What is Biomedical Engineering?

Biomedical engineering - this imposing term itself commands a lot of awe and respect from those who are aware of its various disciplinary specifications as well as for those who come across it for the first time in their lives!

Indeed, engineering and medicine are the twin towers of scientific studies and biomedical engineering includes a set of specific disciplines under its aegis that act as the bridge that seeks to connect these two towers by borrowing heavily from both in terms of concepts, principles, techniques and combined application.

So, what is biomedical engineering all about in specific terms, what disciplines come under its scope and what are its various career related aspects? The following segment addresses and answers each question at a time.

Biomedical engineering seeks to improve health care and medical technology by borrowing problem solving and designing principles and techniques from engineering.

Engineering principles and techniques are applied to study and research in the field of medicine and biotechnology so as to come up with medical breakthroughs and solutions to issues regarding biological reparation and reconstruction.

Also, the invention, development and innovation in technology involved in diagnostic, surgical and other medical processes is dealt by with various sub disciplines that are included within the purview of biomedical engineering.

So, what is biomedical engineering inclusive of? What specific fields of study comprise the entire scope of biomedical engineering? There are three broad fields that comprise the entire scope of biomedical studies - clinical engineering, medical devices and mechanics engineering and biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

These three broad categories further diverge into six different fields of specializations, which are as follows:

• Genetic Engineering
• Medical Implants
• Tissue Engineering
• Neural Engineering
• Medical Imaging
• Pharmaceutical Engineering

Biomedical engineering is a very specialized field of biotechnology and its courses are run by various medical colleges and universities. Certain biomedical engineering schools are highly regarded for the excellent courses run by them in this field and they boast of experienced faculty and unparalleled quality in terms of pedagogy, training and assignments.

Biomedical science careers offer a lot of scope for graduates of biomedical engineering to pursue a highly specialized field of biotechnology.

Depending upon their individual field of specialization, biomedical engineers can opt for a number of different careers under various branches of biotechnology such as microbiology, hematology, genetic engineering, immunology, virology, clinical chemistry, transfusion science, medical implants surgery, biological tissue designing and reconstruction, etc.

Considering so many different options, biomedical engineer job description for one specialized field would differ from the job description of another, despite both fields following along the lines of bridging the gap between engineering and medicine. Biomedical engineering salaries also differ due to this same reason.

The earnings can vary radically depending upon the type and intricacy of the profile and can range anywhere between USD 67,000-USD 114,000 per annum, depending upon the field you are working in and the type of organization you are working for.

Also, the figure may vary depending upon whether your profile requires you to participate in active field work or laboratory research and development stuff.

Biomedical engineering is a niche scientific disciplinary area that seeks to bring about medical innovations by applying the concepts, principles and techniques of engineering studies to medicine.

It is owing to consistent efforts in developing the various sub disciplines contained under its aegis that humanity can, today, claim to better understand the various latent mysteries and mechanics of life and most things that threaten its existence and well-being.

It is owing to stellar growth and development of this group of disciplines that mankind has been able to find solutions to a lot of medical enigmas that have eluded it since centuries.