Biomedical Engineering Major: What It Includes, Classes and Careers

A Biomedical Engineering major applies engineering to medicine: devices, implants, imaging and diagnostics. Biomedical engineering majors combine engineering with biology and physiology to design medical devices, prosthetics, imaging systems and lab equipment.

A Biomedical Engineering major includes coursework in biology and physiology, biomechanics, biomaterials, medical instrumentation, and signal processing and more. You build skills such as device design, lab testing, regulatory awareness, and data analysis. Programs often include laboratory work and team projects. Typical degrees: bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees.

Typical courses include biology and physiology, biomechanics, biomaterials, medical instrumentation, signal processing, and design projects. Exact course names and requirements vary by college, and most degrees also include general education courses.

It depends on the level. Biomedical Engineering is offered as certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral awards at U.S. colleges; certificates take from a few months to about two years, an associate degree usually takes about two years of full-time study, a bachelor’s degree usually takes about four years of full-time study, a master’s degree usually takes one to two years after a bachelor’s, and a doctoral or professional degree takes several more years beyond that. Part-time study takes longer.

Bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. In the latest federal data, 17 colleges reported certificate awards, 5 colleges reported associate awards, 184 colleges reported bachelor’s awards, 164 colleges reported master’s awards, and 125 colleges reported doctoral awards.

Career paths connected to biomedical engineering include biomedical engineer, biomedical equipment technician, medical appliance technician, medical scientist, and mechanical engineer. Some roles need additional training, experience, certification or a license.

Examples include biomedical engineer (typical training: 4-year engineering degree), biomedical equipment technician (typical training: 2 years), medical appliance technician (typical training: 1 year), medical scientist (typical training: 5–8 years after a bachelor’s), and mechanical engineer (typical training: 4 years).

Biomedical Engineering majors build skills such as device design, lab testing, regulatory awareness, data analysis, and problem solving.

Good pairings include Biology (deepens the life science side of the field), Business (helps with product development and regulation), and Chemistry (supports biomaterials and lab work).

Often, yes. Programs commonly include laboratory work and team projects. Ask each college how its program arranges hands-on work.

It can be a good fit if you are interested in the work it leads to, such as biomedical engineer, biomedical equipment technician, and medical appliance technician, and enjoy subjects like biology and physiology and biomechanics. No major guarantees a job, so compare the coursework, the careers and the education each career requires before deciding.

How hard it feels depends on your strengths. Core coursework includes biology and physiology, biomechanics, and biomaterials; if those subjects interest you, the major is likely to feel more manageable. Reviewing a college’s course list and talking to current students helps you judge.

235 U.S. colleges reported awarding degrees or certificates in this field in the latest federal (IPEDS) data. Programs can have different names at different schools.

California (22), New York (16), Massachusetts (14), Texas (14), and Pennsylvania (13), based on the colleges that reported awards in this field.

220 of the colleges that offer biomedical engineering also report offering at least one program entirely online, though not necessarily this one. Use the college search with this major and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with the school.

Biomedical Engineering applies engineering to medicine: devices, implants, imaging and diagnostics. Mechanical Engineering designs machines, engines, tools and mechanical systems. Biomedical Engineering leads to careers such as biomedical engineer and biomedical equipment technician, while Mechanical Engineering leads to careers such as mechanical engineer and mechanical engineering technician.

Biomedical Engineering applies engineering to medicine: devices, implants, imaging and diagnostics. Electrical Engineering designs electrical systems, electronics, power and communications equipment. Biomedical Engineering leads to careers such as biomedical engineer and biomedical equipment technician, while Electrical Engineering leads to careers such as electrical engineer and electronics engineer.

Yes. Short online career training can help you understand a specific job and build practical knowledge alongside your classes. It does not replace your degree or any required license.

No. Career Education Institute is not a college and does not award degrees. It offers short, non-credit online trainings about jobs connected to biomedical engineering, such as Biomedical Engineer Training.