If you daydream of designing the next Robocop and help people overcome health issues using cutting-edge tech, then you should consider studying Biomedical Engineering. But be aware, you’ll be a strange mix between a doctor, engineer, and scientist — a combination that is stronger than a 3-in-1 instant coffee.
Now for the more serious reader (haven’t forgotten about you) a degree in Biomedical Engineering translates into combining anatomic and biological principles with technology, resulting in medical devices like pacemakers, bionic prostheses or x-ray machines.
‘Yes, writer, but how do I really know if this is the right choice for me?’, you’ll ask. Well, this writer is here to give you an overview of all you need to know about this type of degree so that you can see if you're cut out for it.
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What will you learn during a Bachelor’s in Biomedical Engineering?
For both the ‘just curious’ and the deeply interested of you, the answer is simple, prepare for the whole lot of natural sciences and something extra. The core list of classes includes:
- Maths
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Computer Programming
- Molecular biology
- Genetics
You should also get ready for hardcore courses like Fluid and Solid Mechanics, Circuit Design, Biomaterials, and Physiology, Electronic circuits, which might sound like very foreign concepts to you now. Don’t worry: after studying for a few months, you will ace the academic slang.
Also, be ready for assignments that might take you away from a party or two. (Relax, you’ll still catch lots of them).
Typically Bachelor’s degrees in Biomedical Engineering last 4-years and that’s plenty of time to get enough theoretical knowledge of both biological processes and engineering.
Because the goal of these programmes is to prepare you to build and develop new technologies and devices for the medical industry, you are also going to have a lot of lab projects and practical assignments, to keep you active.
Where to study Biomedical Engineering?
As any student knows, choosing the right university matters. Graduating from a top university gives you a competitive advantage and puts you on the fast track towards professional success. To make your search easier we’ll tell you that some pretty good universities to study Biomedical Engineering are:
- University of South Florida, in Tampa, Florida, United States
- Yeditepe University, in Istanbul, Turkey
- Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, in Bragança, Portugal
And when it comes to a country destination, you should know that most degrees are in:
- Bachelors in Biomedical Engineering in the US
- Bachelors in Biomedical Engineering in Turkey
- Bachelors in Biomedical Engineering in Ireland
- Bachelors in Biomedical Engineering in Australia
Biomedical Engineering careers and salaries
Once you start a Bachelor’s programme, the next step in becoming a biomedical engineer is doing volunteer work and taking internships in research labs and companies that develop biomedical equipment. You should do this while you are still studying — making connections in the industry is always a smart choice.
Once you get your degree, you might also be required to obtain an engineering licence, depending on the country you live in or where you do your studies.
After that, you’re free to choose the career path that best suits you. Some career options with a Biomedical Engineering degree and the average salaries according to statistics in the U.S. are:
- Biomechanical engineer – average salary starts at 44,000 USD/ year
- Rehabilitation engineer – average salary starts at 37,000 USD/year
- Clinical engineer– average salary starts at 42,000 USD/year
- Bioengineering researcher – average salary starts at 32,000 USD/year
After you graduate you should be prepared to work in hospitals, universities, and research labs.
Some common responsibilities that biomedical engineers have are:
- Design equipment and devices
- Assess the safety and efficacy of biomedical equipment
- Train doctors and other hospital personnel to use medical devices and equipment
- Work with other scientists and researchers to develop new products and procedures
So, is Biomedical Engineering the right degree for you?
By now you have an idea of what lays ahead if you go for a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering. To sum it up this kind of Bachelor’s will require solid mathematical, analytical, and conceptual knowledge and more than a drop of creativity.
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If you feel you want to bring your contribution to the medical and engineering fields and you’re willing to work hard, then go for it! Who knows what legacy you can leave behind, if you put your mind to it.
