Help! Am I ready forBioMedical Engineering?

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

Hello!
I’m going into my junior year at high school, and recently I’ve become very interested in Biomedical Engineering. Before that, my dream was to be a Hospice Nurse, Radiology Tech, or a CRNA.

While BME sounds extremely related to my interests, I don’t think I’m smart enough for it… I ADORE science. Although, I’m not the smartest.

These are my science courses I took / plan on taking:
-ADV Physical Sci
-ADV Bio
-ADV Chem
-ADV Physics
-ADV Anatomy
-AP Bio
-AP Chem ( maybe )
-Biotechnology ( maybe )

As for math…that’s where I seriously lack… I’m afraid that this will cause me to fail…Although I am a grade level above in terms of courses, but is that enough? Courses:
-Geometry
-Alg 2
-Precalc
-Calc AB

My math courses are extremely lacking. I’m worried I cannot handle this major. Any tips?

Thanks!

2

Completing Calc AB should prepare you for any of the engineering majors and the Freshman Calc sequence.

If, after a semester or two, you determine engineering is not for you, it’s usually not that difficult to switch majors to another STEM major.

Good Luck!

3

My degree was EE but all my with a biomed specialization (back then not many colleges had biomed). I didn’t have any more than you do and did fine. Just get through calc AB and you should be fine. I loved my biomed classes (hated some of the pure EE ones!). Now of course I do aerospace engineering and I never took a class in that in my life! (Biomed is relevant though)

4

Engineering programs develop four year plans assuming that you come in with no AP credit. You should be fine. Also keep in mind that many people do not figure out what they really want to major in until they are actual college students. You may know that you want to do engineering now, but keep in mind that it is very possible that you may end up changing disciplines based on your experiences in college.

5

If you have taken at least one AP science (+ bio, chem, and physics) and AP Calc you will be prepared for engineering. Every engineering curriclum assumes you are starting with Calc 1.

6

Is it engineering you want or to be somehow involved in the biomed field? The latter would allow many other paths than engineering. It’s a jump from ideas of “Hospice Nurse, Radiology Tech, or a CRNA” to an engineer role. I just wonder if you know what engineering does versus other ways to work in that field.

And you may be qualified to try engineering courses, but it’s more than the academic courses mastered. There’s a sort of mindset, problem solving skills, and more.