Schools and majors for BME

At first, I had an interest in Software Engineering. I began to learn how to code from codecademy. After looking into a Software Engineers job, It seemed a bit boring to me. I don’t wanna work in an office all day just typing codes onto my computer. I started looking at BME because it seemed more interesting to me since i could build and do some programming. I found out that Biomedical engineers with an EE or ME degree make more money and get hired. However, I’m not sure what to do in college. I live in NYC and wanna go to a good college but I’m not sure what majors to take. I have an interest in BME but if I cant figure it out, I’ll most likely do Software Engineering. This is my Junior year and I’ll be applying to college next year. So far, I have a 87 gpa and next year I’ll be taking 2-4 AP’s. What school(s) wold be best if i wanted to purse a career in biomedical engineering?

Lets look at two paths…

First, get a BS in EE or ME (or another standard engineering degree), perhaps take electives/focus on BME (undergraduate research, if available), then plan on a masters in BME. This option allows you to change your mind, and stick with just the BS in EE/ME (and still have the option of working in BME, which needs EE’s and ME’s), or continue on to the masters in BME.

The second is a BS in BME, and then a masters in BME. With just a BS in BME, it’s harder find a job (your options will be more limited), than if you had a BS in EE or ME (which is why a lot of folks on this board are likely to recommend the first option and not this one). However, if you want to go into BME research, and do plan on the masters (or grad school, law school, whatever, having just a BS in BME can be limiting), then it’s an option.

With the first option, you can look at any schools that offer EE or ME programs. A plus would be one that does undergraduate research in BME.

With the second, you need to search for schools that offer the BS in BME (a smaller number).

You can use this website to find ABET accredited programs:

http://www.abet.org/

For example, I found 9 schools in the state of New York that offer a BS in BME.

City University of New York, City College
Columbia University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
State University of New York at Binghamton
Stony Brook University (Formerly State University of New York at Stony Brook)
Syracuse University
Union College
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (Formerly State University of New York at Buffalo)
University of Rochester

You can also use the Supermatch feature:

http://collegeconfidential.com/college_search

Eitherway, you have a lot of researching to get started on.

Good Luck!

NYIT is another good school.

Yeah I’m interested for applying for NYiT. I received many emails from the school to apply but the only problem is that its too expensive. If I’m able to go there, I’ll do a bachelors in EE and transfer elsewhere for a masters in BME. I just hope there are jobs for BME’s in NYC.

You may have a lot of trouble finding a job if you limit yourself to one location, especially if that location is NYC.

Cornell University offers BME. NYU has Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the undergraduate level and Biomedical Engineering at the Master’s level. NYIT doesn’t offer a BME degree.