Technologies utilized in the healthcare industry have seamlessly and quietly crept into our lives. As a result, more than half the credit for the advancement in the healthcare industry goes to research in biomedical engineering.
Biomedical engineering (BME) is the application of engineering concepts and methods of problem-solving related to biological and medical sciences.
With a degree in biomedical engineering, one can create cutting-edge medical equipment like pacemakers, prosthetic limbs, or x-ray machines by fusing technological advancements with anatomical and biological principles.
Biomedical engineering can be the best choice for someone muddled between an engineering or medical degree, as it’s where they coincide and interact.
Here are some benefits of getting a biomedical engineering degree:
1. Online Learning
Getting a degree in biomedical engineering comes with the benefit of an online learning option.
Students who enroll in online programs can choose whether to study full- or part-time and can have access to attend pre-recorded lessons from anywhere, at their own pace.
They can easily accommodate their study hours into their existing work schedules without fretting about the hassle of commuting and driving to and from their colleges. People with disabilities and impairments who would find it difficult to leave the house or navigate campuses with poor accessibility can also benefit from online learning.
Today, many platforms are available that offer a bachelor’s in biomedical engineering degree completely online. These programs can provide you with alternatives to traditional lab courses. They uphold high standards for instruction by emphasizing on latest BME material, leaving no gap between on-campus and online learning.
2. Collaborating with the other professionals
If you’ve ever wanted to be a doctor, this is a great field to pursue your ambitions, as biomedical engineers work closely with doctors and medical scientists.
They also work with nurses, therapists, technicians, and other engineers in teams on projects that determine the way they work.
For instance, a biomedical engineer may need to spend hours at a hospital to check whether a new device they created will enable a disabled person to walk again. If the engineer discovers a way to enhance the gadget, they may need to go back to the manufacturer and work with them to change the manufacturing procedure to work on the design.
Biomedical engineers create different tools that help people address their medical challenges, including equipment, software, and instrumentation. Your work as a BME could help patients regain their ability to walk, replace amputated limbs, relieve pain, control diabetes, and much more.
3. Salary
Like many other engineering specialties, biomedical engineering is a lucrative field of work. At every stage of their employment, they are paid much more than the average compared to other occupations.
Having a master’s or even a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering proves that you are qualified for management or supervisory positions, which can pay significantly more and have in-depth expertise.
The average starting income for a biomedical engineer is $63,000, but many earn significantly more. According to a poll, the median salary in 2020 was around $92,000.
A history of internships or having finished projects can also be an asset in terms of getting a decent starting wage.
4. Internship Opportunities
A great way to learn more about the field and decide if you want to pursue a serious career in biomedical engineering is to take part in an internship at a hospital, pharmaceutical company, or another setting, like cell line engineering services.
Through internships and placements, you get a chance to build relationships with corporate executives and see bioengineering in action.
It aids in enhancing your knowledge of the subject and illustrates its application and how it is taught in various settings. By doing this, you can increase the likelihood of getting employed when you enter the fiercely competitive job market.
Today, many colleges offer their students a wide range of internship options, though you can also search for internships on your own, independent of your college.
5. Early Recruitment
There are numerous options to secure an entry-level position in this sector if you have just graduated or are about to. Although executive positions within research teams may require a graduate degree, there are still plenty of positions available in the industry for those who wish to start their career soon.
Additionally, you might get to know and become friends with coworkers and managers, which can help you expand your professional network and open doors to future career prospects.
6. Work With Emerging Technologies
Biomedical engineers work very closely with emerging cutting-edge technologies, which makes it a benefit to pursue this degree.
Hands-on opportunities are available in this field, from designing artificial bodily organs and imaging systems to surgical instruments and prosthetics.
For instance, pacemakers and artificial knees have the potential to significantly improve human lives alongside the Internet of Things (IoT) devices, mobile technologies, 3-D printing, robotics, artificial intelligence, and nanotechnology.
With a degree in biomedical engineering, you can work in some of the best research labs, hospitals, universities, and manufacturing facilities today.
7. Skills
In addition to the coursework and academic knowledge, earning a BME degree also helps you acquire a specific skill set.
Over time, biomedical engineers become good at effective communication and understand the need for plain jargon as they collaborate with other engineers and often deal with medical professionals.
They learn how to solve problems as they work with and resolve issues in intricate biological systems. They solicit the opinions of others and take those views into account while solving problems.
A biomedical engineer learns to evaluate the needs of clients and patients as they create effective solutions.
The degree also aids them in developing their mathematical talents as they apply calculus principles and other advanced concepts in analysis, design, and problem-solving.
8. Career Paths
A degree in biomedical engineering can lead to different career pathways, including employment in government, regulatory, and academic institutions.
After getting an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering, you can also decide to pursue a medical degree and work as a physician or surgeon.
Alternatively, if you choose to become a biomaterials developer, you can work in various industries, including drug delivery, tissue engineering, nano implants, and biomedical implant development.
Or, if you decide to become a manufacturing engineer, you can focus on product development and production to create goods that are both inexpensive and of outstanding quality. You can also choose to become a biomedical researcher who discovers novel approaches to enhancing health by examining how the human body functions.
These are just some fields you can choose as your career.
Conclusion
The study area of biomedical engineering may be right for you if you’re interested in applying your engineering knowledge to create technology that can enhance patient care and health.
There are many ways you can reap the benefits of this degree as you develop the next generation of healthcare solutions for a tech-savvy population.
