Biomedial Engineering B.S.
Overview
Biomedical engineering is an interdisciplinary area in which engineering techniques are applied to problem solving in the life sciences and medicine. Biomedical engineers design medical instruments for diagnosis and the treatment of various diseases, as well as for research in biology. They also develop artificial organs for prosthesis and computer software and hardware systems to help provide high-quality, cost-effective health care.
Biomedical engineers work in the medical instrument industry, where they invent, design, manufacture, sell, and service medical equipment; hospitals, where they evaluate, select, maintain, and provide training for the use of complex medical equipment; and medical and biological research institutes, where they use unique analytical ability and instrumentation skills to conduct advanced research.
URI’s biomedical engineering program combines study in the biological sciences with the engineering areas that are particularly important for the application of modern technology to medicine. The curriculum provides students with not only a general background in biomedical engineering but also a special focus on the skills in electrical engineering necessary for developing medical devices. With a few minor elective changes, the program also satisfies the entrance requirements of most medical schools. Students planning to go to medical school should consult the pre-med advisor and the coordinator of the biomedical engineering program.
Our BME Capstone Design at URI is a year-long project-based program, enabling undergraduate seniors to form teams and apply the acquired engineering knowledge and tools to solve real-world challenges in various fields of medicine, healthcare, rehabilitation, physical therapy, neural engineering, and tissue engineering. Experienced mentors from different fields bring diverse know-how to propel teams toward designing and testing medical technologies. BME seniors build technical and professional skills that are deeply valued in the marketplace. The program culminates in a public showcase, where teams present their innovations to leaders in academia, industry, government, and community, demonstrating their projects’ practical impact and readiness to contribute to the medical field.