Biomedical Engineering Graduate Programs

Biomedical Engineering Graduate Programs and Curriculum

Biomedical engineering graduate programs teach students the skills to plan and conduct biological research in order to create new theories, prove facts and design life support apparatus using engineering and bio-behavioral science. This degree is classified as an engineering science. The health administration concentration may focus more closely on the administrative side of this major and is a more specialized field of study.

In order to apply for admission to a biomedical engineering graduate school, students must possess a bachelor’s degree in engineering or in a physical or biological science. Many schools have specific mathematics requirements. As with most engineering fields, engineering sciences require a great deal of education. In fact, a master’s in engineering sciences may be required to enter mid-level professional positions.

Biomedical engineering coursework typically includes, but is not limited to, mathematics, biology, biomedical engineering and related areas of science and engineering. In addition to the coursework, most programs require students to complete a research project. Graduate programs in biomedical engineering range in length anywhere from one to four years. The doctoral degree requires all of the coursework for the masters program as well as a written preliminary exam, oral preliminary exam, a dissertation, and, at many schools, a final oral exam

A prospective student should consider credentials when looking at biomedical engineering graduate schools. It’s important to consider a variety of characteristics when searching for a program:

• Quality measure
• Research productivity
• Student outcomes
• Student resources
• Diversity

Some of the top biomedical engineering graduate schools include: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of California – San Francisco, Rice University, Boston University and Emory University.

Biomedical Engineering Career Paths

Those with a master’s in biomedical engineering often pursue careers as researchers, project leaders or administrators of entire research programs. They can also become managers in hospitals or manufacturing companies while some form their own companies. A Ph.D. in biomedical engineering prepares students to teach at universities and medical schools.

Data according to

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupation Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Ed.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, salary data shows an average annualized income of $67,690 as compared to the national average range of $61,654 to $111,149. The factors that may impact this range include engineering specialty, additional biomedical training and experience.

Biomedical Engineering Future Job Outlook

Due to increased need for advances in the medical field, this career sees stiff competition, but a biomedical engineering postgraduate education will assist students in standing out from the competition.

Biomedical engineering is a highly in-demand field. In fact, it’s ranked in the top five fastest growing jobs, and the employment outlook is very good. Many biomedical engineering schools online are easing the burden of traveling on students as well allowing more students to enroll and increasing educational possibilities. According to the BLS, biomedical engineering is expected to grow at a rate of 72 percent by 2018, creating approximately 27,600 more jobs by that time.