Biomedical engineering (BME) is the application of engineering tools for solving problems in biology and medicine. BMEs apply their multidisciplinary expertise to problems such as designing new medical instruments and devices, understanding and repairing the human body, and applying resourceful and cross-disciplinary approaches to age-old problems in the fields of medicine, biology, and beyond. A biomedical engineer can expect to work in a wide variety of multidisciplinary teams with professionals such as physicians, biologists, researchers, nurses, therapists, mathematicians, administrators, and many others while working in industry, as entrepreneurs, in the medical profession, and in academia.

To prepare students for such careers, the 128-credit, four-year BME undergraduate degree emphasizes engineering design; access to cooperatives/internships at local or national medical device manufacturers, hospitals, or laboratories; continuous advising; flexibility in engineering specialization areas; participation in program evaluation and improvement; study-abroad opportunities; and an option to complete a one-year MS degree following the undergraduate program.

The backbone of the BME program is its unique, seven-semester design curriculum. Students take an advising/design project course in their first year and every semester their fourth year (with options to work in industry and/or focus on pre-health requirements). A faculty member advises small teams of students, serving as advisor/consultant/mentor, to guide them through real-world design projects solicited from clients throughout the university, medical profession, industry, and the community. These clients serve as resources for students in their projects, conduct discussions, and expose the students to various aspects of the BME field. Over the course of each semester, teams design, fabricate, and ultimately present a product that meets the needs of the client. This novel approach gives students an exceptionally balanced education by incorporating clinical and biomedical industry experience, thus expanding their network. Overall, the design experiences highlight the very multidisciplinary nature of BME.

Within the program, BME students choose a course of study that emphasizes one of the following four specializations within the field:

1. Bioinstrumentation and medical devices is the application of electronics, measurement principles, and techniques to develop devices used in diagnosis and treatment of disease. Examples include the electrocardiogram, brain–computer interface, implantable electrodes, sensors, tumor ablation, and other medical devices. Neuroengineering, a subfield, involves using engineering technology to study the function of neural systems and the development of implantable technology for neuroprosthetic and rehabilitation applications.
2. Biomedical imaging and optics involves the design and enhancement of systems for noninvasive anatomical, cellular, and molecular imaging. In addition to common imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography (PET), biomedical imaging includes topics such as biophotonics, optics, and multimode imaging, and is now expanding to serve functional and therapeutic purposes as well. Advanced capabilities result when fundamentals of engineering, physics, and computer science are applied in conjunction with the expertise of clinical collaborators.
3. Biomechanics applies engineering mechanics for understanding biological processes and for solving medical problems at systemic, organ, tissue, cellular, and molecular levels. This includes the mechanics of connective tissues (ligament tendon, cartilage, and bone) as well as orthopedic devices (fracture fixation hardware and joint prostheses), vascular remodeling, muscle mechanics with injury and healing, human motor control, neuromuscular adaptation (with age, injury, and disease), microfluidics for cellular applications, cellular motility and adhesion, and rehabilitation engineering.
4. Biomaterials, cellular and tissue engineering involves the characterization and use of structural materials, derived from synthetic or natural sources, to design medical products that safely interact with tissues for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes such as artificial blood vessels, heart valves, orthopedic joints, and drug delivery vehicles. Tissue engineers understand structure–function relationships in normal and pathological tissues to engineer living tissues and/or biological substitutes to restore, maintain, or improve function. At the cellular and molecular level this includes the study or manipulation of biological processes such as the cell’s differentiation, proliferation, growth, migration, apoptosis, and can involve genetic and stem cell engineering.

Although the various disciplines within BME can be separately defined, solving a biomedical program requires an overall understanding of the field. For example, the design of an artificial hip requires an understanding of the forces and biomechanics of human movement as well as the mechanical and material properties of the prosthetic device. The material choice and topography play a critical role in cellular and tissue integration, which ultimately leads to long-term stability of the implant. In addition, biomedical imaging techniques are required to characterize the morphology of the diseased hip and the success of the procedure. Finally, instrumentation devices are utilized during the hip replacement surgery.

Students choose the biomedical engineering field to be of service to people; for the excitement of working with living systems; and to apply advanced technology to the complex problems of medical care. Students in the BME program can expect to develop skills in innovative thinking, critical analysis of ethics, project management, and technical writing, all in an environment that cultivates creativity, teamwork, and curiosity. With many possible focuses within the major, BME students have the opportunity to explore and cultivate their interests in specific topics while applying the concepts of engineering to medical applications, hands-on projects, and cutting-edge research. 

