The Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a Biomedical Engineering concentration emphasizes the combination of biomechanics and manufacturing of biomedical devices.

The concentration prepares students to contribute to the design and improvement of major health-related devices like artificial hearts and prostheses, health management and care delivery systems, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and devices for automating insulin injections or controlling body functions.

With the 4+1 integrated degree program, students can go on to earn an M.S. in Engineering Management with only one additional year of study. Graduates who earn a 3.5 GPA or higher and apply to the Biomedical Engineering graduate program at Carnegie Mellon University are eligible for a special streamlined application process and waived application fee.

The Bachelor of Science in Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org.

Contact Information

Won Joo, Ph.D. 
Department Head, Engineering  
joo@rmu.edu
412-397-4026 phone 

Rika W. Carlsen, Ph.D. 
Coordinator, Biomedical Engineering  
Director,  Center of Outreach and Innovation  
carlsen@rmu.edu
412-397-3531 phone 

4-Year Course Plan

Freshman Year, Fall

• Intro to Engineering
• Calculus w/Analytic Geometry I
• Chemistry I with lab
• Programming
• Intercultural Communication/Reading & Writing Strategies

Freshman Year, Spring

• Engineering Graphics
• Calculus w/Analytic Geometry II
• General Physics I with lab
• General Physics I with lab
• Fundamentals of Accounting

Sophomore Year, Fall

• Statics & Strength of Materials
• General Physics II with lab
• Calculus w/ Analytic Geometry III or similar
• Anatomy & Physiology I with lab

Sophomore Year, Spring

• Biomedical Engineering Principles
• Circuits & Electromagnetics
• Thermodynamics & Energetics
• Differential Equations
• Anatomy & Physiology II with lab or Chemistry II with lab

Junior Year, Fall

• Engineering Materials
• Dynamics
• Fluid Mechanics
• Survey of Economics
• Professional Communication in Workplace

Junior Year, Spring

• Value Design
• Biomedical Engineering Elective
• Management Theory & Practice
• Biomechanics
• Contemporary American Social Problems or similar

Senior Year, Fall

• Engineering Practice
• Biomedical Engineering Elective
• Public Speaking & Persuasion
• Humanities: Art & Music
• World Literature or similar

Senior Year, Spring

• Integrated Engineering Design
• Biomedical Devices & Systems
• Principles of Marketing
• General Psychology
• US History 1 or similar

Additional Program Details

Program Educational Objectives

Five years after graduation, RMU engineering graduates should:

• Be technically competent engineers.
• Be hands-on practitioners of engineering.
• Possess strong understanding of business and, strong team and communications skills.
• Be well-prepared to embrace the continuous learning necessary to practice engineering over their entire professional lifetimes.
• Have a strong understanding of engineering ethics.

Student Outcomes

Until 2018-2019 Academic year.

At the time of graduation, the graduate should have:

• an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.
• an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
• an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability.
• an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams.
• an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.
• an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
• an ability to communicate effectively.
• the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.
• recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning.
• knowledge of contemporary issues.
• an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

From 2019-2020 Academic Year to Present 

At the time of graduation, the graduate should have:  

• an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
• an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
• an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
• an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
• an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
• an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
• an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies

Enrollment and Graduation Data (B.S. Engineering)

• 2022-2023: 57 new admission, 225 enrolled, 62 graduated
• 2021-2022: 56 new admission, 248 enrolled, 63 graduated
• 2020-2021: 42 new admission, 275 enrolled, 74 graduated
• 2019-2020: 78 new admission, 318 enrolled, 87 graduated
• 2018-2019: 80 new admission, 349 enrolled, 99 graduated
• 2017-2018: 94 new admission, 359 enrolled, 149 graduated
• 2016-2017: 102 new admission, 532 enrolled, 138 graduated