biomedical SPECIALIZATION: the profession

During the last quarter century the world has witnessed unprecedented progress in engineering and medical science resulting in dramatic lifestyle changes. Biomedical engineering is at the confluence of modern engineering and medicine. Biomedical engineers apply engineering methods to problems in medicine and the life sciences and have played a vital role in these rapid an unparalleled advances.

Biomedical engineers contribute to improved health care and enrich the quality of all our lives. A biomedical engineer may work as a member of a research team, along with the health professionals, to find solutions to diverse medical problems. Biomedical engineers design new therapeutic and diagnostic instruments that permit treatment and visualization of internal organs. Biomedical engineers develop new materials and devices to supplant or augment diseased or malfunctioning organs and systems. Biomedical engineers analyze human and prosthetic performance in clinical environments. Among the most visual examples of biomedical engineering developments are: the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); computer assisted tomography (CAT); and ultrasonic imaging scanners; kidney dialysis units; and pacemakers, heart valves and vascular grafts.

Biomedical specialization graduates have secured challenging positions in a variety of related fields with responsibilities ranging from the practice of medicine and traditional engineering, to the design and manufacture of bioinstrumentation devices, to the administration health-care services and management of hospital components, to the computer monitoring and simulation of medically related systems.

In recognition of the complexity of the biomedical engineering field, many employers expect entry-level graduates to possess academic credentials beyond the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Degree. Because of this and to increase one's flexibility, biomedical specialization students are strongly encouraged to excel academically so that graduate/professional school is an option and to minor in one of the other engineering disciplines.