Biomedical Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering
Explore the intersection of engineering, biology and medicine with the University of Central Oklahoma’s Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering, and prepare for an in-demand career fueling technological and scientific advances. A rigorous curriculum lays down a strong mathematics- and science-based foundation and takes a multidisciplinary approach to engineering, focusing on areas essential for developing devices that improve health care delivery and patient quality of life.
Along with theories, emphasis on hands-on experience through research, team projects and a capstone encourages you to think about engineering design in relation to biological principles to ultimately improve human health in the future.
Students enrolling in this ABET-accredited program select pathways based on electives for a career in industry, government or service, or a related graduate program OR to fulfill requirements for medical school.
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About the Bachelor’s in Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical engineering propels the medical field forward in the present. Concepts help advance implantable devices and diagnostic equipment and are integral to conducting research. To achieve such results, biomedical engineering applies principles of mechanical, electrical and chemical engineering, as well as materials science, chemistry, biology and computer science, to analyze and devise solutions that benefit the human body. This broad-spectrum encompasses creating or improving medical devices, procedures and diagnostic systems, including research, testing or safety for:
- Medical imaging systems;
- Artificial organs;
- Prosthetics;
- Surgical robotics;
- Pharmaceuticals;
- Sports medicine;
- Sensors;
- Computerized diagnostic systems; and,
- Biomaterials.
Through a structure emphasizing applied learning and innovation before you’ve even entered the workforce, the bachelor’s in biomedical engineering:
- Strives to thoroughly prepare all students for biomedical engineering careers in industrial, government or service fields, including to make an impact through research and development;
- Trains all students to collaborate toward a shared goal and lead as part of a collective unit to assist with advancing the biomedical engineering field to benefit patients and improve their well-being;
- Views math and scientific disciplines through an engineering lens, including identifying a problem, gathering and analyzing data and formulating a solution;
- Emphasizes the importance of diverse teams, communicating ideas with a range of audiences and developing solutions that not only improve public health and safety but take into account global, cultural, social and environmental factors;
- Stresses the importance of acquiring a strong ethical and professional mindset to make decisions and realize the broad social, environmental and economic effects of biomedical engineering; and,
- Equips students to establish goals, plan projects and meet objectives through research, data analysis and engineering principles.
B.S. in Biomedical Engineering Curriculum
Whether you’re aiming for medical school or intend to enter the biomedical industry, this degree program’s curriculum not only instructs you in engineering and biomedical science but helps you learn to solve problems in a health-related field and contribute to the local economy.
Along with nine to 18 credit hours of support courses, this 96 to 98 credit-hour major covers human physiology, principles of biomedical engineering, medical instrumentation, medical imaging and biomechanics. You’ll begin with courses in biology, chemistry, calculus and physics before diving into a multidisciplinary engineering curriculum.
Considering the various concepts and applications of biomedical engineering, you’ll explore:
- Essential engineering problem-solving techniques, tools, ethics, resources and computer skills;
- Biomedical engineering principles, including biological interactions with imaging technologies, modeling and instrumentation;
- Engineering mechanics and laws involving forces and torques;
- Electrical circuit techniques and analysis;
- Materials sciences in biomedical applications, including properties, structures and biocompatibility;
- Physics and engineering principles in relation to the human body;
- Logic design, including number systems and Boolean algebra;
- Statistics and probability for measuring and analyzing engineering data;
- Mathematically representing signals and designing systems to process them;
- Analog electronics and circuits, including passive devices, diodes, bipolar junction transistors and operational amplifiers;
- Measuring physiological signals and data from digital and analog circuits;
- How imaging systems scan and capture the human body and the types of technologies used;
- The design and applications of common biomedical instrumentation; and,
- Mechanics in biological and medical applications.
Following this sequence, the program groups electives based on pre-med preparation or starting a career in an instrumentation field.
By senior year, students may opt to begin taking graduate-level courses to pursue a Master of Science in engineering physics - biomedical engineering at UCO. Upon eligibility, you’ll enroll in select 5000-level courses during your senior year and continue with the master’s program the following year. Learn more about the program and how to apply.
Careers in Biomedical Engineering
With technology directly influencing patient care and delivery, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has identified 6% growth for bioengineers and biomedical engineers between 2020 and 2030. In hospitals, academia, government agencies, industry and research, opportunities for entering and influencing the field exist in:
- Developing and testing new medical technologies;
- Medical diagnostics and tools;
- Establishing medical device safety standards;
- Artificial organs;
- Automated patient monitoring;
- Biochemistry sensors;
- Advanced therapeutic/surgical devices;
- Application of expert systems and artificial intelligence to clinical decision-making;
- Clinical laboratory design;
- Medical imaging systems;
- Computer modeling of physiologic systems;
- Biomaterials design;
- Biomechanics of injury and wound healing; and,
- Sports medicine.
Along with the program’s applied learning, take advantage of these opportunities in the Oklahoma City metro area that may spark your interest and even boost your résumé:
Learn More About the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering
Discover the integral role engineering plays in the medical field with UCO’s B.S. in biomedical engineering. For more information, general inquiries about the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering program may be directed toward the Biomedical Engineering Director, Scott Mattison, Ph.D.
