Looking for information, pros and cons, anything on both programs.
Would like to work on regeneration and development of new organs.
Research available to students.
Not going to Medical School after.
Thank you
Hi, I’m a Biomedical Engineering student at Drexel and I don’t know too much about the programs at BU and WPI. However, I applied to BU and do know that their research front is quite extensive. Not sure how it compares to WPI, but there aren’t many schools with research programs as established as BU. Do some research into concentrations within Biomed at each school to see if they exist, and if so, what options are available. At Drexel, we choose from five concentrations within Biomed. If you’re most interested in artificial organ manufacturing, stem cell research, tissue regeneration, etc., you’re going to want to make sure the program has an established research area related to Tissue Engineering/Biomaterials.
I’d also explore the breadth of research opportunities at each institution within Biomed as your experience within the program and exposure to different Biomed-related study areas might shift your preferences away from Tissue Engineering. I’m saying this as a Sophomore who is completely re-thinking my plan of study, even switching out of Biomed! As you develop in college, there is a chance the curriculum that you envisioned being a perfect fit might not resonate with you as well as you thought.
Sorry for late response, but just ran across this posting.
Check out this discussion @ https://www.wpi.edu/academics/departments/biomedical-engineering
For grad school and corporate placement see page 13 @ https://www.wpi.edu/student-experience/career-development/outcomes
Both universities have very strong BME programs but they do not have the same educational process. All WPI undergraduates are required to do undergraduate research for their BS degree in both their major (MQP) AND their interactive qualifying project (IQP). Check out the faculty research.
BU has it’s own medical school. WPI is very well integrated into research at the UMASS medical school which is just a few miles away and also has an extensive, interdisciplinary biology research center on its campus. See https://www.wpi.edu/academics/departments/biology-biotechnology
Class of 2019 is not posted yet, but I do know of one young lady who is having a ball in the Johns Hopkins BME PhD program and reports that she feels very well prepared. She reports she could solve new problems which require creative approaches while many of the MD students who share classes with her are more into memorized information. These are different approaches. Projects place a premium on creativity as they do not always duplicate known processes.
I don’t know how you determine which one is “best.” Both are winners. What fits you?
One WPI roommate of mine was a BME graduate student way back in the 60’s. He went on for his MD at UCONN.
Thank you. Very good points.
@retiredfarmer I decided for WPI. Thank you for the help.
Welcome aboard! Now lets get past COVID-19.
Thought this story illustrates what engineering can accomplish in a project environment where some unmet needs are obvious: