<p>Hi. Im a really worried high school junior in southern california. I was wondering what colleges had really good bioengineering programs. NOT ONLY biomedical. I looked up various info on UCs like Berekly, Davis, Irvine, and San diego. and also University of the Pacific. I wanted to know what other schools and among those i mentioned are the best for Bioengineering fields. Thank you.</p>
<p>Bioengineering isn’t very specific, do you mean biological systems engineering?</p>
<p>Uhm. This is probably going to sound pretty stupid. But as much info as i have dug up on Bioengineering, I don’t know what you mean by biological systems engineering. I like hands on work though and some thinking involved.</p>
<p>Different schools brand their own names, however in the most easily recognizable term I believe these all (both of what we said and more) are essentially agricultural engineering (however I can’t say with certainty only because there are non-similar engineering majors that are branded as bioengineering although they may not be the same things). To answer your q:
[Biological</a> / Agricultural - Best Engineering Schools - Graduate Schools - Education - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/biological-agricultural]Biological”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/biological-agricultural)
If you’re interested in Virginia Tech (#7), don’t mind asking me any questions.</p>
<p>Hmm thanks. Virginia Tech is on the top 10, and i believe its quite a stretch for me. Considering i don’t have much ECs, 4.0 unweighted GPA, 1900 as my highest SAT scores… Im looking for something that allows me to make new machines or something to help people like MRI or a heart pacemaker. I like “making” things i guess you can say. Engineering seems to be the way to go for that. I read about Bioengineering, and i was quite interested in Biology in my freshman year of high school. My other choices we’re aeropsace, which is relaly hard i’ve heard, pharmacy, or some other form of engineering that i’d like. I wouldn’t want to have a job for something i don’t like doing.</p>
<p>What you’re interested in is not “bioengineering” (which is also commonly known as agricultural engineering, biological engineering, biological systems engineering, etc.). If you’re making products for humans, you’re looking at a Biomedical Engineering position. To become one is a long road. A BS in BME alone will not land you the engineering position you’re looking for (hands-on, tackling problems, etc.), but rather simply a sales position where you have to try to sell hospital products to, well, hospitals (because you would have a BS in BME, you know what the products do and how they work so that’s why you would be offered this position, but because you would only have a BS in BME, you don’t know enough to actually design these products). </p>
<p>If you really want to become a Biomedical Engineer, you will have to go to graduate school. The best discipline to major in and get your Bachelor’s during your undergraduate years is Mechanical Engineering. This will provide a sound foundation for your focused studying in BME. After getting your ME degree, you must proceed to graduate school and obtain either a MS or PhD in Biomedical Engineering. This is the best pathway, however it doesn’t make it the only one. I am a Chemical Engineering major and Biomedical Engineering is still within my vision for graduate study (however I would advise against this pathway).</p>
<p>I see. Thanks engineerHead. Im not the greatest student with my low SATs scores and lack of EC. I have do not plan to go into sales. So im applying far college later this fall, and if i were pick a major, would it be advised if i pick Mechanical Engineering? Bioengineering? or some other field in engineering. I live in southern California and plan on going to a UC or some good/private college that has a good engineering program. I know at this moment that Bioengineering/Biomedical engineering is a tough field to go into becuase more and more people are going into that field. Getting into a college would be my first step, basically, which major do u suggest i should select in order to be more easily accepted so to speak.</p>
<p>I don’t know if there is a significant correlation between declared major and acceptance rates. However, for VT all you need is a 3.8 weighted average and a 2000 average SAT, it’s not too competitive. This school also does not emphasize EC’s. </p>
<p>I say, for now, you have a lot of missing gaps of information that need to be filled in. Your first (& second for the most part) year is essentially the same across all engineering majors regardless of discipline. During the first year you will take introductory engineering courses that will expose you to the various disciplines, this class will provide you with the best information necessary for your decision. After the first year, you should have a much better insight into what major or field you would like to pursue. For now, just make sure you get in somewhere.</p>
<p>However, if you’re 100% sure about Biomedical Engineering, then a BS in Mechanical Engineering would be your wisest choice - however don’t forget to leave room open for new discoveries that you will inevitably encounter (discoveries which may dramatically & very quickly change your previously “set” decisions).</p>
<p>My GPA for VT is fine (4.5 weighted), but my highest SAT score was only a 1900… so ya…im not 100% on biomedical engineering. im trying to narrow down my choices in general. I remember at one point in my life i was interested in Aerospace engineering, but as i ahve not evne taken physics yet. i can’t really see if im really fit to do Aerospace since its a continously changing field. Thanks for the advice EngineerHead.</p>
<p>With a 4.5 you should be accepted no problem, and +female gender - I would say that you’re guaranteed in for VT as long as you apply, you should keep it as an option. VT also offers a 4-year double degree program for Aerospace & Ocean Engineering, it’s a very easy double major. And just so you know, in the past years, VT actually has been ranked by USNWR in the top 10 for Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering, so while you don’t see them on the list, they are still pretty good at it. Sounds like VT seems to fit all your options/considerations! Good luck, start your apps early! You’ll be glad you did.</p>
<p>This is very correct</p>
<p>"A BS in BME alone will not land you the engineering position you’re looking for (hands-on, tackling problems, etc.), but rather simply a sales position where you have to try to sell hospital products to, well, hospitals (because you would have a BS in BME, you know what the products do and how they work so that’s why you would be offered this position, but because you would only have a BS in BME, you don’t know enough to actually design these products). "</p>
<p>I don’t believe that that is correct.</p>
<p>I have a BS in BME. I don’t know how a BS in BME qualifies one to sell medical equipment. </p>
<p>It is indeed hard to find a job in the medical device industry with only a BS in BME, unless you come from a top institution or have relevant research experience. It might be even easier with a BS in EE or CE or something closely related to devices. But it’s hard for EEs and CEs too, because it’s a small industry but a lot of people want to get into it.</p>
<p>You point out your opinion, but don’t give us readers your thought process in reasoning this out?</p>
<p>A BS in BME means that you know exactly how the products, which your company has produced, works. Therefore, when you’re at a hospital talking to the people who make decisions on what to buy and what not to buy (your company needs these products sold), having someone who knows what the heck it does and how it works and what does this and that and can actually explain everything fairly well (a BS in BME) is a much better representative for the product than some other random guy (and they’re obviously not going to waste a PhD or MS in BME on this position). </p>
<p>A BS will give you the proper knowledge to discuss how something works and such, and possibly even enough to design some of your own products, however it is insufficient in actually designing a completely thorough product with only a BS (at least seemingly determined by companies who hire, which therefore if they say it’s insufficient, then, regardless of arguments, it indeed is insufficient - they determine who they hire). A BS will land you a position that is primarily non-technical (for the most part, no need to point out exceptions). Companies that hire BMEngineers like Merck, Medtronic MiniMed, Kodak, Philips, etc. typically look for BMEngineers with an advanced degree.</p>