How CU 91Ҹ built a biomedical engineering powerhouse
When thefirst biomedical engineering class graduated from CU 91Ҹ in 2023, about a dozen students walked across the stage.
They weren’t just earning degrees—they were laying the foundation for a degree program on the rise.
Today, that once-small start has evolved into a powerful engine for biomedical innovation and education. With robust industry partnerships, national accreditation and a potent local research pipeline, theBiomedical Engineering Program (BME) has quickly ballooned into the College of Engineering and Applied Science’s fourth-largest degree-granting program.
But how does a program go from modest beginnings to powerhouse in such a short time? DirectorCorey Neu believes it was only ever a matter of time.
“We’ve had biomedical research in our laboratories for years,” said Neu. “We’ve had individual course offerings and other opportunities for people to learn about biomedical engineering. However, it was never organized into a formal degree-granting program.”
That is, until 2018, when a conversation amongst faculty began to spark some lofty ideas.
The early journey
At the time, CU 91Ҹ only offered a biomedical engineering minor. The program featured just one course, Introduction to Biomedical Engineering, dedicated specifically to the field.
Professor and inaugural Program Director Mark Borden (right) with a student in his lab.
Of course, there were other classes offered in various departments in the college where students could learn biomedical engineering principles. But without any real structure, faculty members realized they were starting to fall behind.
“We were hearing reports from the dean that students were choosing to go to other universities simply because we didn’t offer a degree in biomedical engineering,” Neu said. “The time was right. A lot of people came together from many different units and entities on campus to finally design a true program.”
The group’s program proposal was accepted by the CU Board of Regents in spring 2019.
In spring 2020, ProfessorMark Borden was elected as the inaugural director and the program was launched. But the challenge ahead was immense. COVID shutdowns quickly tested the program’s early momentum.
Borden said a strong network of campus resources and key contributors helped keep the program on track.
“I was very lucky to have experienced people likeRob Davis in my corner. He volunteered his services as undergraduate chair early in the process and he helped solve so many problems,” said Borden. “DeanKeith Molenaar was also extremely helpful when he first started, too. He instituted a leadership program with outside consultants that really gave our program a voice and brought us together.”
Breaking ground
Despite its early obstacles, the newly established BME program welcomed roughly 20 total students—all of them transfers—during its first semester. That number surged to 122 students in fall 2020 with the help of the program's first undergraduate and graduate classes.
Students working together in a BME classroom.
Now, the program is home to nearly 466 students, including 396 undergraduates and 70 graduate students.
In addition to building the program, Borden said they also focused on building community and collaboration amongst the undergraduate cohort.
“We structured courses strategically so that students could easily get to know each other as they moved through our curriculum,” he said. “Then, we helped the students invigorate theBiomedical Engineering Society student chapter. They introduced a career symposium, built a peer mentorship program and helped lead programming and events throughout the academic year.”
New classes and opportunities were piloted nearly every semester with significant input from existing students in the program.
And finally, in spring 2023, Borden and his team turned to one final step:earning national accreditation.
“At that time, I was already looking to pass leadership to someone who can build off our foundation. However, I made a promise to our first graduating class that I would get the program accredited before I step down,” said Borden. “We got to work, received a strong review and were officially accredited in fall 2024.”
A maturing program
With his goal accomplished,Borden handed the program’s leadership to Neu. But the momentum and achievements continued to mount.
Today, the program matriculates over 100 students every year. Its undergraduate program ranks among the top 50 biomedical engineering programs in the nation, while its graduate program is ranked No. 21 among public universities, according toU.S. News & World Report.
A graduate student working in the Neu lab.
The program has also emerged as a leader in representation and inclusivity. Nearly 56% of BME’s students are women, a rare milestone for engineering programs.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the program’s growth, though, is its development of strong industry partnerships. Colorado features the highest concentration of biomedical-related jobs in the country, with over 90 companies based in the region.
Major companies like Terumo BCT and Medtronic, whorecently entered a research agreement with the university, play an active role in the program. They support undergraduate senior design projects and collaborate with graduate researchers in university labs—something Neu says is crucial to student outcomes.
“We work with companies all around the state and even beyond. They advise us on our curriculum and help guide our direction forward,” Neu said. “These partnerships help us educate students optimally and they also help our students secure fantastic jobs and internships.”
He also believes expanding the program’s research enterprise is the key to unlocking its full potential.
Similar to the program’s healthy industry relationships, Neu’s goal is to unlock more research and educational opportunities with CU Anschutz, the 91Ҹ system’s medical school.
“It’s important for our students to participate in clinical rotations and interface with medical doctors,” said Neu. “We’re not just trying to create excellent engineers—we want our engineers to be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with medical professionals, too.”
But most of all, Neu and his team remain focused on the program’s founding mission: cultivating the next generation of engineers capable of tackling the world’s most pressing health challenges.