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    Biomedical Engineering: Body, Systems, and Design
    In-person Program

    Biomedical Engineering: Body, Systems, and Design

    by Northwestern College Prep

    Explore biomedical engineering through circuit building, biometric signal analysis, and an original device project in Northwestern’s hands-on seminar.

    Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens

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    Biomedical Engineering at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Rising sophomores, juniors, seniors; GPA 3.0+

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 15-18

    Location / Region

    Evanston, Illinois, United States

    Cost

    $3,625; $5,235

    Duration

    2 weeks

    Format

    In-person

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    Biomedical EngineeringEngineeringTechnology
    Accommodation: Optional university residence hall
    Meals: Residential room and board
    Certificate / Outcome: Northwestern transcript and certificate
    Campus experience: Northwestern’s lakefront campus
    Tutor: Nicholas Marchuk
    Sessions / cadence: 10 × 3-hour classes, Monday-Friday afternoons
    Main output: Original biomedical device project

    Biomedical Engineering summary

    Northwestern’s seminar introduces biomedical engineering through electronics and signal processing, connecting circuit theory to devices that interact with the body.

    Students build circuits, analyze biometric signals with code, document their work, and develop a final device project. It suits learners who want to test their interest in engineering through practical construction.

    What is Biomedical Engineering: Body, Systems, and Design?

    Biomedical Engineering: Body, Systems, and Design is a Northwestern University IN FOCUS seminar about using electronics to measure and respond to signals from the human body. It combines electrical circuit analysis, electronics, and signal processing with practical device construction.

    Students learn through brief lectures, readings, tutorials, discussions, and hands-on labs using Northwestern’s Lab in a Backpack methodology. They write code to analyze biometric signals, explore motor control for a custom prosthetic, and finish with a project demonstrating a biomedical device of their own invention.

    Why Succeed highlights Biomedical Engineering

    • Building circuits that interact with the body makes the connection between engineering theory and health technology tangible.

    • The final device project gives students a concrete way to demonstrate what they have learned.

    • Python analysis and lab documentation introduce practices that extend beyond simply assembling components.

    • Nicholas Marchuk brings relevant teaching experience from Northwestern’s Mechatronics Design Lab.

    • Successful completion earns an official Northwestern transcript and certificate with clear participation requirements.

    Who is Biomedical Engineering for?

    Best for

    Students curious about the engineering behind health-monitoring devices who enjoy building, coding, and understanding how circuits work.

    Not ideal if

    You mainly want clinical medicine or a lecture-only introduction, because circuit construction, signal analysis, and a practical device project are central.

    Is Biomedical Engineering worth it?

    This seminar is worth considering if you want to discover whether biomedical engineering appeals to you through practical work. Building circuits and interpreting physiological signals should give you more to reflect on than a general introduction to engineering careers.

    Its scope is focused: electronics and signal processing provide the main route into the subject. Students seeking a broad survey of biomedical engineering or clinical experience should compare other options, and the Northwestern credential should be treated as recognition of learning rather than an admissions guarantee.

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    Cost and what is included

    $3,625; $5,235; includes Seminar tuition and program fee, Room and board with the residential option, Wildcat Connect: Get Ready Series workshops, Official Northwestern transcript and certificate upon successful completion.

    Accommodation

    Optional university residence hall

    Meals

    Residential room and board

    Provider details

    Review the Northwestern College Prep provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    2 weeks; Evanston, Illinois, United States.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

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    How much preparation does Biomedical Engineering need?

    Effort level

    Substantial practical and academic engagement.

    Best started

    Allow four to six weeks before a future application deadline, and longer for international travel planning.

    Main challenge

    Connecting circuit behavior and code to meaningful physiological signals.

    Typical preparation

    • Review basic circuit components and introductory Python before classes begin.

    • Draft the personal statement around a rewarding academic experience and your reasons for choosing this seminar.

    • Request the required English-language transcripts early and organize your activities list.

    • Plan residential or commuter arrangements, including responsible-adult housing for off-campus stays.

    Useful if

    You want to test an interest in biomedical device design.

    What do students do on Biomedical Engineering?

    You turn circuit concepts into working systems that acquire and interpret signals from the body. Lectures and labs build toward a final project demonstrating a biomedical device of your own invention.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Learn the functions of circuit components and study DC and AC circuit analysis.

    2. 2

      Build circuits from diagrams and acquire electronic signals from the body.

    3. 3

      Use Python and signal-processing methods to analyze biometric data.

    4. 4

      Program circuits to produce outputs in response to input signals.

    5. 5

      Document your methods and results in a lab notebook.

    6. 6

      Design, build, and demonstrate your final biomedical device project.

    Biomedical Engineering dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Application deadline

    1 April 2026

    2026 on-campus College Prep application deadline.

    Reference date

    Programme dates

    19-31 July 2026

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Complete freshman, sophomore, or junior year of high school.

    • Hold a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

    • Domestic and international students may apply.

    • Submit English proficiency scores when language or schooling criteria apply.

    How much does Biomedical Engineering cost?

    Program fee

    $3,625; $5,235 — Commuter and residential totals, respectively, for the 2026 cycle.

