Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering

NA On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Mount Union

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Mount Union is a four-year, interdisciplinary program designed for students who want to combine engineering, biology and medicine to develop technologies that improve healthcare. Students build expertise in areas such as biomaterials, biomechanics, biomedical instrumentation, medical imaging and rehabilitation engineering while gaining hands-on experience, completing internships and working on real-world projects.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students establish their engineering and scientific foundation through courses such as Introduction to the Engineering Profession, Introduction to Engineering Design, and Computer-Aided Design, alongside The Unity of Life, chemistry, calculus and physics. This stage introduces students to engineering analysis and design while developing the mathematics and life-science knowledge needed for biomedical engineering.

Year 2:

Students progress into core engineering concepts with courses including Statics and Dynamics, Mechanics of Materials, and Biomaterials I, while continuing subjects such as anatomy and physiology, organic chemistry and electronics. This combination helps students understand how engineering principles can be applied to biological materials and the human body.

Year 3:

The program becomes more specialized through Biomechanics, Biomedical Signals and Instrumentation, and Biomedical Transport, alongside Product Design and Development and Global Engineering. Students begin connecting engineering design, biomedical data, materials and biological systems while developing the teamwork and global perspective emphasized by Mount Union's engineering curriculum.

Year 4:

Students advance into areas such as Biomaterials II, Rehabilitation Engineering, and Medical Imaging and Digital Image Processing, followed by Biomedical Engineering Capstone I and Biomedical Engineering Capstone II. The capstone sequence gives students an opportunity to apply their engineering and biomedical knowledge to substantial design projects, while Biomedical Engineering Research I/II are available as technical electives for students seeking additional research experience.

Focus Areas:

Biomaterials, biomechanics, biomedical signals and instrumentation, biomedical transport, rehabilitation engineering, medical imaging, digital image processing, biomedical research, engineering design, healthcare technology.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop the ability to solve complex engineering problems using science and mathematics, design solutions that address biomedical and healthcare needs, conduct experiments and interpret data, communicate effectively, work collaboratively in teams, apply ethical and professional judgment, and acquire new knowledge throughout their careers.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under its General Criteria and Program Criteria for Biomedical Engineering. This provides an established quality framework for the engineering curriculum and supports preparation for professional engineering practice and continued advanced study.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

Mount Union reports a 94% placement rate in paid engineering internships through its School of Engineering, highlighting the program's strong emphasis on practical career preparation. The university was also ranked #36 among Regional Universities in the Midwest and #18 for Best Value Regional Universities in the Midwest in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report rankings, although these are institution-level rankings rather than rankings specific to Biomedical Engineering.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Mount Union places a strong emphasis on hands-on engineering and biomedical applications, with laboratory experiences integrated throughout the curriculum. Students work with biomedical materials, biomechanics, instrumentation, medical imaging and rehabilitation technologies, while the program also provides internship opportunities and a senior capstone experience that connect classroom learning with real-world engineering challenges. Mount Union faculty specifically note that nearly all biomedical engineering courses have an associated laboratory, including opportunities to make biomaterials and conduct tissue-engineering experiments.

Students can develop practical engineering, research and design skills through:

