Biomedical Engineering and Nursing

Become a Nurse Engineer

As a biomedical engineer, you will be charged with advancing health care treatment for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Having a health care background with clinical experience, especially in Nursing, can greatly enhance your ability to solve clinical problems. Nurses are in the best position to assess the functional health status and technology needs of patients.

Our program is the first dual undergraduate degree program in Biomedical Engineering and Nursing in the U.S. The dual format is cost effective as it provides additional clinical knowledge and skills via a holistic nursing approach. During this five-year program, you will not only gain a deep clinical perspective, but you will also solve real clinical problems and learn to develop technologies such as those that:

  • Assist patients and create efficiencies for nurses in the hospital, outpatient and home care arenas.
  • Are lifesaving and cost effective for developing countries.
Amanda Pellegrino shares her story as BME/BSN dual degree 5th year student. She intends to work in a research hospital doing cardiovascular and pulmonary research.

Program Information

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Nursing five-year, onsite program will prepare you to become a nurse engineer. This dual degree program integrates and applies nursing clinical knowledge and engineering principles to solve health care problems and improve health outcomes.

Program Type

Major, Dual Degree

Degree

Bachelor's

School

School of Science and EngineeringSchool of Nursing

Academic Department

Biotechnology

Undergraduate Programs (Nursing)

Duration

5 years

Required Credit Hours

206

Modality

In-Person

Expanding Students' Horizons

Skyler Wrubleski

I work closely with my professors on areas that really matter to me. There are a lot of opportunities to improve health care with regenerative medicine. We look at how we can aid the body to heal itself. It's a field with a lot of exciting opportunities.

Skyler Wrubleski B.S. in Biomedical Engineering & BSN dual degree candidate
Read Skyler's Story

Curriculum

View Course Descriptions

Biomedical Engineers are charged with advancing healthcare treatment for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. A health care background with requisite clinical experience will greatly enhance a biomedical engineer's ability to solve clinical problems. The dual BME/BSN degree is cost effective as it provides additional clinical knowledge and skills via a holistic nursing approach in a five-year format. The biomedical engineer/nursing major will gain a deep clinical perspective and will learn to develop technologies and solve real clinical problems as a result of this novel and forward-thinking dual degree program. Nurses are in the best position to assess the functional health status and technology needs of patients given their close interactions with patients. The biomedical engineering/nursing major will develop technologies to assist patients and create efficiencies for nurses in the hospital, outpatient, and home care arenas, and also develop life-saving technologies for developing countries in a cost-effective manner.

Year One – Fall – 17 Credits

  • *BMED - 100 Introduction to Biomed Engineering (3 credits)
  • *CHEM - 121/R/L General Chemistry I/Lab (4/1 credits)
  • *MATH - 115 Calculus I (4 credits)
  • *PHYS - 211/ R/L General Analytical Physics/Lab (4 credits)
  • BRDG - 103 Interprofessional Education Health Research Skills (1 credits)

Year One – Spring – 16 Credits

  • *BMED - 110 Introduction to Programming (3 credits)
  • *CHEM - 122/R/L General Chemistry II/Lab (4/1 credits)
  • *MATH - 116 Calculus II (4 credits)
  • *PHYS - 211/R/L General Analytical Physics/Lab (3/1 credits)

Year Two – Fall – 18 Credits

  • *BIOL - 111/L Biology I/Lab (4 credits)
  • *BIOL - 207/208 Anatomy and Physiology I/Lab (3/1 credits)
  • *BMED - 201 Electronics and Instrument I (3 credits)
  • MATH - 215 Calculus III (4 credits)
  • BRDG - 101 First Year Writing I (3 credits)

Year Two – Spring – 17 Credits

  • *BIOL - 112/L Biology II/Lab (4 credits)
  • *BIOL - 209/210 Anatomy and Physiology II/Lab (3/1 credits)
  • *BMED - 202 Electronics and Instrument II (3 credits)
  • MATH - 314 Differential Equations (3 credits)
  • BRDG - 102 First Year Writing II  (3 credits)

Year Three – Fall – 18 Credits

  • *BMED - 210 Thermodynamics (3 credits)
  • *BMED - 310 Biosignals and Systems (3 cr,
  • *BMED - 430 Engineering Computation (3 credits)
  • BRDG - 104 Essential Questions Small Sem. (3 credits)
  • MATH - 301 Statistics I (3 credits)
  • UPNS - 103 Nutrition for Wellness (3 credits)

