Chi-An Emhoff
10-year member

Chi-An W. Emhoff

Assistant Professor, Saint Mary's College of California
Moraga, CA
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  • Beth

    Added Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 10:12 PM

    Hi there, I am currently a grade 11 student in high school and I am really interested in the biomedical engineering field. However, I have heard that it is not best to major in biomedical engineering because mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineer majors are said to be more qualified. Is this the case? Thank you.

    Answers 0
  • Chi-An Emhoff, Saint Mary's College of California
    Answered Thursday, September 27, 2018 at 5:39 PM
    My first engineering position was at a large biomedical corporation in Silicon Valley. Two big obstacles I faced were 1) feeling like I was just a "cog in a wheel" where my role was very limited in this big company, and 2) many decisions made by upper ...
  • Rachel Warren

    Added Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at 2:00 PM

    Hi, I am 17 almost 18 years old and am applying to colleges for engineering. One pressing question I have is whether or not it is better to get a bachelors in biomedical engineering or to sidestep it and get the degree as a masters. I’ve heard people say that since the biomedical engineering curriculum is so expansive you are not specialized and as such not very Hireable. I plan on getting a masters anyways so I was wondering which would be the best route. Ultimately, I want to do research and ...
    Answers 1
    Chi-An Emhoff, Saint Mary's College of California
    Answered Friday, February 2, 2018 at 4:34 PM
    Dear Rachel, 
    
    If it were 10 years ago, I would definitely advise getting a bachelors degree in a traditional engineering major, but now, depending on the institution, there are some excellent bachelors programs in biomedical engineering because the ...
  • Nikka, Taguig City, Philippines

    Added Friday, January 1, 2016 at 11:13 AM

    Hello, good evening. You see, I'm having a dilemma right now. I want to be a biomedical engineer in the future but no universities have it as an undergraduate program. Which other engineer courses can I take to become a biomedical engineer? Do I take Chemical or Mechanical? Please help.
    Answers 1
    Chi-An Emhoff, Saint Mary's College of California
    Answered Friday, January 1, 2016 at 11:13 AM
    Hi Nikka, 
    
    Mechanical engineering provides a broad, comprehensive education that will prepare you for any engineering or analytical field. You can complement the major with a minor in biological sciences through which you can gain exposure and ...
  • Nisha, Lucknow

    Added Saturday, July 25, 2015 at 2:19 PM

    Hello, I am Nisha Singh from India. I am pursuing Mechanical Engineering third year. I want to know what company asks girls to do? Can a girl help in manufacturing a car or designing engines? or such kind of works which people think could not be done by girls.
    Answers 2
    Chi-An Emhoff, Saint Mary's College of California
    Answered Saturday, July 25, 2015 at 2:19 PM
    Dear Nisha, First off, huge congratulations to you, and be incredibly proud of yourself for studying Mechanical Engineering, now in your third year. The analytical skills you're learning will carry through into any profession or personal endeavor you ...
  • Erin, Vancouver asked Chi-An Emhoff, Saint Mary's College of California

    Added Friday, January 2, 2015 at 7:58 PM

    Hi, I am currently doing my MSc in Rehabilitation and Physical medicine. My undergraduate degree was a BSc in Kinesiology. I am now thinking of going back to do become a biomedical engineer. Do you think I will be required to do another Masters? Do employers look for people in both a science and engineering background? How did you find the transition between the two fields?
    Answers 1
    Chi-An Emhoff, Saint Mary's College of California
    Answered Friday, January 2, 2015 at 7:58 PM
    Hi Erin, 
    
    What a great question, as these two fields of science and engineering are traditionally so different, but more and more organizations that focus on innovative approaches to healthcare are finding they absolutely need people who understand ...
  • Cathia, Mesquite, Texas asked Chi-An Emhoff, Saint Mary's College of California

    Added Friday, July 4, 2014 at 6:31 PM

    I thinking about switching from chemical engineering to mechanical engineering. I am about to start my junior year at a university (I am a transfer student). At first, I thought chemical engineering will help me to be more successful in biomedical engineering even though I am not passionate about it, I chose the chemical engineering path. But now, I am not sure if it is what I want. Lately, I have been thinking that mechanical engineering will be a better match for biomedical engineering than ...
    Answers 1
    Chi-An Emhoff, Saint Mary's College of California
    Answered Friday, July 4, 2014 at 6:31 PM
    Hello Cathia, 
    
    Absolutely!  A mechanical-biomedical engineering education will position you for many career opportunities within the medical field.  I myself completed a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering, then pursued graduate school in the ...
  • Alison, Louise, TX

    Added Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at 9:07 PM

    I am planning on getting a Master's degree in biomedical engineering but have just learned that the college I will be attending does not have a bachelor's degree in that field. Would it be better to get an Engineering technology degree with a minor in Biology first or get the degree in biology with a minor in engineering technology? Or is there something better you would suggest?
    Answers 1
    Chi-An Emhoff, Saint Mary's College of California
    Answered Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at 9:07 PM
    Hello Alison, 
    
    This is a great question that can be answered 2 different ways. My first answer is that biomedical engineering is a sub-discipline of engineering; therefore, you would be better prepared for your master's program with a bachelor's ...
  • Joslynn, Montgomery

    Added Thursday, November 14, 2013 at 11:22 PM

    I've recently decided to pursue a Masters in Biomedical Engineering after completing my B.S. in Electrical Engineering. As of now, I'm on the fence about which EE track I should take-premed or general. The premed track eliminates a few of the courses that are in the general track. Most masters programs require applicants to have taken so many credit hours of certain life science courses (organic chem, biology, chemistry,etc.) and I don't know it would be better to take the life science courses ...
    Answers 1
    Chi-An Emhoff, Saint Mary's College of California
    Answered Thursday, November 14, 2013 at 11:22 PM
    Hi Joslynn, 
    
    Congrats on setting yourself up for a career with lots of opportunities!  Honestly, I think the general track will provide you all the prerequisite courses you'd need for a master's in Biomedical Engineering, and as you said, most ...
  • sara, georgia asked Susan Su, US Patent and Trademark Office

    Added Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 9:40 AM

    i really want to go into biomedical engineering, and hopefully get my phd in the cardiovascular system. do u have any advice for me like how i can get this to work? Although i still have 4 or 5 yrs to choose i want to find out more about biomedical engineering.
    Answers 2
    Chi-An Emhoff, Saint Mary's College of California
    Answered Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 9:40 AM
    Dear Sara, You have selected an incredibly exciting and growing field, so congratulations! My advice is that since there are very few academic programs that provide combined science & engineering doctoral programs, try to attain some internships in ...