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Biomedical Engineering Program

Overview

The Biomedical Engineering program at Virginia Commonwealth University provides in-depth study in various specialization areas, including biomedical imaging systems, orthopaedic biomechanics, tissue and cellular engineering, biomaterials, artificial organs, human-computer interfaces, cardiovascular devices, rehabilitation, and human factors engineering. The program allows students to participate in cutting-edge research in one of the nation's most advanced engineering facilities.

Program Description

Biomedical engineers develop devices and procedures that solve medical and health-related problems by combining their knowledge of biology and medicine with engineering principles and practices. Many conduct research, along with medical scientists, to develop and evaluate systems and products such as artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and health management and care delivery systems.

Career Opportunities

Biomedical engineers may design devices used in various medical procedures, imaging systems such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and devices for automating insulin injections or controlling body functions. Most engineers in this specialty need a sound background in another engineering specialty, such as mechanical or electronics engineering, in addition to specialized biomedical training.

Change of Major Requirements

To change majors, students must have a VCU GPA of 3.0 or greater, with a minimum of 12 VCU credit hours earned. They must also complete MATH 200, MATH 201, BIOL 151, and BIOZ 151, all with grades of "B" or higher. If attempted, CHEM 101, CHEZ 101, MATH 301, MATH 310, and PHYS 207 must be completed with a grade of "B" or higher. All requirements must be completed in fewer than 56 VCU credit hours.

Job Titles

• Bachelor-level job titles:
  • Business consultant
  • Clinical engineer
  • Human factors engineer
  • Manufacturing engineer
  • Patent examiner
  • Policy analyst
  • Product development engineer
  • Quality engineer
  • Regulatory affairs specialist
  • Research and development engineer
  • Sales engineer
• Graduate and professional level job titles:
  • College Professor
  • Device Engineer
  • Director of Clinical Research
  • Medical Equipment Design & Development Engineer
  • Project Leader
  • Research & Development Engineer
  • Research Scientist

Professional Associations and Resources

• American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering Society

Degree Requirements

The highest level of math required is MATH 310, and at least 5 additional science courses are required. There are no foreign language requirements, but additional tuition/fees may apply. A GPA of 2.0 is required to progress and graduate in the major.

Concentrations

There are no concentrations available for this program.

Four-Year Plan

The four-year plan is divided into four stages: Explore, Experience, Excel, and Prepare for Life After College. Each stage has specific goals and activities to help students maximize their course and degree planning, get connected with their community, develop cultural agility, explore careers and develop essential skills, and prepare for life after college.

Year 1: Explore

• MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING:
  • Attend Ready, Set, Go – Sophomore Transition Experience
  • Map out a 4-year course plan in Degree Works' Student Educational Planner
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor
  • Take a tour to learn about library spaces, services, & how to get research help
  • Register for EGRB 101 and EGRB 102
  • Register for the highest level math you can
  • Attend all SI sessions and seek tutoring
• GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY:
  • Apply to join the Honors College
  • Apply to live in one of VCU's four Living-Learning Programs
  • Get involved and meet new friends through VCU Student Government or one of over 450 student clubs and organizations
  • Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond's many museums and parks
  • Use REAL's Student Opportunity Center platform to take the hassle out of finding hands-on experiences
  • Join an Engineering student org like BMES
  • Meet your peers and make new friends and study buddies at the Weeks of Welcome cookout
• DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY:
  • Consider Peace Corps Prep through VCU Globe to expand skills in global leadership and intercultural communication
  • Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore study abroad and national scholarship opportunities
  • Review the OMSA website and follow them on social media
  • Visit a study abroad fair and complete Rams Abroad 101 online to learn about study abroad options
  • Explore membership in NSBE, SHPE, SWE, VINE, or oSTEM
• EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS:
  • Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists
  • Consider applying for a federal work-study (FWS) job on- or off-campus through Handshake
  • Explore innovation and business
    on-profit creation with the da Vinci Center
  • Create a draft engineering resume and meet with a career advisor in Engineering Career Services
  • Learn about research opportunities through V.I.P Teams, UROP, and DURI
  • Take ENGR 395 & gain key skills for finding internships, co-ops, or research opportunities
• PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE:
  • Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices
  • Build a LinkedIn profile, connect to at least 10 people, and check out the VCU alumni page
  • Explore "What Can I Do With This Major" to learn about employers in your field of study
  • Join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) to connect to VCU traditions, networking opportunities, and fellow Rams
  • Attend Engineering Internship/Career Fairs

