Student working on robot

Our biomedical engineering degree program combines engineering techniques with biological sciences to improve the quality of human health by designing and creating equipment, devices and intelligent systems.

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at UWM includes collaboration across disciplines, enabling you to combine mechanical, electrical, materials science and computer engineering to solve medical problems.

Our faculty work with colleges throughout UWM including the College of Health Sciences, College of Nursing, School of Freshwater Sciences, and Zilber School of Public Health. They partner with local industry and academic institutions like the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Program Type

Major

Program Format

On Campus

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Career Outlook

This field is growing steadily due to technological advances and the increasing needs of a growing and aging population. A wide range of opportunities await graduates who enjoy this interdisciplinary work.

2023 median pay for biomedical engineers/bioengineers was $100,730*

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Student in biomedical engineering lab
Why Students and Hiring Managers Are Excited about UWM Biomedical Engineering Major.

What to Expect

Increased speed to graduation

Our new and redesigned curriculum makes it easier and faster for you to complete your biomedical engineering degree. You’ll also find greater flexibility in the electives available to customize your experience. 

What makes our program stand out

Biomedical engineering majors at UWM learn about the design, manufacturing, and maintenance techniques of medical devices, instrumentation, and smart systems to improve the quality of human health. Our curriculum provides flexibility to explore interests in business, the environment, health informatics, public health, psychology, and water technology, among others, while getting a solid foundation in biomedical engineering. This broad educational foundation opens the doors to opportunities for graduates to work for world-class industry partners like GE Healthcare, start your own business, or pursue higher education.

The program provides you opportunities to conduct faculty-supervised research in well-equipped laboratories to prepare for doctoral studies. Or, you may select courses to help you pursue a subsequent degree in medicine or participate in the Lubar Entrepreneurship Center’s programs and launch your own business after earning your degree. You’ll have many opportunities that can be expected only at an R1-ranked university like UWM.

Honors

Biomedical Engineering students can earn honors within the major upon graduation.

Students have many other opportunities to earn honors recognition at UWM.

UWM’s College of Engineering & Applied Science program provides many opportunities to pair classroom learning with hands-on experiences outside the classroom. The college’s location in Wisconsin’s largest city, with a broad network of industry partnerships, gives you easy access to well-paid internships and co-ops, as well as other important opportunities to enhance your resume. 

Did you know? 

  • 97 percent of our graduates launch their careers or continue their education upon graduation.
  • $78,000 average starting salary
  • SOURCE: UWM First Destination Survey for the College of Engineering & Applied Science, 2021-2023

Internships & Co-ops

You’ll have many hands-on opportunities to develop your skills and determine what type of career experience you would like after graduation, with opportunities to earn a significant paycheck in nearby internships and co-ops over summer breaks and even during the academic year.

Here are some of the businesses where our biomedical engineering students have had internships, co-ops or launched their careers:

  • Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center
  • GE Healthcare
  • Medtronic
  • Stryker
  • Welch Allyn
Capstones / Senior Design Projects

In BME 595 Capstone Design, teams have the opportunity to use advanced technology to study and develop medical device products to assist people with disabilities. Students also have the opportunity to pursue independent studies and research projects with faculty to enhance understanding of advanced concepts. 

View senior design projects here.

Student Organizations

Biomedical Engineering Society at UWM

BMES is a group of mostly Biomedical Engineering students looking to provide opportunities to other BME students. The group makes connections between students and faculty and facilitates volunteer opportunities, like 3D printing prosthetic hands for kids in need through eNable, a non-profit. They host monthly speakers from different realms of Biomedical Engineering, including research, industry, and continuing education.

For full descriptions and contact information for all Biomedical Engineering and other engineering-related student organizations and clubs, click here.

Resource Rooms & Teaching Labs

Biomedical Instrumentation Laboratory

The Biomedical Instrumentation Lab provides hands-on signals and processing experience using sensors to record and analyze brain waves, which control today’s state-of-the art prosthetic limbs, robotic arms, and humanoid robots. The lab also contains Virtual Reality (VR) headsets that are coupled with state-of-the-art EEG equipment to study cognitive processes and translate brain waves into movements in a VR environment.

Biomechanics and Human Motion Analysis Lab

The Biomechanics and Human Motion Analysis Lab is where our students get hands-on experience learning about the musculoskeletal system, including biomechanics of tissues, structures, and joints. Motion capture technology tracks detailed human motion and can model gait, wheelchair use, sports, and upper body movements. In addition to the motion capture system, the laboratory includes a force platform, wireless electromyography system and a full-featured mechanical testing machine.

Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Laboratory

The Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Lab uses a unique combination of biomaterials fabrication, characterization, and cell-culture techniques to assess the role of biomaterials in various clinical and biological applications. The lab includes a fully functional biosafety cabinet class II, water-jacketed incubator for cell culture, six optical microscopes, one fluorescence microscope and materials for bio-fabrication.  

