The School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems
The School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems is a nationally recognized center for research in biomedical engineering and science offering multi-disciplinary instruction on a full- and part-time basis at the graduate and undergraduate levels.
The School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems offers a Bachelor of Science program in Biomedical Engineering with a choice of five concentration areas: biomaterials and tissue engineering, human performance engineering, biomedical informatics, biomedical devices and imaging, and neuroengineering.
Major
About the School
The School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems (formerly the Biomedical Engineering and Science Institute, founded in 1961) is a leader in biomedical engineering and biomedical science research and education. The undergraduate program was inaugurated in September 1998 and has steadily grown to attract the highest ability students at the University. The program has received accreditation by the Accreditation Board of Engineering Technology (ABET) in 2002 and again in 2008.
Our academic thrust areas, both in research and education, are at the forefront of biosensing, bioimaging, bioinformation engineering and integrated bioinformatics, drug delivery, biomedical ultrasound & optics, bionanotechnology, cellular tissue engineering, neuroengineering and human performance. Emerging initiatives include skin bioengineering, pediatric engineering and homeland security technologies. Various departments at Drexel University offer courses that are suited for students in biomedical engineering and biomedical science. Our curriculum complements the strengths of the Colleges of Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering, Information Science, Law and Medicine. As a whole, our curriculum offers the advanced knowledge needed for industrial careers, health professions, graduate research or careers in highly specialized fields such as pre-professional health (medical, dental, and veterinary) and pre-law.
The marriage of technology with biology and medicine drives the 21st Century industrial enterprise. Consistent with this mission, we strive for clinical and industrial relevance in our academic pursuits. We enjoy a strong entrepreneurship program in biomedical technologies. Our alliance with regional economic development agencies and corporations together with our advisors from business development, legal, and investment communities sustains the growth of this program. The students and faculty of the School are committed to move their discoveries from our laboratories to clinical practice or home use. The success of our Translational Research in Biomedical Technologies Program has been recognized and funded regionally as well as nationally.
Our School has experienced remarkable growth in recent years thanks to our outstanding research portfolio, high quality and innovative undergraduate program, and our multidisciplinary approach to education and research. Another competitive advantage of our School is the unique free-standing university-level administrative structure with its own tenure-track faculty lines, budget and space. This helps us transcend the traditional organizational boundaries of engineering, sciences and medicine. Our independence allows us to pursue growth and collaborations in various disciplines. Our small size gives us agility to reconfigure and reorganize in response to emerging opportunities. The University Strategic Plan recognizes our School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems as “Drexel’s prototype of academic integration. ”
Metropolitan Philadelphia has one of the nation’s highest concentrations of medical institutions and pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and systems industry. The School has forged strategic partnerships with select universities, research institutes, health care institutions and industries in the region. We enjoy a close working relationship with our Drexel College of Medicine as well as alliances with prominent medical institutions in the region to develop joint research and educational programs. These include University of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson University, the Fox Chase Cancer Center and the Wistar Institute. These collaborative initiatives provide students with ample opportunities in basic and clinical research as well as innovative academic programs.
Applicants to the graduate program must meet the requirements for admission to graduate studies at Drexel University. Candidates for degrees in the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems are required to maintain academics standards applicable to all graduate students at Drexel University.
Co-operative Education
Co-op and career opportunities available to students include employment in the medical device, equipment, and systems industry; the biomaterial and implant industry; the pharmaceutical industry; the biotechnology and agricultural industry; the telemedicine and tele-health industry; health care; medical and clinical information and management systems; and biomedical technology transfer. Preprofessional options available in the academic programs of the School prepare students for admission to schools of medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine. Students may also choose to continue their education at the graduate level to prepare for careers in research and development in biomedical engineering and science.
Visit the Drexel Steinbright Career Development Center page for more detailed information on co-op and post-graduate opportunities.
Special Programs
Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Dual Degree Program
The Accelerated BS/MS degree program provides opportunities for strongly motivated students with high ability to progress toward their educational goals at an accelerated pace. The program makes it possible for top engineering students to obtain both degrees in the same time period that it takes most students to obtain a bachelor's degree.
Preprofessional Programs
Students who want to prepare for admission to schools of medicine, dentistry, or veterinary medicine, including the BA/BS /MD and early assurance programs at the Drexel College of Medicine, may obtain professional counseling and assistance from the Office of Preprofessional Programs, 215-895-2437.
University Honors
Program Students in the Biomedical Engineering program may apply for admission to the University Honors Program. Admission depends on superior academic performance at Drexel and may be approved after a personal interview with the Honors Committee.
University Leadership Program
Drexel graduates in Biomedical Engineering will be the leaders of their profession--and their communities-- in the twenty-first century. The University Leadership Program helps cultivate leadership skills and engages students in exploring the complex aspects of successful leadership by offering multi-dimensional courses featuring service learning.
