Biomedical Engineering

I have decided to pursue biomedical engineering at UVA. Since I have read in a couple of other places that getting a major in biomedical engineering is not good and will not land you with that many jobs, I am curious as to what I should do. I was thinking about double majoring in mechanical engineering and biomedical engineering, or maybe majoring in mechanical engineering and specializing in biomedical engineering. Is dual major a good option or getting a minor in one or the other? I do not only want to get a single major in BME, what other majors, minors etc. for other engineering types should I persue with BME? Please let me know.

Why in particular do you want to do BME?

I am interested in it. I want to develop and create prosthetics and other medically related devices. Also from what I have read it has very good job growth, but then again there are many more people attempting to become BMEs that it might counteract the actual growth of around 27%. Ive read that many people who simply get a major in BME end u getting replaced by a mechanical engineer. Therefore I want to know whether I should minor in BME and major in Mechanical, the other way around, or a dual major/double major… etc.

Probably to minor in BME or not major in it at all as it is essentially a jack of all trades major but it isn’t good at anything in particular so it will be difficult finding a job (at least what I’ve heard).

Well, if I cannot find a job or a very good internship to get my foot in the door than I will most likely just go to med school and become a physician. I am taking the BME path at UVA because it goes hand in hand with many concepts that are taught in Med School, but I also want to double major or minor in something else because it will give me a better chance to get a job in that field.

Most BME students at schools at the level of UVA are premed. When I was at Johns Hopkins, you were supposed to need a 3.2 average in BME to get into med school, whereas from Wright State University, not a top school, you were supposed to need a 3.8. You don’t have a lot of course choice and the grading in engineering and math courses is tougher than in premed classes, so you need a lower GPA than as say a biology major. Obviously, you need good math, physics, chemistry, and biology for it. The usually career path is not making medical devices but medical, dental, or podiatry, etc. school.

@Ankush You should check out CC’s Engineering Majors forum: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/ plenty of BME Q&A there.

  • psy

I see. There is also a chance that I could become a BME right? If I do not then I can go to Med school anytime.

Alright I will. Thanks.