The Biomedical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Bioengineering and Biomedical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. The Biomedical Engineering curriculum provides both breadth and depth across the range of engineering domains such as mechanical, electrical, computer or software engineering. The program prepares graduates to have an understanding of biology and physiology, as well as the capability to apply advanced mathematics, science and engineering to solve the problems at the interface of engineering and biology. The Biomedical Engineering curriculum prepares graduates with the ability to make measurements on and interpret data from living systems and to address the problems associated with the interaction between living and non-living materials and systems. The curriculum blends theoretical knowledge with hands-on experiential learning that culminates with a year-long, interdisciplinary team-based capstone design project.

The Program Educational Objectives are broad statements that describe what alumni do within a few years following graduation. The Biomedical Engineering program is committed to graduating engineers who within a few years of their graduation are expected to:

1. Utilize their interdisciplinary training to have successful careers in industry, research and development and in regulatory agencies, academia, or clinical work.
2. Demonstrate the organizational, leadership, and communication skills to achieve success in their chosen careers and make reasoned decisions based on a respect for diversity, and welcome it as a source for creativity, innovation, and productive collaboration.
3. Employ critical thinking and problem-solving skills to support interdisciplinary teams that may include physicians, nurses, molecular biologists, physiologists, other engineers, and business professionals.
4. Utilize life-long learning skills and the ethical tools for successful adaptation to the rapidly changing field of Biomedical Engineering and emerging technology.
5. Build upon their sound training in mathematics, biological sciences, the liberal arts and engineering to facilitate successful pursuit of advanced degrees in medicine, law, business, engineering, or related fields.

For the first year of study, all of our engineering programs place major emphasis on the fundamentals of engineering and computer science, mathematics, and the basic sciences to provide the background for later engineering science and design courses. Following preparatory work, the fundamentals of electrical, computer, mechanical, and materials engineering concepts are developed. Advanced courses in Biomedical Engineering further develop knowledge in the discipline. The Biomedical Engineering curriculum program places much emphasis on design assignments. Students may specialize in a specific area of Biomedical Engineering by taking elective courses. Also, students on a pre-medicine track can prepare for medical school entrance by taking their elective courses in psychology, sociology, organic chemistry, biology, and biochemistry.

Students will build skills and knowledge through formal course work, projects, and presentations. Biomedical Engineering program graduates will have attained the following student outcomes:

1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Biomedical Engineering Program Study Abroad

Studying abroad can be a life-changing experience and we highly recommend students explore the many options that are available to them. The Biomedical Engineering department in the School of Engineering and Computing has partnered with the University of Galway in Ireland to allow students the opportunity to spend the fall semester of their junior year in Galway. Galway ranks among the top of universities in the world. In addition to the many benefits that come from studying abroad, successful Biomedical Engineering students who spend their fall semester of junior year in Galway have the opportunity to enter into the one-year Master’s Degree program at University of Galway after they complete their undergraduate degree at Fairfield University. To be admitted to the University of Galway Biomedical Engineering Master’s program, students must have between a 3.2 and 3.7 GPA upon graduation from Fairfield University.

Five-Year integrated BS and MS in Biomedical Engineering

Fairfield University School of Engineering and Computing offers a five-year accelerated bachelor’s/master’s in Biomedical Engineering for undergraduates enrolled in the program. This accelerated degree program may reduce the time to obtain a master’s degree and provides experiential learning through research and design projects giving graduates the credentials needed to prepare for a broad range of careers. Upon completing the program, graduates gain the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to solve the next generation of complex healthcare problems.

Fairfield University undergraduate Biomedical engineering students may request a change of status to the Five-Year MS in Biomedical Engineering plan of study during or prior to their junior year. Admitted students are advised to consult with their advisor to select two undergraduate major electives (6 credits total) at the 5000 level in order to earn six credits towards the MS program’s Biomedical Engineering electives. During the fifth year of study, Fairfield University BME graduates will be required to take the remaining 24 credits to complete the MS in Biomedical Engineering.