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Biomedical Engineering (BSE)

Program Code: U-BME-BSE
Degree Designation: Bachelor of Science in Engineering
Department: Pratt School of Engineering, Biomedical Engineering Department
Website: bme.duke.edu/undergrad

Program Summary

The biomedical engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Our Program Educational Objectives are the following. We expect that after graduation, graduates of our program will be on track to become leaders in corporate, professional, and academic communities. In particular, they will:

  • advance in their careers in biomedical engineering or related areas of industry, academia, and medicine;

  • engage in lifelong learning, for example, by enrolling in graduate or professional degree programs or receiving advanced training for professional advancement;

  • utilize their engineering experience in creating new knowledge or enabling technologies for improvement of human health and health care; and

  • understand the social and ethical implications of their work.

Biomedical engineering is the discipline in which the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and associated technology are applied to biology and medicine. The program is flexible to match the student’s interests; options exist for double majors. Each student selects one of four areas of interest in which to obtain depth in their education. The areas of interest are matched to the laboratories and expertise of the faculty in the department; these include, biomechanics and biomaterials, electrobiology, imaging and measurement systems; and molecular, cellular, and tissue engineering. Design experience is integrated throughout the curriculum and includes capstone design courses. Many students gain valuable design experience in the course of independent study projects within the research laboratories of the biomedical engineering department. 

The biomechanics laboratories use advanced experimental test facilities, data acquisition technologies, computer simulations and theoretical modeling in the study of cells, tissues, and biological structures. The mechanisms of injury, aging, degeneration, and mechanical signal transduction are studied in a variety of biological systems, including biological fluids, the cervical and lumbar spines, diarthrodial joints, and the heart.

Electrobiology laboratories use large-scale computer modeling, scientific visualization, and experimental data acquisition and analysis to increase basic understanding of normal and abnormal electrical activity in the brain, peripheral nerves, and heart tissue. Other projects involve the study of the effects of externally applied electric fields and radio frequency energy on activity in excitable tissue.

The ultrasound imaging laboratories develop medical imaging methods that leverage the inherent acoustic and mechanical contrast of tissues to improve image quality and provide novel diagnostic information to clinicians. The laboratories are equipped with a variety of state-of-the-art clinical and research-dedicated ultrasound imaging systems, electronics, and acoustic output characterization tools, as well as acoustic and transducer modeling software. 

The biophotonics group develops novel photonics technologies for biological and medical applications. Research areas include optical imaging techniques, advanced spectroscopy methods, plasmonics applications, and new microscopy modalities. Applications span from cell and developmental biology to clinical diagnostics and imaging methods. 

Molecular, cellular and tissue engineering is concerned with the regulation of the external and internal environment of the cell for control of biosynthesis and degradation activities, as well as determination of the factors responsible for differentiation of cells into tissues with varying functional requirements. The groups in this program investigate biomaterials, material property characterizations, surface modifications, cell cultures, and the mechanics of biofluids, tissues, and cells. Applications include the development of novel biosensors and drug delivery systems, new techniques for enhanced biological transport, and improved techniques for stimulated repair or inhibited degradation of biological tissues.

Instruction in all these areas is offered at the undergraduate as well as graduate and postdoctoral levels, and opportunities for undergraduate student research are available in most of the biomedical engineering laboratories. The courses offered by the Department of Biomedical Engineering are listed below. Some biomedical engineering courses require students to have a suitable laptop computer with wireless capabilities.

Course Designators:

  • (AC) Satisfies an Area Core Class

  • (DR) Satisfies the Design requirement

  • (GE) Satisfies a Biomedical Engineering General Elective

  • (BB) Satisfies a Biomechanics and Biomaterials Advanced Elective

  • (EL) Satisfies an Electrobiology Advanced Elective

  • (IM) Satisfies an Imaging and Measurement Systems Advanced Elective

  • (MC) Satisfies a Molecular, Cellular and Tissue Engineering Advanced Elective

Go to Programs by Department to view all related programs.

Academic Requirements

At least 34 units total to earn a BSE degree.

  • BME Core (8 units)

    • BIOLOGY 201L

    • EGR 201L

    • ECE 110L

    • BME 244L

    • BME 260L

    • BME 271D

    • BME 354L

    • BME 221L or ME 221L

  • Area Core Courses (2 units)

    • BME 301L

    • BME 302L

    • BME 303L

    • BME 305L, BME 306L, or BME 307

    • BME 390L with the topic BME DATA SCIENCE

  • Advanced Electives (5 units)

    • Must include at least 2 Advanced Elective courses from the same Area of Focus as one of the Area Core Courses taken

    • Must include 1 additional Advanced Elective course

    • Must include 1 Design Elective course

    • Must include 1 additional BME course 200-level and above

    • A comprehensive list of elective courses is available to students in the degree audit system.

The BME Undergraduate Program Handbook (available at bme.duke.edu/undergrad/curriculum) provides information about study abroad; premed planning; dual majors in electrical and computer engineering, civil engineering, and mechanical engineering; and course sequences that incorporate all general requirements and departmental requirements comprising the accredited biomedical engineering major.

Bulletin Links

2025-2026 Undergraduate Instruction Bulletin. Download PDF here.