Welcome to
Biomedical Engineering

The bridge between the worlds of engineering and health care through a fusion of science, medicine and technology.  

Biomedical engineering uses engineering design principles to solve problems in biology and medicine, with the goal of improving health care and advancing medical research.

Researchers in this field design innovative medical devices, create life-saving diagnostic tools and develop cutting-edge therapies to combat or cure diseases. You will be pushing the boundaries of what's possible in medicine, constantly innovating to improve patient care and quality of life by designing artificial organs and tissues, creating drug delivery devices, developing innovative imaging techniques utilizing MRI, CT scans and artificial intelligence, or even creating a diagnostic tool and treatment that has yet to exist.

Biomedical engineering is an ideal degree for people that have a passion for medicine but also enjoy applying the design principle and quantitative analysis that comprises engineering. The ultimate, common goal of biomedical engineering is to help people live longer while feeling better.

Where UT Austin Biomedical Engineering Graduates Work:

• Biosense Webster
• Epic
• International Biomedical
• Medtronic
• Merck
• Procter & Gamble
• Smith + Nephew
• Stryker

If you're fascinated by both science and technology and you have a passion for making a difference in people's lives, biomedical engineering is the perfect field for you. It's a challenging and rewarding path that offers endless opportunities for creativity and impact.

For more information on the research specialties conducted in the department, visit our research page.

Biomedical Buzzwords:

The Department of Biomedical Engineering is a world-leader in biomedical research and education. We aspire to fuel the growth and evolution of the health care ecosystem locally and regionally through innovative research, cultivation of entrepreneurs and thought leaders, and training a thriving workforce. This five-year plan lays out the following strategic priorities we will pursue to meet the critical moment:

1. Expand our research portfolio
2. Develop new industry relationships
3. Diversify course offerings and training opportunities
4. Amplify interdisciplinary research and education

Examples of this success include but are not limited to:

• Increasing the number of students exposed to the clinical environment: Partner with Dell Medical School to provide more opportunities for students to spend time with clinicians in the hospital learning where health care innovations are needed.
• Enhancing Research Infrastructure: Increasing the availability and capabilities of biomedical research core facilities.
• Fostering Innovation: Boosting the number of patents and invention disclosures emerging from our research.
• Securing Funding Excellence: Increasing the volume of grants that support impactful training and research programs.
• Advancing Experiential Learning: Raising the number of students completing valuable internships or externships. 

Pioneering Progress

Founded in 2001, The Department of Biomedical Engineering marked a significant milestone as the first new department in the Cockrell School of Engineering in six decades. The launch was another leap forward in the tradition of innovation and excellence that brings the brightest minds to the Forty Acres.

Continued Growth

We welcomed our inaugural class of 120 undergraduate students in 2002. Since then our department has evolved to educate more than 500 undergraduate students annually, with a rich program history to boot.

Our commitment to high-quality education is matched by our pursuit of cutting-edge research and innovation. Our journey began with a relocation from a single-floor space in the engineering sciences building to the biomedical engineering building in 2008. This facility is not just a structure but a catalyst of modernization.

It features world-class laboratories and equipment that propel our understanding of human health, improving health care delivery and enhancing our capacity for groundbreaking research. We expanded our faculty to more than 25 dedicated scholars that are some of the most renowned experts in their field, fueling unprecedented growth across our research portfolio from four to eight areas of excellence. 

This growth is not just in size but in impact—creating smarter solutions for the most challenging medical conditions while addressing inequities in access to health care. We have a convergence of extraordinary students, faculty and staff talent across the Cockrell School of Engineering along with researcher-physician partnerships in the Dell Medical School and MD Anderson Cancer Center. Health care technology companies are eager to commercialize our translational research along with passionate and competitive donors ready and willing to fund our innovative work.

As we approach our 25^th anniversary as a department, we set our sights on the future. We strive to pioneer the transfer of new discoveries and innovations into applications and training that will advance, improve, and expand access to health care throughout Texas and the world. The strategic plan outlined in this document will guide the investment of capital, talent and resources into academic and research initiatives inspired by our overarching vision.

Strategic objectives:

1. Expand the department’s research portfolio

We must continue to push the boundaries in discovery and innovation to have the greatest impact on the practice of and access to medicine.  This can be achieved by hiring scholars in emerging areas of biomedical and healthcare research, accruing and committing resources to support new research ventures, and establishing funded centers/institutes that empower multidisciplinary teams working on solutions for the grandest challenges in the biological sciences and health care. 

