<p>Hi guys, I've recently been applied and have been admitted to bme programs across the us. I have narrowed my choices down to Carnegie Mellon and duke for an MS in biomedical engineering. Although I have not fully committed to the idea, both schools offer a version such as nonthesis (duke) and practicum option (cmu) as opposed to a research intensive option, which I will probably end up going choosing as I have worked post graduation in process engineering doing R & D for almost a year now and working closer towards industry and business seems to be my niche rather than research . However, I am wondering whether it would be wise to go a coursework route for industry. It certainly seems easier, but I do like the idea of keeping my options open. Also, I wonder if a jack of all trades would hurt my industry chances of getting a job post graduate school as opposed to being "masterful" on a specific subject that I would obtain through the research intensive option. Finally, between cmu and duke, which would have the better networking overall, for research and/or industry? I get the impression cmu is more of a prestigious engineering school, but duke is highly regarded I'm sure as well. Fortunately, tuition costs are not affecting my decision on the school I choose. Is the difference in job opportunity negligible from any of your experience or is there a stark contrast I should be made aware of? Thank in advance!</p>
<p>My daughter was considering Duke for bme as well however upon researching the university we discover unethical practices in cancer research reporting. Here is a link from CBS news
<a href=“http://m.cbsnews.com/storysynopsis.rbml?pageType=60minutes&catid=57376073&feed_id=32[/url]”>http://m.cbsnews.com/storysynopsis.rbml?pageType=60minutes&catid=57376073&feed_id=32</a></p>
<p>I think in industry, there is a preference for people who can do a broad range of things but can also do one or two things very well. So I would encourage you to develop both breadth but also depth in an area or two. I don’t think you have to do a research option to do that, though; you can do that through coursework and practica experiences.</p>
<p>I am not in engineering. I get the sense that Carnegie Mellon is more prestigious for engineering overall but Duke is more prestigious specifically for BME. US News confirms: CMU is #7 for engineering overall, and Duke is #28. However, Duke is #3 for biomedical engineering.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t let the unethical actions of one professor in a completely different department affect your decision about Duke. Duke is still a very well-reputed university, and that professor’s actions don’t really speak much to systemic unethical practices. It would be different if the entire department (or even if 2 or 3 professors within that department) were found to be unethical, but I think in this case that is more of a reflection on that particular researcher’s work than Duke itself. Duke actually handled the case very well; they actually put Anil Potti on administrative leave pending an investigation, after which Potti resigned on his own. Duke also terminated his clinical trials and retracted his published articles, and they reimbursed the American Cancer Society for the research funding that org provided to Dr. Potti, including funding he hadn’t even used yet.</p>
<p>Duke BME is higher ranked. I suspect having a medical school helps the department.</p>
<p>Thanks for the information up to this point. I have requested from both schools a profile of graduated students and where M.S. students proceeded after graduation! Any other information is greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>Here’s the link for CMU’s BME department. <a href=“http://www.cmu.edu/career/salaries-and-destinations/2012-survey/pdfs-one-pagers/2012_BME.pdf[/url]”>http://www.cmu.edu/career/salaries-and-destinations/2012-survey/pdfs-one-pagers/2012_BME.pdf</a></p>
<p>^Why are there so few masters graduates compared to PhDs? I would think the counts would be reverse.</p>
<p>Most MS graduates are likely there for their PhD, so they aren’t considered in the numbers for job hunting.</p>
<p>I haven’t really heard back positively from any other schools, but I did get into CMU’s MS w/ practicum option!</p>
<p>Best of luck in your decision :)</p>
<p>Is BME a popular major at Duke?</p>
<p>Yes it is, actually.</p>