Biomedical Engineering

WHAT IS A BIOMEDICAL ENGINEER? A biomedical engineer uses traditional engineering expertise to analyze and solve problems in biology and medicine, providing an overall enhancement of health care.

EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES Development of artificial organs (hearing aids, cardiac pacemakers, artificial kidneys and hearts', blood oxygenators, synthetic blood vessels, joints, arms, and legs). Automated patient monitoring (during surgery or in intensive care, healthy persons in unusual environments, such as astronauts in space or underwater divers at great depth). Blood chemistry sensors (potassium, sodium, O², CO² and pH), both invasive and non-invasive. Advanced therapeutic and surgical devices (laser system for eye surgery, automated delivery of insulin, etc.). Application of expert systems and artificial intelligence to clinical decision making (computer-based systems for diagnosing diseases). Design of optimal clinical laboratories (computerized analyzer for blood samples, cardiac catheterization laboratory, etc.).

EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES Design of medical imaging systems (ultrasound, computer assisted tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, etc.). Computer modeling of physiologic systems (blood pressure control, renal, function, visual and auditory nervous circuits, etc.). Biomaterials design (mechanical, transport and biocompatibility properties of implantable artificial materials). Biomechanics of human movement (gait analysis, etc.). Tissue mechanics (properties of bone, tendon, skin and changes with remodeling, injury, healing, etc). Sports medicine (rehabilitation, external support devices, etc.). Plus the contribution on research into injury mechanism, understanding de nervous system, cancer research, mechanobiology, electrophysiology.

WHERE DO BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERS WORK? Universities Industry Hospitals Research facilities of educational and medical institutions Teaching Government regulatory agencies

HOW TO PREPARE FOR A CAREER IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING? Become a good engineer and acquire a working understanding of the life sciences and BME terminology. Good communication skills are vital to talk with professionals having medical, technical, and other backgrounds.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR A CAREER IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING? High school preparation: Follow an engineering discipline with life science course work Courses in calculus, physics, chemistry and biology If possible, Advanced Placement courses in these areas

HOW TO PREPARE FOR A CAREER IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING? At the college level: Students usually select engineering as a field of study, then choose a discipline concentration within engineering. Some students major in biomedical engineering, while others may major in chemical, electrical, or mechanical engineering with a specialty in biomedical engineering.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR A CAREER IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING? At the college level (continued): As career plans develop, seek advice on the degree of specialization and the educational levels appropriate to goals and interests. Many students continue their education in graduate school where they obtain valuable biomedical research experience at the Masters or Doctoral level. When entering the job market, a graduate should be able to point to well defined engineering skills for application to the biomedical field, with some project or in-the-field experience in biomedical engineering.

ABOUT THE BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING SOCIETY BMES is the professional society for biomedical engineering and bioengineering Founded in 1968, the Society now boasts over 7,000 members with more than 4,400 student members 146 Student Chapters 7 Industry Chapters

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS Significantly reduced registration rates for the Annual Meeting A subscription to the monthly E-Bulletin, our member online newsletter A subscription/online access to the Annals of Biomedical Engineering (ABME), Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering (CMBE) and Cardiovascular Engineering and Technology (CVET) Online access to the BMES Career Connections job board listing career opportunities and internships

MEMBER-ONLY WEB CONTENT A searchable directory Access to all BMES Committees and Special Interest Groups Online education, including access to Annual Meeting sessions recordings and professional development webinars

AWARDS & LEADERSHIP The opportunity to receive awards and recognition (including election to Fellow) with student recognition and awards including: Undergraduate Design Competition Student Chapter Awards Student Travel Awards Career Development Awards Research and Design Awards Voting rights within the Society The opportunity to serve in the Society’s leadership and committees

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