Bioengineer/Biomedical Engineer

Bioengineer

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.

Examples

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

Education

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.

Work Environment

Many biomedical engineers work in research labs.

Salaries

The starting salary for a biomedical engineer (2009):

B.S. degree
$68,000

M.S. degree
$79,875

American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering

American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers

Biomedical Engineering Society

EngineerGirl - Biomedical engineering

Institute of Biological Engineering

JETS - biomedical engineering

Sloan Career Center - Biomedical engineering

The Biomedical Engineering Network

World Wide Learn - Bioengineering