I plan to go to Texas Tech and get a degree in mechanical engineering because Tech doesn’t offer biomedical engineering. What classes can I take to specialize in biomedical engineering and what can I do with that specialty?
Of course you can be a mechanical engineer that works in the biomedical field. Texas Tech has several groups doing research in the biomedical field.
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/me/research/researchareas/
They do offer a minor in Bioengineering:
Good Luck!
“Biomedical engineering” isn’t a specialty. It’s just an umbrella term for the use of engineering principles applied to biology/medicine. Topics in biomedical engineering use principles of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, software engineering and computer science, physics, and medicine.
The vast, vast majority of individuals who work in the biomedical engineering field are mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, chemical engineers, computer scientists, and physicists. Very few actually have a degree in biomedical engineering. In other words, you do not need a degree in biomedical engineering to work in the field of biomedical engineering. What you do need, usually, are relevant skills and several years of experience.
@Gator88NE I also am thinking about doing biomedical work with a MechE degree and am considering doing electives in BME and potentially minoring if I have time. I am currently a senior in HS and spoke to my counselor who said you would be better of taking higher level Mechanical engineering courses rather than BME courses as extra courses.
I will be going to Case Western Reserve University in the Fall.
@JadeRock Once you’re in school, and get a chance to socialize with your peers, faculty and potential employers, you’ll have a much better sense of which electives you should take.
The reason you want to get an ME degree versus and Biotech Eng degree is that ME give you a broader base and more skills.
While you are in high school, take Anatomy and physiology to get more knowledge about what problems Biomed engineering are trying to solve.
@JadeRock CWRU is a good choice for your interests. Case offers a combined mechanical and aerospace department. And a polymer science department that leads to jobs and graduate degrees in biomedical materials. And the biomedical degree which is a combination of chemistry and engineering. I think mechanical is the way to go if you want to design medical equipment like say jobs at Medtronics. If you prefer chemistry , then polymer science may be the way to go. Case Western allows you to try out research in polymer sciences in freshman year. You can also work at one of two hospitals on Case’s campus: the Cleveland Clinic or University Hospitals. You will have lots of time to figure out which is your best fit major at Case. Chemical engineering is another option that may be a fit. Lots of biomedical engineering majors go to med school. Some get masters degrees in medical equipment. Others get PhDs in polymers , DNA related engineering or artificial tissue research or in designing prosthetics. There is a wide range of areas covered by biomedical engineering.
@Coloradomama Thank you for the insight. I have looked at the broader engineering degrees like meh Chem and electrical and I feel that a mechanical degree would suit my interests more with working with medical equipment like prosthesis. I think what I will do is a mechE degree with some BME classes to see how interesting I find the material and going by my current interests I think I would.
Not sure what Medtronics is, well I’m assuming it involves medical technology. I’ll look into what kind of jobs they offer.
You can use on line job hunting websites now to understand the job market. The most popular high tech /engineering job site is Indeed. Also set up a LinkedIn account and search there on company names. Covidian and Medtronics merged about five years ago and they hire all types of engineers to design and manufacture medical equipment. Search both on keywords and degree types, so prosthetics, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering and bioengineering to see what jobs are out there. Then look at CWRU’s engineering coop page to see a list of possible companies and get familiar with them. It will help to have good summer jobs as that will give you a chance to try out careers and work with practicing engineers. Mechanical engineers are hired into many industries like electronics manufacturing and design , auto and airplane design, oil and gas, appliance design and so on. Aerospace industry largely hires mechanical and electrical engineers. Have fun at Case! Case offers some subsidized fall break trips to cities like Toronto. There are lots of sororities and frats at Case with a service focus.