Why Coulter BME
The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) is a unique partnership forged between the Georgia Institute of Technology's College of Engineering and the Emory University School of Medicine. This collaboration fosters academic excellence and life-transforming research by combining medical insights with advanced engineering principles to address unmet clinical needs. The department prepares students to innovate and lead, equipping them with the skills and opportunities to make a significant impact in the biomedical field and beyond.
Where Engineering Meets Medicine
Students and faculty have access to all the resources and connections of both institutions. This translates to twice the opportunities, seminars, and people from whom to learn and grow.
Coulter BME integrates engineering from Georgia Tech with life sciences from Emory, bringing together diverse ideas. Faculty have backgrounds ranging from biology and chemistry to mechanical and electrical engineering and computer science.
For students, this unique partnership extends internationally, where they can access experiences that expand their academic and cultural horizons. Undergraduate students can participate in the Nakatani Research & International Experiences for Students (RIES) program in Japan, where they conduct advanced biomedical research while engaging with Japanese innovation and culture. Additionally, undergraduate students can study abroad in Galway, Ireland — one of the world’s leading MedTech hubs — gaining international exposure in a dynamic healthcare technology environment.
Unmatched Opportunities and Impact
Our researchers combine clinical insights, biological approaches, and advanced engineering technologies to address unmet clinical challenges. Students engage in hands-on, problem-based learning and can conduct research at any of the three campuses (Georgia Tech, Emory, or Peking University for Ph.D. students). A remarkable 70 percent of undergraduates participate in research.
Our faculty and students are revolutionizing approaches in critical areas, including Biomaterials and Regenerative Technologies, Biomedical Imaging and Instrumentation, Biomedical Informatics and Systems Modeling, Biomedical Robotics, Cancer Technologies, Cardiovascular Engineering, Engineering Education, Immunoengineering, and Neuroengineering.
Research activities frequently result in clinical therapies and medical treatments, demonstrating a clear path from fundamentals of human health and pathology to their sophisticated translation in industry and medicine. Faculty research generates significant funding, with $82 million in annual research expenditures in FY2024, and has led to over 50 patents since 2015.
Comprehensive Degree Options: We offer a variety of academic paths, including bachelor's, multiple master's (M.S. BME, M.S. Biomedical Innovation and Development, M.S. in Biomedical Innovation and Development - Advanced Therapeutics, M.S. Robotics), and Ph.D. programs, including the joint M.D./Ph.D. program at Emory.
Problem-Driven Learning: From its inception, the department has led classes with problem-driven learning approaches, emphasizing critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for engineering and bioscience.
Forward-Thinking Education: The continuously evolving curriculum incorporates story-driven learning and new techniques in engineering pedagogy. Students can pursue Georgia Tech's first-ever minor in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), a partnership between Coulter BME and the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts.
Graduates are highly sought-after candidates who pursue diverse career paths beyond traditional engineering, including medicine, dentistry, public health, healthcare IT, government service, healthcare consulting, medical device design, patent law, technology startups, and entrepreneurship.
The department supports students in entrepreneurship through initiatives like CREATE-X, a Georgia Tech program designed to build entrepreneurial confidence and create new business opportunities. Resources like VentureLab and Biolocity provide significant support and funding for early-stage commercialization and startup formation.
An annual Biomedical Engineering Career Fair connects students with 20+ BME companies for internships, co-ops, and graduate programs.
Supportive Community
Students describe a "tight-knit community" where people are willing to help one another and share knowledge for the growth of research, rather than a competitive atmosphere. There are numerous student organizations and social activities that enhance graduate student life.
Students receive continuous academic and professional guidance from dedicated academic advisors, a corporate relations manager, and various institutional resources for career development, ethics training, and mentorship.
Atlanta: A Thriving Hub for Biomedical Innovation
Coulter BME students have the significant advantage of living and studying in Atlanta, a city sometimes referred to as the “Capital of the South” and recognized for its thriving technology and medical sectors. The department is located in a top-tier public engineering college, Georgia Tech, which is situated in the heart of Atlanta’s budding tech industry. Less than six miles away is partner Emory University School of Medicine, one of the most respected medical schools in the country. These two campuses provide students with ample opportunities for research and real-world experience while set in a city rich in history and culture.
