50%
of undergraduates work in a research lab
exploring biomedical research areas
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering
Why study biomedical engineering?
Biomedical engineering thrives at the intersection of engineering, medicine, and the life sciences, advancing solutions to today’s most pressing challenges in human health and biology. In a fast-moving field where boundaries are constantly shifting, biomedical engineers develop technologies that enhance diagnostics, drive medical device innovation, and improve patient care.
Northwestern’s highly ranked Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering program combines dynamic, interdisciplinary learning with faculty innovation at the forefront of the field. You’ll benefit from robust career development opportunities both in and beyond the classroom, a collaborative and supportive student community, and strong connections to Northwestern’s schools and local hospitals. Whether your path leads to industry, medical school, or doctoral research, our program prepares you to lead, innovate, and shape the future.
Imagine yourself:
- Designing a device to help treat jaundice in infants in the developing world
- Helping develop a prototype of the human knee that gives instant feedback to trainee surgeons
- Using your skills and expertise to address a wound-healing challenge at Hollister Inc.
- Developing non-invasive technologies for early cancer detection
Why Northwestern?
Graduate with the experience you need to take the next step in your career
Consistently ranked in the top 20 programs in the nation
according to US News and World Report
100+
alumni networking sessions
offered to students throughout the academic year
Meet Our Graduates
Jennifer Stewart'04
Executive Director of Clinical Data Sciences, Premier Research
Stewart leads a global team of scientists that manages clinical trial data used by pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and MedTech clients to evaluate the safety and efficacy of investigational treatments.
Marilene van den Berg’25
Research Associate II, Baxter International
“The McCormick curriculum's emphasis on a holistic approach to engineering has been pivotal in my four years. Starting with Design Thinking and Communication in my first year, I was taught how to properly approach an engineering design problem and how to work with others.”
Curriculum
The basics at-a-glance
Accredited by ABET, the undergraduate program prepares students to become leaders, innovators, and self-educators throughout their careers. Students learn to apply engineering techniques to analyze biological systems and biomedical technologies, fully integrating biology and engineering.
Coursework
Students must complete 48 courses, including required courses in mathematics, engineering, and science; core biomedical engineering major courses; and seven electives that provide depth in a particular area or breadth across the discipline. Students complete a capstone project in which they design products or processes to improve human health care, with an emphasis on global health.
Engineering First
Our innovative first-year curriculum comprises two integrated course sequences: Engineering Analysis and Design Thinking and Communication (DTC). It provides students with foundational engineering skills and lets them experience hands-on engineering early in their undergraduate careers.
Optional Tracks
Students can choose to gain depth in a particular research area, including: biological mechanics and rehabilitation; biomaterials and regenerative medicine; biomechanics and rehabilitation; biosensors and bioelectronics; data science; or imaging and biophotonics.
Combined BS/MS Program
McCormick’s Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Program allows undergraduates to pursue a bachelor’s degree (BS/BA) and master’s degree (MS) simultaneously, shortening the time required to earn a master’s degree.
Other Complementary Programs
Students can supplement their degree with programs that prepare them for the next step in their education and career.
Certificates & Minors
Students in the biomedical engineering program often pursue complementary certificates and minors. Weinberg’s Global Health Studies Minor and McCormick’s Machine Learning & Data Science Minor are particularly popular among BME students.
Premedical Scholars Program
The Northwestern Undergraduate Premedical Scholars Program (NUPSP) is an early acceptance program into the Feinberg School of Medicine for high-achieving Northwestern University undergraduate students who have a demonstrated commitment to a career as a physician.
Cooperative Engineering Education Program
The Cooperative Engineering Education Program allows students to receive up to 18 months of engineering experience in industry while they pursue a degree in a highly-ranked program.
Undergraduate Research
Hands-on experience in modern laboratories
Gain in-depth knowledge in your particular field of interest and prepare yourself for graduate study or post-graduate work.
The Student Experience
Beyond the classroom
Enhance your education even further through our many opportunities to network and broaden your worldview.
Student Groups and Professional Societies
Join the Biomedical Engineering Society Student Chapter, Medical Makers, or find your community among the one of the many McCormick student organizations.
Undergraduate Mentorship Program
Connect with Northwestern BME alumni to learn about various careers, gain insight about undergraduate pathways, build your network, and create meaningful connections.
Study Abroad
Northwestern BME students take advantage of an extensive selection of study abroad programs. A popular option for biomedical engineering students is the Global Healthcare Technologies program in South Africa, designed exclusively for engineering students.
Career Paths
Where do students go afterward?
The undergraduate program prepares students for graduate study, medical school, or careers in engineering. With a biomedical engineering degree, students pursue careers in biomaterials development, medical device and technology engineering, biomedical research, patent law, and rehabilitation engineering. Graduates are well prepared for careers in medicine, academia, or consulting.
While at Northwestern, our students engage in professional development opportunities that build leadership, communication, and real-world problem-solving skills. They have access to internships and extensive career placement resources via both Northwestern Engineering Career Development and Northwestern Career Advancement.
Where our alumni attend graduate school
Where our alumni work in industry
Visit Northwestern
We encourage you to visit our campus and learn about the Northwestern Engineering first hand.