<p>I am considering majoring in Biomedical Engineering. I some questions about this major and of a biomedical engineering career. I'd like it if I could get some responses from biomedical engineers or graduates. What kinds of biology courses would be beneficial to this career (Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, etc)? I understand that to successfully complete a biomedical engineering undergraduate degree, many facets of the maths and sciences must be studied. Would it be advisable to go for the M.S. in Biomedical Engineering instead of stopping at a B.A. in biomedical engineering?</p>
<p>I'm seeing a lot of CC posts that are apprehensive towards this major. I understand that it is literally a major within itself with such a broad spectrum.</p>
<p>It depends. Some programs focus more on the math, others in the biology, so check their curriculum. A BS in biomedical engineering is really not enough, almost everyone go for a MS too, to make themselves more competitive. So it is highly recommended that you also do a MS.</p>
<p>I minored it (majored in ee). Even if its a major, jobs are scarce (i know people that cant find jobs even with a master). </p>
<p>I dont think you need to take specific biology course just to get ready as those bio courses are generally easy… the engineering specific ones are the hardest (for me bio-imagery is the hardest but its the engineering not the biology that makes it hard)</p>
<p>Friends daughter goes to Drexel and has had 3 great co ops with bioengineering as her major. All three have offered her jobs when she finishes. She has another 15 mo to go.</p>
<p>Looks like internships and co ops are really important.</p>
<p>Hmm. . . Is the reason why people with M.S. in BME because the competition is stiff or that BME careers are unpopular? I would assume BME to be a popular career since it is still so new and broad.</p>
<p>One has to realize that the composition of undergraduate Biomedical Engineering programs vary greatly from school to school. The curriculum for the Johns Hopkins BME major may include very different coursework than the BME classes offered at Rensalaer, U California Berkeley, Michigan or Duke. Some schools may be strong in pharma/drug delivery, while others have great research departments in biomaterials or mechatronics. You’ve got to thoroughly investigate what your potential alma mater has to offer. Also confirm whether or not your list of BME schools are accredited by the ABET, if that’s important to you.</p>
<p>That being said, in my causal observation it does appear that some BME or Bioengineering programs really don’t train students for any particular job, based on the Bachelor’s degree alone. That’s why I suggest to relatives that if they truly want a BME major, they should minor in a traditional engineering field. I know one BME undergrad with an interest in Materials Science, but he plans to get a Chemistry Masters first because he wants to do research on polymers and he’s not certain if he wants a PhD in Materials Science.</p>