Biomedical Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering
Take an active role improving medicine and healthcare by applying engineering principles to biological systems. With a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering from the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) College of Engineering, you can improve patient outcomes, progress important scientific research and more. We are among the best undergraduate programs in the nation with a curriculum that prepares students for industry work as well as graduate, medical and dental school.
What you’ll learn
Our undergraduate biomedical engineering program allows you to specialize in:
- Cellular, tissue and regenerative engineering
- Biomechanics and rehabilitation engineering
- Biomedical instrumentation and imaging
You’ll have opportunities to engage in hands-on learning from the moment you enroll. Regardless of the career path you choose, gaining this crucial experience will help you succeed. Our undergraduate program can provide you with experiences like:
- Participating in medical and clinical rounds (starting as early as freshman year)
- Using state-of-the-art equipment
- Learning key design and testing methodologies
- A full-year capstone design project course for seniors
- Faculty mentorship
- Undergraduate research
Biomedical engineering seniors who qualify can also enroll in an accelerated master’s program, allowing you to earn a graduate degree in as little as one year. Specializations include:
- Biomedical engineering
- Cell and tissue engineering
- Rehabilitation engineering
The VCU College of Engineering is etched into the landscape of Richmond, placing students in a culturally vibrant and diverse city full of potential, providing unique learning and job opportunities. Undergraduate students have access to benefits like:
- Close partnerships with hospitals and health organizations like VCU Health, Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center-Richmond, Sheltering Arms Institute and The Center for Rehabilitation Science and Engineering. VCU Engineering students have access to VCU Health’s outstanding health science campus and opportunities to collaborate with other partner organizations.
- Undergraduate research opportunities available as soon as you enroll
- Clear path to medical school with guaranteed admission to the VCU School of Medicine and support programs designed to help you succeed
- Faculty who are industry experts, finding innovative solutions to biomedical engineering problems as respected leaders in their fields with well-funded labs and industry partnerships
- Customized education pathway with flexible electives and focus on biomedical engineering topics you’re passionate about
- Dedicated Career Services department that provides internship and employment opportunities
- Industry connections through college partnerships with public and private industry
- Interdisciplinary education to teach collaboration with engineering practitioners outside your field of study
- New technology specialization with minors in cutting-edge topics like artificial intelligence
Reference the VCU Bulletin for a full list of biomedical engineering classes. Below are a few interesting courses from the program:
Biomedical Engineering Practicum Series (EGRB 101 and EGRB 301): You will participate in medical rounds at the VCU Medical Center’s MCV Hospitals; medical research laboratories throughout the medical center and the Virginia BioTechnology Research Park; and medical seminars, case studies and medical laboratories. This unique opportunity is the only one of its kind in the nation.
Biomechanics (EGRB 310): Study the forces, stresses and strains in the human body during normal function. You’ll focus on the mechanics of various components of the body including hard (bone) and soft (skin, vessels, cartilage, ligaments, tendons) tissues from the perspective of structure and function. Stress and strain relationships for these biomaterials will be analyzed based upon the fundamentals of engineering mechanics. The distinctive features of biological materials will also be studied with respect to differences from nonliving materials.
Biomaterials (EGRB 427): Learn the principles of materials science relating to the use of materials in the body. You’ll study the properties of biomedical materials used as implants, prostheses, orthosis and as medical devices in contact with the human body. Analyze the physical, chemical, thermal and physiological response factors associated with materials and implant devices used in the human body.
The VCU College of Engineering bachelor’s degree can facilitate careers in biomedical engineering like:
- Research Scientist/Engineer: Conduct research to develop and advance rehabilitation and assistive device technologies
- Clinical Scientist: Integrate rehabilitation engineering technologies into medical practice to improve patient outcomes
- Clinical Research Coordinator: Oversee and coordinate clinical trials related to rehabilitation medicine
- Biomedical Engineer: Apply engineering principles to design and develop medical devices, implants and systems related to rehabilitation engineering
- Regulatory Affairs: Work with government agencies (like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) to facilitate the approval and commercialization of new therapies and products
- Biotech Startup Entrepreneur: Take innovative ideas in rehabilitation engineering and assistive devices and develop them into commercial ventures.
If you’re looking to enter a professional school, like medical or dental school, an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering can make your resume stand out!
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides valuable insights into the field of Biomedical Engineering, including salary trends, projected job growth and industry demand. As you research and consider your educational options, take advantage of these resources to align your academic path with promising career opportunities.
With the help of our Career Services team, our undergraduate students in biomedical engineering have many opportunities to network with alumni and industry professionals. Our students get jobs at:
- AstraZeneca
- Bionica Labs
- Boston Scientific
- GlaxoSmithKline
- IEH Laboratories & Consulting Group
- LifeNet Health Sciences
- Medtronic
- Merck & Co., Inc.
- National Institutes of Health
- Plakous Therapeutics
- PPD (part of Thermo Fisher Scientific)
- Recovery Centers of America
- Simon-Kucher & Partners
- Syneos Health
- Tympanogen
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Application information
First-year applicants who submit all materials by the priority admissions deadline of Jan. 15 for the upcoming fall semester will receive a decision by April 1.*
To be considered for a university-level scholarship your application materials must be received by the Office of Admissions by Nov. 1.
Transfer applicants who submit all materials by the March 17 priority deadline for the upcoming fall semester will receive a decision by May 1.*
*After this deadline decisions are sent on a rolling basis until enrollment capacity is met.