5 answers
Slok
Student
New Brunswick, New Jersey
1
Question
Asked
427 views
I have a lot of questions... I want to do biomedical engineering as my job. Does having CS experience help with the job Can I work in a hospital? What courses or prior knowledge should I have before i major in BME? Is it possible to shadow as a bme? What college is affordable, but still amazing? What college did you go to (if you are a BME?) This is a lot, but thanks!?
10th grade, NJ area but dont mind going far to go to college. I have cs experience!
Login to comment
5 answers
Taylor Dieringer
Staff Quality Engineer - Risk Management
1
Answer
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Updated
Taylor’s Answer
Hi Slok,
I have a degree in Biomedical Engineering from Milwaukee School of Engineering, as well as over 8 years industry experience.
From my experience, if you are to pursue a Biomedical Engineering degree you will find that the degree is slated as a jack of all trades, master of none. The curriculums are treated as a general engineer across the different disciplines (mechanical, electrical, software, etc), with an emphasis on how the disciplines can be used in a systemic way to create devices that safely and effectively improve patient lives.
There is an growing emphasis on software and artificial intelligence as that seems to be the new wave. And, any CS experience is extremely valuable.
If you hope to set yourself apart from other Biomedical Engineering students, I would say find something that you particularly enjoy in the curriculum and emphasize this via internships/project/or another minor degree. For me it was mathematics, and I use this in my job as a Quality Assurance engineer quite regularly to properly analyze statistics and the impact to released products over time.
An additional aspect that has set me apart from other engineers is my willingness to understand and become an expert in the regulations/standards that medical device manufacturers are required to comply to. Albeit intimidating at first, if you can call on regulatory knowledge during even a research and development job interview as an example, this will put you above the other applicants.
I wish you the best of luck in you endeavors.
Taylor
I have a degree in Biomedical Engineering from Milwaukee School of Engineering, as well as over 8 years industry experience.
From my experience, if you are to pursue a Biomedical Engineering degree you will find that the degree is slated as a jack of all trades, master of none. The curriculums are treated as a general engineer across the different disciplines (mechanical, electrical, software, etc), with an emphasis on how the disciplines can be used in a systemic way to create devices that safely and effectively improve patient lives.
There is an growing emphasis on software and artificial intelligence as that seems to be the new wave. And, any CS experience is extremely valuable.
If you hope to set yourself apart from other Biomedical Engineering students, I would say find something that you particularly enjoy in the curriculum and emphasize this via internships/project/or another minor degree. For me it was mathematics, and I use this in my job as a Quality Assurance engineer quite regularly to properly analyze statistics and the impact to released products over time.
An additional aspect that has set me apart from other engineers is my willingness to understand and become an expert in the regulations/standards that medical device manufacturers are required to comply to. Albeit intimidating at first, if you can call on regulatory knowledge during even a research and development job interview as an example, this will put you above the other applicants.
I wish you the best of luck in you endeavors.
Taylor
Thank you so much for your advice! Does the BME course require you to take multiple courses in Biology, or only a few? Thanks again!
Slok
Sreedhar Chanda
Mechanical Engineer
14
Answers
Kentwood, Michigan
Updated
Sreedhar’s Answer
Hi Slok,
If you graduate with a bachelor's degree in science or general engineering, you will still be able to get into a career that is related to biomedical engineering. So, keep your interest and enthusiasm in biomedical engineering alive, but still try to talk your teachers and college guidance counselor. They might help you arrange a meeting with some professors in nearby universities who might be able to guide you also.
Good luck!
If you graduate with a bachelor's degree in science or general engineering, you will still be able to get into a career that is related to biomedical engineering. So, keep your interest and enthusiasm in biomedical engineering alive, but still try to talk your teachers and college guidance counselor. They might help you arrange a meeting with some professors in nearby universities who might be able to guide you also.
Good luck!
Dennis Taylor
Self-employed
79
Answers
Columbus, Indiana
Updated
Dennis’s Answer
Hello Slok, Good for you to have a goal/career in mind at this time. My take is that any CS expertise, along with as much STEM as you can assimilate, will be good for your career. You can take courses in engineering - Electrical or mechanical, along with biology and related topics. I have BSME and MSME; not involved in BME. But I'd bet that many people in BME started in either of those disciplines ( if they didn't start from the medical side) - or perhaps physics or other sciences. You might not find a university that offers that specific degree, so think a little more general about getting a Bachelor's degree, with, perhaps a minor or at least some elective courses to fill in gaps.
