Biomedical engineering is a branch of engineering, which involves using principles and design concepts of engineering to biology and medicine for the purposes of healthcare.
Degrees in biomedical engineering are available at the undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate levels. For more information read on below.
What is Biomedical Engineering?
Biomedical engineering or bioengineering is a faction of the much larger field of engineering. It involves the application of fundamental principles of engineering to the biology and healthcare fields. This is done in order to improve the quality and effectiveness of patient care.
Bioengineers work with a variety of professionals including doctors, researchers, and therapists, in order to solve a number of different clinical problems, and develop new equipment, systems, and devices.
What do Biomedical Engineers do?
The ultimate goal or aim of biomedical engineers is to improve upon existing patient care. In order to do so, biomedical engineers analyze existing technology and design and create new solutions to problems in biology and healthcare.
Some of the work that is carried out by biomedical engineers includes:
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Design and create artificial body parts and limbs, diagnosing equipment, and artificial organs
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Design and create medical or biological software, devices, and instruments
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Train individuals in how to operate biomedical equipment
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Evaluate existing biomedical equipment
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Work with medical scientists, life scientists, and chemists in order to provide biomedical insights when researching the biological systems of humans and animals
Specialty Areas within Biomedical Engineering
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Systems physiology
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Tissue
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Clinical engineering
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Rehabilitation engineering
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Medical imaging
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Biomechanics
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Cellular
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Bioinstrumentation
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Genetic engineering
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Orthopedic surgery
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Biomaterials
The achievements of Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical engineers have been involved in and responsible for the creation of numerous technological advancements in the medical, biological, and health care professions.
Some of these achievements include:
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The creation of certain surgical devices and systems such as laser and robotic surgery
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The creation of implanted devices including pacemakers, insulin pumps, and artificial organs
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The creation of imaging methods such as particle beans, x-rays, magnetic resonance, and ultrasound
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The creation of prosthetics
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Physical therapy and radiation therapy devices
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Diagnostic systems such as expert systems and lab-on-a-chip
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Systems that monitor blood chemistry and a patient’s vital signs
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Therapeutic equipment and devices, which include kidney dialysis
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The stethoscope
Types of biomedical engineering degrees
The following degrees are some of the options available for those considering pursing biomedical engineering. Due to the heavy lab and practical components of this field, there is no completely online degree option for students to pursue. However, certain hybrid programs may exist, which have both an online and on-campus component.
Bachelor’s in Biomedical Engineering
An undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering is necessarily a science degree. The degree program focuses on teaching students foundational engineering principles as well as core science disciplines.
Entry Requirements
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high school diploma or GED
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GPA of 3.0 or above
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SAT or ACT scores
Curriculum
Students can expect to learn the fundamentals of biomedical engineering through lectures as well as practical work. This includes lab-work, a capstone project, as well as a significant amount of hands-on work.
Some of the courses that you must take include:
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Biomechanics
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Molecular design and creation
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Safety regulations
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Foundations in imaging technology
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Systems and signals in biomedical engineering
Master’s in Biomedical Engineering
A Master of Science program in biomedical engineering is intended to prepare students for a life of academia or in industry. The degree provides students with advanced training in the field of biomedical engineering.
Entry Requirements
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A bachelor’s degree in a related field (i.e. biomedical engineering or biomedical science)
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A GPA of 3.0 or above is generally required
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GRE scores
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Students must have background knowledge in physics, biology, and chemistry
Curriculum
Some of the courses you can expect to take include:
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Diseases of the brain
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Biochemistry and genes
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Neurotechnology
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Hormones and the reproductive system
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Human nervous system
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Biomechanics
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Medical physics
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Biomaterials
The program can take 1 ½ - 2 years to complete
Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering
A Ph.D. in biomedical engineering is intended for those individuals who are interested in pursuing specialized research. Graduates of this program are trained to excel in intellectual leadership within the field.
Entry Requirements
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An M.S in bioengineering
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High GPA
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Letters of recommendation
Curriculum
The curriculum of a Ph.D. program typically involves intensive study and culminates with students completing a thesis or dissertation on an original piece of research within the field.
Some of the courses that can be taken in this program include:
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Systems Bioengineering (cardiovascular)
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Systems Bioengineering (neuroscience)
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Systems Bioengineering (systems biology)
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Biochemical and Biophysical Principles
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Neuroscience Cognition
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Bioinformatics
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Bioengineering in Regenerative Medicine
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Modeling Dynamics and Control for Chemical and Biological Systems
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Feedback Control in Biological Signaling Pathways
The program can take up to 4-6 years to complete.
Job Prospects and Salary
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the employment growth for this profession is projected to be 27% between now and 2022. This rate is much higher than the average rate of growth for other profession, which is 11%. As such, there is likely to be new jobs in the field as well as increased demand for biomedical engineers.
With regards to potential salary, the following figures from BLS are useful to consider. In 2012, the annual median salary of biomedical engineers was $86,960. The top ten percent earned upwards of $139,450.
Furthermore, the annual median salaries in 2012 for the top five industries in which biomedical engineers were employed were:
Scientific research and development services |
$94,150
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Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing
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$88,850
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Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing
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$87,340
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General medical and surgical hospitals; state, local, and private
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$69,910
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Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private
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$63,440
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Biomedical engineering is a branch of engineering which attempts to use engineering principles to better the technology and resources in biology and healthcare. The ultimate goal is to make existing diagnostic and treatment efforts in the medical and healthcare profession more effective. Those interested in pursuing biomedical engineering as a career have a variety of different degree options to consider applying to. The amount of education you require will depend upon you and your specific career goals and aspirations.