Thinking of Studying Biomedical Engineering?
There are many universities and colleges running biomedical engineering or healthcare technology-related undergraduate and post-graduate course, too many to link to here. But we do recommend you check out some of the links below for guidance:
WhatUni
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UCAS
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British Council
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Industry background
Engineers working in the field of healthcare combine a strong technical ability with an in-depth understanding of biological processes, and as a result, often have a background in both engineering and biological sciences.
As our understanding of the human body grows, and with ongoing technical advancements, the field is evolving more and more into an integral part of everyday life. Hip replacements, prosthetics and robotic surgery all fall under the remit of biomedical engineers, but new technologies are emerging all the time.
What do biomedical engineers do?
Biomedical engineering is very multidisciplinary and as such you will study electrical, electronic, mechanical, computing and other technical fields. As a biomedical engineer, you might work for private medical companies, in hospitals developing diagnostic and treatment equipment, or for the government on advisory boards and in research roles.
- Design and develop medical devices like pacemakers, prosthetics, and implants
- Research new technology concepts
- Test and evaluate medical equipment to ensure it meets safety and quality standards
- Manage the maintenance and operation of medical equipment in hospitals
- Work for regulatory bodies to ensure medical devices meet safety standards
- Provide advice on new equipment to hospitals and GPs
- Train technical or clinical staff
- Investigate safety-related incidents
Future challenges
With ever-more sophisticated means of diagnosing and treating diseases and better solutions to biological problems demanded by society, medical engineering is likely to grow exponentially in the 21st century so it is vital that medical engineers keep abreast of industry developments, through networking, events and publications. There will be a lot of work on fluid joint replacements, fully-responsive prosthetic limbs, and artificial sense technologies for example.
As what was once considered science fiction becomes science fact, biomedical engineers will also increasingly face new ethical dilemmas in their work, and the field is likely to come under intense scrutiny from the public in the long-term future.
Career opportunities
A career in biomedical engineering will be a challenging one, but the fast-moving, ever-changing nature of the work, combined with the job satisfaction of making such a vital difference to society, makes it an attractive choice for those with the right skills.
So, if you have an innovative approach to problem-solving, and a diligent approach to cross-disciplinary understanding, you will certainly thrive in this industry.
Industry
Smith & Nephew
Johnson and Johnson
GE Healthcare
Siemens Medical Solutions
3M Healthcare