Biomedical Engineering

At the crossroads of engineering, biology, and medicine lies an exciting science making historic breakthroughs that are extending lives, re-enabling the disabled, and vastly improving our quality of life. That science is biomedical engineering, and WPI is at the forefront of research that is leading to many of these breathtaking developments.

Ranging far beyond traditional engineering programs, biomedical engineering effectively integrates physical, chemical, mathematical, and computational sciences—along with engineering principles—and applies them to the study of biology, medicine, behavior, and health.

Undergraduates go on to pursue rewarding careers in the healthcare industry or professional programs in biomedical research or medicine.

Graduate students in WPI’s Biomedical Engineering (BME) Department collaborate with scientists and engineers across disciplines, seeking breakthroughs in regenerative medicine, innovations in bioinstrumentation, and major steps forward in healthcare. Whether in the classroom or the lab, the focus remains squarely on solving real-world problems.

Average Starting Salary

WPI Graduates:

Bachelor’s: $60,691
Master’s: $63,625
PhD: N/A

Average National Starting Bachelor’s Degree Salary (reported by the NACE Salary Survey): $59,057

Download the WPI Post-Graduation Reports for more information on salaries.

Companies That Have Hired WPI Biomedical Engineers

Apple
Boston Scientific
ConforMIS
EMD Millipore
General Electric
NYU Medical Center
Seahorse Bioscience
Thoratec Corporation
UMass Medical School
US Army

Download the WPI Post-Graduation Reports for more companies that have hired WPI graduates.

Sample Job Titles

Biomedical Engineer
CAD Engineer
Clinical Research Assistant/Coordinator/Engineer
Design Assurance Engineer
Development Engineer
Manufacturing Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Process Development
Product Analysis/Development Engineer
Quality Assurance Engineer
Research Assistant/Associate/Scientist
Validation Engineer

Visit O*Net Online or MyPlan for more information on job titles.

Sample Graduate Schools

Brown University
Drexel University
Johns Hopkins University
Syracuse University
Tufts University
University of California-Berkeley
Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Sample Professional Associations and Clubs

American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Bioengineering Division (ASME BED)
American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE)
Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES): WPI Chapter, Professional Association
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE): WPI Chapter, Professional Association
National Institute of Health
Orthopaedic Research Society
Whitaker International Fellows and Scholars Program

Visit What Can I Do With This Major? or Career Cornerstone for more associations and clubs.

Examples of MQPs

Biomimetic Skeletal Muscle Tissue Model
Design of Wound Dressing that Inhibits Microbial Infection
Designing a Headgear for Soccer
Developing a Biosensor to Monitor Glioblastoma
Ergonomic Scalpel Handle for Accurate Incision
Gait Analysis and Spinal Rotation
Perfusion Bioreactor for the Development of Tissue-Engineered Blood Vessels
Waterproof ECG Electrode Design

Visit WPI’s Electronic Projects Collection for more MQP titles.

Popular Industries for Biomedical Engineers

Colleges Universities and Professional Schools
Manufacturing (Medical Equipment, Pharmaceutical and Medicine, Navigational Measuring Electromedical and Control Instruments)
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
Government (Federal)

Visit Career Cornerstone or MyPlan for a list of more industries.