Biomedical Engineering

Engineering the future of medicine.

Our Biomedical Engineering program has been setting the bar for BME education and research for more than 50 years, and we continue to lead the way through a curriculum that combines classroom instruction and hands-on research to train future leaders

Our faculty are defining the field, forging new disciplines that have immense potential to transform human health and impact patient lives around the globe. Close partnership with clinical collaborators provides a strong foundation for translating advances to first clinical use.

As an undergraduate student in our program, you’ll work with our pioneering faculty and actively contribute to our mission of scientific discovery, innovation, and translational research that improves medicine and human health at scale. Through project-based learning, research experiences, design opportunities, clinical exposure, and more, you will solve real-world engineering problems from your first day of freshman year until your graduation day.

To be considered for the program, you must indicate BME as your first-choice major on your application.

learn more about the program

CLASSES YOU MIGHT TAKE

Biochemistry and Molecular Engineering

This combined lecture and laboratory course will delve into the workings of the cell and the interactions between cells. You’ll learn about quantitative analysis of reactions between molecules then gain experimental skills in enzyme kinetics, binding (specificity and affinity), DNA analysis techniques (PCR, forensics), metabolism, membrane potentials and molecular neuroscience.

Audio Signal Processing

This course will give you a foundation in current audio and speech technologies. We’ll cover techniques for sound processing by processing and pattern recognition, acoustics, auditory perception, speech production and synthesis, speech estimation. We’ll also explore applications of speech and audio processing in human computer interfaces such as speech recognition, speaker identification, coding schemes (e.g. MP3), music analysis, and noise reduction.

Neuro Data Design I

In this year-long course, you’ll work in small teams to design, develop, and deploy a functioning tool for practicing brain scientists. The first semester will focus on scoping the tool, and determining feasibility and significance for the targeted brain science community. The second semester will focus on developing the tool, getting regular feedback, and iterating.

Faculty Spotlight

Prof. Muyinatu Bell

Associate Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Computer Science

Medical Imaging Fails Dark Skin. Researchers Fixed It.

A Johns Hopkins University–led team found a way to deliver clear pictures of anyone’s internal anatomy, no matter their skin tone.

PROF. HAI-QUAN MAO

Department of Biomedical Engineering

New Platform Could Make Gene Medicine Delivery Easier and More Affordable

A new platform designed by Hopkins researchers, in partnership with the University of Washington, shows promise in the sped-up design of lipid nanoparticles to deliver treatments that prevent viral infections.

Biomedical Engineering FAQs

Check here for answers to our most frequently asked questions. If you have a question that isn’t answered below, reach out to your admissions counselor directly.

Biomedical Engineering FAQ

Biomedical Engineering FAQ

I am interested in the biomedical engineering (BME) major. What do I need to know?

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If you want to enroll in the BME major, there’s no separate application process, but you must indicate BME as your first-choice major on your application.

Students are admitted to BME based on evaluation of credentials and space available. It is possible to be admitted to the university without acceptance to the BME major. If you are accepted into the BME major, you’ll be notified at the time of decision release.

If you are admitted to the university but not to the BME major, you may select any other intended major in the Whiting School of Engineering or Krieger School of Arts & Sciences.

I applied to the BME major and was admitted to the university. Have I also been admitted to the BME major?

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What are my options if I wasn’t accepted into the BME major as an Early Decision applicant?

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Early Decision applicants who applied but were not admitted to the BME major have two options.

The vast majority of students still choose to attend Hopkins and pursue another engineering option or a different discipline altogether. We’ll ask you to inform us of your academic interest when submitting your Reply Form, but you don’t need to select a new major at this time.

If you choose not to enroll, you’ll be released from your Early Decision agreement and will forfeit your spot in our class. You’ll still need to notify us of your decision not to enroll by the reply-by deadline.

Can I get into BME during my sophomore year?

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If you’re interested in BME, we highly recommend selecting it as your first-choice major during the application process. Students are advised to enroll without the expectation of transferring into BME, as it’s a highly competitive program and transfers are rare. If spaces open in the BME major at the end of your first year, the Whiting School of Engineering will contact all first-year students about program availability and the process to apply for internal transfer.

My admission decision to the university was deferred to Regular Decision and my first-choice major is BME. Will I be considered for the program during Regular Decision? What are my chances?

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What is the admit rate to the BME major?

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Information about this past year’s admitted undergraduate class can be found on our Fast Facts page. 

Our BME major is the only limited enrollment major at Hopkins with a goal of enrolling 100-120 new first-year students each year. We do not release separate acceptance rates or historical data for the BME program as they vary greatly year to year.

Can transfer students apply to be a BME major?

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by Emily B.