    Funding or discounts

    • Application fee: $60 — Nonrefundable; qualifying former participants can request a waiver.
    • Enrollment deposit: $1,000 — Nonrefundable, applied to the total, due three weeks after acceptance.
    • Tuition scholarship: Need-based support — 2026 criteria covered domestic US rising seniors with strong academic and extracurricular achievement.
    • International insurance: $134 — Two-week charge for international students without US-based medical insurance.

    What's included

    Seminar tuition and program fee, Room and board with the residential option, Wildcat Connect: Get Ready Series workshops, Official Northwestern transcript and certificate upon successful completion

    How to apply to Biomedical Engineering

    1. 1

      Use Northwestern’s on-campus College Prep admissions process and confirm the IN FOCUS requirements.

    2. 2

      Prepare approximately 500 words describing a rewarding academic experience and your interest in the selected seminar.

    3. 3

      List extracurricular activities with involvement dates, descriptions, and your role.

    4. 4

      Submit English-language high school transcripts and any required English proficiency score.

    5. 5

      Complete the application and pay the $60 fee unless an applicable waiver is approved.

    6. 6

      After acceptance, submit the required deposit to secure enrollment.

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    What does Biomedical Engineering cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Circuit foundations

    Study DC and AC circuits, component functions, and circuit analysis.

    Biometric signal processing

    Acquire body signals and explore temporal-spectral analysis using the Fourier Transform.

    Python and data acquisition

    Use Python to analyze biometric signals and understand data acquisition.

    Biomedical device design

    Build circuits that respond to physiological signals and demonstrate an original device.

    Lab documentation

    Learn to annotate and document engineering work in a lab notebook.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on Biomedical Engineering?

    A typical day during the program.

    Seminar and labs

    Classes run 2:00 PM-5:00 PM Central Time, totaling 15 scheduled hours per week.

    College preparation workshops

    Wildcat Connect: Get Ready Series adds interactive college-preparation workshops.

    Who teaches on Biomedical Engineering?

    Nicholas Marchuk is a senior lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at Northwestern University and runs its Mechatronics Design Lab. He teaches electronics, programming, mechatronics, and design, and co-created the nScope portable electronics lab tool.

    Where do students stay on Biomedical Engineering?

    Residential plan

    • University residence hall: Students live in a Northwestern residence hall with common areas and quiet study rooms.
    • Dining and dietary support: University dining includes vegan dishes and dietician support for special dietary requirements.
    • Residential staff: Resident Directors and trained Residential Advisors support students and organize social activities.
    • Campus resources: Students can access libraries, computer labs, beaches, and the gym for ages 16+.

    Non-residential plan

    • Commuter arrangements: Students attend from local homes or relatives’ accommodation with a responsible adult over 18.
    • Activities and excursions: Commuters can join program activities, excursions, and the Get Ready Series.
    • Commuter meal access: Meals can be purchased at the Norris University Center.

    Residential students may explore independently but must follow residence-hall checkout and check-in rules.

    What happens after Biomedical Engineering?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Develop an original biomedical device project.

    Build a foundation in circuit analysis and construction.

    Practice Python data acquisition and biometric signal analysis.

    Document technical work in a lab notebook.

    Earn a Northwestern transcript and certificate upon successful completion.

    College Prep participation does not guarantee admission to Northwestern University.

    Where does Biomedical Engineering take place?

    The seminar is part of Northwestern’s on-campus College Prep experience in Evanston, Illinois, on its lakefront campus. Downtown Chicago is a short drive or train ride away, and program activities introduce students to campus life and the surrounding area.

    Biomedical Engineering FAQs

    You build circuits that acquire and interpret signals from the body, then develop a final project demonstrating a biomedical device of your own invention.

    The learning outcomes include Python programming and data acquisition, alongside programming circuits to respond to input signals.

    Nicholas Marchuk, a senior lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at Northwestern who runs the Mechatronics Design Lab and co-created nScope, teaches the seminar.

    Successful IN FOCUS participants receive an official Northwestern University transcript and certificate. A Satisfactory grade requires attending and participating in all classes and completing all assignments.

    Yes. Commuting students attend classes while living locally and can participate in program activities. Students living off campus must stay with a responsible adult over 18 throughout the program.

    Resident Directors and trained Residential Advisors support students in university residence halls. Students may explore independently but must follow residence-hall checkout and check-in rules.

    No. Northwestern states that College Prep participation is one part of an application profile and does not guarantee undergraduate admission.

    The published scholarship criteria cover domestic US students entering senior year who demonstrate financial need and strong academic and extracurricular achievement. Scholarship consideration requires a separate application and a complete program application, including transcripts.

    Alternatives to Biomedical Engineering

    Compare these engineering programs if you want to explore a broader subject focus or a different campus experience.

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

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    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • College Prep Program : School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • International Students, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • Campus Life, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • Admission, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • Tuition and Fees, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • Northwestern Pre-College Online Program
    • FAQs, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • IN FOCUS Seminar Series | Northwestern SPS: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 6 Oct 2026)

    • Official course description checked

    • Session dates checked

    • Admissions requirements reviewed

    • Commuter and residential totals checked

    • Scholarship criteria reviewed

    • Housing and supervision reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.