Department of Biomedical Engineering

Overview

Biocompatibility testing, engineering artificial organs and tissues, developing new drug delivery systems, creating or modifying innovative medical devices, enhancing medical imaging techniques, or designing procedures to meet regulatory requirements are just a few examples of the work performed by a biomedical engineer to improve the health and well-being of others. Biomedical engineers combine their knowledge of engineering with biology, anatomy, and physiology to create devices and systems for a variety of healthcare issues. The need for sophisticated diagnostic and therapeutic equipment and solutions has fueled the demand for biomedical engineers who commonly work in multidisciplinary teams to develop devices, equipment, and procedures for a number of medical applications. The multidisciplinary nature of biomedical engineering requires professionals to develop an expertise in both engineering and biological sciences.

Biomedical engineering applies the principles and theories of engineering to solve problems in the wide-ranging field of medicine. Biomedical engineers can be found working alongside scientists, other engineering professionals, and medical practitioners to evaluate the complex, interdependent systems of the human body to develop effective solutions to enhance the quality of life for all patients. Biomedical engineers play a key role in developing and defining the engineering requirements and specifications necessary to actually bring these devices and protocols to fruition. It is a rapidly growing field with a variety of career opportunities for students with an interest in combining engineering with medicine.

Biomedical engineers are first and foremost engineers. Biomedical engineering is the branch of engineering that uniquely leverages the vast knowledge base of biology and medicine to solve problems focused on health care and the human body. Biomedical engineers can be found working in a variety of settings depending on the type of work they do. Positions are available in academia, hospital laboratories, manufacturing settings as well as commercial offices. Biomedical engineers are employed to:

  • Design systems and products, such as artificial internal organs, artificial devices that replace body parts, and machines for diagnosing medical problems
  • Work with life scientists, chemists, and medical scientists to research the engineering aspects of biological systems of humans and animals
  • Work with pharmaceutical companies to develop new drug therapies
  • Evaluate the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of biomedical equipment

Learn more about the biomedical engineering BS program at RIT

Mission Statement

To educate and train graduates who are technically competent and are prepared to apply knowledge in traditional and modern application domains. Additionally, they will possess a broad education and knowledge of contemporary issues that enable them to anticipate change and continually update their skills. They will also be able to communicate and work effectively with others in a professional and ethical manner to function as a biomedical engineer in a globally-connected society.

Vision

To prepare graduates to either enter directly into the work force as technically competent and sought-after professionals with reinforcement from experiential learning, or to prepare them with the fundamental knowledge to continue their education in graduate programs.

Values

Student Centered: Our department makes decisions and behaves in a manner that demonstrates the primary importance of the students’ needs and interests.

Community: The department is a close-knit community characterized by respect for its differences, inclusion of a diverse set of ideas and people, and friendly collaboration among the faculty, staff, and students.

Teaching Excellence: To demonstrate continuous excellence and innovation in how we deliver classes to our students, and the support we provide our students outside of class.

Experiential Learning: To provide experiential learning throughout the undergraduate curricula via cooperative education, relevant projects, and practical experiences in state-of-the-art labs.

Research: Faculty members will conduct studies that encompass a vast spectrum of the biomedical field, allowing students to engage in innovative research opportunities.

Accreditation

The BS degree in biomedical engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org. For enrollment and graduation data, program educational objectives, and student outcomes, please visit the college’s accreditation page

Industrial Advisory Board

To help ensure that industry needs are satisfied through the proper training and education of biomedical engineering students, an annual meeting is held with the members of the industrial advisory board. The board is comprised of professionals from all areas of biomedical engineering, and also includes some RIT alumni as well.

52/48

Ratio of Men to Women

98%

Outcomes Rate

290

companies have hired biomedical engineering co-op students

Undergraduate Degrees

RIT’s dynamic biomedical engineering BS provides a strong foundation in science and engineering, opening doors to impactful careers in healthcare technology. 

Learn more about the Biomedical Engineering BS program 

Graduate Degrees

The biomedical and chemical engineering Ph.D. program provides you with the knowledge, training, and expertise to tackle important problems in industry, academia, government, and health care.

Learn more about the Biomedical and Chemical Engineering Ph.D. program 

RIT’s biomedical engineering master’s degree produces professionals who can innovate solutions for today’s most pressing health care challenges.

Learn more about the Biomedical Engineering MS program 

Conduct research in nano-engineering, design methods, and technologies for micro- and nano-scaled systems. This microsystems engineering doctorate is a multidisciplinary program that addresses the technical challenges of micro- and nano-systems.

Learn more about the Microsystems Engineering Ph.D. program 

Research

Biological Fluid Mechanics

We analyze and design blood contacting medical devices and study the science and engineering methods used to minimize cell damage. 

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Biomechanical Imaging

We develop medical imaging techniques to study the mechanical nature of a variety of human pathologies.

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Intelligent Interaction Research (I2R)

We develop interactive technologies to help people with cognitive disabilities and mental disorders.

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Biological Microsystems

We use microengineering techniques to design 3D extracellular matrix (ECM) environments to study cell and tissue-scale phenomena.

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Microscale Bioseparations

We develop rapid microfluidic-based techniques to offer an alternative to traditional bench scale separation & purification processes.  

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NanoBio Materials

We design and use nanomaterials to solve biomedical problems at the cellular and molecular level. 

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Tissue Regeneration & Mechanobiology

We use cells, biomaterials, genome engineering, biologics and mechanical cues to promote tissue regeneration.

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Latest News

Featured Profiles

Student Organizations

The mission of the RIT BioPrint club is to provide an interdisciplinary environment geared toward bringing together students from different fields of interest and expertise with the overall goal of learning from one another in a real world, hands-on application environment. 

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The Biomedical Engineering Society is the professional society for biomedical engineering and bioengineering. Founded in early 1968, the society now boasts more than 7,000 members and is growing rapidly.

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Engineering World Health inspires, educates, and empowers young engineers, scientists, and medical professionals from more developed parts of the world to use their engineering skills to improve global health. 

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Student Resources

The Biomedical Engineering Department offers a variety of resources for our students that vary from academic support to handbooks and more. Visit our Student Resources page for more information.

Department Newsletters