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Biomedical Engineering M.E.

18:1
Average Student-to-Faculty Ratio
95%
CSU Online Grad Students have Plans Related to their Career
93%
Grad Students would choose CSU Online Again
$498M
In Research Expenditures in FY23
Degree Overview Open Accordion

See why Joshua was drawn to earn a biomedical engineering master's, and learn how the online program allowed him to pursue his degree while moving all over the world for his career.

Online master's in biomedical engineering

Biomedical engineering lies at the intersection of biomedical challenges and engineering solutions. This coursework-only degree provides a transdisciplinary focus on improving health, fighting disease, and aiding persons with disabilities. This program is uniquely positioned to offer educational strengths in engineering, the sciences, and animal and human medicine. Students gain a foundation in biomedical engineering in a flexible online format designed for working professionals.

During the online biomedical engineering master's program, you explore concepts in:

  • Structure and function of biomaterials
  • Material issues in mechanical design
  • Design and data analysis

Advance your career in a growing industry

As healthcare demands rise due to an aging population, so will the demand for biomedical engineers to develop innovative medical solutions. Recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates employment for biomedical engineers to increase by 23% by 2024.

The skills you learn in this program are applicable to the fields of:

  • Biomaterials
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Tissue engineering
  • Biosensors
  • Wound healing
  • Drug delivery
  • Nanotechnology
  • Military medicine
  • Prosthesis

Such a wide range of relevant industries gives you the flexibility to pursue an array of employment opportunities.

Focus your online studies on your area of interest

To ensure you get a comprehensive education, CSU developed the master's in biomedical engineering degree with input from four colleges and 13 departments within Colorado State University. This provides you with both depth and breadth of knowledge to bring into your career.

Learn from faculty with a wealth of research and industry knowledge in topics like:

  • Biomaterial tissue engineering
  • Nanotechnology
  • Bone biology and mechanics

For added focus in your studies, select courses that fit into interest areas, such as:

  • Biomechanics, materials engineering focus
  • Materials (for students with an engineering background)
  • Tissue, materials engineering focus

Learn more about the requirements and curriculum for the online master's in biomedical engineering.

Explore Careers Open Accordion

Industries that offer career opportunities for biomedical engineers

Trained biomedical engineers use their expertise in engineering, biology, medicine, and related fields to develop and apply cross-disciplinary skills to solve complex problems and improve health care technology from diagnostics to treatment.

Graduates from our program may be interested in pursuing careers in a wide range of industries, such as:

  • Pharmaceutical preparation manufacturing
  • Biological product manufacturing
  • Electromedical and electrotherapeutic apparatus manufacturing
  • Analytical lab instruments manufacturing
  • Irradiation apparatus manufacturing
  • Surgical and medical instrument manufacturing
  • Medical, dental, and hospital equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers
  • Engineering services
  • Research and development in biotechnology
  • Research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences

Biomedical engineering applies to many interest areas:

  • Vaccines and pharmaceutical products
  • Resonance imaging equipment, medical ultrasound, pacemakers, hearing aids, etc.
  • Laboratory analysis
  • Beta-rays, gamma-rays, X-rays, and other ionizing radiation
  • Medical and veterinary instruments and apparatus
  • Medical, dental, and hospital equipment and supplies
  • Consulting, research and studies, technical services, and inspection of engineering projects
  • Microorganisms and cellular and biomolecular processes to develop or alter living or non-living materials
  • Agriculture, Forests, and Fisheries
  • Physical, engineering, and life sciences
  • Bioinstrumentation
  • Biomaterials
  • Biomechanics
  • Cellular, Tissue, and Genetic Engineering
  • Clinical Engineering
  • Medical Imaging
  • Orthopedic Bioengineering
  • Rehabilitation Engineering
  • Systems Physiology

Examples of job titles Biomedical Engineers hold include:

  • Biomedical Electronics Technician
  • Biomedical Engineer
  • Biomedical Engineering Director
  • Biomedical Engineering Technician
  • Biomedical Equipment Technician (BMET)
  • Biomedical Manager
  • Biomedical Technician
  • Clinical Engineer
  • Professor
  • Research Engineer
  • Quality Engineer
  • Software Engineer
  • Researcher

Career Resources

The resources below may be useful for exploring additional career opportunities for graduates with biomedical engineering master’s degrees.