UWM students have a wealth of additional resources available to them within the College of Engineering & Applied Science. From computer labs and tutoring resources to teaching labs and spaces to create or collaborate. Details here.

Research Opportunities

As a student you’ll have the opportunity to work with faculty engaged in research including:

  • Biomechanics
  • Biorobotics
  • Bone Healing
  • Intelligent Assistive Devices
  • Medical Imaging
  • Medical Instrumentation
  • Rehabilitation Engineering

A benefit of attending a top tier R1 research university is the opportunity to work with faculty engaged in cutting-edge research and to participate in the Support for Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF) program. The SURF program helps you to improve your professional preparation through research by closely working with our faculty to explore, discover, and transform ideas into reality.

SURF students also receive funding for their efforts: from 2012-2023 almost $1.5M was awarded to over 700 students from our college.

Graduate and undergraduate students also have the opportunity to participate in the annual Research Poster Competition & Experiential Learning Expo, providing them with excellent opportunities to share their work with judges from industry.

Student Startup Challenge

Directed by the Lubar Entrepreneurship Center, the UWM Student Startup Challenge is an optional, co-curricular program that fosters our students’ innovative and entrepreneurial ideas. You can work alone or as part of a team as you gain the skills that come from entrepreneurial experience. More detail here.

We’re Here to Help

Our dedicated Center for Student Experience & Talent (SET) works with our students to prepare them for a career after graduation.

What You’ll Do

You’ll appreciate the many different career pathways our program prepares you for, including:

  • Clinical Equipment Engineers: who install, maintain, and provide technical support for biomedical equipment in clinics and hospitals. 
  • Biomedical Imaging Specialists: who work with imaging technologies like X-rays, MRIs and CT scans. 
  • Product Development Engineers: who design and develop new medical devices and technologies. 
  • Regenerative Engineers: who integrate materials and tissue engineering into replacing and revitalizing failed organs. 
  • Rehab Engineers:  who assist with developing and adapting devices for patients with disabilities.
  • Artificial Intelligence Developers: who handle the increasing complexity of biomedical devices and systems, ensuring precision and efficiency in design and functionality.
  • Electrophysiology Assistants: who assist cardiologists during diagnostic and invasive procedures related to the heart’s electrical system, including preparing patients, operating equipment, and monitoring data.
  • Patent Consultants: who evaluate invention patentability, draft patent applications, and provide guidance on intellectual property background.

Advising

Megan Wisnowski
  • Academic Advisor, Undergraduate Advising
  • Students with last names M-R
Brandon Clark
  • Academic Advisor, Undergraduate Advising
  • Students with last names A-E
Tina Current
  • Senior Advisor, Undergraduate Advising
  • Students with last names beginning F-L
  • Prospective Transfer Student Liaison
Jennie Klumpp
  • Senior Advisor, Undergraduate Advising
  • Students with last names beginning S-Z
  • Prospective Student Liaison

Tutoring

Steven Anderson
  • Retention Coordinator, Tutoring
  • Student Support Center Coordinator
  • Freshmen Orientation Instructor

Faculty

Xeufeng Bao
  • Visiting Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering
Qingsu Cheng
  • Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering
Mahsa Dabagh
  • Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering
  • Affiliate Assistant Professor, Computer Science
Priya Premnath
  • Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering
  • Director, Premnath Lab
Deyang Qu
  • Johnson Controls Endowed Professor in Energy Storage Research
  • Department Chair, Biomedical Engineering
  • UWM Distinguished Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Mohammad Rahman
  • Richard and Joanne Grigg Professor, Mechanical Engineering
  • Department Chair, Mechanical Engineering
  • Affiliate Professor, Computer Science and Biomedical Engineering
  • Switzer Research Distinguished Fellow
Jacob Rammer
  • Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering
  • Director, Advanced Mobility Biomechanics Lab (AMBL)
Pradeep Rohatgi
  • Distinguished Professor, Materials Science and Engineering Department
  • Distinguished Professor, Biomedical Engineering
  • Distinguished Professor, Mechanical Engineering
  • Director, Center for Advanced Manufacture of Materials
Brooke Slavens
  • Richard and Joanne Grigg Professor of Mechanical Engineering, EMS Office 1080
  • Affiliate Faculty of Biomedical Engineering and Rehabilitation Science & Technology
Yongjin Sung
  • Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering
  • Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering
faculty member zeyun Yu
  • Professor, Computer Science
  • Professor, Biomedical Engineering
  • Director, Big Data Analytics and Visualization Lab
Accreditation
The Biomedical Engineering program is accredited by Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET.
Contact
Biomedical Engineering
Contact Info: ceas-bme@uwm.edu

Street Address
College of Engineering & Applied Science
3200 North Cramer Street
Milwaukee, WI 53211

Mailing Address
College of Engineering & Applied Science
P.O. Box 784
Milwaukee, WI 53201-0784