Bioengineers & Biomedical Engineers

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Biomedical Engineers develop technologies that help improve the quality of people’s health, or their ability to manage disabilities – and may even save their lives. The field combines biology and medicine with engineering and mechanics— a combination that leads to amazing results. Imaging systems that allow doctors to “see” inside a patient’s organs... artificial limbs, organs, and joints... lasers for surgery... devices that automate insulin injections… computer simulations to test new drug therapies… Biomedical engineers designed all of these, and also keep them running. Making sure their designs operate safely and correctly is a large part of their job. These engineers can expect to spend many hours, even years, on a specific project in a cycle of researching, developing, testing, and trying again. Among the qualities needed are patience, problem-solving, and the ability to handle complex calculations. Most jobs are found in research laboratories, hospitals, and manufacturing. To enter the field, you will need a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering or bioengineering. Some people enter the field with a bachelor’s degree in another field of engineering coupled with biological science electives, or they earn a graduate degree in biomedical engineering. Whatever their path to the profession, biomedical engineers share a passion for making a patient’s life longer...and easier.