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Biomedical Engineering

Bachelor of Science from University of Colorado Boulder

Our new biomedical engineering major emphasizes hands-on learning to prepare students for careers in the rapidly growing field of biomedical technology. The program integrates the principles of engineering, biology, and medicine to develop innovative solutions to even the most challenging of medical problems.

Program Overview

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Shape the future of healthcare with a biomedical science degree.

With so many bioscience companies emerging in Colorado, the demand for biomedical engineers has never been higher. Colorado has the country’s highest concentrations of biomedical engineering jobs. To fulfill the state’s growing workforce need, students can now elect a biomedical engineering major from the University of Colorado Boulder through our Partnership Program. You’ll complete your initial two years as a Western student, then transfer to the University of Colorado Boulder to finish your final two years in the program—all while spending the four years taking your biomedical engineering courses on Western’s campus. With the smaller class sizes, Western offers a personal education with hands-on professors who care about your outcome.

Every school year, students tackle group projects of their choice, work with industry experts, and present the final product at the Program’s annual industry night. Our biomedical engineering program ensures students acquire real-life experience while making connections with leaders in the field. Students have access to the brand-new facilities in the Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering building, equipped with top-tier technology, various maker spaces, specialized labs, and collaborative spaces.

Where engineering meets medicine

Transform the future of healthcare with cutting-edge technology, innovative solutions and practical learning opportunities.

Careers


Top Skills

  • Bioinformatics
  • Biomechanics
  • Biomedical Device Design
  • Clinical Engineering
  • Medical Imaging
  • Regulatory Affairs



Career Pathways

  • Biomedical Research
  • Clinical Trials
  • Healthcare Technology
  • Medical Devices
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Prosthetics and Orthotics

Take the first steps toward your academic and personal growth.

Fostering your intellectual development is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling and enriched life after graduation. Wondering how you can apply your program of choice to your intellectual and personal journey? Check out our “What Can I Do With This Major?” tool to explore the diverse opportunities and pathways within any degree program.

Scholarships

Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.

Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.

Find your Scholarships

Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.

Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.

Find your Scholarships

Alumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship

The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.

Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.

  • This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
  • Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
  • GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).

Due date has been extended to April 30 for 2024. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.

Apply

Alumni Legacy Scholarship

The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).

Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:

  • This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
  • Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
  • The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
  • GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).

The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.

Apply

Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship

The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.

Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).

  • Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
  • The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
  • The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.

The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.

For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.

For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.

Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.

For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.

Note: Students enrolled in a Western-CU Boulder Partnership Program (i.e. major) do not qualify for Western Merit Scholarship programs. See the Rady Merit Scholarship section above for scholarship opportunities.

Get Involved

A student uses an angle grinder during class in the fabrication shop of the Rady Building.

Make the most out of your biomedical engineering major.

Maximize the outcomes of your biomedical science degree by finding involvement outside the classroom. By engaging in the opportunities below, you’ll expand your community and network while gaining hands-on experience in your field.

  • Professional Societies and Student Clubs: Students are encouraged to participate in professional societies and student clubs related to engineering and computer science. Currently, Western offers the following opportunities for engineering students to get involved: ASMESWESAEACM, WACM, Mountaineers Without Borders, and Maker’s Society.
  • Seminar Series: Each semester, faculty at the Rady School invite industry leaders to discuss their experiences with students. Previous speakers include the Senior Project Manager of Blade Design at Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, designers of the largest wind turbine blades in the world; the owner and CEO of Red Canary, a cybersecurity company with multiple Fortune 500 clients; and the co-founder of PACT Outdoors, an outdoor industry manufacturer located in the Gunnison Valley.
  • Lambda Learning Center (LLC): The LLC exists to provide academic support for math, computer science, and engineering and to facilitate student learning beyond the classroom. Students, tutors, and professors get together and create a culture centered not only around understanding and mastering STEM-related coursework but also exploring new ideas in STEM and building community.
  • Residence Hall Community Building: Rady School students can elect to live in a Partnership Program Community during their first year at Western, allowing them to strengthen bonds with fellow students outside of class. The residence halls provide designated study spaces and a computer lab for students.
  • Experiential Education Initiatives: The program curriculum is enhanced by numerous project-based, industry-focused experiential education initiatives that set it apart from other programs in the state. Students engage with the local community through project partnerships.
  • Social Media: Follow @RadySchoolatWestern on FacebookInstagram, and LinkedIn to stay up-to-date with the engineering and computer science community at Western.

A transformative career pathway

Harness the power of technology and design life-changing medical solutions that bridge the gap between engineering and human health.

Additional Resources

Admissions Process

There are two ways to apply to the Western-University of Colorado Boulder Partnership Program, click below to learn more about your options.

Learn About Admissions

Transition to CU Boulder

In the Western-CU Boulder partnership program, students complete their first two years as Western Colorado University students and then spend the balance of their education at the University of Colorado Boulder on Western’s campus.

Transition Process

Scholarships and Discounts

There are a number of scholarships and discounts that apply to the Western-CU partnership program, depending on year of study. Scroll down for more information about the various opportunities and how …

Financial Aid Opportunities

Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance Projection for the Western-CU Boulder Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering Partnership Programs is based on Western and CU Boulder annual rates.

Learn About Costs

Engineering Accreditation Information

Overview Our mission is to produce creative and technically strong engineers who explore innovative solutions to complex global challenges. We do this with a commitment to our community by integrating …

Accreditation Details

Graduation Requirements

Find the resources you need to successfully manage your degree in the Western-CU Boulder Mechanical Engineering partnership program.

Graduation Requirements

Outdoor Industry Engineering pathway

Western Colorado University’s cutting-edge Outdoor Industry Engineering (OIE) research and emphasis area is a unique, state-of-the-art program focused on gear testing and standardization for the outdoor industry.

OIE Pathway

Interim Director

Kevin Terry, Ph.D.

Interim Director of the Western-CU Boulder Partnership Program

Assistant Director

Laurel Fisher

Assistant Director of the Western-CU Boulder Partnership Program

Rady Building Administrative Assistant

Kelley Jones

Administrative Assistant III

Contact Information

970.943.2400

radyschool@western.edu

Campus Location

1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231

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