College of Engineering
Search Close Search
Toggle Menu
College of Engineering

Biomedical Engineering

student at computer with human skeleton in background

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?

Students entering Iowa State in the 2024 academic year or prior will need to pursue application into the BME program after admission into Iowa State. Current students should contact bme-advising@iastate.edu for information about the program application.

Students entering Iowa State in the 2025 academic year or later will pursue the typical Iowa State application process and can select BME as their major without further application into the program.

For questions about the program, contact bme-advising@iastate.edu.

How do I decide between Biomedical Engineering, Biological Systems Engineering or another engineering major with bio-emphasis areas?

  • 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