Biomedical engineering as the name indicates is made up of two very versatile fields Biological sciences and Engineering. This is a fascinating science which attracts individuals with technical inclination and a challenging attitude. It applies varied concepts from the engineering arena in collaboration to the subjects of biology along with the tinge of the medicinal sciences. The subject of biomedical engineering is a bit new but is turning into a big heat these days especially amongst youth because of the great job opportunities it has been providing. The biomedical engineering helps in making of various potent medical base devices like micro or macro implants which are available in the market arena for better therapeutic value amongst patients like pacemakers which are being used in the heart etc. The wide variety of the body scanning machines like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines and electro encephalogram (EEG) machines etc are the biggest gifts of biomedical engineering to the healthcare arena. The pharmaceutical drugs, the regenerative tissue growth medications and many therapeutic biological are made with the help of biomedical engineering which further links it with genetics making it an even vast arena.
The sub disciplines which are covered under the wide field of biomedical engineering are:
- Biomechatronics
- Biomechanics
- Medical imaging
- Chemical engineering
- Orthopaedic engineering
- Bionanotechnology
- Bionics
- Biomedical electronics
- Cellular tissue engineering
- Genetic engineering
To become a biomedical engineer one must possess either a master’s or a doctoral degree in the field of biomedical engineering. On the global grounds as the value and zeal amongst students for this course is increasing, most colleges and universities are now building up dedicated departments for biomedical engineering in their campuses. Bachelor of science in biomedical engineering is emerging as a new subject in many college these days.
USA- Most states in United States of America have declared biomedical engineering as one of the best and most promising career option in the future. The courses are offered for a duration of 4 years with an approximate fee ranging between 27862$ to 40,000$ per annum.
The major college’s are-
- John’s Hopkins University, Baltimore
- University of California, San Diego
- Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta
- University of Washington, Seattle
UK - UK is now emerging as one of the hub for producing the maximum number of biomedical engineers in the years to come. The bachelor’s degree with the duration is of four years with the fee structure of 6400 to 8000 pounds per annum depending upon the college. The best college’s are-
- Brunel University
- Newcastle University
- University of Glasgow
- Kings college of London
Australia- Australia is emerging as a hub for biomedical engineering studies. The courses here are for a duration of four years and the fee structure varies from 23,500 to 35,000 AUD$. The top colleges for biomedical engineering studies are-
- La Trobe University
- Griffith University
- Murdoch University
- University of Sydney
India- There are a number of colleges and universities in India which offer courses in biomedical engineering for a duration of 4 years; the average fee structure is 1 lac to 1.5 lacs per annum and the colleges which offer these courses are-
- ACS college of engineering, Bengaluru
- Acharya institute of technology
- AVIT, Chennai
The science of biomedical studies is vast, versatile and covers many aspects of science as well as engineering. An individual who works in this field is designated as a biomedical engineer.
A biomedical engineer’s job is very exciting and challenging. They are trained to do the following-
- Biomedical engineers work as research and development scientists in various in-house biomedical ventures.
- They work on developing such surfaces or abstracts which are in sync with the biological sciences like biological ceramics etc.
- They work as the bioinstrumentation engineers who work for the development of the micro or the macro implants which are very helpful for the treatment of various diseases or ailments.
- They collaborate with the genetic scientists to help in boosting the DNA techniques to yet another level.
- Biomedical engineers help and work in the domains of plant engineering
The field of biomedical engineering helps in the manufacture of such devices or healthcare equipments which are used for the betterment and cure of the individuals suffering from incurable acute or chronic ailments.
There are a wide variety of job options both in India as well as internationally. Biomedical engineers have immense job opportunities in a versatile periphery of equipments like pacemakers, kidneys, laser eye structure, surgical devices etc. Biomedical engineers work as tissue culture regeneration or the tissue regenerative scientists as well.
Many biomedical engineers work with the rehabilitation centers abroad in making rehabilitative instruments which help in recovery of patients. Orthopaedic biomedical engineers have even greater scope abroad as they help in the development of the prosthetics and artificial limbs for patients in need.
The job and career prospects are huge when one completes the course and degree in the biomedical engineering. A biomedical engineer can work as the following:
- Research and development analyst
- Biomaterial engineer
- Patent analyst
- Bioinstrumentation engineer
- Orthopaedic equipment engineer
Biomedical engineers work in companies which have taken healthcare instrumentation to mighty heights and developed new and excellent instruments for better health.
The top companies in this field of biomedical engineering are-
- Medtronic
- GE
- Philips healthcare
- Johnson and Johnson
- Covidien
- Stryker
- B. Braun
- Siemens healthcare
- Cardinal health
- Zimmer
If you have a huge capital to invest, then you can become an entrepreneur and can manufacture prosthetics, micro or macro implants like pacemakers etc, the heavy healthcare machineries or equipments like ECG, MRI and EEG etc. Without huge capital for investment you should restrict yourself to sales and marketing which will help in avoiding heavy risks and losses.
Working with a firm is wise decision in the field of biomedical engineering as you can grow quickly in a short time. The firms pay well. The perks and the benefits are also lucrative.
Studying biomedical engineering has its benefits. Biomedical engineers are compensated very well for the work they do and so are their perks, and benefits. It is a very niche and upcoming field. Compensation is based on experience and expertise, so the salary levels increase with expertise. Following is the approximate salary levels for Biomedical engineers in India:
| Experience in Years | Compensation per annum |
|---|---|
| 0 to 5 years | 2 lacs to 5 lacs |
| 6 to 10 years | 8 to 15 lacs |
| 11 to 15 years | 15 to 25 lacs |
| 15 years | 30 lacs and above |
Biomedical engineering as the name indicates, is the perfect merging of biology as well as the engineering leading to development of unique devices and equipments which save lives. When you want to opt for this field, you must choose physics, chemistry, mathematics and biology after class 10.
Once you choose this field, you should not opt to study commerce, humanities, arts, political sciences etc as they have no linkage with this field in any regards. You cannot pursue master’s degree in MBBS, dentistry or commerce after you have graduated with biomedical sciences as the subject.
When someone opts for biomedical engineering as a career there are many advantages like:
- High salary packages
- Very good reputation
- Serving mankind
- Regular inflow of knowledge
- High end and top notched perks
- Far and wide travelling opportunities
There come certain disadvantages too, they are-
- Excessive peer pressure
- Very high responsibilities like in genetic engineering processes etc.
- Very high quality standards to maintain
To be a champion or a winner in any field, one has to be very competitive and highly energised. To gain success in the field of biomedical engineering the skill sets needed are-
- A challenge accepting personality
- A keen observer
- A consistent mind set
- Ability to handle peer pressure at work
- High end interpersonal skills
- Leadership qualities
So the next time you go to a hospital, look around at the equipments in use. You will notice that at every stage of the health evaluation process requires these high end equipments which save thousands of lives all over the world. Doctors would be helpless without these essential equipments. If this thought inspires you enough then biomedical is the field for you.
Best of luck!
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