Look for professional organizations in this field. Read their journals. Try to connect with someone in a business doing the work that interests you.
I suspect that the state of New Jersey has some good state-supported colleges. I would look there first. Then, if you don't find what you need, you can look a bit further from home. Check out the USNews college ranking with filters that fit your interests.
Good luck, Slok!
Look for professional organizations in this field. Read their journals. Try to connect with someone in a business doing the work that interests you.
I suspect that the state of New Jersey has some good state-supported colleges. I would look there first. Then, if you don't find what you need, you can look a bit further from home. Check out the USNews college ranking with filters that fit your interests.
Good luck, Slok!
Thank you so much! Does BME and ME have similar courses, because my state college has BME! If it is similar, do you think it would be possible to double major in BME and ME?
Slok
Hello again, Slok. Search "Biomedical engineering" for a lot of good information. Check these: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/biomedical-engineering-major-overview
https://www.coursera.org/articles/what-is-biomedical-engineering?utm_source=mobile&utm_medium=page_share&utm_content=article&utm_campaign=sharing_cta.
USNews lists several universities that offer BME. I liked what I saw for Michigan Technological University and U.of Arizona.
Your question about a double major: contact the schools that interest you and ask that question directly.
Dennis Taylor
Limited to 800 words, so here is the rest of what I had to say:
As a BME you might study some of the same topics as ME or EE, but with emphasis on the biological aspects. In Fluid Mechanics, you might expect to deal more directly with blood flow in veins, versus, say, some other liquid flowing in a pipe. Or, you focus on instruments or devices that deal with a connection to the nervous system. It still involves electronics, but the environment is a lot different than what you see on a pc board. Sounds like it could be a lot of fun!
Dennis Taylor
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1737
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Slok !
In order to have a career as a BioMedical Engineer, one must obtain the necessary Degrees from an accredited college which would consist of classroom instruction and lab work. Although computer skills are in your favor and most jobs require the ability to use software and navigate tech, there is no telling which programs you would need to know until you learn more about it during your college studies. Computer knowledge for this field may change frequently so while in college, your professors would keep you up to date.
Yes, you could possibly do this career in hospitals, health care corporations or laboratories. As things change over the years, when it comes closer to the time you obtain your degree, return to a search to see what companies have openings. Your college resources would also be able to inform you of companies that are hiring when you are ready to apply.
You would enroll in college to pursue a degree in BioMedical Engineering. You can Major in Bioengineering, Biotechnology, or Engineering with a focus on biomedical applications. Make sure to take courses in biomechanics, biomaterials, medical imaging, and biomedical instrumentation. After you receive your Bachelors Degree, it will be time for Certification and Licensure. You would go for your Professional Engineering License and the Certified Biomedical Engineer Certification. For a managerial or administrative position, you could consider enrolling to obtain a Masters Degree. You can research information about the degrees and types of jobs at your college Career Center or Academic Counseling Office on campus.
Shadowing may be possible, however the nature of the industry is that it is focused and they try to avoid as much distraction as possible. The person you shadow may not have enough time to talk with you while they are working. The best way to discover if you can shadow a BioMedical Engineer is to call, visit or e-mail the various Human Resources Departments at hospitals, labs and biomedical companies and ask them if they do shadowing. I advise going in person to as many as you can as you may be offered volunteer work instead. That is also a good way to discover what the day to day work is like.
No one can really tell you which college for you is affordable or amazing as that is something you will decide on after you do first hand research. I would, however, suggest that you go the 35 miles and explore colleges in New York City. You may have good training opportunities as a student in New York City as some of the most noted hospitals are located there. Even if you go to a two year college at first to cut costs and then transfer to a four year university for your Bachelors Degree, that would be something to consider for financial reasons. Having any experience, internship, education, training or volunteer work in New York City will carry a lot of weight when it comes to applying for jobs in this field. Here's something that you would have to consider if you follow this path: even though you live fairly close, you would have to pay out of state tuition even at the lower cost colleges.
Explore some colleges in New Jersey. I left a link for you below for a list of them.
I am not a BioMedical Engineer and I graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a degree in Theatre and a Minor in Social Science.
If you are concerned about financing your college costs, return here to Career Village and ask a question about the possible Financial Aid, Scholarships and Grants that you can apply for. Pick one college as an example to ask about and we will be happy to give you an idea of possible funding for your college path.
I hope that this is helpful to start you out in your search for how to approach your career interest. I wish you all the best moving forward !
