The course is designed to be approachable for science and non-science majors. Some school-level biology and physics will help with technical sections.
About this course
Biomedical engineering connects scientific knowledge with the design of technologies for health. This free Yale course introduces that connection through physiology, materials, devices and product development. It gives learners a broad view of how engineering questions arise when working with biological systems.
Course at a glance
| Provider | Yale |
|---|---|
| Instructor / Teaching team | W. Mark Saltzman |
| Platform | YouTube · YaleCourses |
| Access | Free Video |
| Level | Beginner · WikiFree audience assessment |
| Language | English |
| Lessons | 25 |
| Video duration | 19h 54m · allow extra time for reading and practice |
| Format | Self-paced video learning |
| Certificate | No certificate included with free YouTube viewing |
What you’ll learn
- Describe the scope of biomedical engineering through concrete examples.
- Connect basic physiological ideas with engineering questions.
- Recognize the role of testing in medical product development.
- Compare applications involving biomechanics and artificial organs.
Skills you’ll gain
- Biomedical concepts
- Systems reasoning
- Product development awareness
- Engineering literacy
Course Overview
The lectures build scientific foundations and connect them with examples involving medical products and the body. Topics include cell communication, immunity, cardiovascular physiology, biomechanics and artificial organs. Product-development cases also introduce testing, intellectual property and regulatory considerations, showing that a promising technical idea is only part of the development process.
How the course develops
- Biological foundations: review the cells and physiological systems needed to understand engineering applications.
- Devices and interventions: connect mechanical and material concepts with examples in healthcare technology.
- Development context: consider how testing and approval fit into the journey from an idea to a medical product.
The classroom contains all 25 videos in this official YaleCourses playlist. Use the lesson list to follow the course or search for a topic you want to revisit. Introductory segments, teaching examples and supplementary discussions remain available within this course.
Who is this for?
Students exploring biomedical engineering, science learners and professionals seeking a broad introduction to the field.
Before you start
The course is designed to be approachable for science and non-science majors. Some school-level biology and physics will help with technical sections.
Put the lessons into practice
Select a device discussed in the course and outline the biological need, engineering function, possible failure questions and the kinds of evidence a development team would need to investigate.
This optional study activity is provided by WikiFree for independent reflection. It is not a graded Yale assignment. Keep a short record of what you can explain confidently and what you need to revisit; use that record to plan your next study session.
Certificate / Assessment
The public videos can be watched free of charge. This WikiFree listing does not include a Yale certificate, academic credit, a degree, graded assessments or feedback from the instructors. A similarly named course on another platform may have different enrollment, assessment and payment conditions.
The classroom’s Mark complete control records your personal progress. It does not assess your understanding or award a credential. Course examples reflect the recordings; check current sources whenever you need up-to-date professional information.
Related courses for your next step
- Complementary learningFree MIT Course: Biological Engineering and Experimental Measurement
Explore biological engineering and experimental measurement.
Focus: Tutorial 1: Introduction to the lab AFM · Hands-on 1: AFM force spectroscopy
Professional - Complementary learningHuman Anatomy and Physiology: Free Course
Review human anatomy and physiology as a biological foundation.
Focus: Anatomy · Organ-system physiology
Intermediate
Compare course focus, level and study time
| Course | Level | Focus | Study time |
|---|---|---|---|
| This course — Free Yale Course: Frontiers of Biomedical Engineering | Beginner | Biomedical concepts · Systems reasoning · Product development awareness | 19h 54m of video; practice time is additional |
| Free MIT Course: Biological Engineering and Experimental Measurement | Professional | Tutorial 1: Introduction to the lab AFM · Hands-on 1: AFM force spectroscopy · Tutorial 2: More about force spectroscopy | 2h 22m of video; practice time is additional |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology: Free Course | Intermediate | Anatomy · Organ-system physiology · Cellular mechanisms | 23h 42m of video; practice time is additional |
Frequently asked questions
Is this Yale course free?
Yes. This listing provides the official YaleCourses YouTube videos for free viewing. Textbooks, optional materials and separately enrolled programs may have their own costs.
How long does the course take?
The playlist contains 25 videos totaling approximately 19h 54m. Reading, note-taking, revision and independent practice add to that viewing time.
What background do I need?
The course is designed to be approachable for science and non-science majors. Some school-level biology and physics will help with technical sections.
Will I receive a Yale certificate?
No. Watching these YouTube lessons or marking them complete on WikiFree does not earn a Yale certificate, degree or academic credit.
Can I watch on a phone?
Yes. Use the responsive lesson list and player on a phone, tablet or computer. A larger screen and a notebook may help with detailed examples, equations or software demonstrations.
What happens if a video becomes unavailable?
The lesson should remain visible in its place with its title and an availability notice. You can continue with the other lessons and report the problem through the correction link.
Provider: Yale. Videos play from the YaleCourses channel on YouTube.
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