barbour Center for Manufacturing Excellence cohort, which included Biomedical Engineering students; because this is historical and cohort-specific, it should not be treated as the current salary for Biomedical Engineering graduates.
University–industry and research connections: Biomedical Engineering students benefit from partnerships with the university's School of Pharmacy, as well as the National Centers for Physical Acoustics and Natural Products Research. The department also describes research centers as places where students can work alongside faculty experts and industry partners on engineering innovation.
Professional accreditation: The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. ABET accreditation provides an established quality framework for the engineering curriculum and supports preparation for professional engineering practice and licensure.
Graduation outcomes: The program's stated educational objectives are designed around graduates meeting employer expectations, applying quantitative and analytical problem-solving skills, communicating and working professionally, and continuing their development through advanced study where desired. Ole Miss's Biomedical Engineering department specifically identifies industry employment, graduate study, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and patent law as possible directions after the degree.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can continue into the M.S. in Engineering Science with a Biomedical Engineering emphasis or the Ph.D. in Engineering Science with a Biomedical Engineering emphasis at the University of Mississippi. The department also identifies medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and other professional fields as potential pathways, making the bachelor's degree suitable for students who want to combine engineering with advanced biomedical or professional education.