Biomedical Engineering (BSBE)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Mississippi

Program Overview

The B.S.B.E. in Biomedical Engineering with a Pre-Med emphasis at the University of Mississippi combines engineering problem-solving with biology, chemistry and medicine, preparing students to address challenges at the intersection of these fields. It is particularly suited to students who want an engineering degree while building the scientific foundation for future study in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy or related professional fields.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students establish their foundation in mathematics, chemistry, biology and engineering through courses such as Math 261–262, Chem 105/115 and Chem 106/116, Bisc 160/161, and BME 200: Introduction to Biomedical Engineering. This stage develops the quantitative and scientific knowledge needed for more advanced biomedical engineering and pre-med coursework.

Year 2:

The curriculum progresses into higher-level mathematics, physics, chemistry and biomedical engineering. Students take courses including Math 263–264, Phys 211/221 and Phys 212/222, BME 222, and Chem 221/225 and Chem 222/226, strengthening their understanding of physical and biological systems while continuing to build the prerequisites useful for medical study.

Year 3:

Students move deeper into biomedical engineering and the sciences supporting the Pre-Med emphasis through courses such as BME 313, BME 370, BME 444, Bisc 336, and Chem 471. The curriculum develops skills in biomedical engineering analysis alongside advanced biology and chemistry, while Psy 201 and Soc 101 add behavioral and social-science perspectives relevant to healthcare.

Year 4:

The final year focuses on advanced biomedical engineering, scientific integration and design. Students complete BME 461: Senior Design I and BME 462: Senior Design II, alongside advanced courses such as Bisc 440 and selected BME courses from BME 510, 520, 522, 523 or 524, giving students an opportunity to apply engineering knowledge to biomedical challenges while completing their Pre-Med preparation.

Focus Areas:

Biomedical engineering, medicine, biology, chemistry, biomedical systems, engineering design, biological sciences, biochemistry, human health, medical technology, quantitative analysis, psychology, sociology, pre-medical preparation.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop the ability to identify and solve complex engineering problems using mathematics, science and engineering principles; design solutions with consideration for public health, safety and societal factors; conduct and interpret experiments; communicate effectively; work collaboratively; make ethical and professional decisions; and acquire new knowledge for continued professional development.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Mississippi is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Ole Miss states that its ABET-accredited engineering programs prepare graduates for professional engineering practice and licensure, while the Biomedical Engineering program also provides a pathway toward advanced professional study in medicine and related fields.

Reputation (Employability):

Ole Miss Biomedical Engineering highlights career pathways in medical device design, biotechnology, pharmaceutical research and sales, biomedical imaging and telemedicine, while the department also emphasizes undergraduate research, internships and co-op experiences. The university describes the program as preparing students for employment in biomedical industries as well as graduate and professional study.

The university's School of Engineering also reports an 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio, supporting a close-knit learning environment alongside its research and collaboration opportunities.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S.B.E. in Biomedical Engineering with a Pre-Med emphasis at the University of Mississippi gives students practical exposure to biomedical engineering through undergraduate research, senior design, internships and co-op experiences. The program combines engineering with biology and medicine, while the Pre-Med curriculum adds advanced biology and chemistry coursework that supports students planning for medical or other professional health careers. Students can also work with faculty on research involving areas such as drug delivery, heart disease, cancer treatments and biomedical technology.

Students can build practical experience through:

