<p>Hey, can someone please help me with this. I am not sure what degree I want to go for - bioengineering or biotechnology. What is the difference? I also noticed that there is also Biomedical Engineering and Biomedical Technology, so the difference is between the words engineering and technology. Anyway, so can someone help me with the difference between biotechnology and bioengineering? Thanks a lot :)</p>
<p>Alot of people have asked this same question (including myself). From what I have read from sources, Bioengineering (BE) is almost exactly the same as Biomedical Engineering (BME). There are probably very few differences but because they are fairly new fields im not sure what the differences might be (I wouldn’t worry too much about it). Now BE and BME are more offshoots of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering with an emphasis on biological systems and whatnot. If your interested in making prosthetic limbs and creating replacement organs for the human body thats a very simple summary of BE and BME (i am in no way an expert in either field, just interested in the same areas and plan on majoring somewhere in there, currently about to enter senior year in hs). Now Biotechnology on the other hand has to do with creating new drugs to help combat diseases and such. Both are all about helping society. BE and BME are more hands on engineering while Biotech is more research i think. Hope this helped!</p>
<p>this is not from me this is from a answers.yahoo answer</p>
<p>The biomedical engineering program and biotechnology program are both promising. A third option to consider is medical informatics. Biomedical engineering involves classic engineering, which is applied physics. The topics are applied to medical devices like the electromyogram, MRI scanner, PET imaging, X-Rays, CT scans, heart-lung machine, surgical stents, gamma knife, angiography, artificial skin, heart rate monitor, artificial pancreas, etc. So in addition to regular engineering courses like calculus, programming, and physics, courses in physiology, biomaterials, medical devices, and FDA regulations would apply. The latter, FDA regulations, are not always taught but ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED for work in the industry. If the curriculum doesn’t offer it, you can find a graduate program that focuses on FDA regulatory affairs like at UC San Diego, Purdue, or U. of South FL. There are others.</p>
<p>Biotechnology is more focused on genetics, biochemistry, and plant technology. Hard topics include DNA studies, the human genome, genetic engineering, laboratory sampling, etc. Computers are also utilized. The courses would focus more on biology and computers rather than a traditional engineering curriculum.</p>
<p>Medical informatics is a growing field. Modern clinical information systems use software. Former medical records stored on paper have been transcribed into electronic medical records (EMR). The field of medical informatics revolves are EMR, medical billing, HL7, web services, database programming, and ActiveX (asp.net). The federal government has a law to upgrade medical data systems and billing to modern electronic formats (X12) and ICD10. So there is a lot of work ahead for medical informatics programmers.</p>
<p>All three fields are promising. Just choose one you like. If I were you, I would get an undergraduate in biomedical engineering and get a master’s in medical informatics or a master’s in regulatory affairs.</p>
<p>Notable activities needed:
- Do internships at a company or government agency that needs people from the field.
- Search [Dice.com</a> - Job Search for Technology Professionals](<a href=“http://www.dice.com%5DDice.com”>http://www.dice.com) and see the jobs in the fields. Use the following search terms. See the jobs in your area. Type in the following: FDA, GMP, medical device, biomedical engineer, radiology, MRI, surgery, clinical analyst, medical informatics, biotechnology, DNA, LIMS, HL7, X12, medical billing, Medicare, Medicaid, medical electronics, etc.
- See if students from the department have been able to get jobs. What is the placement rate?</p>
<p>The majors are all hard. Engineering is time-consuming and requires a math aptitude. Genetics and biochemistry are also difficult subjects. Medical informatics with HL7 and medical billing regulations are huge. Medicare documents get very large, and programming for such regulations is a challenge. But the work and demand are there, and many pay well with big opportunities for advancement. :)</p>