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Biomedical Engineering

Degree: BS

Campus: Columbus

College: Engineering

To be considered for this major, freshmen applying to the Columbus campus are strongly encouraged to submit their complete admission application by November 1.  

Biomedical engineering is a multidisciplinary field that builds upon mathematics, physical sciences and chemical sciences; integrates engineering and life sciences; and is applied to wide-ranging issues in biology and medicine. 

The biomedical engineering program in the Department of Biomedical Engineering educates engineers in both breadth and depth of biomedical engineering, with specific activities in the domains of bioimaging; biotransport; biomaterials; biomechanics; molecular, cellular and tissue engineering; and micro/nano-biotechnology. Students are challenged to integrate the engineering and life sciences throughout the curriculum, including quantification of physiological processes, modeling and computer simulation of biological phenomena.

Prospective students interested in pursuing engineering at Ohio State must indicate their engineering major of interest on their application. Applicants are reviewed holistically by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Some engineering majors have available capacity and can direct enroll students into the major without an additional application process. Other engineering majors have a pre-major component and require an additional application process.

To learn about admission to specific engineering majors, visit: https://engineering.osu.edu/undergraduate/future-students/admissions

All engineering students have a similar first-year plan of study, the college core, that provides fundamental courses in math, science and engineering.

The biomedical engineering undergraduate curriculum prepares students for the next step in their career path, and major courses include a balance of breadth and depth in biomedical engineering and other courses. 

All engineering students also take additional select core courses and general education courses.

Engineering students have several opportunities for global education, including service learningsemester abroad, international internships, engineering-specific study abroad programs or the Global Option in Engineering program

Whether it be installing solar panels on Haitian schools, researching biomedical optics in China, devising solutions for sustainable food production in Honduras, or setting speed records on the Isle of Man, Ohio State engineering students venture beyond classrooms and labs to find success in every corner of the globe. 

Students work with Engineering Career Services to find both paid internships and co-op jobs across the United States and around the world. About 75% of engineering students participate in a co-op or internship before they graduate. 

Honors and Scholars offer students an opportunity to pursue academic rigor (Honors) or foster passion through community (Scholars). Engineering students can enhance their experience by getting involved with one of the following engineering-based programs.

Engineering Honors

The Fundamentals of Engineering for Honors (FEH) Program is an optional course sequence that is offered to University Honors-designated engineering students. This accelerated program is designed to challenge students and provide them with a foundation in engineering principles that are necessary for success throughout their academic careers.

Engineering Scholars

Engineering Scholars contemplate the adoption of socially responsible practices within engineering as a means to minimize health risks and environmental impact and maximize efficiency, feasibility and sustainability.

Humanitarian Engineering Scholars learn about and engage in engineering activities that impact underserved areas by addressing pressing problems. 

At Ohio State, engineering students conduct research alongside top faculty from across the university—doctors, physicists, designers, artists and experts in many other fields—to advance our knowledge and improve the world around us. Students enjoy multiple outlets to share their work, including Ohio State's annual Denman Undergraduate Research Forum each spring. Learn more about engineering research.

Biomedical engineering research topics:

  • nanotechnology for cell transplants
  • microfabrication of biodegradable polymers for drug delivery
  • design of virtual bone dissection simulations
  • biomechanics of tissue (bone, eye, breast)
  • magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy
  • corneal topography
  • understanding mechanoregulation, mechanosignaling in vascular cells and tissues
  • mechanobiology of upper respiratory and pulmonary infection and inflammation
  • cancer imaging and treatment
  • biocompatibility of novel implant materials

Biomedical engineering students choose from more than 80 engineering student organizations, including Alpha Eta Mu Beta, Biomedical Engineering Society, Engineering in Medicine Interest Group and OhioMOD Biomolecular Design Team.

A majority of all biomedical engineers are employed by manufacturing industries, primarily in the medical instruments and supplies industries. Many pursue further professional training in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, law and business, or further their education in graduate school. Biomedical engineers find jobs in health services, government agencies or as independent consultants. 

Newer areas of biomedical engineering are experiencing rapid growth, such as computer-assisted surgery and cellular/tissue engineering. In addition, the rehabilitation and orthopedic engineering specialties are growing, increasing the need for more biomedical engineers.

Some employers of biomedical engineering graduates include Accenture, Epic, Johnson & Johnson, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Procter & Gamble, and Zimmer Biomet.

Many graduates work with Engineering Career Services to find their first job.

Beginning annual salaries for recent biomedical engineering graduates average $57,982.