Payscale.com

O*Net Online

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook

Hear from Our Students Open Accordion

Hear what our students say about the online biomedical engineering program and the experience of studying online with CSU.

Edwin Vasquez

Edwin served in the first Gulf War, and his passion for biomedical engineering is fueled by his interest in serving other veterans. See how earning this degree made a career in this field possible.


Learning Experience Open Accordion

Interactions with the faculty depend on the specific course, but in general you will have access to instructors during their office hours, via email exchange, and through discussion board postings. You will collaborate on projects and exchange ideas with fellow classmates with the same tools.

The program is delivered entirely online; on-campus attendance is not required. Courses can be accessed online at any time so you can study at the time that best fits your schedule. For this online program you can expect a similar workload to a traditional on-campus program. You will spend approximately 9—12 hours per week preparing for each three-hour course. This will vary depending on your learning and studying style. This time would be spent on activities such as:

  • Downloading and reviewing lecture notes
  • Completing assigned and optional readings
  • Communicating with instructors and students via chat rooms, threaded discussions, and email
  • Completing individual or group projects
  • Studying for and completing exams
  • Writing course related papers
Faculty Open Accordion
David Bark

David Bark – Assistant Professor
(970) 491-1443 | david.bark@colostate.edu

Dr. Bark’s research is focused on cardiovascular fluid dynamics and biomechanics, with an aim of understanding how cells produce and respond to forces in a flow environment in relation to cardiovascular disease. His research is also focused on developing diagnostics, prostheses, and therapeutics to benefit human health by integrating experimental and computational engineering techniques with biological approaches.

Seth Dillard

Seth Dillard – Associate Teaching Professor
(319) 400-1377 | seth.dillard@colostate.edu

Seth Dillard is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and School of Biomedical Engineering at Colorado State University. Since joining CSU in January of 2022, Dr. Dillard has taught Introduction to Mechanical Engineering (MECH 103), Problem-Based Learning in Biomedical Engineering (BIOM 300), Finite Element Analysis & Computational Fluid Dynamics (MECH 301), Machine Design (MECH 325), Engineering Design Practicum (MECH 486), and Quatitative Systems Physiology (BIOM 576). He is also a faculty adviser for several Senior Design teams and honors students in mechanical engineering and biomedical engineering.

Other teaching and research interests include cardiovascular biomechanics, image-based modeling, and energy systems. Dr. Dillard’s experience working as a paramedic prior to entering the world of engineering cultivated a strong passion for applying engineering principles to address human needs as part of a team – a passion he loves to share with his students.

Matt Kipper

Matt Kipper – Associate Dean for Graduate Programs, Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering & Professor, Chemical & Biological Engineering
(970) 491-0870 | matthew.kipper@colostate.edu

Matt Kipper joined the faculty of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at CSU in the fall of 2006. Prof. Kipper earned B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State University. He also performed postdoctoral research at the National Institutes of Standards and Technology and the National Institutes of Health.

Professor Kipper’s research is focused on developing new nano-structured and micro-structured materials for biomedical applications. In biological systems, including cells, tissues, and organs, functional moieties are organized into structures at various length scales, including the nano-scale and micro-scale. This organization is often essential for biological function.

His research lab develops materials that take advantage of this organization and assembly to prepare materials that interact with proteins, cells, and tissues in favorable ways. These materials can be used for tissue engineering, and to control tissue healing around implanted medical devices. Materials with tunable antimicrobial activity, antioxidant activity, and functional optical properties are also developed by the Kipper research lab.

We collaborate with researchers from other departments at CSU, and from institutions around the world. Students and postdocs in the Kipper group study chemical engineering, bioengineering, and materials science. These students have a variety of academic backgrounds lending their unique skillsets to a highly interdisciplinary group.

Diego Krapf

Diego Krapf – Associate Professor
(970) 491-4255 | krapf@engr.colostate.edu

Diego Krapf was born in Rosario, Argentina. During his Ph.D. research he worked on infrared optics on nanostructured materials. Then, Dr. Krapf joined the research group of Prof. Cees Dekker in the Netherlands where he focused on single-molecule biophysics using solid-state nanopores. Since August 2007, he serves as a faculty member in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Colorado State University. Dr. Krapf is also associate professor in the School of Biomedical Engineering. His current research interests include cellular biophysics at the single-molecule level, with particular emphasis on membrane and cytoskeleton dynamics.

