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The School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems

The School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems (formerly the Biomedical Engineering and Science Institute, founded in 1961) is a leader in biomedical engineering and biomedical science research and education.  The undergraduate program was inaugurated in September 1998 and has steadily grown to attract the highest ability students at the University.  The program has received accreditation by the Accreditation Board of Engineering Technology (ABET) in 2002.

Our academic thrust areas, both in research and education, are at the forefront of biosensing, bioimaging, bioinformation engineering and integrated bioinformatics, drug delivery, biomedical ultrasound & optics, bionanotechnology, cellular tissue engineering, neuroengineering and human performance.  Emerging initiatives include skin bioengineering, pediatric engineering and homeland security technologies.  Various departments at Drexel University offer courses that are suited for students in biomedical engineering and biomedical science.  Our curriculum complements the strengths of the Colleges of Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering, Information Science, Law and Medicine.  As a whole, our curriculum offers the advanced knowledge needed for industrial careers, health professions, graduate research or careers in highly specialized fields such as pre-professional health (medical, dental, and veterinary) and pre-law. 

The marriage of technology with biology and medicine will drive the 21st Century industrial enterprise.  Consistent with this mission, we strive for clinical and industrial relevance in our academic pursuits.  We enjoy a strong entrepreneurship program in biomedical technologies.  Our alliance with regional economic development agencies and corporations together with our advisors from business development, legal, and investment communities sustains the growth of this program.  The students and faculty of the School are committed to move their discoveries from our laboratories to clinical practice or home use.  The success of our Translational Research in Biomedical Technologies Program has been recognized and funded regionally as well as nationally.

Our School has experienced remarkable growth over the last five years thanks to our outstanding research portfolio, high quality and innovative undergraduate program, and our multidisciplinary approach to education and research.  Another competitive advantage of our School is the unique free-standing university-level administrative structure with its own tenure-track faculty lines, budget and space.  This helps us transcend the traditional organizational boundaries of engineering, sciences and medicine.  Our independence allows us to pursue growth and collaborations in various disciplines.  Our small size gives us agility to reconfigure and reorganize in response to emerging opportunities.  The University Strategic Plan recognizes our School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems as “Drexel’s prototype of academic integration.”

Metropolitan Philadelphia has one of the nation’s highest concentrations of medical institutions and pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and systems industry.  The School has forged strategic partnerships with select universities, research institutes, health care institutions and industries in the region.  We enjoy close working relationship with our Drexel College of Medicine as well as alliances with prominent medical institutions in the region to develop joint research and educational programs.  These include University of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson University, the Fox Chase Cancer Center and the Wistar Institute.  These collaborative initiatives provide students with ample opportunities in basic and clinical research as well as innovative academic programs.

Applicants to the graduate program must meet the requirements for admission to graduate studies at Drexel University.  Candidates for degrees in the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems are required to maintain academics standards applicable to all graduate students at Drexel University.