Widener University

What you'll study

The programme combines core biomedical engineering theory with applied laboratory work and a project or thesis option. Typical core topics include biomechanics, biomaterials and tissue engineering, biomedical instrumentation and sensors, physiological systems and biomedical signal and image processing. Students also study engineering design and regulatory considerations relevant to medical devices.

Study is organised as a mix of lectures, laboratory modules, team design projects and an individual culminating experience. Examples of representative modules and experiences are:

• Biomechanics – mechanics of biological tissues, musculoskeletal modelling and load analysis.
• Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering – material–tissue interactions, scaffolds and regenerative approaches.
• Biomedical Instrumentation and Sensors – device design, signal acquisition and conditioning for physiological measurements.
• Medical Imaging and Signal Processing – processing of physiological signals, basics of imaging modalities and analysis techniques.
• Clinical Engineering and Regulatory Affairs – principles of device safety, standards and pathways for regulatory approval.
• Capstone Project or Thesis – an applied team design project with a clinical/industry partner or an individual research thesis supervised by faculty.

Electives and special topics may cover areas such as neural engineering, rehabilitation engineering, microfluidics for biomedical applications, and biomechanics of injury. Students benefit from access to teaching laboratories and opportunities to collaborate with regional hospitals, medical centres and industry partners in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, materials science, physics or a closely related science or engineering discipline. A solid foundation in calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, basic mechanics and signals/systems is expected.

Typical application components include a completed application form, official transcripts, a statement of purpose outlining academic and professional goals, and a current résumé or curriculum vitae. Applicants are usually asked to provide letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees. Where applicants’ backgrounds do not fully meet technical prerequisites, the admissions team may require bridge coursework or recommend preparatory classes.

International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through recognised tests unless exempt. Specific programme or departmental requirements (such as GRE scores) may vary and prospective students should consult the department for current guidance.

Career prospects

Graduates from Widener’s biomedical engineering master’s programme move into a variety of technical and applied roles. Common career paths include:

• Design and development engineer for medical devices and diagnostics
• Clinical engineer or healthcare technology manager in hospitals and health systems
• Research and development roles in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies
• Regulatory affairs, quality assurance and product safety positions
• Applications engineering, technical sales and field service for biomedical equipment
• Continued academic study at the doctoral level or transition into interdisciplinary fields such as biomedical data science

Hands‑on project experience, industry collaborations and the programme’s emphasis on applied design prepare graduates for immediate technical roles, while the research option supports those targeting R&D or doctoral study.

Why study at Widener University

Widener offers a personalised learning environment with small class sizes and close faculty supervision that supports applied, project-based learning. The university’s engineering department emphasises experiential education through laboratories, capstone design projects and collaborations with regional hospitals and medical device firms, giving students access to real-world problems and potential industry contacts.

Students benefit from Widener’s location near Philadelphia, which provides proximity to a dense healthcare and biotechnology ecosystem for internships, co‑ops and employer engagement. The programme is structured to accommodate recent graduates and early‑career professionals seeking advanced technical training or a route into specialised biomedical careers.

Faculty mentoring, multidisciplinary project opportunities and professional development activities are designed to prepare graduates for technical leadership roles, regulatory environments and further research in biomedical engineering.