What is Biomedical Engineering?

Biomedical engineering, often abbreviated as BME, is the application of the principles and tools of engineering to the enhancement of scientific research and problem-solving in the biological, pharmacological, and medical fields.  As stated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most biomedical engineers work in manufacturing, universities, hospitals, and research facilities of companies and educational and medical institutions.

The term “biomedical engineering” has often been used interchangeably with “bioengineering.”  However, bioengineering is often used today to imply a close relationship with the field of agriculture.  Along those same lines, biomedical engineering often implies a close integration with clinical health sciences.

The Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Utah prepares graduates to be global leaders in biomedical research, industry, education, medical device design and development, and scholarship.  We focus expertise on relevant topics, issues, and challenges at the intersection of engineering, biology, and medicine.

Utah BME is a pioneer biomedical engineering department, now with 25 primary faculty, 200 auxiliary faculty, more than 120 graduate students, and about 70 Bachelor of Science students graduating annually.