Questions about Biomedical and Electrical Engineering

<p>Hey all, I'm a senior in highschool and I intend to major in Biomedical Engineering or Electrical Engineering but I have a few questions I hope someone can help with. First, I looked up and researched both EE and BME and I love both of them. I don't care for medical school or whatever, I just wanna have an idea of what to do in college. I really find BME interesting and also EE. Any answers will be greatly appreciated so thank you. So, here are my questions:</p>

<p>Should I double major in BME and EE(or major and minor in one), or should I just major in BME and focus on getting a MS degree(is this even a good idea)? If I double major, can I at least get a BS in 4 years?
I've heard a lot of conflicting views about BME. If you google "job outlook biomedical engineer" one website says that there's a 62% growth rate which is phenomenal, but the I also found that BME is extremely broad and it might be hard to find a job in the future. I intended to just major in BME and try to get a MS degree in 4 years, but I'm not sure anymore. I have some AP credit and plan to take summer classes in college and do a BS-MS program, but I don't think that will be possible with two majors. I only want to double major because I've read on the internet that since BME degrees are so broad, companies would rather hire people with a traditional degree in EE, ME, etc. </p>

<p>If I double major(or minor) in both BME and EE, will the course load be too tough and kill my social life? (Obviously any engineering will be extremely difficult but I'm okay at physics and math. I'm taking AP Physics now, it's hard, and AP Calc AB, extremely easy compared to physics, I should have taken BC). Will I be unable to do co-op programs, an internship, have a job to help pay for college? </p>

<p>Are there any Biomedical Engineers out here or people who know of them? If so, do you enjoy your jobs. Where do you work and what do you do? How hard was it to find a job? Did you double major or anything. Are you satisfied with your major or do you regret it? </p>

<p>Any other comments or helpful advice would also be appreciated. Thank you for your time.</p>

<p>Well I can’t answer all of your questions, but I can say this: The reason that you can’t get a consistent answer in bio-medical engineering as to what the job outlook looks like is because it really depends on the area. In some regions, the outlook is really good and at some it’s abysmal. Generally though, I find that students really have to get a master’s in bio-medical engineering to really use that degree. </p>

<p>On the other hand, EE majors tend to not really have as much trouble getting work, because I find that the EE degree is a lot more versatile. Also, if you really want to get the most bang for your buck, you could major in EE and minor in computer science. That way, you could get a job in the computing field as well if things go sour. </p>

<p>In regards to whether you will have a life or not, if you do an engineering major: No, you will not have a life. The classes are like hell on earth and you are going to be spending a colossal amount of time on them. Engineering is just about the most difficult major that there is, and if you are planning on having an active social life, then I would skip the engineering major.</p>

<p>Finally, I’d be very surprised if you actually graduate in 4 years. I’ve found that engineering majors tend to take longer to graduate because often times they can’t take a full 4 class courseload because the classes are so hard and time consuming. So I would shoot for 5 years if I were you to graduate.</p>

<p>not an engineer , actually a senior and in the same situation as you , but cant decide between double major petroleum engineering and computer science or computer engineering and computer science , but all i can say is that BME and EE are two vast engineering degrees , so it would be hard , but its possible ; heres a link to a double major plan for EE and BME double major at carnegie mellon ; <a href=“https://www.bme.cmu.edu:49160/ugprog/SampleSched/ECE_BSIP_2014.pdf[/url]”>https://www.bme.cmu.edu:49160/ugprog/SampleSched/ECE_BSIP_2014.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>BME will require more preparation in sciences which an EE might not do. Most have structured BME in a way that it requires many credits without leaving much room for other majors or minors.</p>

<p>How about if you pursue a BS in Electrical Engineering and try to obtain internships/full-time position at a biomedical company with your EE credentials? Once you get yourself into the door of a biomedical firm, you can always pursue a MS in Biomedical Engineering on a part-time basis while working full-time. You may even be able to get your employer to pay for your MS in Biomedical Engineering.</p>

<p>Consciouesness, what do you want to do as a biomedical engineer? Which university are you planing to attend?</p>

<p>BME is a VERY VERY broad interdisciplinary field. BME curriculum varies a lot from one university to another. From what I have seen, a person with a BS in BME is a jack of all trades but king of none and generally gets to play second fiddle to EEs/MEs/CEs who are kings of their respective domains. Some people are happy doing just that and there is nothing wrong with it.</p>

<p>@ Jnelsonmarka: I see, I suppose I was being a bit optimistic. I guess I won’t be be double majoring at college, but I like both BME and EE and I still can’t decide between them. </p>

<p>@ commandbutton: Thanks for the info. I’m not gonna double major (too much work). I had thought that the classes would overlap but I guess not. Also, I hear that petroleum engineers make tons of money because they have a high demand, but I would only go into that if you were really interested in it. I personally prefer computers and programming much more than oil. </p>

