Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical study is one of the newest and most exciting directions for engineering, and can lead to varied career options. Majors specifically in biomedical engineering are increasingly an option at the undergraduate level in the United States, though most careers in the field will require some graduate-level study as well.

Undergraduate Application

You should begin preparing as early as possible for your U.S. engineering study, with high school courses in English, biology, algebra, plane geometry, trigonometry, advanced mathematics, chemistry, and physics. Computer courses and a foundation in other areas such as history and languages are also important.

During the undergraduate application process, colleges and universities will want to see your original academic transcripts, or notarized copies if originals are not available. All programs will ask that you demonstrate proficiency in English (typically by taking the TOEFL test). You will need to fill out an application form and pay a processing fee. Often scores on the SAT Reasoning and/or two or three SAT Subject tests will be requested of undergraduate applicants, though some schools do not require these of international students and others do not require them at all. More selective institutions often have additional requirements such as teacher recommendations, information on extracurricular activities, and one or more short essays.

Two Distinctions to Be Aware Of

In examining programs to which you may want to apply, be aware of the difference between engineering study andengineering technology study. While allowing entry to many biomedical engineering support positions, engineering technology (and engineering technician) programs focus on practical field techniques rather than theory and will not generally transfer credit to engineering degrees.

Another distinction exists between biomedical engineering and biological engineering. Biomedical engineering typically focuses on human biological systems and the application of engineering to human health problems. Biological engineering typically focuses on non-human biological systems with applications in agriculture and other industries (“bioengineering” programs may involve study of either or both areas). Curricula can differ significantly from program to program, especially at the graduate level, so you will want to look at course requirements, available electives, and faculty research interests.

Professional Accreditation

Engineering degree programs are professionally accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). If you are entering a first professional degree program (typically these are the four-year bachelor’s degree programs) you will want to choose an ABET-accredited program. Most graduate degree programs are not eligible to be professionally accredited because their instruction is at an advanced, specialized level. Nor are two-year engineering programs eligible, since those completing such programs will need to finish a four-year bachelor’s degree before becoming eligible for professional licensure. ABET lists professionally accredited engineering programs on their Web site at www.abet.org.

Undergraduate Study Options

Many options are available in U.S. undergraduate engineering study. Universities and colleges in the United States offer two-year associate degrees in engineering designed to transfer on to bachelor’s-level study; four- and five-year bachelor’s degree programs; and five- or six-year combined bachelor’s and master’s programs (awarding a graduate degree in engineering, business, public policy, or another area along with the undergraduate engineering degree).

Three-two undergraduate engineering programs typically involve three years of liberal arts courses followed by two years of engineering study. Students who complete a 3-2 program receive two degrees: one in liberal arts and one in engineering. Students may complete the programs at the same institution or at two different institutions (one strong in liberal arts and one in engineering) that have a 3-2 agreement.

Other engineering schools offer five-year cooperative education programs, where students alternate engineering course work with full-time employment in an engineering-related job. Cooperative education programs enable students to gain valuable work experience while still in school.

The curriculum of four- and five-year engineering programs varies from institution to institution. Most programs, however, include courses in calculus, applied mathematics, physics, computer programming, thermodynamics, and chemistry as well as specialized courses within biomedical engineering. Biomedical engineering students would typically study physiology and the modeling of physiological systems in addition to taking other biological science courses. In addition, students must fulfill requirements in the social sciences, communications, and humanities.

At the undergraduate level, the courses needed to gain a foundation for engineering practice are demanding enough that there is limited opportunity to specialize. Many universities offer a general engineering degree and/or degrees in basic engineering disciplines applicable to biomedical engineering (such as electrical or mechanical engineering) rather than a specialized biomedical engineering degree. It’s quite common in the United States to enter a graduate-level biomedical engineering program with a general engineering degree or a degree in a different engineering specialty, so don’t worry if the undergraduate institution that you want to attend doesn’t offer a bachelor’s degree specifically in biomedical engineering.

Graduate Application and Study

Admissions requirements for graduate biomedical engineering programs typically include good undergraduate grades, TOEFL scores, and sometimes scores on the GRE general and/or subject tests, along with letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose.

Master’s degree programs in biomedical engineering focus on specialty study. You can work at solving problems related to the body’s smallest units in fields such as biomolecular, genetic, cellular, or tissue engineering. Or work on a grand scale to make health care better and more cost efficient in a program focused on clinical/ health care systems engineering. Or pursue a traditional biomedical engineering/rehabilitation engineering focused on meeting the needs of individuals with disabilities through the design of prosthetics or special equipment.

Doctoral degree programs generally require two to four years of study beyond the master’s level and are necessary for many research positions as well as for careers in university teaching.