Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
Additional Information
Duties
This is common among biologists and medical engineers:
- A medical engineer can create medical devices such as organ transplants and diagnostic tools.
- Set up, maintain, or help with biomedical equipment.
- Work with manufacturing employees to ensure safe and effective biomedical equipment.
- Teach healthcare workers and others how to properly utilize biomedical equipment.
- Engineers and biologists can collaborate to apply engineering concepts to biological systems.
- Create statistical models or simulations using statistical tools.
- Processes and research articles.
- Your thoughts can help the public, engineers, and scientists.
- Experiment as needed.
- Most bioengineers and biomedical engineers work in R&D or quality control.
Bioengineering is a broad field. However, engineers and biologists often design computer software to drive complicated devices like three-dimensional x-ray scanners. Some researchers combine chemistry and biology to create new pharmaceuticals. Math and statistics help decipher the brain and heart's communications. Several of them work in product sales.
Biomedical engineers employ cutting-edge technology and medicine to improve human health. They may create software for medical devices or computer simulations to test new drugs. They also research and develop novel materials for prosthetic joints, such as hip and knee joints. They also make fitness gear for injured or ailing persons.
Some examples of bioengineers and biomedical engineers are:
- Biochemical engineers investigate cell architecture and microscopic systems to create solutions for bioremediation and other uses.
- Bioinstrumentation engineers use electronics, computer science, and measurement to create medical equipment.
- A biomaterials engineer investigates natural or synthetic materials for use in medical devices or implants.
- Biomechanics engineers study thermodynamics and other systems to solve biological or medical problems.
- Clinical engineers employ medical technology to improve healthcare.
- To avoid human illness, genetic engineers employ recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) technology to change organisms' genetic makeup.
- Rehabilitation engineering equipment can help people with disabilities.
- Systems physiologists use engineering methods to study how biological systems perform and respond to changes in their environment.
- Chemical and agricultural engineers are treated separately. Some biomedical engineers become university professors.
Education
To prepare for a career in bioengineering or biomedical engineering, high school students should take subjects in chemistry, physics, and biology. It's important for them to take math classes like algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus. Additionally, lessons in mechanical drawing and computer programming are helpful if they are accessible.
Bioengineering, biomedical engineering, or other engineering subjects should be studied at the bachelor's degree level by future bioengineers. Some mechanical and electrical engineering students may benefit from studying biology classes.
Bioengineering and biomedical engineering bachelor's degree programs focus on engineering and biology. Classes in biomedical sciences including fluid dynamics, electromechanical circuit design, and biomaterials design are commonplace in these programs.
Engineering design is also a major focus of these curricula. Students may participate in co-ops or internships with hospitals and medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturing businesses as part of their studies.
There are ABET-accredited programs in the fields of bioengineering and biomedical engineering.
Characteristics of Critical Importance
Analytical abilities. " Before creating a product, bioengineers and biomedical engineers must consider the wants and requirements of patients and customers.
Skills in verbal and nonverbal communication. Because they often interact with patients and clients and frequently work in groups, bioengineers and biomedical engineers need to be able to articulate themselves properly in meetings. Reports and research papers are also part of their job duties.
Creativity. A bioengineer or a biomedical engineer must be inventive when it comes to the design of new medical equipment and gadgets.
Math prowess Bioengineers and medical engineers employ calculus and other complex mathematical and statistical methods in their work.
Possessing the ability to work through issues. Most of the work done by bioengineers and biomedical engineers involves complex biological systems. If they are to be successful in tackling complicated problems, they must be able to work both individually and together.
Advancement
As they gain experience and/or a higher degree, bioengineers and biomedical engineers may be given more responsibility. A doctorate in bioengineering or biomedical engineering is often required to head a research team. Medical scientists can be trained in fundamental research.
There are certain bioengineers who specialize in approaches such as employing electric impulses to reactivate muscles. Some go on to study law and become patent attorneys. Others decide to go back to school and earn an MBA in order to advance in their careers. See the biographies on architects and engineers and attorneys for further information.
Pay
The median annual wage for bioengineers and biomedical engineers was $106,950 in May 2024. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $71,860, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $165,060.
Job Projections
Employment of bioengineers and biomedical engineers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.