Biomedical engineers work in different areas of medicine focusing on various ways that technology can be used to treat or alleviate biological or medical problems. Some look at how different substances are processed in the body and generate medicines to enhance those processes. Others focus on developing materials that will promote healing or that can replace worn or injured body parts. Some biomedical engineers specialize in electronics or mechanics that have medical applications.

• Create a prosthetic leg designed especially for children
   
• Grow tissues that help repair damage from heart attacks
   
• Protect the environment by producing organic fertilizer
   
• Grow vegetables that contain more nutrients
   
• Develop cancer treatments that don’t cause debilitating side effects

A four year college degree is needed for biomedical engineering work. Many biomedical engineers have degrees in chemical or electrical engineering, but also take many of "pre-med" classes. Many get graduate degrees, and some continue on to medical school and get M.D's.

Many biomedical engineers work in research labs.

The starting salary for a biomedical engineer (2007):

B.S. degree
$51,356

M.S. degree
$59,240