David A. Prawel

David A. Prawel – Senior Research Scientist
(970) 491-4386 | david.prawel@colostate.edu

David Prawel has been a consultant and entrepreneur in 3D technology and digital product development for over 30 years. He helped build 5 startup companies, with one successful IPO and one in the works. He earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Buffalo, and a Ph.D. from Colorado State University in Biomedical Engineering. He is currently on the Research Faculty in Mechanical Engineering at CSU, where he researches biomimetic and polymeric biomaterials. He also recently founded a community-access center for 3D printing and personal fabrication, www.idea2product.net.

Stuart A. Tobet

Stuart A. Tobet – Professor
(970) 491-1672 | stuart.tobet@colostate.edu

Stuart A. Tobet, Ph.D., is a professor of biomedical sciences and biomedical engineering at Colorado State University. He currently serves as Director of the School of Biomedical Engineering. Tobet obtained his Ph.D. from the Department of Applied Biological Sciences at MIT in 1985 and completed postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School. He became Assistant Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School in 1989 and was a visiting instructor at the University of Hawaii Medical School that same year. In 2000, Tobet became Associate Professor of Physiology at UMASS Medical School. In 2003, he joined the Department of Biomedical Sciences at CSU.

Tobet began several transdisciplinary projects at CSU that brought together faculty in biomedical sciences with those in engineering, chemistry, mathematics, and computer science, leading to his appointment as Director of the School of Biomedical Engineering in 2010. He has directed courses in developmental neurobiology, biomedical entrepreneurship, grant writing, and STEM communication. Tobet has co-authored more than 135 refereed journal articles and more than 10 book chapters or monographs. He is currently on the editorial board of three journals and is a senior editor for one of them. His research interests include the utilization of microfluidics, electrochemistry, and lab-on-a-chip technologies in the context of key biological questions for barrier tissues in the body.

Chris Weinberger

Chris Weinberger – Assistant Professor
(970) 491-1625 | chris.weinberger@colostate.edu

Christopher R. Weinberger, Ph.D., joined Colorado State University's mechanical engineering department in the Fall of 2016. He has spent the past three years as an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics Department at Drexel University. His professional experience includes time as a Mechanical Engineer at Lockheed Martin (2001-2005) as well as working at Sandia National Laboratories as a Harry S. Truman Fellow (2009-2012) and a Senior R&D S&E Staff member (2012-2013). Dr. Weinberger holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

Jesse Wilson

Jesse Wilson – Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
(970) 491-3706 | jesse.wilson@colostate.edu

Jesse Wilson earned his PhD in Randy Bartels’ lab at Colorado State University, developing techniques in ultrafast pulse shaping and impulsive Raman spectroscopy. After that, he joined Warren Warren’s lab at Duke University as a postdoc, where he has been awarded both the JenLab Young Investigator Award from the SPIE and a Ruth Kirchstein fellowship from the National Cancer Institute. He is interested in leveraging ultrafast and nonlinear optical phenomena for microscopic imaging contrast, with a specific focus on cancer imaging. Jesse is a member of SPIE, the Optical Society of America, and the American Physical Society.

Other teaching and research interests include biomedical optics, in vivo multiphoton histology and pathology, nonlinear and ultrafast optics, digital signal processing for biomedical imaging and microscopy, metabolic spectroscopy and imaging, and cancer metabolism.

Curriculum Open Accordion

Requirements

  • A minimum of 30 semester credits
  • 7 credits of Core courses, 9 credits of Foundation courses, at least 11 credits of Depth courses, and 3 credits in the Breadth area
  • 24 semester credits must be earned at Colorado State University, 21 of which must be earned after formal admission
  • 24 credits earned at CSU must be at the graduate level (500-level or above), excluding independent study, research, internship, or practicum credits
  • 15 credits of biomedical engineering (BIOM) courses
  • Approval of your program of study by an advisor prior to completing 15 credits toward the degree

Curriculum

The curriculum is divided into four different categories:

  • Core - develop a broad foundation in biomedical engineering
  • Foundation - expand knowledge of a particular interest area
  • Depth - gain in-depth knowledge of a specialty area
  • Breadth - focus on advanced and applied mathematics

Three Interest Areas for Biomedical Engineering

While you are earning your degree credits, you can also select courses that fit within one of these interest areas, for added focus in your studies. Contact your advisor to identify a plan for selecting the appropriate courses.

