Biomedical Engineering

Degree

Bachelor of Science, Major

School/College

School of Engineering and Computing

Three students huddled around looking at a computer with their teacher explaining something.

Biomedical engineering majors are taught how to make measurements on, and interpret data from, living systems. They also learn how to address problems associated with the interaction between living and non-living materials and systems.

Create solutions with a humanitarian focus

Through applying engineering design to the world around them, students learn to produce solutions that meet specified needs with a focus on public health, safety, and welfare.

Find opportunity through industry relations

Build meaningful relationships with engineering professionals throughout your time in the program. Industry partnerships and affiliations result in a high employment rate for Fairfield’s engineering graduates in all sectors of business, government, and academia.

Learn with integrity and understand social responsibility

Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.

Rise above with research opportunities

Throughout their comprehensive curriculum, students are given opportunities to conduct innovative, in-depth research with faculty mentors. This hallmark of a solid educational experience offers students a chance to put their academic skills to the test, explore their passions, and make a difference.

In keeping with the mission of Fairfield University’s Jesuit values, specifically the concept of men and women for others, the School of Engineering & Computing inspires students to become leaders of integrity within the industry. Through their comprehensive curriculum, students are given opportunities to conduct innovative, in-depth research with faculty mentors. This hallmark of a solid educational experience offers students a chance to put their academic skills to the test, explore their passions, and make a difference.

Under the leadership of faculty mentor Isaac Macwan, PhD, biomedical engineering majors Jenna Madigan ’22 and Jack Devlin ’22 launched a research project that focuses on the impact of the human protein MutSbeta, which is essential in repairing incorrect sequences in DNA after replication. The overall role of MutSbeta is known but our goal is to examine the initial interactions when the DNA and protein first come in contact. By simulating the interactions as they would happen in our cells with molecular dynamics, we hope to learn about this system through analysis of interaction energies, changes in protein structure, and more. With this information, the students will draw conclusions about the implications of defective MutSbeta, which causes human Lynch Syndrome and colorectal cancer.

One of the root causes of Alzheimer’s disease is the aggregation of amyloid beta protein in the brain. In Isabella Wolson’s ’22 project, the aggregation of several amyloid beta proteins are simulated alone and then in the presence of a nanomaterial, graphene oxide. The simulations are then examined to determine if nanomaterials should be pursued as a potential therapeutic agent in de-clumping the Alzheimer’s causing clusters.

In their research project, Andrey Zaznaev and Ky Duyen Le ’21 worked alongside faculty mentor Isaac Macwan, PhD to study how molecules move and behave in biological systems through molecular dynamics simulations. The specific focus is on understanding how graphene oxide, a nanoparticle, interacts with NDPK, a protein responsible for many processes in a human body, including the functioning of the heart. Heart failure results from the interactions of an inferior NDPK protein with another protein called G protein that inhibits the beating of the heart resulting in cardiac infarction. It is expected that the results of this work will show theoretical potential for utilizing graphene oxide material blocking such interactions to be a possible strategy against heart failure.

Two students wearing suits walking in front of a building on campus talking and smiling at each other.

Internship Opportunities

With great emphasis on the practical application of learned skills, engineering students are given the knowledge and competence needed to thrive outside of the classroom and in the expanse of internship opportunities that awaits them prior to graduation.

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Course Requirements

Biomedical Engineering Major

130 credits

Contact Us

Undergraduate Admission
admis@fairfield.edu
(203) 254-4100

Accelerated Masters

Fairfield University School of Engineering and Computing offers a five-year accelerated bachelor’s/master’s in Biomedical Engineering for undergraduates enrolled in the program. This dual degree program reduces the time to obtain a master’s degree by at least a year and provides experiential learning through research and design projects giving graduates the credentials needed to prepare for a broad range of careers. Upon completing the program, graduates gain the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to solve the next generation of complex healthcare problems.

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Career Outlook

Career Outcomes

NASA
Nasdaq
Lockneed Martin
General Electric
Abbott

Job Fields

Medical Technology
Research Engineering
Bioprocess Engineering
Project Management
Systems Engineering

“It’s really important for bioengineering students to have experience trying out new ideas, testing them, getting feedback, and thinking outside of the box to try something different, plus it's super fun to work on projects like these.”

- Maeve O'Connell '25

The University Career Center serves Fairfield University students with comprehensive career support services, programming and resources.

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Fairfield supports the scholarly success and intellectual growth of our students by providing various resources on campus including the Science Center, Writing Center, DiMenna-Nyselius Library, and more.

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Accreditation Information

Fall 2017 Enrollment: 35
2017 Graduates: 0

Fall 2018 Enrollment: 41
2018 Graduates: 5

Fall 2019 Enrollment: 41
2019 Graduates: 5

Fall 2020 Enrollment: 35
2020 Graduates: 7

Fall 2021 Enrollment: 36
2021 Graduates: 7

Fall 2022 Enrollment: 32
2022 Graduates: 11

Fall 2023 Enrollment: 43
2023 Graduates: 9

The Program Educational Objectives are broad statements that describe what alumni do within a few years following graduation. The biomedical engineering program is committed to graduating engineers who within a few years of their graduation are expected to:

Utilize their interdisciplinary training to have successful careers in industry, research and development and in regulatory agencies, academia, or clinical work.

Demonstrate the organizational, leadership, and communication skills to achieve success in their chosen careers and make reasoned decisions based on a respect for diversity, and welcome it as a source for creativity, innovation, and inclusive collaboration..

Employ critical thinking and problem-solving skills to support interdisciplinary teams that may include physicians, nurses, molecular biologists, physiologists, other engineers, and business professionals.

Utilize life-long learning skills and the ethical tools for successful adaptation to the rapidly changing field of Biomedical Engineering.

Build upon their sound training in mathematics, biological sciences, the liberal arts, and engineering to facilitate successful pursuit of advanced degrees in medicine, law, business, engineering, or related fields.

Engineering Accreditation Commission

Fairfield University’s four-year Bachelor of Science program in electrical engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Electrical, Computer, Communications, Telecommunication(s) and Similarly Named Engineering Program Criteria.

Problem Solving

Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.

Produce Solutions

Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.

Communicate

Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.

Recognize

Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.

Cooperate & Collaborate

Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.

Draw Conclusions

Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.

Apply Knowledge

Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical engineering majors are taught how to make measurements on, and interpret data from, living systems. They also learn how to address problems associated with the interaction between living and non-living materials and systems.

What You'll Learn and Do

Create solutions with a humanitarian focus

Find opportunity through industry relations