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Biomedical Engineering

Resource Type: Engineering Discipline
Engineering Discipline: Biomedical Engineering
Collection: SPS

Bioengineering or biomedical engineering is a discipline that advances knowledge in engineering, biology, and medicine — and improves human health. Biomedical engineers develop devices and procedures that solve medical and health-related problems by combining their knowledge of biology and medicine with engineering principles and practices.

Many do research, along with medical scientists, to develop and evaluate systems and products such as artificial organs, prostheses (artificial devices that replace missing body parts), instrumentation, medical information systems, and health management and care delivery systems. Biomedical engineers also may design devices used in various medical procedures, imaging systems such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and devices for automating insulin injections or controlling body functions.

Insights from Medial Imaging Professionals

The interviews were done by Hugo Currie as a year twelve high school student at the Riverina Anglican College in Wagga Wagga, Australia. He is passionate about physics and is now pursing a career in engineering and physics at the Australian National University. View the series of interviews that Hugo conducted with prominent physicists from around the world. Hugo is hopeful that other students with similar interests will be inspired from these conversations, and he thanks all of the physicists who gave of their time and wisdom in these interviews.

What makes it unique?

Biomedical engineers work closely with physicians and others who provide healthcare to develop devices that have a direct impact on quality and length of human and animal life.

Degree Connections

The following are examples of some accredited degrees leading to a career in biomedical engineering:

Search our global database of accredited engineering programs.

Want to learn more?

Click on the blue tabs to explore the field in more detail and learn about preparation and employment, the green tabs to be inspired by people working in biomedical engineering and how they impact the world, and the orange tabs for ideas on how to learn more and you can get involved with activities, camps, and competitions!

Explore

  • A Day in the Life

    bigstock.com/Wladimir.B

    Biomedical engineers work in conjunction with other specialists in healthcare on teams to address a problem or to improve a current medical product or system. Because the industries are so varied, where and how they work depends on the project. For example, a biomedical engineer who has developed an advanced prosthetic device might spend time researching those with the need, oversee prototype development, contribute to manufacturing management, and participate in testing.

    They might work on a large team of professionals if the goal is a broad project, such as a new type of imaging device, or a smaller team if they are working to refine a smaller device or serving in a consulting capacity. They generally work in offices but fieldwork in medical settings is also a possibility.

  • Historical Snapshot

    Pacemaker:

    An artificial pacemaker is a medical device that generates electrical impulses that cause heart muscle chambers to contract to pump blood. For people with irregular heart rates or errors in the heart’s natural conduction system, these have made the difference between life and death! In 1958, Arne Larsson became the first to receive an implantable pacemaker. He had 26 devices during his lifetime. With bioengineering advances, current pacemakers can last decades and most batteries need replacing every 8 years or so. Even this is improving with technological advances.

    The video to the right shows how the older pacemakers worked and the progress as new technologies have made them more comfortable, effective, and long-lasting.


    Bioengineers continue to improve pacemakers…new wirelesses pacemakers are available which are 93% smaller than traditional ones. These are delivered via catheter direct to the right ventricle of the heart and they offer a 12 year battery life!

    Explore more pacemaker history:

  • Industries and Employment

    bigstock.com/Richman Photo

    Major advances in bioengineering include the development of artificial joints, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the heart pacemaker, arthroscopy, angioplasty, bioengineered skin, kidney dialysis, and the heart-lung machine.

    With that broad list, which expands as technology improves, bioengineers work in a range of industries from medical equipment manufacturers to hospitals to research labs and organizations. They advise on many different products, even cars where equipment and displays have to be functional for the driver.

    They often serve a coordinating or interfacing function, using their background in both the engineering and medical fields. In industry, they may create designs where an in-depth understanding of living systems and of technology is essential.

    The following is just a sample of some companies, outside of government, so you can explore the type of projects worked on globally:

  • Preparation and Degrees

    For most engineering careers:

    • a bachelor’s degree is required
    • a master’s degree may be recommended for those specializing or interested in management
    • students may also start with a related associate degree and then move on to a bachelor’s when they have settled on a degree path.

      bigstock.com/Sergey Nivens

    • many students are required to participate in a co-op program while at university to gain real world experience in their chosen field.
    • education doesn’t really stop…engineers need to stay current as technology changes and materials and processes improve over time.
    • many professional societies offer certificates and coursework to support continuing education for their members

    It is important to select an engineering degree that has been accredited to meet basic standards.  Find out more and browse TryEngineering’s global database of accredited engineering and computing programs.

    For bioengineering and biomedical engineering specifically, university students will often focus coursework on a chosen area, such as biomechanics, cell and tissue engineering, therapeutics engineering, computational and systems biology, or imaging and sensing. Some biomedical engineers also have advanced training in other fields. For example, many biomedical engineers also have a medical degree, so they can combine an understanding of advanced technology with direct patient care or clinical research.

Be Inspired

  • Amazing Engineers!

    One of the best ways to explore what it might be like to work in Bioengineering is to learn about people currently working in the field.

    • Bio-Medical Engineer Reates Curry describes her focus on biomedical engineering. She works at Ford Motor Company’s Research and Innovation Center where she applies her unique skills to help incorporate driver assistance devices to vehicles. She also encourages the student who interviews her to follow her dreams.
    • Wilson Greatbatch, inventor of the artificial pacemaker explains that he credits his invention with pulling the wrong resistor out of a box! Find out about his life and how invention was his passion! He says all of life in experimentation.
    • Ioannis V. Yannas developed the first commercially reproducible artificial skin. It was the first functioning organ that was developed, in response to solving the problem of repairing burn victims’ skin. He was shocked as the suffering of patients and it changed his career path. He believes in the virtue of failed experiments, and describes this life saving discovery.

  • Global Impact: Prosthetics

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    A prosthesis or prosthetic implant is an engineered device that replaces or augments a body part. These body parts may have been missing since birth, lost from trauma, or need to be repaired due to disease. The designs may be customized such as an artificial leg, but are generally based on broadly used and accepted designs. As technology advances, the functionality of the device can improve and bring it closer to matching the original body part.

    Consider limb prostheses which originally were made from wood and strapped on to a person when needed. Now, they can be directly attached to the bone, and have allowed for runners and other athelets to continue to compete in their sport of choice. The goal of all prosthetics is to allow the person to resume their lives and have a good quality of life.

    Prosthetic hands have historically been available in voluntary opening and closing versions…but recent technology has made robotic hands and integrated forearms available.

    In the video to the right, see how Colorado University Boulder biomedical engineer Jacob Segil is working to bring back the sense of touch for amputees, including military veterans.

     

Get Involved

Some resources on this page are provided or adapted from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Career Cornerstone Center.

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