Engineers use their strong math and science backgrounds to develop solutions to practical problems. Biomedical Engineers use engineering and life science principles to research biological aspects of plant, animal, and human life and to develop new technologies for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. Biomedical Engineers are employed in a variety of fields, including industry, hospitals, research facilities, teaching, and government regulatory agencies. As is often the case with newer disciplines, there is often overlap between biomedical engineering and other fields, such as electrical, mechanical, or chemical engineering.
Biomedical engineers can work in any sector of the economy including government, academia, nonprofit/NGO, and corporate employers. Furthermore, those with engineering degrees may perform work directly related to their technical expertise, such as research, design, or manufacturing, or in a correlated arena, such as policy advising or intellectual property.
Biomedical engineering typically encompasses two common specialties, medical devices and biotechnology/pharmaceuticals.
Biotechnology/pharmaceutical engineers work to better understand human and plant physiology and the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of human and plant disease. Subspecialties within this area include:
Medical device engineers research and develop devices used in the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation, cure or prevention of disease or injury. Subspecialties within this area include:
Engineering is one field in which students can begin to gain practical experience while still on campus. Faculty research laboratories provide an excellent first step in exploring hands-on work in engineering, whether such experience takes place during the completion of a lab course or as student employment. Additionally, engaging in summer internships can allow for a more in-depth exploration of a particular career field within engineering, as well as an opportunity to meet and network with engineering professionals.