Biomedical Engineering Laboratories: Courses such as Biomechanics, Biomedical Signals and Instrumentation, and Rehabilitation Engineering include laboratory components, giving students practical experience analyzing biological systems, measuring physiological signals and exploring prosthetic and assistive technologies.
Biomedical Instrumentation: In BME 320 – Biomedical Signals and Instrumentation, students work with electrodes, sensors, transducers and bioelectric amplifiers to measure ECG, EEG and EMG signals, as well as respiratory parameters. They also learn about digital filters, signal processing and acquisition and storage of digital biosignals.
Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering: Students gain practical exposure to biomaterials and tissue-engineering concepts, with faculty highlighting opportunities for students to make biomaterials and conduct tissue-engineering experiments.
Engineering Computer Lab: The engineering computer laboratory provides 20 computers and access to engineering software including SolidWorks, ANSYS, MATLAB, Abaqus, Altair HyperWorks, PTC Creo, Siemens NX, Mathematica and AutoCAD. Engineering students have 24/7 access to the lab.
Mechanics and Materials Lab: Students have access to equipment for materials science, tensile testing, fatigue testing, torsion testing, hardness testing and vibration testing, supporting engineering analysis relevant to biomedical materials and devices.
Mechanical Systems Lab: The laboratory includes strain gauges, data-acquisition equipment, oscilloscopes, wave generators and other systems, with MATLAB used for data acquisition and analysis.
Senior Capstone Design: The curriculum culminates in Biomedical Engineering Capstone I and II, allowing students to apply their engineering and biomedical knowledge to substantial design work before graduation.
Internships: The Biomedical Engineering program explicitly provides internship opportunities throughout the undergraduate career, giving students the opportunity to gain practical experience in professional engineering environments.
International Field Experience: International fieldwork is one of Mount Union Engineering's Four Pillars, and the engineering curriculum includes a required international field experience that exposes students to engineering challenges beyond the classroom.
Biomedical Research: Students can participate in faculty-led biomedical research and interdisciplinary projects. Mount Union has documented biomedical engineering research involving engineering and nursing students, including clinical immersion and student-faculty research/service-learning experiences.
Engineering Career and Internship Fair: Mount Union holds engineering-specific career and internship events where employers recruit students for full-time, part-time and internship opportunities in fields including biomedical engineering.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Mount Union prepares graduates for professional roles involving medical devices, biomedical technology, engineering design, research, and healthcare applications. The program also provides a foundation for graduate or advanced professional study, with Mount Union emphasizing hands-on experience, internships, research, capstone design, and ABET-accredited engineering preparation.

Typical career roles: Biomedical Engineer, Biomedical Engineering Technician, Formulations Engineer, Control Systems Engineer.

Students can build their career through Mount Union's career services, industry connections, internships, and professional engineering network:

Career Development: Mount Union's Career Development Office provides access to Handshake, where students can find internships, entry-level positions, and on-campus employment; employers can also contact students directly through the platform.
Engineering internship outcomes: The School of Engineering reports that 94% of students secure paid engineering internships, giving students substantial opportunities to gain professional experience before graduation.
Graduate outcomes: Mount Union's Class of 2025 reported a 98.8% career outcomes rate, with 54% securing employment and 25% pursuing continuing education. These figures are university-wide rather than specific to Biomedical Engineering.
Biomedical Engineering employers: The university's 2025 graduate-employer data lists Oakwood Labs, Thermo Systems, Sodexo, DASCO, and Engelke Construction among employers of Biomedical Engineering graduates, with positions including Formulations Engineer, Control Systems Engineer, Biomedical Equipment Technician, Biomedical Engineering Technician, and Assistant Project Manager.
Salary information: Mount Union's Biomedical Engineering program page cites a $88,040 median salary for biomedical engineers, based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics data referenced by the university. This is an occupation-level figure rather than a salary specifically reported for Mount Union graduates.
Industry connections: Mount Union's Engineering Advisory Board includes professionals connected to biomedical engineering organizations and institutions, including Innovative Radiology, Inc., Hubbell Power Systems, Case Western Reserve University, and the University of California, San Francisco's Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences.
Professional accreditation: The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under its General Criteria and Biomedical Engineering Program Criteria. This provides an established quality framework for the engineering curriculum and supports graduates pursuing professional engineering careers or further engineering education.
Career preparation: Mount Union's School of Engineering reports that its graduates have a placement rate exceeding 95%, while approximately 90% of engineering students have had at least one paid internship opportunity before graduation; these are School of Engineering figures rather than Biomedical Engineering-specific statistics.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, students can pursue master's or doctoral study in biomedical engineering, bioengineering, engineering, medical-device development, biomaterials, biomechanics, or related research fields. The degree can also support progression into advanced healthcare and interdisciplinary programs, while Mount Union's own program objectives explicitly identify advanced study and alternate career paths as options for graduates.