AFFORDABLE COLLEGES IN NEW JERSEY https://www.collegesimply.com/colleges/rank/colleges/most-affordable-in-state-tuition/state/new-jersey/
In order to have a career as a BioMedical Engineer, one must obtain the necessary Degrees from an accredited college which would consist of classroom instruction and lab work. Although computer skills are in your favor and most jobs require the ability to use software and navigate tech, there is no telling which programs you would need to know until you learn more about it during your college studies. Computer knowledge for this field may change frequently so while in college, your professors would keep you up to date.
Yes, you could possibly do this career in hospitals, health care corporations or laboratories. As things change over the years, when it comes closer to the time you obtain your degree, return to a search to see what companies have openings. Your college resources would also be able to inform you of companies that are hiring when you are ready to apply.
You would enroll in college to pursue a degree in BioMedical Engineering. You can Major in Bioengineering, Biotechnology, or Engineering with a focus on biomedical applications. Make sure to take courses in biomechanics, biomaterials, medical imaging, and biomedical instrumentation. After you receive your Bachelors Degree, it will be time for Certification and Licensure. You would go for your Professional Engineering License and the Certified Biomedical Engineer Certification. For a managerial or administrative position, you could consider enrolling to obtain a Masters Degree. You can research information about the degrees and types of jobs at your college Career Center or Academic Counseling Office on campus.
Shadowing may be possible, however the nature of the industry is that it is focused and they try to avoid as much distraction as possible. The person you shadow may not have enough time to talk with you while they are working. The best way to discover if you can shadow a BioMedical Engineer is to call, visit or e-mail the various Human Resources Departments at hospitals, labs and biomedical companies and ask them if they do shadowing. I advise going in person to as many as you can as you may be offered volunteer work instead. That is also a good way to discover what the day to day work is like.
No one can really tell you which college for you is affordable or amazing as that is something you will decide on after you do first hand research. I would, however, suggest that you go the 35 miles and explore colleges in New York City. You may have good training opportunities as a student in New York City as some of the most noted hospitals are located there. Even if you go to a two year college at first to cut costs and then transfer to a four year university for your Bachelors Degree, that would be something to consider for financial reasons. Having any experience, internship, education, training or volunteer work in New York City will carry a lot of weight when it comes to applying for jobs in this field. Here's something that you would have to consider if you follow this path: even though you live fairly close, you would have to pay out of state tuition even at the lower cost colleges.
Explore some colleges in New Jersey. I left a link for you below for a list of them.
I am not a BioMedical Engineer and I graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a degree in Theatre and a Minor in Social Science.
If you are concerned about financing your college costs, return here to Career Village and ask a question about the possible Financial Aid, Scholarships and Grants that you can apply for. Pick one college as an example to ask about and we will be happy to give you an idea of possible funding for your college path.
I hope that this is helpful to start you out in your search for how to approach your career interest. I wish you all the best moving forward !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much! I'll ask around and I think that I can land an internship in a local hospital/research center
Slok
You are very welcome ! Best wishes with the Internship !
Michelle M.
Robert Epstein
General Manager
77
Answers
Naples, Florida
Updated
Robert’s Answer
Hi Slok,
Let me add a few additional items to the fine responses you’ve already received. I spent most of my career in biomedical engineering. My degree was actually in electrical engineering with a concentration in biomedical electronics. Yes, CS is an asset. As a BME I’ve worked in hospitals, equipment manufacturing organizations, research institutes, and with my own start-up medical laser company. I never shadowed anyone, but went to a university with a “co-op” program. This is an amazing educational plan where you can attend regular classes for part of the year and actually work part-time with different potential employers. This way you can “try out” fields that interest you, and make some money for doing it. I went to the University of Cincinnati (they have BME degrees). They're one of the founders of the co-op program, but there are other colleges that have this too. I wish you the best.
Let me add a few additional items to the fine responses you’ve already received. I spent most of my career in biomedical engineering. My degree was actually in electrical engineering with a concentration in biomedical electronics. Yes, CS is an asset. As a BME I’ve worked in hospitals, equipment manufacturing organizations, research institutes, and with my own start-up medical laser company. I never shadowed anyone, but went to a university with a “co-op” program. This is an amazing educational plan where you can attend regular classes for part of the year and actually work part-time with different potential employers. This way you can “try out” fields that interest you, and make some money for doing it. I went to the University of Cincinnati (they have BME degrees). They're one of the founders of the co-op program, but there are other colleges that have this too. I wish you the best.
Thank you so much! I looked into the co op program, and it looks amazing!
Slok