Free Online Lectures and Courses for Biomedical Engineering
Updated on August 18, 2026
Biomedical and biotechnology opportunities run the gamut from patient centric medicine to engineering. Careers across the field provide professionals with the opportunity to do groundbreaking work in patient care, research, and education, to name just a few. Biomedical and biotechnical opportunities are found in hospitals (public and private), private and government laboratories, and manufacturing facilities. Biomedical and biotechnical scientists and engineers also benefit from the largest selection of subjects for their work: virtually any living organism.
Possible Specializations
There are several specializations possible within biomedical and biotechnical science. Within each lay still more narrow specializations each requiring additional education, certification and advanced degrees. Some examples of laboratory specialization include:
Medical Microbiology – The study of microorganisms as carriers of diseaseClinical Chemistry – A specialty that includes analysis of blood and other biomaterialsHaematology – The study of bloodHistology – The study of tissues and cellsCytology – A subfield of histology, generally looking at cell structure and cell chemistryVirology – The study of virusesImmunology – The study of the immune system
Bachelor's
This is the degree of choice of all entry level biomedical and biotechnology careers. Many graduates use this degree to begin their career while exploring different areas of specialization and continuing their education.
For instance, this is the most popular degree for individuals pursuing a career in nutrition as it provides a broad base onto which graduates may add requisite professional field training and licensing in order to become credentialed professionals.
Master's
This level of education opens the door to a far more diverse range of career opportunities, particularly in the area of biotechnology and engineering. Holders of this advanced degree are considered scientists rather than technicians. The appellation of scientist may also be earned by completing a Professional Science Master's Degree (PSM), which was first awarded in the late 1990s.
Ph.D.
Doctoral degrees are generally earned by students wishing to pursue either their own research or participate as part of a team that shares a single goal or vision for their collective research.
Ph.D.s who work in the industrial sector or as part of institutional research programs will typically fill management or senior positions and spend some portion of their time supervising the work of a team of engineers and technicians.
Career Pathways
Overall, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) outlook over the next 8-10 years indicates stronger than average growth in biomedicine and biotechnology. In particular, biomedical engineers are expected to increase at a rate of 27%, far above average career growth over the same time. The BLS cites an aging population as the primary reason for the rapid expansion of opportunities in this field.
The BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the entry level education required for this field, with the median income for biomedical engineers at $86,960 a year. Average salaries for biomedical engineers runs from as low as $63,440 for professional academics in the field and as high as $94,150 for individuals working in research and development.
Originally titled the Chang Gung Medical Journal, this publication changed publishers and names in 2012 and now provides coverage of current advances in biomedical sciences as an open access…
An open access, peer reviewed journal JBI, originally titled Computers and Biomedical Research; it publishes original research, reviews and commentaries.
Journal publisher Elsevier is responsible for this bimonthly peer reviewed publication, which aims to provide a worldwide community of researchers an open forum for the dissemination of information.
This open access journal accepts papers for consideration and covers an expansive cross section of the field ranging from applied biomaterials to Genomics, proteomics and medical cell biology.
An open access peer reviewed journal is a wide spectrum journal that covers all aspects of biomedical science, with a focus on molecular mechanisms and studies.
A peer reviewed bimonthly journal since 1996, this publication is presented as a forum for the communication of professionals from diverse biomedical and scientific backgrounds from around the world.
The reach of this journal is primarily biomedical semantics with a focus on semantic resources and repositories and related topics, as well as semantic mining, annotation and analysis.
An open access online journal which publishes original research articles, reviews, letters and guest edited single topic issues in all areas of biomedical engineering.
Published jointly by Stanford University and the National Institute of Health (NIH) twice a year, this magazine covers topics arising at the confluence of…
Produced by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, this magazine is a trade resource for scientists, professionals and others in the…
This monthly publication offers news and analysis of products and applications that use lasers, optics and imaging systems, providing readers exposure to…
Published 21 times a year since 1981, this magazine is considered a leader in biotech publishing, bringing news and analysis regarding bioproducts at all…
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) produces this publication available to professional and student members, covering engineering in…
Awarded by the Biomedical Engineering Society in recognition of achievements in the application of biomedical engineering. A lecture at an annual meeting is expected to be given by the winner.