2. Build new and strengthen existing relationships with medical institutions, industry, and government agencies

These strategic partnerships will fuel new areas of research and pave the way for clinical translation and commercialization of technologies and methodologies originating in the department.

3. Diversify course offerings and expand training opportunities within the department
   

Providing more academic and training opportunities will better prepare our students to advance medicine and pioneer new and transformational medical technologies.

4. Amplify the capacity to support high quality interdisciplinary research, education, and training programs

The acquisition of financial, human, and technical resources and expertise will enable the department to implement interdisciplinary training programs, broaden our academic curriculum, and establish cross-disciplinary research centers.

It is up to YOU to seize these opportunities now and help us reach our potential. 

As we continue to advance the frontiers of biomedical engineering, we invite you to join us on our exciting journey. Your support can help us shape the future of health care, cultivating advancements that help people live longer while feeling better.

SUPPORT THE FUTURE OF HEALTH CARE

Resources and Organizations

Below are organizations that support diverse engineering student populations:

Cockrell School Cares

Women in Biomedical Engineering

Pi Sigma Pi 

National Society of Black Engineers

Black Women in STEM

Fearless Leadership Institute

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers

SHPE – Señoritas Committee

UT Society of Women Engineers

Association for Women in Science at UT Austin

Re-sonate

LGBTQIA+ Engineers

oSTEM

Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers

Welcome to the Department of Biomedical Engineering within The University of Texas at Austin’s Cockrell School of Engineering.

As we approach the 25th anniversary of our department, we are reflecting on our transformative journey and looking forward to an exciting future filled with innovation.

This progress is deeply rooted in our collaborations with The Dell Medical School and MD Anderson Cancer Center, as well as the interdisciplinary relationships we built within the Cockrell School of Engineering. Independently and congruently, we introduced several new programs designed to push the boundaries of biomedical education and research.

Our rising enrollment and graduate program rankings mirror our global reputation and commitment to nurturing the next generation of biomedical engineers. 

The faculty in our department lead innovative research initiatives, earning top awards and contributing to leading scientific journals. We've expanded our infrastructure to further our mission of enhancing health care, equipped with the latest facilities and technology.

The excellence of our department is also reflected by our recent faculty hires. We welcomed several new faculty members who bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise in immunoengineering, neuroengineeering, imaging sciences, health care disparities, diagnostic testing and more. In addition to their groundbreaking research, the new faculty contribute new courses in foundational and emerging areas of biomedical engineering that prepare our students for graduate or medical programs as well as professional careers.

At the core of our department’s success is our people. The dedication and innovative spirit of all community members are indispensable, ensuring our department's smooth operation and elevating the global impact of our education and research.

I am immensely proud of the growth and accomplishments of the department and enthusiastic about our future opportunities. We are finalizing our strategic plan, which will provide a blueprint for the next era of the Department. We are poised to drive the growth and maturation of biomedical research and education in central Texas and beyond and I am honored to lead this department at the start of its next 25 years.

Hook ‘Em,

Tyrone Porter, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Biomedical Engineering Chair

Holistic Faculty Recruiting

Find out more about how to prepare a strong application: Faculty Hiring Criteria and Statement Guidance

Resources and Organizations

Below are just some of the resources offered by the university:

UT Faculty Council

UT Staff Council 

Work-Life Resources and Family Friendly Policies for Faculty 

University Faculty Gender Equity Council 

Faculty or Staff Disability Accommodations 

Black Faculty/Staff Association

Hispanic Faculty/Staff Association

Engineering Faculty Women’s Organization

Pride and Equity Faculty/Staff Association

Faculty Ombuds Office 

Staff Ombuds Office 

Employee Assistance Program 

Supporting Students in Distress 

Working with Students with Disabilities 

Leave and Related Policies

Find information for faculty about sick leave entitlement, accrual, and eligibility, FMLA, sick leave pool, parental leave, and more.

Learn more

Holistic Graduate Admissions

Interested in joining our vibrant graduate student community? Find out more about how to prepare a strong application: Step-by-Step Application Instructions

TEXAS BME DIVERSITY STATEMENt

Resources and Organizations

Organizations that support diverse engineering graduate student populations:

Diversity Counseling and Outreach Specialists