Students successfully completing the BS degree in BME with an overall GPA of 3.0 or a GPA of 3.25 for the last 60 credits of the BS program are eligible to apply for the one-year MS degree.

How to Get in

Admission to the College as a First-Year Student

Students applying to UW–Madison need to indicate an engineering major as their first choice in order to be considered for direct admission to the College of Engineering. Direct admission means that students get to start their college career in the engineering program of their choice and have access to engineering-specific resources and facilities. Students who are directly admitted need to meet progression requirements at the end of the first year to guarantee advancement in that program.

Cross-Campus Transfer to Engineering

UW–Madison students in other schools and colleges on campus must meet minimum admission requirements for admission consideration to engineering degree programs. Cross-campus admission is competitive and selective, and academic performance expectations may increase as demand trends change. The student’s overall academic record at UW–Madison is also considered. Students apply to their intended engineering program by submitting the online application by stated deadlines for spring and fall. The College of Engineering offers an online information tutorial and advising for students to learn about the cross-campus transfer process.

Off-Campus Transfer to Engineering

With careful planning, students at other accredited institutions can transfer coursework that will apply toward engineering degree requirements at UW–Madison. Off-campus transfer applicants are considered for direct admission to the College of Engineering by applying to the Office of Admissions with an engineering major listed as their first choice. Those who are admitted to their intended engineering program must meet progression requirements at the point of transfer or within their first two semesters at UW–Madison to guarantee advancement in that program. A minimum of 30 credits in residence in the College of Engineering is required after transferring, and all students must meet all requirements for their engineering major. Transfer admission to the College of Engineering is competitive and selective, and students who have exceeded the 80 credit limit at the time of application are not eligible to apply.

The College of Engineering has dual degree programs with select four-year UW System campuses. Eligible dual degree applicants are not subject to the 80 credit limit.

Off-campus transfer students are encouraged to discuss their interests, academic background, and admission options with the Transfer & Academic Program Manager in the College of Engineering: ugtransfer@engr.wisc.edu or 608-262-2473.

Second Bachelor's Degree

The College of Engineering does not accept second undergraduate degree applications. Second degree students might explore the Biological Systems Engineering program at UW–Madison, an undergraduate engineering degree elsewhere, or a graduate program in the College of Engineering.

University General Education Requirements

All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below. Consult your advisor for assistance, as needed. For additional information, see the university Undergraduate General Education Requirements section of the Guide.

Summary of Requirements

Mathematics

Science

General Education

Engineering Courses

¹

Students transferring from other engineering majors may count their previous program's introduction to engineering course(s) here (CBE 150 Introduction to Chemical Engineering, E C E 210 Introductory Experience in Electrical Engineering, E C E/​COMP SCI  252 Introduction to Computer Engineering, E M A 200 Introduction to Mechanics and Aerospace, G L E 171 Introduction to Geological Engineering, INTEREGR 170 Design Practicum, I SY E 191 The Practice of Industrial Engineering, M E 201 Introduction to Mechanical Engineering, M S & E 260 Materials Experience, and NAV SCI 301 Naval Engineering).

²

It is highly recommended that students take E M A 201 Statics instead of PHYSICS 201 General Physics.  E M A 201 Statics is a requisite for E M A 303 Mechanics of Materials and thus taking PHYSICS 201/PHYSICS 207 General Physics alone is not recommended.

³

The number of credits in this area can range from 2 or more such that at least 2 credits are met here and 48 engineering credits are met overall. This number of credits depends on how students decide to fulfill various requirements when they enter or progress into program, and if they study abroad. Examples that may add additional credits include (and are not limited to): Taking PHYSICS 201 General Physics instead of E M A 201 Statics may add 3 credits. Transfer students are not required to take INTEREGR 170 Design Practicum, which may add 3 credits. Students who study abroad may miss a design course which may add credit. Regardless of the choices made, all students must have at minimum 48 credits of engineering courses from degree-granting programs.

• InterEGR courses are not included in this category except  INTEREGR 170 Design Practicum.
• Only 3 credits of an engineering independent study may count (e.g., B M E 399 Independent Study, B M E 489 Honors in Research , CBE 699 Advanced Independent Studies, etc.) toward the 48 engineering credit count.
• Special topics courses must have prior approval of the B M E Curriculum Committee.

