The Department of Biomedical Engineering was established in 1968 at Case Western Reserve University. As one of the pioneer programs in the world, it has become a strong and well-established program in research and education with many unique features. It was founded on the premise that engineering principles provide an important basis for innovative and unique solutions to biomedical problems. This philosophy has been the guide for the successful development of the program, which has been emulated by many other institutions. Quantitative engineering and analytic methods for biomedical applications remains the cornerstone of the program and distinguishes it from biomedical science programs. In addition to dealing with biomedical problems at the tissue and organ-system level, the department’s educational programs have a growing emphasis on cellular and subcellular mechanisms for understanding of fundamental processes, as well as for systems approaches to solving clinical problems.

Graduates in biomedical engineering are employed in industry, hospitals, research centers, government, and universities. Biomedical engineers also use their undergraduate training as a basis for careers in business, medicine, law, and other professions.