The goals of the biomedical specialization are to: produce graduates who can effectively accomplish biomedical engineering design and analysis; produce graduates who can effectively communicate orally and in writing; produce graduates who can successfully compete with other engineers in their first engineering position; and to provide a curriculum that exceeds minimum recognized standards for engineering education Owing to the technical complexities of and team-oriented approach to solving medical problems, biomedical engineering students study the basic sciences, mathematics, and engineering common among traditional engineering fields. Beyond this, they study the life sciences and how traditional engineering can be used to understand, analyze, and design physiological and medical systems. Specific components of the curriculum are outlined in the following section. In recognition of the expectations of employers, all biomedical specialization students are required to select elective courses and curricular paths that allow them to explore engineering or medical sciences in more detail. Among these options at the bachelor’s level are the pre-medical or the science course requirements or a minor in at least one of the other engineering specializations. Qualified students are strongly encouraged to pursue post baccalaureate education whether in a medical or other professional school, or in graduate school, all of which are available at Mercer. Mercer’s five-year Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) in Biomedical Engineering degree is available to the top academic students and also includes the emphasis of minoring in another engineering discipline. The emphasis of this degree is on the practice of engineering. Students accepted into the MSE program begin combined BSE and MSE studies at the beginning of their senior year. The two degrees are awarded simultaneously upon graduation. The master of engineering degree may also be used as a stepping stone for advanced graduate education at other institutions. Mercer’s schools of engineering and medicine have established a cooperative admission program for highly motivated and talented students. Students who apply, are accepted and maintain enrollment in The Dual Biomedical Engineering Medical School Admission Program (DBemSAP) are accepted to the Mercer School of Medicine upon completion of their biomedical engineering graduation requirements. Admission to this program is highly selective and DBemSAP students must indicate continued compliance to the mission of the Mercer School of Medicine and must maintain high academic achievements. More information on this program may be obtained from the departmental office.

During the last quarter century the world has witnessed unprecedented progress in engineering and medical science resulting in dramatic lifestyle changes. Biomedical engineering is at the confluence of modern engineering and medicine. Biomedical engineers apply engineering methods to problems in medicine and the life sciences and have played a vital role in these rapid an unparalleled advances. Biomedical engineers contribute to improved health care and enrich the quality of all our lives. A biomedical engineer may work as a member of a research team, along with the health professionals, to find solutions to diverse medical problems. Biomedical engineers design new therapeutic and diagnostic instruments that permit treatment and visualization of internal organs. Biomedical engineers develop new materials and devices to supplant or augment diseased or malfunctioning organs and systems. Biomedical engineers analyze human and prosthetic performance in clinical environments. Among the most visual examples of biomedical engineering developments are: the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); computer assisted tomography (CAT); and ultrasonic imaging scanners; kidney dialysis units; and pacemakers, heart valves and vascular grafts. Biomedical specialization graduates have secured challenging positions in a variety of related fields with responsibilities ranging from the practice of medicine and traditional engineering, to the design and manufacture of bioinstrumentation devices, to the administration health-care services and management of hospital components, to the computer monitoring and simulation of medically related systems. In recognition of the complexity of the biomedical engineering field, many employers expect entry-level graduates to possess academic credentials beyond the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Degree. Because of this and to increase one's flexibility, biomedical specialization students are strongly encouraged to excel academically so that graduate/professional school is an option and to minor in one of the other engineering disciplines.