Undergraduate research: Students can participate in independent research projects with Biomedical Engineering faculty. Current research areas include Biomaterials and Drug Delivery, Biomedical Microdevices, Molecular Biophysics, and Neuro-Biomechanics. The BME curriculum also allows an independent research course of up to three hours, with additional research in chemistry, biology, physics or pharmacy possible with approval from the BME chair.
Senior design projects: Students complete BME 461: Senior Design I and BME 462: Senior Design II, providing a structured opportunity to apply engineering principles to biomedical problems and develop design solutions.
Internships: The Biomedical Engineering department specifically promotes internships where students can spend a semester or summer working in a company or laboratory and gain experience with real biomedical engineering applications.
Co-op experience: Ole Miss Engineering's co-op program allows students to work full-time in a professional engineering environment alongside engineers and industry leaders. Co-ops normally last at least 16 weeks and can provide extended technical experience and industry connections; positions are accessed through employer recruiting, the STEM Career Fair and Handshake.
Research connected to medicine: BME students can contribute to research exploring the origins of heart disease, breast-cancer treatments and drug-delivery mechanisms for depression, giving the engineering curriculum a direct connection to medical research.
Biomedical Engineering Society: Students can participate in the Biomedical Engineering Society, providing a field-specific student organization through which they can engage with the biomedical engineering community.
Interdisciplinary learning: The department works with the School of Pharmacy and the university's National Centers for Physical Acoustics and Natural Products Research, creating opportunities to connect biomedical engineering with pharmaceutical and interdisciplinary research.
Medical technology development: The Center for Diagnostics, Design, Devices and Biomechanics (CD3B) connects science, medicine and engineering to develop medical technologies, devices and surgical approaches, with faculty collaboration involving industry experts.

Facilities & Resources: Students benefit from the University of Mississippi's biomedical engineering research environment and its wider School of Engineering facilities. The Center for Diagnostics, Design, Devices and Biomechanics (CD3B) supports research connecting engineering, medicine and medical-device development, while Biomedical Engineering faculty laboratories cover biomaterials and drug delivery, biomedical microdevices, molecular biophysics and neuro-biomechanics. The department also works closely with the School of Pharmacy, National Centers for Physical Acoustics and Natural Products Research, and other interdisciplinary research facilities, giving Pre-Med students access to environments where engineering, biological science and medical research intersect.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S.B.E. in Biomedical Engineering with a Pre-Med emphasis at the University of Mississippi gives students a combination of engineering, biology and medical-science preparation, creating pathways into biomedical industries as well as professional healthcare education. Ole Miss specifically identifies biomedical engineering graduates as being prepared for careers in biomedical and related industries and for further study in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and other professional fields.

Typical career roles: Biomedical Engineer, Clinical Research Assistant, Biomedical Research Associate, Medical Device Specialist.

Students can build their professional direction through Ole Miss's career and experiential opportunities:

Career services and employer connections: The School of Engineering recommends students use the UM Career Center and Handshake to find employment, internships and co-op positions. Students can also meet prospective employers through the university's Fall and Spring STEM Career Fairs, giving them opportunities to connect directly with recruiting companies.
Internships and co-ops: Biomedical Engineering specifically highlights internships and co-op experiences as part of the student experience. Engineering co-ops allow students to work full-time in a professional environment alongside engineers and industry professionals; students must be in good academic standing and meet the School of Engineering's eligibility requirements.
Employment and salary figures: Ole Miss does not currently publish a program-specific graduate employment rate or current salary figure for the Biomedical Engineering B.S.B.E. Pre-Med emphasis on its official program pages. The university instead identifies employment in biomedical and related industries and continued study in professional fields as intended graduate pathways.
University–industry and interdisciplinary connections: Biomedical Engineering students can work with the university's School of Pharmacy and the National Centers for Physical Acoustics and Natural Products Research. The department also highlights research and innovation involving medical devices, pharmaceuticals, biomedical imaging and telemedicine, giving students exposure to areas where engineering and healthcare intersect.
Professional accreditation: The current University of Mississippi School of Engineering accreditation information lists its ABET-accredited undergraduate engineering programs, but Biomedical Engineering is not included in that current list. Therefore, it would be inaccurate to describe the B.S.B.E. in Biomedical Engineering as currently ABET-accredited based on the university's published accreditation information.
Graduation outcomes: The program's educational objectives state that graduates are expected to meet employer expectations, apply systematic quantitative and analytical problem-solving skills, and continue professional development through advanced study when desired. The Pre-Med pathway is therefore particularly relevant to students planning to continue toward medical or another professional healthcare degree after completing the bachelor's.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can continue into medical school (M.D.), dentistry, pharmacy or other professional healthcare programs. Ole Miss also offers an M.S. and Ph.D. in Engineering Science with a Biomedical Engineering emphasis, providing a direct route for students who want to deepen their research and engineering expertise.