Year Three – Spring – 19 Credits

  • *BIOL - 203/204 Introductory Microbiology/Lab (3/1 credits)
  • *BMED - 220 Introduction to Biomaterials (3 credits)
  • *BMED - 320 Biofluid Mechanics (3 credits)
  • BRDG - 105 Foundational Ethics Course (3 credits)
  • Math - 302W Statistics II (3 credits)
  • UPNS - 113 Human Development & Health Promotion Across the Lifespan (3 credits)

Year Four – Fall – 16 Credits

  • *UPNS - 119 Contemporary Professional Nursing and Technology (3credits)
  • *UPNS - 200 Fundamentals of Nursing Practice and Clinical Ethics (6 credits)
  • *UPNS - 218 Health Assessment (4 credits)
  • *UPNS - 326 Pathophysiology for Nursing Practice (3 credits)

Year Four - Spring – 18 Credits

  • BRDG Communication & Creative Expression (3 credits)
  • *UPNS - 339 Genetics in Nursing and Health (3 credits)
  • *UPNS - 309 Pharmacology (3 credits)
  • *UPNS - 232 Adult Health and Illness I (6 credits)
  • *UPNS - 411W Nursing Ethics Across the Lifespan (3 credits)

Year Four – Summer – 12 Credits

  • BMED - 490 Research (3 credits)
  • BMED  - BMED Elective (3 credits)
  • BRDG - Philosophy, Theology, or Remaining Bridges Requirement (3 credits)
  • *UPNS - 431 Enhancing Quality and Safety Through Evidence Based Practice and Technology (3 credits)

Year Five – Fall – 17 Credits

  • *BMED - 440W Capstone I (5 credits)
  • BMED Elective (3 credits)
  • *UPNS - 324 Cultural Applications in Clinical (3 credits)
  • *UPNS - 344 Nursing for Children’s Health (3 credits)
  • *UPNS - 348 Nursing for Maternal-Newborn Health (3 credits)

Year Five – Spring – 17 Credits

  • *BMED - 441W Capstone II (5 credits)
  • BRDG Social & Historical Reasoning (3 credits)
  • BMED Elective (3 credits)
  • *UPNS - 355 Behavioral Health (3 credits)
  • *UPNS - 357 Population Health (3 credits)

Year Five – Summer – 18 Credits

  • *UPNS - 400 Critically Ill Adult (6 credits)
  • *UPNS - 453 Transitions to Professional Practice (3 credits)
  • *UPNS - 424 Leadership and Management in Clinical Environments (3 credits)
  • *UPNS - 349 Adult Health and Illness II: Care of the Geriatric Adult (4 theory/2 clinical) (6 credits)

*In general, starred courses should be taken in the semester indicated, and the other courses may be taken in any order as long as prerequisites are met.

W = Writing Intensive

BDRG = Bridges Common Learning Experience course (requires 3 Writing Intensive Courses, one PHIL course, and one THEO course)

 

Ask a Question

Do you have questions about the dual-degree program?

Maddy Gormley

Nursing Recruiter

Headshot photo of Maddy Gormley

How Does the Program Work?

As a student in the BME/BSN program, you are required to meet program outcomes for both the BS in Biomedical Engineering and BSN programs.

Learning Outcomes

BME Program Learning Outcomes

  1. An ability to apply knowledge and principles of mathematics (including differential equations and statistics), science (including physiology and biology), and engineering.
  2. An ability to design and conduct experiments as well as to analyze and interpret data from both living and non-living systems.
  3. An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired including those associated with the interaction between living and non-living systems.
  4. An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams.
  5. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems including those associated with the interaction between living and non-living systems.
  6. An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
  7. An ability to communicate effectively.
  8. The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context.
  9. A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning. 
  10. A knowledge of contemporary issues.
  11. An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

BSN Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Integrates clinical judgement skills and nursing knowledge, as well as knowledge from other disciplines, in providing culturally congruent care for individuals, families, and diverse groups/populations.
  2. Provides culturally congruent and holistic nursing care to persons, families, and communities of similar and diverse cultural contexts.
  3. Incorporates knowledge of health disparities and social determinants of health in all areas of nursing practice focusing on health equity and advocacy across the healthcare delivery continuum.
  4. Engages in evidence-based practice to improve patient outcomes and transform health care.
  5. Utilizes system effectiveness and individual performance to improve the quality and safety of nursing practice.
  6. Fosters innovation in the area of interprofessional education and collaborative practice.
  7. Institutes collaborative efforts to help prepare nurses navigating within complex health care organizations using system-based practices.
  8. Utilizes evolving information technologies to provide safe, quality care and enhance professional nursing practice.
  9. Models the characteristics of professional nursing practice by valuing caring practices, demonstrating accountability, and acting with moral agency.
  10. Participates in ongoing activities that enhance professional growth, personal well-being, and leadership capacity.

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Nursing Dual Degree program at Duquesne University School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)