Biomedical engineers use their expertise in biology, medicine, physics, mathematics, engineering science and communication to make the world a healthier place. The challenges created by the diversity and complexity of living systems require creative, knowledgeable, and imaginative people working in teams of physicians, scientists, engineers, and even business folk to monitor, restore and enhance normal body function. The biomedical engineer is ideally trained to work at the intersection of science, medicine and mathematics to solve biological and medical problems.

What do biomedical engineers do?

Perhaps a simpler question toanswer is what don’t biomedicalengineers do?Biomedical engineerswork in industry, academicinstitutions, hospitals and governmentagencies. Biomedical engineersmay spend their days designing

electricalcircuitsandcomputersoftwareformedicalinstrumentation.Theseinstruments may rangefrom large imaging systems such asconventional x-ray, computerizedtomography (a sort of computerenhancedthree-dimensional x-ray)

and magnetic resonance imaging, tosmall implantable devices, such aspacemakers, cochlear implants anddrug infusion pumps. Biomedicalengineers may use chemistry, development of artificial body parts requires that biomedical engineers use chemistry and physics to develop durable materials that are compatible with a biological environment. Biomedical engineers are also working to develop wireless technology that will allow patients and doctors to communicate over long distances.Many biomedical engineers are involved in rehabilitation–designing better walkers, exercise equipment, robots and therapeutic devices to improve human performance. They are also solving problems at the cellular and molecular level, developing nanotechnology and micromachines to repair damage inside the cell and alter gene function.

Biomedical engineers are also working to develop three-dimensional simulations that apply physical laws to the movements of tissues and fluids.The resulting models can be invaluable in understanding how tissueworks, and how a prosthetic replacement, for example, might work underthe same conditions.


How do biomedical engineers differ from other engineers?

Biomedical engineers must integrate biology and medicine with engineering
to solve problems related to living systems. Thus, biomedical engineers are required to have a solid foundation in a more traditional engineering discipline, such as electrical, mechanical or chemical engineering.Most undergraduate biomedical engineering programs require  students to take a core curriculum of traditional engineering courses.

However, biomedical engineers are expected to integrate their engineering
skills with their understanding of the complexity of biological systems in order to improve medical practice. Thus, biomedical engineers must be trained in the life sciences as well.

How much education does a biomedical engineer require?

A biomedical engineering degree typically requires a minimum of four years of university education. Following this, the biomedical engineer may assume an entry level engineering position in a medical device or pharmaceutical company, a clinical engineering position in a hospital, or even a sales position for a biomaterials or biotechnology company.Many biomedical engineers will seek graduate level training in biomedical engineering or a related engineering field. A Master’s or Doctoral degree offers the biomedical engineer greater opportunities in research and development, whether such work resides in an industrial, academic or government setting. Some biomedical engineers choose to enhance their
education by pursuing a graduate degree in business, eventually to help
run a business or manage health care technology for a hospital. Many biomedical engineers go on to medical school and dental school following completion of their bachelor’s degree. A fraction of biomedical engineers even choose to enter law school, planning to work with patent law and intellectual property related to biomedical inventions.What better training than biomedical engineering for our future physicians, dentists and patent lawyers?

What types of universitycourses will prepare me tobecome a biomedicalengineer?

physiology, biochemistry, inorganic and organic chemistry, general physics, electronic circuits and instrumentation design, statics and dynamics, signals and systems, biomaterials, thermodynamics and transport phenomenon, and engineering design. Students also take a number of advanced science and engineering courses related to their specialty in biomedical engineering. Typical specialties include bioelectronics, biomechanics, biomaterials, physiologic systems, biological signal processing, rehabilitation engineering, telemedicine, virtual reality, robotic aided surgery, and clinical engineering. Newer specialties include cellular and
tissue engineering, neural engineering, biocomputing and bioinformatics.
Many engineering and science courses incorporate laboratory experience to provide students with hands-on, real-world applications.
In addition to science and engineering courses, the biomedical engineering
student must take courses in English, technical writing, ethics,and humanities (such as history, political science, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, psychology, and literature). Some students continue studies
of a foreign language in hopes of securing internships or permanent engineering positions in a foreign country.

What are some of the key areas of biomedical engineering?

Bioinformatics involves developing and using computer tools to collect and analyze data related to medicine and biology. Work in bioinformatics could involve using sophisticated techniques to manage and search databases of gene sequences that contain many millions of entries.BioMEMS Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are the integration of mechanical elements, sensors, actuators, and electronics on a siliconchip. BioMEMS are the development and application of MEMS in medicine and biology. Examples of BioMEMS work include the development of microrobots that may one day perform surgery inside the body, and the manufacture of tiny devices that could be implanted inside the body to deliver drugs on the body’s demand.Biomaterials are substances that are engineered for use in devices or implants that must interact with living tissue. Examples of advances in this field include the development of coatings that fight infection common in artificial joint implants, materials that can aid in controlled drug delivery,and “scaffolds” that support tissue and organ reconstruction. Radiology refers to the use of radioactive substances such as x-ray, magnetic fields as in magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound to create images of the body, its organs and structures. These images can be used in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, as well as to guide doctors in image-guided surgery. Rehabilitation Engineering is the application of science and technology to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. This can include designing augmentative and alternative communication systems for people who cannot communicate in traditional ways, making computers more accessible for people with disabilities, developing new materials and designs for wheelchairs, and making prosthetic legs for runners in the Paralympics. Robotics in Surgery includes the use of robotic and image processing systems to interactively assist a medical team both in planning and executing a surgery. These new techniques can minimize the side effects of surgery by providing smaller incisions, less trauma, and more precision, while also decreasing costs.Telemedicine, sometimes called “telehealth” or “e-health,” involves the transfer of electronic medical data from one location to another for the
evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of patients in remote locations. This usually involves the use of “connected” medical devices, advanced telecommunications technology, video-conferencing systems, and networked computing. Telemedicine can also refer to the use of these technologies in health-related distance learning.