  • Biomechanics, materials engineering focus
  • Materials (for students with an engineering background)
  • Tissue, materials engineering focus

Courses that are currently offered via distance delivery, or will be soon, are listed below.

Core (7 credits required)

Foundation (9 credits required)

Depth (minimum of 11 credits required)

Breadth (3 credits required)

Advisory Board Open Accordion

The curriculum for CSU's online Biomedical Engineering master's program is shaped with input from an advisory board of industry leaders. These representatives provide valuable insight regarding evolving demands and challenges in the field, and help ensure that students learn the most relevant skills for the current industry climate.

Advisory board members include:

Dennis Bruner
Dennis Bruner

Consultant, J. Dennis Bruner, Ph.D.

Julie Dunn
Julie Dunn

Medical Director, Medical Center of the Rockies; Advisory Chair

Ray Goodrich
Ray Goodrich

Executive Director, Infectious Disease Research Center at CSU

Gary Johnson
Gary Johnson

President of the Surgical Group, Applied Medical

Kirk Kindsfater
Kirk Kindsfater

Medical Doctor, Orthopaedic Center of the Rockies

Tara Rutley
Tara Rutley

Orbital Reef Chief Scientist, Blue Origin

Jeffrey Samson
Jeff Samson

M.I.D., Boulder iQ (formerly of Samson Design Associates, Inc.)

Dennis Schlaht
Dennis Schlaht

Vice President, Product Development and Marketing, ImpediMed, Inc.

Steve Simske
Steve Simske

Systems and Mechanical Engineering Professor, CSU College of Engineering

Jay Srinivasan
Jay Srinivasan

Divisional Vice President, Abbott Informatics

Why Choose CSU? Open Accordion

As a student in CSU’s online biomedical engineering master’s program, you receive the same education, learn from the same faculty, and earn the same regionally accredited degree as students on campus. Additionally, you can expect:

  • Training to Meet Growing Industry Demand: As healthcare demands rise due to an aging population, so will the demand for biomedical engineers to develop innovative medical solutions. Recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates employment for biomedical engineers to increase by 27% by 2022.
  • Instruction from Expert Faculty: Learn from faculty with a wealth of research and industry knowledge in topics like biomaterial tissue engineering, nanotechnology, and bone biology and mechanics.
  • Education that Helps You Help Others: Gain the knowledge and skills necessary to devise engineering solutions to improve the lives of people around the world. Whether you want to help cure diseases, improve a patient’s quality of life, or make medical devices to aid in diagnostics and treatment – this degree will help you affect change.
  • A Program with an Interdisciplinary Approach: To ensure you get a comprehensive education, we developed our degree with input from four colleges and 13 departments within Colorado State University. This provides you with both depth and breadth of knowledge to bring into your career.
  • A Customizable Curriculum: This coursework-only degree sits at the nexus of engineering and biology, teaching the fundamentals of biomedical engineering while allowing you to choose elective credits specific to your desired career path or personal interests.
  • Broad Professional Applicability: The skills you learn in this program are applicable to the fields of biomaterials, pharmaceuticals, mechanical engineering, tissue engineering, biosensors, wound healing, drug delivery, nanotechnology, military medicine, prosthesis, and more. Such a wide range of relevant industries gives you the flexibility to pursue an array of employment opportunities.

Learn more about CSU's rankings and accolades.

How to Apply Open Accordion

Application Deadlines

Fall semester June 1
Spring semester November 15

Start your application online and upload materials directly into the online system. You can save your progress and return any time.

