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Biomedical Engineering

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Upcoming
Informational Webinar

These webinars are for students interested in Biomedical Engineering and will provide both a program overview as well as time to answer questions.

A Biomedical Engineer
In The Making

Do you want to engineer tomorrow’s healthcare technologies? Create new biosensors and medical devices? Come up with better ways to diagnose and treat disease? Work on software and systems that improve healthcare? In Iowa State’s biomedical engineering major, you’ll get hands-on experience in using engineering to solve challenging medical problems – all to help keep your community healthier.

Your Path In The Making

Biomedical engineers solve complex healthcare problems, so Iowa State biomedical engineering majors take hands-on classes and labs across the College of Engineering and across campus.

The Iowa State biomedical engineering curriculum is flexible, so you can work with your advisor and faculty mentor to put together a plan that matches your interests. Cyclone biomedical engineers will be ready to
work in diverse, dynamic fields, from advanced diagnostics to prosthetic rehabilitation to biosensing – or to apply to medical or veterinary programs.

But no matter what you choose as your focus, you’ll get the chance to explore both human and animal health, working with leaders in health advancement in Iowa State’s College of Engineering, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanovaccine Institute, Virtual Reality Application Center and more.

Your Career In The Making

Biomedical engineers are in high demand.The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 10% job growth rate for biomedical engineers, which is twice the average growth rate for all occupations. And median salaries for biomedical engineers are around $100,000.

Maybe you are thinking about becoming a doctor? A biomedical engineering degree can also get you ready to apply to medical programs.

Cyclone Engineer Jillian Dunn combined her engineering skills, love of sports, and passion for helping others in an internship with Amputee Blade Runners, developing prosthetics for amputee athletes. She’s now working on a graduate degree in prosthetics-orthotics.

BME Student Success

How do I become a biomedical engineering major?

For questions about the program, contact Ian Schneider, professor in charge of the biomedical engineering program, ians@iastate.edu.

Biomedical Engineering FAQs

Program ramp-up will involve controlled enrollment over the first several cohorts into the biomedical engineering program to ensure a quality experience for students in labs, design courses and throughout the curriculum. Thus for these cohorts, students will apply and be selected for the program.

  • All students with interest in the biomedical engineering program will be invited to take the BME first-year curriculum and apply for acceptance into the biomedical engineering major after the first year curriculum is complete.
  • The following information will be used to assess applications:
    • An essay question
    • A biomedical engineering foundational GPA consisting of grades in calculus (MATH 166), chemistry (CHEM 167 or 177), biology (BIOL 212) and introductory biomedical engineering course (B M E 160)(or the second biomedical engineering course (B M E 220)) taken at Iowa State University
    • A cumulative GPA consisting of grades from Iowa State University courses
    • An interview
  • A biomedical engineering admissions committee will evaluate applicants based on the above criteria
  • Students will complete the application process by the end of May 2024 and will be notified of the admission into the program by the beginning of July 2024.

  • When you apply to ISU, choose biomedical engineering as your major from the drop down box on your application for admission.
  • If you have already applied, logon to your Admissions MyAccount and change your major to biomedical engineering or call Iowa State’s admissions office and talk to your admissions counselor.
  • Ideally, you should make this change before orientation, so we can organize an orientation that meets your needs.
  • Once you have selected BME, we will reach out to set your course schedule to ensure you take the foundational courses for the selection process.

  • Students that arrived at Iowa State University before Fall 2023 can apply to the biomedical engineering program. However, please note that required core biomedical engineering courses will only be available at times when the incoming freshmen in Fall 2023 will need them. This will add time to the completion of your degree.
  • Send an email to bme-advising@iastate.edu
  • Ensure that you have completed or enroll in the introductory biology class (BIOL 212) in Fall of 2023 and plan to take the second biomedical engineering course (BME 220) in the spring of 2024.

  • Students that transfer to Iowa State University in the Fall 2023 can apply to the biomedical engineering program. However, please note that required core biomedical engineering courses will only be available at times when the incoming freshmen in Fall 2023 will need them. This may add time to the completion of your degree.
  • When you apply, choose biomedical engineering as your major.
  • If you have already applied, enter your Admissions MyAccount and change your major to biomedical engineering or call Iowa State’s admissions office and talk to your admissions counselor.
  • Ideally, you should make this change before orientation, so we can organize an orientation that meets your needs.
  • Send an email to bme-advising@iastate.edu.
  • Ensure that you have completed or enroll in the introductory biology class (BIOL 212) in Fall of 2023 and plan to take the second biomedical engineering course (B M E 220) in the spring of 2024.

  • You must take either the introductory biomedical engineering course (B M E 160) or the second biomedical engineering course (B M E 220) along with one other foundational course at ISU.
  • Send an email to bme-advising@iastate.edu to make sure you plan your first year in accordance with your transfer credits.

  • Send an email to bme-advising@iastate.edu.
    Complete pre-calculus in the fall.
    Plan to take calculus and B M E 160 in the spring.
    This may delay your graduation.

  • The first-year engineering courses in BME apply to all other engineering majors, so you can easily work with the biomedical engineering advisor and College of Engineering advisors to choose another major you’re interested in. You will be on-path to continue a Cyclone Engineering degree in another major’s four-year curriculum plan.
    Iowa State also offers a minor in biomedical engineering that can be combined with any of our other engineering majors.

  • Students will complete the application process by the end of May 2024 and will be notified of the admission into the program by the beginning July 2024.
    The first-year foundational engineering courses apply to all other engineering majors, so you can easily work with the biomedical engineering advisor and College of Engineering advisors to choose another major you’re interested in. You will be on-path to continue a Cyclone Engineering degree in another major’s four-year curriculum plan.
    Iowa State also offers a minor in biomedical engineering that can be combined with any of our other engineering majors.

  • As with our other ABET accredited programs, we will seek ABET accreditation once the first cohort graduates as per their requirements.
    When the program is accredited, it will be retroactive to two years and will include the degrees obtained by the first cohort.

  • Attend one or more virtual information sessions to be scheduled in Spring 2023.
    Contact Ian Schneider, Professor in Charge of Biomedical Engineering (ians@iastate.edu, 515-294-0450) or e-mail bme-advising@iastate.edu.

  • Biomedical engineering focuses your training on biology, but biology that is directly relevant to medical systems. These students will be prepared to solve problems associated with detecting or diagnosing disease, designing therapies for diseases such as cancer or infectious diseases and designing solutions for injury rehabilitation.
  • Biological systems engineering focuses your training on biology, but biology that is directly relevant to non-human systems. These students will be prepared to solve problems associated with sustainable ecological systems, a secure food supply, and renewable energy.
  • Many other engineering majors provide training in bio-related topics as well, but the level of engagement with biology relevant to human medicine and health is lower than what is offered in Biomedical Engineering.

Learn more