Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical engineering is a growing field where workers are hired in a wide variety of industries including: government, medical device manufacturing, research, and hospitals. This discipline takes the science of biology and combines it with the design aspect of engineering. These professionals design biomedical instruments and tools to assist individuals in the ability to perform tasks.

Research and development of biomedical engineers has led to advances in an array of medical challenges including: artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation used to monitor or diagnose, or imaging. Examples of things designed by biomedical engineers include: monitoring instruments such as thermometers or blood pressure cuffs, tools such as crutches or mobility devises, or tools used in surgeries.

Those successful in this field often have previous education or experience in a traditional form of engineering such as electrical or mechanical. The next step is to apply that knowledge to the field of medicine. Coursework includes design, mechanical applications, and engineering, or specializations such as biomaterials, biomechanics, medical imaging, and rehabilitation engineering.

A successful person in this field is curious, analytical, detail oriented and creative with the ability to communicate well while working in a team. Annual pay for a biomedical engineers is around *$62,000. According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly half those employed in this field work in medical equipment and supplies manufacturing and scientific research and development.