This fellowship grant is intended for individuals who have already attained at least a bachelor's degree and wish to conduct academic or scientific research outside of the U.S. or Canada.
Undergraduates who will complete their course of study in 2014 in a STEM major, including bioinformatics, biomedical engineering or bioengineering are eligible to apply for this one year fellowship.
There are five of these scholarships available to students enrolled at MiraCosta College in the study of biotechnology. Applicants must also complete a personal statement and essay to apply.
Applicants must be sponsored by an NPSE member with preference given to the children, dependents and relatives of members who have completed two semesters of undergraduate engineering studies.
The Voiland School at Washington State University has in excess of $100,000 in scholarship funds available for both graduate and undergraduate students working toward degrees in bioengineering.
This scholarship is meant to give biotechnology engineering students the opportunity to study abroad for up to one full year. Applicants must be at least second year students to apply.
This grant is open to undergraduates who wish to pursue a year of study outside the U.S. or Canada. In order to qualify, applicants must be 2nd or 3rd year biomedical or bioengineering students.
This program provides research opportunities for students considering a career in biotechnology or a related field. Applicants must have at least three semesters of college coursework completed.
This University of Washington program aims to provide a transformative experience for undergraduate students wishing to pursue a career in scientific research with 25 slots available.
A 10 week summer internship with the NIH. Open to students with 6 semesters of study in biomedical engineering or a bioengineering program and is available to US citizens or permanent residents.
Children's Hospital provides a stipend of $3,500 to assist with travel and housing for this research internship from June 2nd through August 1st. Candidates must be rising HS seniors or…
The FDA has 4-5 internship positions available for students interested in medical devices and are available and able to live and work in the Washington DC area while performing a variety of functions.
Biotech and bioengineering powerhouse Genentech has numerous summer internship and co-op programs available in Vacaville California, Oceanside California and Hillsboro Oregon and are all paid…
The National Science Foundation in partnership with Worcester Polytechnic Institute has created an internship that provides a $4,500 stipend, free housing and opportunities for ten undergraduates.
The University of Missouri in conjunction with NSF ha 9 week research experiences available to qualifying US citizens who will have an opportunity to assist grad students in faculty led research.
This opportunity lasts for 8 weeks and requires a full-time commitment where participants are paired with a faculty mentor as they work on projects including biological sciences and engineering.
This 10 week program runs from early June through August and provides interns with the opportunity to participate in research across a range of areas from mechanical science to bioengineering.
Biomedical Engineering Student & Professional Organizations
BMES is a professional society representing the interests of biomedical and bioengineers with an expanding membership of 6,500 and students are encouraged to…
Open to professionals, graduate and undergraduate students in biomedical engineering who are interested in fostering greater understanding of the intersection…
A professional association representing researchers worldwide who seek to enhance public health. The 11,000 members benefit from access to continuing education, networking and other resources.
A non-profit organization of the top 2% of medical and biological engineers totaling 50,000 professionals. The institute serves as a voice of advocacy for the importance of biomedical engineering.
Representing agricultural and biological engineers for more than 100 years, the society provides members access to more than 170,000 pages of technical information, forums and conferences.
BIO is one of the largest trade associations in the world representing universities, state biotech centers and industry in over thirty countries around the world they act as organizers and advocates.
The IBE encourages inquiry and interest in biological engineering by promoting scholarship, professional standards, professional development, discourse, and public understanding.
IFMBE is an amalgam of national and international organizations whose members are derived from the fields of medicine and biological engineering who wish to encourage the dissemination of information.
SBE is an association of engineers and scientists who share a dedication to advancing the integration of biology and engineering by increasing an appreciation of the work of engineers and scientists.