Biomedical Engineering Area Technical Elective Requirements

• Choose area technical electives from one of the following areas below and at least one advanced B M E elective from any area as shown in the complete list below for a total of 18 credits.
• Introduction to engineering courses (CBE 150, E C E 210, E C E/​COMP SCI  252, E M A 200, G L E 171, INTEREGR 170, I SY E 191, M E 201, M S & E 260, and NAV SCI 301), seminar courses, and research credits cannot count in these areas. Special topics courses must have prior approval of the BME Curriculum Committee. All courses must be numbered 200 or higher.

Bioinstrumentation and Medical Devices:

Biomedical Imaging and Optics:

Biomechanics:

Biomaterials, Cellular and Tissue Engineering:

One Advanced B M E Technical Elective from any area (complete list) - 1 course:

Honors in Undergraduate Research Program

Qualified undergraduates may earn an Honors in Research designation on their transcript and diploma by completing 8 credits of undergraduate honors research, including a senior thesis. For more information about the program and the application form, visit: https://go.wisc.edu/bme-honors-application 

Total Degree Credits: at least 128

University Degree Requirements

Learning Outcomes

1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
2. 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
3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
4. 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
5. 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
6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies

Four-Year Plan

Sample Four-Year Plan

Footnotes 

Med

—These courses are identified as requirements for most medical schools and are included within the 128 degree credits. Students not wishing to attend medical school may choose any of the listed options. Choosing other options will affect the total number of credits.

Medical schools have varying requirements. Liberal electives, free-general electives, and science electives can often be used to satisfy these. Check requirements early and start planning during your first year. For example: science elective and free elective for CHEM 345 and CHEM 344; liberal studies for psychology, sociology, English and writing; advanced life science for biochemistry; engineering technical free elective for research; and one of the recommended biology sequences (noted with Med) taken earlier than shown. A good resource is: http://prehealth.wisc.edu/.

¹

INTEREGR 170 Design Practicum is required only for students directly admitted to B M E as freshmen and counts toward the 48 engineering credits. It can be taken in the fall or the spring semester.

²

It is highly recommended that students take E M A 201 Statics instead of PHYSICS 201 General Physics.  E M A 201 Statics is a requisite for E M A 303 and thus taking PHYSICS 201/PHYSICS 207 General Physics alone is not recommended.

³

It is recommended that students needing additional core course options for progression take computer sciences in the first year. Additionally, STAT 324 Introduction to Statistics for Science and Engineering counts as a science core course. B M E 325 Applied Statistics for Biomedical Engineers is not a science core course, but is preferred. B M E 325 is open to first year students. MATH/​STAT  431 Introduction to the Theory of Probability is only recommended for students interested in a math certificate or second major.

⁴

Students who are admitted late to the program and/or students who take part in another experience (such as co-op and/or study abroad), missing B M E 200 Biomedical Engineering Design or B M E 300 Biomedical Engineering Design and Leadership , or students who may graduate early missing B M E 402 Biomedical Engineering Capstone Design II on a rare approved exception, may substitute for these courses for the semester they are not in the program or at UW-Madison. Students in these situations must still take four of the six BME design courses.

Approved substitutions include: B M E 1 Cooperative Education Program, engineering research credit, or any course numbered 200 or above additional engineering technical elective lab or design experience. 

For more information on the unique design sequence see: http://bmedesign.engr.wisc.edu/about/.

⁵

The three core courses are all required: B M E 310 Bioinstrumentation, B M E 315 Biomechanics, B M E/​PHM SCI  430 Biological Interactions with Materials, but they can be taken in any order. It is recommended that students take the one in their track of interest first, or as early as possible.

Advising and Careers

Advising

Engineering Career Services

Accreditation

Accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the commission's General Criteria and Program Criteria for Bioengineering and Biomedical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. 

Program Educational Objectives for the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering 

We recognize that our graduates will choose to use the knowledge and skills that they have acquired during their undergraduate years to pursue a wide variety of career and life goals, and we encourage this diversity of paths. Whatever path graduates choose, be it a job, postgraduate education, or volunteer service, be it in engineering or another field, we have for our graduates the following objectives, that they will: 

1. continue to exhibit strong skills in problem solving, leadership, teamwork and communication; 
2. use these skills to contribute to their communities; 
3. make thoughtful, well-informed career choices; 
4. demonstrate a continuing commitment to and interest in their own and others’ education 

Note: Undergraduate Student Outcomes, number of degrees conferred, and enrollment data are made publicly available at the Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Program website. (In this Guide, the program's Student Outcomes are available through the "Learning Outcomes" tab.)