Priya Desai December 5, 2020 8 Academic Tips and Info,College Lists

List of All U.S. Colleges with a Biomedical Engineering Major

Biomedical engineering might make you think of scenes from science fiction movies, conjuring a Frankenstein-like image in your mind. However, the work of biomedical engineers is much more common than you’d think – this field involves the creation of medical technologies that are complex and obscure, as well as those tools and devices that are omnipresent in many people’s lives.

Colleges around the country have added this growing, interdisciplinary field to their offered majors. Though this is a highly specialized field, job opportunities abound in creating, maintaining, and improving a range of biomedical devices and equipment. You might find yourself programming an automated surgical procedure, creating prosthetics, or tinkering with the latest in breathing assistance technology. 

If biomedical engineering sounds like it’s up your alley, read on to learn more about which schools offer the major and what you should look for in a program. 

Overview of the Biomedical Engineering Major

Biomedical engineering is an inherently interdisciplinary field and requires a range of foundations in different fields. For a more comprehensive look at what it takes to become a biomedical engineering major, check out our blog article, which covers the steps you should take from high school to pursue this major. 

In college, students will need to have a strong foundation in the life sciences, such as biology and chemistry. They will also likely take rigorous course material in math and physics. In addition, BME majors need technical education, so to have a working knowledge of computer science, they must take introductory programming classes. 

Introductory bioengineering courses often combine this subject material to provide students with these subjects in an interdisciplinary format. Upper division courses allow students to explore more specialized fields, customizing their education to better align with their interests and career aspirations. Some examples of these are Medical Imaging (University of Florida), Neural Interfacing (Case Western Reserve University), Microcomputer-Based Instrumentation Lab (Wayne State University).

Students in this major need to have an aptitude for STEM subjects, and the ability to integrate them in an interdisciplinary manner to aid them in coursework. The learning material is an eclectic blend of varied but challenging subjects, so you’ll need to be able to understand where your strengths and weaknesses lie and change your study behavior accordingly. The field is also everchanging, so you’ll need to keep up with the latest biomedical technological developments, and be on the lookout for startups as you apply to internships and jobs.  

Many biomedical engineering majors go into the field right after their undergraduate career, but some careers will require a license, especially in the government. Graduate school is also an option. This will afford you the opportunity to hone your skills even further and delve deeper into a particular subfield of biomedical engineering. The prerequisites often align so that medical school is also an option for these majors. Though less common, students can also go on to business school, where they can delve into the corporate aspects of the biomedical field, or law school, where they can learn more about medical technology policies and patent law. 

Popular career paths for this major center densely in the field of biomedical engineering; however, within this subject are a host of career possibilities. Most of these job prospects center around improving medical care for patients and lowering the cost of existing technologies by making them more efficiently. Biomedical engineers can go into research, materials development, manufacturing, rehabilitation engineering, and technological advancement. 

Because both the medical and technological field are both growing exponentially, the biomedical engineering field is also experiencing rapid growth. As more advancements are made, these engineers are able to solve issues in order to increase people’s lifespan and improve their quality of life. 

What to Look for in a College as a Biomedical Engineering Major

Laboratory Equipment 

Biomedical engineering requires hands-on components for students to receive a well-rounded education that adequately prepares them for the field. You’ll want to be working with cutting-edge tools and novel equipment to gain a solid understanding of where the industry is headed. Look into the quality of laboratories and equipment at prospective schools and see what sparks your interest. For example, the University of Vermont lists out its BME equipment, which includes cell culture incubators and compound microscopes.

Internship Opportunities 

As you look for ways to continue your education over the summer, you’ll probably consider pursuing internships at biomedical or tech companies. It is imperative that you research what resources the school has in place for professional development. For example, do they have mentorship programs or biomedical-specific career fairs? Are the professors well-connected in the industry? Is the school located in a biomedical tech hub, such as Northern California or D.C.?

Senior Capstone Project

Many schools require biomedical engineering students to create and complete a senior capstone project. This is usually a group effort, where you’ll be able to apply what you’ve learned during undergrad to a hands-on project with several peers. Through this capstone, you’ll be able to create a device that could actually revolutionize the biomedical field. Examples of previous projects include a Scoliosis Simulator (CMU ‘20), an Intra-abdominal Biodegradable Amylase Sensor (Illinois ‘19), and a Dynamic Rocking Wheelchair (Brown ‘20). 

List of All U.S. Colleges With a Biomedical Engineering Major

What Are Your Chances of Acceptance?

Regardless of what major you choose, you’ll want to first ensure that you’re academically comparable to the university’s previously accepted students. Most selective schools use a tool called the Academic Index to filter out applicants based on quantitative data. This is the initial “hoop” you’ll need to jump through for your entire application to be considered. 

Engineering programs also often have a separate essay; you may even need to apply directly to the college of engineering rather than the larger university. In high school, try to demonstrate your interest in biomedical engineering by joining related activities, such as robotics, HOSA, and volunteering in hospitals. You should also take the most advanced STEM courses possible.

In addition to this, you need to ensure that the more qualitative aspects of your application match up with what the school is looking for in a candidate. Each school has a unique culture, and prioritizes different qualities. This information is usually explicitly on the school website in the form of values, or can be gleaned from a perusal of their admission materials and online presence. On your application, ensure that your extracurriculars and essays paint an accurate picture of who you are that aligns with what the college is looking for. 

For more insight regarding your chances of attending a particular school, we recommend using our free Chancing Engine. Unlike other admissions calculators, it takes into account a large portion of your individual profile, including academic stats and more qualitative factors like extracurriculars.