University at Buffalo (UB)
Are you interested in biology, medicine and engineering but can't decide which one to pick? UB's biomedical engineering (BME) program lets you explore all of your interests in one do-it-all major. If you get excited about things like making 3D models of the brain to improve cancer care, designing wearable medical sensors, and using artificial intelligence to prevent cardiac deaths—and you’re good at science and math—then BME could be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
As a biomedical engineering major, you’ll start by taking core classes in biomedical principles, as well as basic math and science courses. You’ll get hands-on experience with design and modeling (typically using 3D printers and other technology), then move on to lab experiments and more advanced topics, including electives that let you go deeper in areas such as cell engineering, cardiovascular biomechanics and orthopedic science. And yes, you’ll typically also have opportunities to take some classes outside of your major.
At UB, you’ll have opportunities starting right away to get hands-on experience and make connections.
Typically, about one-third of our students get a job after they graduate, one-third go to graduate school in an engineering field and one-third go to medical school.
Given that you’ll have a background in both engineering and medicine, you’ll likely find yourself in a career that overlaps these fields. For example, our alumni have worked on systems to prevent orthopedic implant infections, used artificial intelligence to improve respiratory care and analyzed data from clinical trials.
Whether you choose to work for a hospital, university, government regulatory agency or private company, you’ll find opportunities in a variety of areas, including:
Our professors are here for you in the classroom and beyond. As one of our graduates said, "You never know what potential future employer knows a former professor of yours."
In addition to being excellent teachers, our faculty members are highly respected researchers who help advance the field in biomedical imaging, integrated sensors, cardiovascular disease and other critical areas. They have served on national editorial boards and boards of directors and earned patents for their discovery.
Of course, they've also received numerous honors from the National Science Foundation, National Academy of Inventors, National Institute of Health and others, including being named SUNY Empire Innovation Professor and earning the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Service. And because some of our faculty typically teach in other departments (such as electrical engineering and computer science), they bring fresh, diverse perspectives to the classroom and lab.