<p>@texaspg: Yep, I see now. I though EE would focus more on science like physics, etc. </p>

<p>@SharpTech: Thanks for the advice. I like both of them and wouldn’t mind picking EE(although I do like BME just a bit more than EE), but do you know how the current and future market for EE’s will be. I’m mainly worried about getting a secure job which is why BME appealed to me first, but I’ll think about doing that instead.</p>

<p>@ UWHusky: I have no idea what I wanna do. Since I like physics and biology, I planned to decide that after being exposed to actual BME classes. However, from researching the topics, I like all of them and wouldn’t mind researching any of them. The only thing that I wouldn’t want to do is work for a pharmaceutical company.
I plan to attend NJIT and I found the curriculum for BME at the school website(Is this a good curriculum??): [NJIT</a> - Undergraduate Programs: Biomedical Engineering](<a href=“http://catalog.njit.edu/undergraduate/programs/biomedicaleng.php]NJIT”>http://catalog.njit.edu/undergraduate/programs/biomedicaleng.php)
I wouldn’t mind being a jack of all trades(I generally like to have a broader knowledge than only be good at one thing), what I’m worried about is being able to find a job after I graduate.</p>

<p>Thank you all for advice, any other comments would also be appreciated.</p>

<p>BME will require some bio and chem classes. EE person may never take more than what is required by core at that school.</p>

<p>Not sure which schools you are considering but here are degree plans for UT for both programs.</p>

<p><a href=“UT Cockrell School of Engineering”>UT Cockrell School of Engineering;

<p><a href=“UT Cockrell School of Engineering”>UT Cockrell School of Engineering;

<p>Biomed website says 40 science and Math credits are required.</p>

<p><a href=“Undergraduate Program - Department of Biomedical Engineering”>Undergraduate Program - Department of Biomedical Engineering;

<p>If job is one of your primary concerns, just keep in mind that BME in general has had the worst job prospects for BS holders.</p>

<p>You can become a strong candidate for jobs in both Biomedical Engineering and Electrical Engineering with a BS in EE. There is a big part of Biomedical Engineering that overlaps with Electrical Engineering. In case if the Biomedical Engineering job market turns south a few years from now, your BSEE will also allow you to apply for internships and jobs in many different industries. But you will be limited to Biomedical-related jobs with a BS in Biomedical Engineering. Versatility is very important, especially at the early stage of your career. </p>

<p>If you really want to get some exposure to Biomedical as an undergraduate without double majoring, you can consider getting a BSEE with a minor in Biomedical Engineering.</p>

<p>BTW, you can also get hired into a secure job with the BSEE.</p>

<p>BEE and minor in bme is the route i took. I found that EE has alot more jobs and its easier to start your own business (due to alot of regulations in health industry)</p>

<p>@texaspg: Yea I see, I wouldn’t really mind because I like science. I’m now considering and will most likely change my college major from BME to EE because of the other comments.</p>

<p>@PCHope: That’s saddening but oh well. I guess that one job outlook website for biomedical engineers lied to me…</p>

<p>@SharpTech: I really wanted to believe that BME had a high demand, but I’m now going to major in EE and maybe minor in BME. Or if EE is too hard on its own, I’ll just focus on that and not minor in anything but intern at biomedical companies. Anyways, I’m gonna follow this advice.</p>

<p>@BEngineer: From reading the previous comments, that’s also the route I will probably take. From your experience, do you think the minor in BME was worth it or necessary. Also, are you in college or are you working for a biomedical company. If so, what do you actually do? (Sorry for so many questions, just interested in BME and EE)</p>

<p>Thanks again for the advice and comments guys. They’ve all been helpful.</p>

<p>I’m majoring in biomedical engineering right now and have done a lot of research on this. Due to the fact that biomedical engineering is related to the medical field there is a need for a lot of education in order to be well versed as an engineer and as a member of the medical community. I know many people who are fortunate enough to get jobs in industry right out of college from internships they partook in, however I think getting a masters makes the most sense because it expands both your options and your knowledge. It is true that biomedical engineering is a broad field but it allows you so many more career paths. If you truly want to marry the two an B.S. in EE with a bio focus then later get a masters in BME. At school don’t be afraid to talk to your advisor, professors, and even alumni about their thoughts/experience it really helped me realize my options and potential.</p>

<p>@hirschy32: Cool, what year are you in college and in your opinion and what’s your hardest class? Have you done any internships yourself and how easy/hard were they to find? What are your plans for biomedical engineering if you don’t mind me asking?
Do you think just graduating with a BS in BME would be hard to find a job? Anyways thanks for the advice.</p>