Biomedical Engineering Courses

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Biomedical engineers are interested in the development and testing of products and procedures that solve medical and health-related problems. Their combination of medical and engineering knowledge saves countless numbers of lives, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that biomedical engineering careers are expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2014.

Typical lower-division biomedical engineering courses might include:

  • Bioelectric Foundations: An introductory course dealing with the electromagnetic and electric signals present in biological tissue.
  • Foundations in Biomechanics: An introduction to the analysis of musculoskeletal systems using principles of engineering mechanics.
  • Foundations in Biological Transport Phenomena: A course studying basic principles of biomedical electronics and measurement devices.
The BLS reports that the increase in demand for sophisticated medical equipment has increased the demand for biomedical engineers, but that intense competition for positions means that biomedical engineers with bachelor's degrees may face difficulty finding careers. A graduate degree is recommended or required for many entry-level positions in biomedical engineering.

Carreer Options

Typical graduate courses in biomedical engineering may include:
  • Biomedical Instrumentation: Studies the origins and characteristics of bioelectric signals, amplifiers, chemical pressure, and flow transducers.
  • Tissue Mechanics: Teaches the advanced techniques necessary for the characterization of the structure and function of hard and soft tissues and their relationship to physiologic processes.
  • Physiology for Engineers: Introduces fundamental principles of cell biology and physiology necessary for advanced work in biomedical engineering.
Students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate level biomedical engineering courses are encouraged to enroll in the courses most closely related to their eventual career choice.