<p>Hello, for some reason, throughout my life, I've always held a certain fascination with prosthetic limbs. Now, I was wondering which field of engineering to go into if I wanted to perhaps conduct research in this field. Would it be biomedical, for interfacing the limb with the body? Mechanical, for developing more realistic limbs? Or materials science, for creating artificial muscles? Does anyone have any knowledge in this field and as to what I should do?</p>
<p>I have a friend who is in just such a program. I believe he did his undergrad in Biomedical Engineering. He is now a grad student at Georgia Tech doing his MS in Prosthetics & Orthotics. Here is a link:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ap.gatech.edu/mspo/%5B/url%5D">http://www.ap.gatech.edu/mspo/</a></p>
<p>I would imagine the future in prosthetics is the interface - making them integrate seamlessly with the nervous system. I would say either neuroscience, or biomedical with a focus on neural would be the most interesting way to go.</p>
<p>Fascination with limbs huh? You're not a serial killer are you? :p</p>
<p>Sorry, had to ask. Just watched the prosthetics doctor be revealed as the murderer on Dexter.</p>
<p>Biomedical Engineering</p>
<p>check out JHU's program for a program that emphasizes engineering and medicine as opposed to biology.</p>
<p>I would recommend Mechanical for your undergrad (so you will get a more diverse set of knowledge) then going to Biomedical for your Master's.</p>
<p>I have heard mixed things about going straight into BME as an undergrad. Most will say that its better to go into the big 3 (ME, EE or ChemE) and follow up with BME in grad school. </p>
<p>I'd recommend following dr_reynold's advise--I know some ME programs even offer a "specialization" in bio-mechanics which will prepare you for graduate school in BME.</p>
<p>''I would recommend Mechanical for your undergrad (so you will get a more diverse set of knowledge) then going to Biomedical for your Master's''</p>
<p>yea, I agree w/ you.</p>