Apply Now

1Review Admission Requirements

Applicants to this program must have:

  • B.S. in engineering, life sciences, or natural sciences from a regionally accredited institution
  • GPA of 3.0 or higher in engineering or life science courses
  • Calculus 1, 2, and 3
  • Ordinary Differential Equations
  • Physics 1 and 2 (calculus-based preferred)
  • At least one semester of Life Science (biology, physiology, etc.)

Note that meeting the minimum department standards does not ensure admission to the program. Admission to Colorado State University graduate programs is based on a number of factors, including prior academic and professional experience and the personal statement.

2 Prepare Application Materials

Prepare the materials below and upload when you apply online.

  • Three letters of recommendation
    Three professional recommendations are required. You will provide information about your recommenders in the online application. CSU will contact them with instructions and a link to a secure form they will submit on your behalf.
  • Resume or vita
    Outline your professional employment, collegiate work, and any publications, exhibitions, service activities, prizes, and awards.
  • Statement of purpose
    The statement of purpose is typically 1-2 pages and briefly describes your background, educational goals, research interests, and why you would be a good fit in the program. Include in this statement why you think you will succeed in this program, and how you intend to be successful taking graduate level courses. Please include your statement in the online application process.

3 Complete Online Application

Complete the online graduate application form and pay the nonrefundable application processing fee (payable online). As soon as you have completed the required information, please submit your application. Your application will not be reviewed until it is complete and all required materials have been received.

CSU's Graduate School offers several application fee waiver opportunities. Visit their website to determine if you are eligible for a waiver.

  • Select "Engineering (Biomedical Engineering - School of Biomedical Engr) M.E.-Distance" when choosing the Program of Study.

4Request Transcripts

Request one official transcript of all collegiate work completed from all institutions attended. Transcripts from Colorado State University are not required. Transcripts must be received directly from the originating institution to be considered official.

Please Note: Students may be unconditionally admitted and registered in their first semester of courses with an unofficial transcript. Official transcripts must be submitted, prior to or during your first semester, before you can register for your second semester of graduate work. Failure to meet this condition will result in your dismissal from the Graduate School.

Electronic (preferred):
Digital Transcripts must be submitted by the originating institution using a secure service such as parchment, eScrip-Safe, the National Student Clearinghouse, or e-Quals. Transcripts received via emails are considered unofficial.

Use institution code 4075 for Colorado State University or gradadmissions@colostate.edu if the secure service requires an email address.

Mail (if necessary)
Graduate Admissions
Colorado State University – Office of Admissions
1062 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1062

5Submit Test Scores (Optional)

GRE test scores
GRE test scores are not required, but may be submitted if you feel these will strengthen your application. Submit official GRE General Test scores through the Educational Testing Service (select institution code: 4075, leave the department code blank). Scores are typically received by the University 4-6 weeks after your testing date.

  • All three sections — verbal, quantitative, and analytical — must be submitted. Photocopies are not accepted.
  • CSU graduates do not, generally, need to take the GRE. If you think it will strengthen your application, though, we recommend you do take it.
  • A GRE Preparation course is available face-to-face and online through CSU.

Check Your Application Status

View your application status at any time to ensure your application checklist is complete or to check on updates.

Once your complete application, including supporting materials, is received, the department admission committee will review your application and notify you of their decision.

For International Applicants

Proof of English language proficiency is required for applicants from countries or United States territories where there are official languages other than (or in addition to) English. This includes the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico.

Learn more about English language proficiency requirements.

Questions?

We love learning about your goals and answering any questions you have.

Tandi Hawkey
Prospective Student Support Coach
Schedule Time to Talk

Program Details

Courses
Credits
30
Tuition
$964 per credit
Same in-state tuition for all.
Learn more about financial aid and scholarships Tuition/fees are just part of the cost to attend CSU. Learn more about the full Cost of Attendance
Degree Awarded
Master of Engineering; transcript reflects the Biomedical Engineering specialization
Time Frame
Varies based on intensity of study and previous coursework
Admission Reqs.
  • B.S. in engineering, life sciences, or natural sciences
  • GPA of 3.0 or higher in engineering or life science courses
  • Calculus 1, 2, and 3
  • Ordinary Differential Equations
  • Physics 1 & 2 (calc-based)
  • At least one semester of Life Science (biology, physiology, etc.)

Application Dates

Fall semester
June 1
Spring semester
November 15

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