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Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical Engineering

What is Biomedical Engineering?

Biomedical engineering is a multidisciplinary area in which engineering techniques are applied to problem solving in the life sciences and medicine. They design medical instruments for diagnosis and the treatment of various diseases as well as for research in biology. Biomedical engineers develop artificial organs for prosthesis and computer software and hardware systems to help provide high-quality, cost-effective health care.

Our biomedical engineering program combines study in the biological sciences with the areas of engineering that are particularly important for the application of modern technology to medicine. Biomedical engineering professors and students work collaboratively with physicians and scientists at the OU Health Sciences Center on important problems that can save lives and improve the quality of life for the citizens of Oklahoma and the nation. Among other things, they are advancing X-ray and MRI imaging, designing implants for the middle ear to help the hearing impaired, investigating the conditions favorable for cell differentiation and proliferation in three-dimensional tissue engineering constructs, and producing agents to treat cancer, heart attack and stroke.

Do my interests fit?

Biomedical engineering students typically have interests in:

  • Medicine
  • Research
  • Math
  • Engineering
  • Life sciences
  • Communication skills

High school preparation should include math, physics, chemistry and biology.

How can OU Biomedical Engineering help me?

OU biomedical engineering students develop skills through experiential learning by practicing what is learned in the classroom through real world experiences. Students are tutored and mentored by upper-classmen with opportunities to expand horizons through study abroad. With accomplished faculty and expert guest speakers, students are empowered through professional development and receive competitive advantages in pursuing future careers.

How can I get involved?

There are numerous clubs biomedical engineering students can be a part of. Check them out:

What courses will I take?

Biomedical engineering courses include:

  • Biomedical Engineering Fundamentals
  • Circuits and Systems for Biomedical Engineering
  • Core Area Labs and Courses
  • Biomedical Instrumentation
  • Biomaterials
  • Quantitative Physiology
  • Biomedical Engineering Design

What kind of career could I pursue?

Biomedical engineers have a wide range of job opportunities and can include a hospital based practice as a clinical engineer, an industrially based engineer designing medical devices, a technical sales engineer, or a staff engineer in a medical research laboratory. Biomedical engineers find themselves in wide variety of specialties which may organize around various diseases, such as cancer or organ systems, or technology, such as biomaterials or imaging. 

How much will I make?

Visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ website to explore the median pay for jobs you can pursue with this degree. 

Program Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET, under the General Criteria and the Bioengineering and Biomedical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs Program Criteria. A five year accelerated Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering degree program is also available.


Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering
Phone: (405) 325-5453
Email: engineering@ou.edu
Website: ou.edu/coe/sbme