Questions about RPI's Biomedical Engineering

Hello all, I'm planning to major in Biomedical Engineering and RPI caught my eye. Is there anyone here who can speak about the BME program at RPI? Insight into program reputation, student experiences, class sizes, and faculty would be really helpful.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) offers a solid Biomedical Engineering program. Their program is known for integrating their technical engineering principles with medical and biological sciences, which can help to advance health care treatment including diagnosis, monitoring, and therapy.

Many students praise the program for its rigorous and detail-oriented approach to the field. They've spoken highly about the immersive hands-on experience RPI provides, which often involves real-world projects and lab work. This can be a major advantage when you're looking for internships or jobs since employers value practical experience.

As far as class sizes go, it's worth noting that RPI is a smaller institution, with a total undergraduate enrollment of around 6,000 students. This means that even though some introductory classes may be larger, once you get into your major-specific course work, classes tend to be smaller. Students have reported that this enables more personalized attention and instruction from faculty.

Speaking of faculty, the Biomedical Engineering professors at RPI are generally respected in their respective fields and many are involved in innovative research projects. Probably one of the most beneficial aspects is that professors, not TAs, are the ones actually teaching the classes. Students describe professors as being knowledgeable and accessible, although, like at any school, this can vary from professor to professor.

Something else you might find helpful is RPI's Co-terminal program. It allows you to earn both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s in a total of 5 years, which could be a great opportunity if you're considering advanced studies in the field.

Lastly, one thing to consider is RPI's overall reputation within the STEM field. Their engineering programs are consistently ranked high, and a degree from RPI is often held in high regard by employers and graduate schools alike.

Remember that these are aggregate observations and your experience can be different based on a variety of factors. Be sure to speak directly with a RPI representative or a current student for the most accurate information!