• Biomaterials: These biomedical engineers design materials that can interact with organic materials in biological settings. Biomaterials may come from natural or synthetic sources, and they may supplant or assist in natural bodily processes.
• Biomechanics: This specialty applies mechanical engineering principles to the human body. Researchers study the mechanics of cells, tissues, and organs.
• Medical Imaging: Medical imaging engineers help design and perfect medical imaging procedures such as MRI or CT scans. They design and test medical equipment.
• Rehabilitation Engineering: This area of biomedical engineering focuses on designing assistive medical devices or medical processes for people who have suffered from illness or disease. These engineers work to improve patients’ quality of life and help them perform key functions.
• Orthopedic Engineering: Orthopedic engineers design solutions for repairing and replacing human bones. They design medical tools and processes related to bones and joints.

• Bachelor’s Degree: 4 years to complete
• Graduate Certificate: 1-2 years to complete
• Master’s Degree: 2-3 years to complete
• Doctoral Degree: 5 years to complete

Nearly all entry-level biomedical engineering positions require a bachelor’s degree. As biomedical engineering has become a more defined specialty, more colleges and universities are offering undergraduate degrees specifically in biomedical engineering. These degrees include course work in liberal arts, engineering fundamentals, biology, chemistry, and particular biomedical applications. Students are required to take laboratory classes in order to practice biomedical procedures and processes. While some colleges offer standalone biomedical engineering degrees, others offer the same skills as specializations in other programs, such as mechanical engineering or biotechnology. When researching programs, potential students should look for accreditation through the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), as this is a sign of a quality program.

While a bachelor’s degree will help applicants secure entry-level positions, a master’s degree is recommended for those who wish to enter supervisory roles or to specialize more within the field. Master’s programs in biomedical engineering are typically open to individuals from a variety of engineering and natural science backgrounds. Graduate certificates can play a similar role, and cover particular biomedical skills for students with backgrounds in more general engineering areas. PhD degrees are appropriate for people who wish to do industry research or enter academic positions. Graduate programs allow students to specialize in a particular area within the biomedical field.

All engineers who offer their services directly to the public are required to earn the Professional Engineer (PE) license, offered through accreditation boards in all 50 states. This license requires a 4-year ABET approved degree, 4 years of work experience, and a passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering exam. Biomedical engineers can also seek out voluntary certification through the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation. (BLS; FLAHEC)  

• Foundational Science: Engineers need to be well-acquainted with basic scientific principles in chemistry, biology, and physics. Courses like Mechanics discuss the equations that govern motion of the physical body.
• Engineering Fundamentals: All students are required to take classes such as Mechanical Design, which cover the skills and principles involved in mechanical building. Students design models in related laboratory classes.
• Math: Unsurprisingly, math is a crucial part of the biomedical curriculum. Calculus and Differential Equations are some of the required courses.
• Computer-aided Design: No matter the discipline, all engineers can benefit from an understanding of CAD. Students learn the software and applications for building virtual models.
• Biomedical Applications: These courses integrate all of the student’s skills to apply engineering skills to biological applications. Classes such as Cell and Tissue Engineering discuss how scientists and medical researchers can manipulate biological components.

Yes. Biomedical engineering, like all engineering specializations, requires significant hands-on training. Students will be expected to do laboratory classes and develop the manual dexterity of an engineer.

• Mechanical Engineering: Biomedical engineering utilizes many of the same fundamentals as the mechanical engineering degree. These programs are more common than BME degrees, and sometimes offer biomedical specializations.
• Biology: Biology degrees cover the same foundational sciences and math topics as the biomedical engineering program. These more general four-year degrees can be good preparation for master’s programs in biomedical engineering.
• Mathematics: Like biology, math is also an important part of the biomedical program. Bachelor’s programs in math could be good preparation for individuals interested in biocomputation, biostatistics, or other math disciplines related to biology.
• Biochemistry: This discipline is another natural science area closely related to the biomedical field. Chemistry covers the reactions between molecules, which dictate biological processes.
• Bioinformatics: This is a field for students who would like to utilize technology to better understand biological processes. These degrees cover the skills for analyzing biological data via information systems.