Year 2: Experience

• MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING:
  • Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide
  • Schedule an appointment with your advisor and explore minors, certificates, and skills-based value-added courses
  • Talk to your professors about research interests, picking future classes, and strategies for success in your program
  • Continue progression in engineering and mathematics coursework
• GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY:
  • Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for the New Leaders Retreat or Alternative Spring Break
  • Find opportunities and organizations through SOC that can help you make a difference and make your mark
  • Meet with a faculty member to discuss your personal and professional interests
  • Take a service-learning class or volunteer to address a social issue
  • Participate in RamHacks and/or HealthHacks
  • Consider tutoring for the College of Engineering in your strongest subjects
• DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY:
  • Consider short-term, semester, and year-long Study Abroad opportunities
  • Get to know other VCU students and meet new friends from all over the world at a monthly Global Café
  • Join a cultural or identity-related organization
  • Identify ways in which you are culturally uninformed and begin to learn about historical and current events that have shaped cultures to which you have been underexposed
• EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS:
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs and other professional development events
  • Complete a "Gap Analysis" Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor
  • Create an ePortfolio to document academic/professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections
  • Gain practical experience related to career goals through internships, shadowing, part-time work, or independent skill building
  • Apply for internships, co-ops, and VIP Teams
• PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE:
  • Conduct an informational interview or shadow someone in a field of career interest
  • Consider who you would ask to serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation
  • Get plugged into VCULink to connect with students and alumni
  • Meet with a coach at The Money Spot to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans
  • Attend Engineering Internship/Career Fairs
  • Consider attending a national career fair (SWE, SHPE, NSBE) for employer exposure

Year 3: Experience

• MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING:
  • Deepen your expertise at finding information in your discipline by working with your subject expert librarian & using research guides
  • Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning
  • See your academic and career advisors regularly to discuss your progress towards graduation and career planning
  • Attend or present a poster at a scientific meeting or conference
  • Begin consideration of your technical elective and preferred program "track"
• GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY:
  • Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions
  • Continue to find opportunities and organizations through SOC that can help you make a difference and make your mark
  • Create a community-engaged research project
  • Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities
  • Further explore the City of Richmond and the Commonwealth of Virginia
  • Consider joining an in-major mentoring network
• DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY:
  • Apply to be a Diversity Ambassador with the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs
  • Attend one of Richmond's festivals to learn about new cultures, food, and music
  • Update your engineering resume to include how you have developed your communication and interpersonal skills
  • Attend culturally diverse events like art, music, and food festivals and exhibitions at VCU and beyond
  • Practice communication and interpersonal skills that embrace cultural differences, particularly in professional settings
• EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS:
  • Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience
  • Update your ePortfolio
  • Seek research opportunities and apply for funding through VCU Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program
  • Work on developing your professional online presence (LinkedIn, Github)
  • Attend the Senior Capstone Expo in April
• PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE:
  • Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility
  • Research graduate/professional schools at least 1 year in advance of deadlines
  • Talk to advisors, faculty, and Engineering Career Services about graduate school versus a job
  • Research graduate programs to determine the competitive applicant profile
  • Attend Engineering Internship & Career Fair

Year 4: Excel

• MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING:
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor a semester before your anticipated graduation
  • Choose courses teaching content and skills most relevant to your preferred post-graduation opportunities
  • Declare any outstanding minors for which you may already have credit
• GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY:
  • Apply for a year-long service or fellowship opportunity after graduation
  • Attend professional conferences that offer student rates or scholarships
  • Continue to find opportunities and organizations through SOC that can help you make a difference and make your mark
  • Serve in a leadership role on campus or as a board member of a local community organization
  • Participate in civic organizations related to your interests
  • Volunteer at an organization devoted to the arts, environment, education, or policy
• DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY:
  • Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field
  • Reflect on your own cultural competency, and be prepared to answer interview questions
  • Continue to explore cultures beyond your own through scholarly and recreational avenues
  • Visit the Museum District's many offerings
• EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS:
  • Continue to engage in research to create more content for your ePortfolio
  • Present your research at conference/meeting such as UROP Undergraduate Research Symposium
  • Reflect on the experiential learning you have engaged in thus far, and discuss with current or potential mentors
  • Present your research at conference/meeting such as UROP Undergraduate Research Symposium or other discipline-specific conference
• PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE:
  • Complete exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for after graduation
  • Consider training to become an educator through programs like RTR
  • Engage with the VCU Alumni Association at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and by joining a VCULink Industry Network and alumni chapter
  • Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed and do a mock interview through InterviewStream or with a career advisor
  • Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation
  • Attend Engineering Internship/Career Fairs