Bachelor of Science - Biomedical Engineering (Co-op)

Biomedical engineering leverages the vast knowledge base of engineering, biology, and medicine to solve problems focused on health care and the human body. Biomedical engineers design instruments, devices, and software; bring together knowledge from many technical sources to develop new medical procedures; and conduct research needed to solve clinical problems. They often serve as coordinators and big picture problem solvers. By utilizing their extensive backgrounds in engineering, biology, science, and medicine, biomedical engineers are often the bridge that connects the clinical aspect of medicine with the technological understanding of engineering to design, develop, and implement dynamic solutions to health care problems.

Biomedical engineers are intimately involved in the development of devices and techniques to address issues to improve human health. The field is highly multidisciplinary, requiring expertise from a wide range of professionals, and in particular engineers from disciplines as diverse as chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering. This is true whether in industrial, research, or clinical settings. A successful multidisciplinary team must have at least one member, a biomedical engineering, who possesses a comprehensive understanding of the highly variable and intricate nature of the biomedical system of interest, such as the heart or a prosthetic limb. Biomedical engineers must possess the quantitative and analytical engineering skills needed to precisely define the challenge that is being addressed and assess the effectiveness of any plausible solutions.

Biomedical engineering students may choose to pursue an accelerated dual degree in which they may complete the BS in biomedical engineering and an MS in science, technology and public policy in approximately five years. Many biomedical engineers combine their technical knowledge with the policy skills needed to analyze and advocate for policy change in both private and public organizations. The interdisciplinary nature of the program, in conjunction with the quantitative and qualitative approaches taken to understand and analyze policy, will contribute to a student's ability to gain exciting leadership roles in a range of the engineering fields.