Pre-Biomedical Engineering

The Pre-Biomedical Engineering professional advising track at Clarkson University is an ideal option for undergraduate engineering students looking to pursue a Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering and enter the workforce in the field of biomedical engineering after graduation. Completion of the Pre-Biomedical Engineering track will give undergraduate engineering students the ability to apply for specially reserved seats in Clarkson's Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering program and complete both their undergraduate and graduate education in five (5) years. 

This new program was designed to:

  • increase students' fundamental knowledge of human anatomy and physiology from an engineering biology perspective
  • understand the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) clearance process required for medical device clearance
  • be able to work effectively in a clinical environment and understand the roles of different members of the healthcare delivery team
  • teach students how to apply this knowledge to the design of biomedical devices and systems that are targeted for use in a clinical environment to enhance quality of life for patients. 

Interested students can apply for the Pre-Biomedical Engineering track while applying for undergraduate admission at Clarkson as well as choosing any engineering major as their main course of study (aeronautical, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, environmental, mechanical, software, or engineering studies). If students complete the necessary requirements of the track as well as their engineering major bachelor's degree requirements and a minor in Biomedical Engineering, they will be guaranteed a seat in Clarkson's MS in Biomedical Engineering and will be eligible to apply for one of 12 Palumbo Biomedical Engineering Scholarships of Excellence. This scholarship provides students with a full tuition scholarship (valued at ~$48,000) for the one year Master's program.

How the Biomedical Engineering Professional Advising Track Works

Years 1-4: Undergraduate Pre-Biomedical Engineering

As a student in the Pre-Biomedical Engineering professional advising track, the first four years during your undergraduate education involve the following steps.

  1. Choose from one of Clarkson's eight undergraduate engineering majors, including aeronautical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, mechanical engineering and software engineering. Students may also choose to begin their Clarkson undergraduate engineering experience in our undecided engineering program, called Engineering Studies, before declaring one of the eight majors.
  2. Apply for one of 12 specially reserved seats in the Master of Science (MS) in Biomedical Engineering program during your junior year at Clarkson to confirm your intent to continue in Master's program.
  3. Complete all necessary degree requirements for the undergraduate engineering major you choose before graduation and stay in good academic and social standing at the University.
  4. Complete all necessary degree requirements for the minor in Biomedical Engineering.
  5. Complete all necessary requirements for the Pre-Biomedical Engineering professional advising track before graduation.
Year 5: Graduate Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

Once you are accepted into Clarkson's Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering, you will begin your graduate studies the semester after your graduation from Clarkson and complete them in one year over four (4) terms and a total of 30 credits. You'll take courses such as:

  • Clinical Immersion & Bioethics
  • Quantitative Human Physiology
  • Neural Engineering
  • Bio-entrepreneurship and FDA Design
  • Advanced Biomechanics
  • Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering Applications

The program culminates in each student having a capstone design experience that will solidify their understanding of their coursework and provide additional hands-on lab and design experience.

What is Biomedical Engineering?

Biomedical engineering brings together the principles and understanding of engineering, life sciences like biology, anatomy and physiology, and healthcare to create next-generation healthcare solutions to improve quality of life in human patients.

What do Biomedical Engineers do?

Instead of applying these principles of engineering, sciences and healthcare to a machine, biomedical engineers apply them to the human body. They focus on creating medical devices and assistive technology to help patients live their lives to the fullest. They work with medical practitioners and professionals, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists and more to understand patient needs and find successful solutions.

Where can Biomedical Engineers work?

Biomedical engineers typically work in the industries of medical equipment and supplies manufacturing, direct healthcare facilities like hospitals, research facilities, colleges and universities, or they can serve as consultants and may own their own entrepreneurial business ventures.

How much do Biomedical Engineers make? How is the job market?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for a biomedical engineer was $91,410 per year in 2019 and increasing numbers of technologies and applications to medical equipment and devices, along with the medical needs of a growing and aging population, will require the services of biomedical engineers into the future.

Why study Biomedical Engineering at Clarkson?

Technology & Innovation-Rich Environment

At Clarkson, innovation is part of everything we do. We strive to provide our students with the innovative mindsets and skill sets needed to be impactful in society and industry and help solve the world's most pressing issues. Biomedical engineering is the perfect match for an innovative, technology rich environment.  

Biomedical Engineering Research Opportunities

As a top-tier national research university with a 14:1 student to faculty ratio, Clarkson undergraduate students have opportunities to work alongside faculty experts on groundbreaking research projects. With one of our four main research focus areas as "next-generation healthcare technologies," biomedical engineering research is constantly growing and evolving on campus. Faculty members from all of our engineering programs have ongoing research in this area. 

Strong Health Sciences Programs

Clarkson is already known for its strong graduate healthcare programs in occupational therapy, physical therapy and physician assistant studies. Collaboration between the Coulter School of Engineering and the Lewis School of Health Sciences is significant, with faculty and students from both schools working together to find solutions to today's  critical healthcare issues.

The Dr. Anthony J. and Phyllis Palumbo Biomedical Engineering Scholarship of Excellence

Clarkson undergraduate students who complete, or are on track to complete, the requirements for the Pre-Biomedical Engineering Program are eligible to apply for the Dr. Anthony J. and Phyllis Palumbo Biomedical Engineering Scholarship of Excellence. This scholarship provides students with a full tuition scholarship (valued at ~$48,000) to attend the graduate year of the Biomedical Engineering 4+1 Program at no additional cost. 

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