2021 Biomedical Engineering Degree Guide
Biomedical Engineers work to improve the quality and effectiveness of patient care. In this major, you will learn how to analyze and design solutions to problems in medicine. Biomedical engineers are able to help improve the quality of life for many patients by designing and building medical devices such as prosthetic limbs or artificial organs. The world of biomedical engineering is exciting and constantly making new advances!
Every college sill have slightly different requirements for this major. However, you can expect to take classes like anatomy, biochemistry, biology, biomaterials, biomechanics, biophysical chemistry, computer programming for engineers, genetics, mathematics, organic chemistry, physics, microbiology, molecular cell biology, and micro-machines and robotics.
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Rapid Growth in Biomedical Engineering Degrees Awarded
In 2018-2019, biomedical engineering was the 75th most popular major nationwide with 12,001 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 518 over the prior year, a growth of 4.3%.
There are 165 schools offering degrees in biomedical engineering in the United States. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of bio engineering programs later in this article.
What Are The Requirements For a Degree in Biomedical Engineering
If you like to come up with creative solutions to problems than this major is for you! You will be learning how things work, as well as the basics of medicine and healthcare. Students should be prepared to handle a heavy workload of both math and science. Calculus and other advanced mathematics will be used in analysis and design when working. You will spend long hours working in the lab finding solutions to problems.
You will often work on team projects while in college. This essential to prepare you for a career where you will constantly work with others: fellow engineers, project managers, patients, physicians, and other professionals. Learn to express yourself clearly as well as understand the concerns and needs of others. Don't be afraid to push boundaries in order to improve the biomedical engineering field.
Most colleges require a minimum of a summer internship, but most will want you working in the field during the school year as well.
Prior Education for a Bio Engineering Program
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Once you obtain your degree, additional bio engineering certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
Biomedical Engineering Degree Types
There are many different bio engineering degree levels. You can get anything from a associate's degree in biomedical engineering to the highest bio engineering degree, a research/scholarship based doctorate. The time it takes to complete a bio engineering degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to bio engineering, with approximately 37.1% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for bio engineering workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 45.7% |
| Master’s Degree | 26.5% |
| Doctoral Degree | 13.0% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 5.7% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 5.4% |
57.9% of bio engineering workers have at least a master's. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in biomedical engineering careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the bio engineering career you are seeking.
Career Opportunities for Bio Engineering Majors
There are many different career paths that you may take with a degree in biomedical engineering. This includes pharmaceuticals, medical devices, artificial organs, prosthetics, medical instrumentation, and medical imaging. You may also choose to go into health management systems. This field is constantly advancing so many students decide to go back to school in order to stay knowledgeable on the latest technology and techniques in their specific field.
This field is growing as the baby-boomer generation ages and there is a demand for new medical devices and procedures. As technology advances, so will the biomedical engineering field, thus creating new areas of work.
Growth Projected for Bio Engineering Careers
Want a job when you graduate with your bio engineering degree? Biomedical Engineering careers are expected to grow 7.4% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to biomedical engineering.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 190,000 | 5.5% |
| Engineering Professors | 54,600 | 14.7% |
| Biomedical Engineers | 22,800 | 7.0% |
Bio Engineering Degree Salary Potential
Recently graduated biomedical engineering students earned an average of $58,234 in 2017-2018. Earnings can range from as low as $33,000 to as high as $79,500. As you might expect, salaries for bio engineering graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Highest Paid Bio Engineering Careers
Salaries for biomedical engineering graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top 5 highest paying careers bio engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $148,970 |
| Engineering Professors | $113,680 |
| Biomedical Engineers | $95,090 |
Getting Your Biomedical Engineering Degree
With over 510 different bio engineering degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased bio engineering school rankings to help you with this.
Top Ranking Lists for Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering Related Majors
Biomedical Engineering is one of 38 different types of Engineering programs to choose from.
Most Popular Majors Related to Bio Engineering
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 47,405 |
| Electrical Engineering | 31,384 |
| Civil Engineering | 21,938 |
| Computer Engineering | 15,891 |
| Chemical Engineering | 14,406 |
View All Bio Engineering Related Majors >
References
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Image Credit: By UC Davis College of Engineering under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
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