Bioengineering and Biomedical engineering are significant fields in science and technology. Both of these sciences utilize basic engineering principles, including the use of analytics and systematic processes in the design of new materials that help solve fundamental problems in biology.
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Bioengineering vs Biomedical Engineering
Two programs: bioengineering, and biomedical engineering, both combine engineering principles with environmental, agricultural, and medical specialities to solve problems of biological origin. Those interested in applied biology should definitely learn more about both biotechnology and biomedicine. Both are areas of study with phenomenal job outlooks and interesting, fulfilling work.
Despite the similar names, the two fields are fairly different from each other. The subjects mainly differ in their focus. Biomedical Engineering is an extensive field of study that includes biomedicine, while bioengineering focuses on the application of engineering to biological processes such as food agriculture and environmental processes. There is a focus on applying biomedicine to engineering and using biomedicine to improve health care delivery systems. Biomedical engineering has more complex subcategories than bioengineering, such as focusing on the field of particle studies to improve human health. Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering are two major degrees that a lot of students choose in higher education. We’ll now discuss the basic course outline, variations, career opportunities, and benefits of both.
What is Bioengineering?
Bioengineering is the study of the function of applied engineering to general biology. It covers areas of agriculture, pharmaceuticals, natural resources, and food. It also includes general medical procedures. Bioengineering is used in a variety of industries, including healthcare. Biomedical engineering, in contrast, is identified as a subset of Bioengineering and is concerned with less scientific – primarily biological questions and translations. Kinetics, microcirculation, physical modeling, and cell targeting are some standard bioengineering fields; Fields such as tissue engineering, delivery medicine delivery, and biomechanics are also considered biotechnology because they rely heavily on basic science but have more explicit translation / medical applications that add to the confusion and blur the line between the two fields.
What is Biomedical Engineering?
Biomedical engineering is a more specialized version of bioengineering, which uses many of the key theories of discipline and puts them into practice to improve human health. The field focuses on developing new tools and processes that can be used in a variety of healthcare contexts. Of all the fields of engineering, a biomedical engineer has the greatest impact on a person’s life. Biomedical engineers usually work to solve problems in biology. People who work in the field of prosthetics or cybernetics (more formally called biochemistry) are also known as biomechanical engineers. Items such as pacemakers, artificial hearts, and cochlear implants are all the result of biomedical innovation. Medical and surgical instruments such as specialized robotic kits are also within their scope. Biomedical engineers work to increase the efficiency of natural processes through biotechnology, such as tissue regeneration and cell diffusion. These engineers can be found almost everywhere in the medical field. Wherever there is a problem, they work to find a solution.
Top Universities
University | Country | Degree | Tuition fee |
Baltimore, USA | masters | $55,850 per year (full-time) | |
Atlanta, USA | masters | $31,370 per year (full-time) | |
Cambridge, USA | masters | $53,450 per year (full-time) | |
Durham,USA | masters | $55,680 per year (full-time) | |
Stanford, USA | masters | $55,905 per year (full-time) | |
Berkeley, USA | masters | $26,544 per year (full-time) | |
Philadelphia,USA | masters | $40,716 per year (full-time) | |
Boston, USA | masters | $54,720 per year (full-time) | |
New York, USA | masters | $50,496 per year (full-time) |
Course Outline for Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering applies principles to the development of technologies and solutions in a range of healthcare-related fields, including:
- Human Physiology
- Biomedical Computing
- Advanced Mechanics
- Biomedical Signals and Systems
- Biofluid Mechanics
- Biomedical Electronics
- Engineering Models in Physiology
- Biomaterials and Biocompatibility
- Biomaterials Characterization
- Bio transport
- Tissue Engineering
- Biomechanics
- Medical Instrumentation
- Capstone Design
- Micro/Nanotechnologies
- Neural Engineering
- Biomaterials
- Neuromuscular Engineering
Course Outline for Bioengineering
Bioengineering is further subdivided into the following specialties: Food and biological process engineering, agricultural engineering, and natural resource engineering.
- Biomedical engineering
- Tissue engineering
- Genetic engineering
- Neural engineering
- Pharmaceutical engineering (Biochemical engineering/ Biological systems engineering/ Bioprocess engineering)
- Environmental health engineering
- Human factors engineering
- Biotechnology
- Biomimetics
- Bioelectrical engineering
- Biomechanical engineering
- Bionics
- Bioprinting
- Bio robotics
- Systems biology
Career Opportunities in Biomedical Engineering
The choice between the various career paths in biomedical engineering is based on an individual’s aspirations: the vastness of the field allows biomedical engineers to develop specialties in the area of their choice, be it biofuels, neurosurgery, orthopedic repair, or stem cell engineering. Biomedical engineers often combine problem-solving and technical knowledge acquisition with studies focused on medicine, healthcare, and helping others. This hybridization has in many cases led to innovations in biomedical engineering. A few job prospects are the following:
- Biomaterials Developer
- Manufacturing Engineer
- Independent Consultant
- Doctor
- Biomedical Scientist/Researcher
- Rehabilitation Engineer
- Medical Technology Developer
Career Opportunities in Bioengineering
Bioengineers apply general theories to solve the countless scientific challenges that come their way.
These are some sectors in which Bioengineers work:
- Medical Technology Industry
- University Research Departments
- Medicine and Healthcare
- Business Start-Up
- General engineering
- Computing and Information Technology
- Finance and Professional Services
- Management Consultancy
- Teaching
The Bureau of Labor Statistics maintains a record of biomedical engineering and bioengineering. According to data from ZipRecruiter, biomedical engineers earn an average of $ 93,701 a year, while bioengineers earn an average of $ 82,908 a year.
Future of Bio- and Biomedical Engineering
The Biomedical field is one of the best careers for the future because of new emerging medical devices. These devices emerge in the laboratories of biomedical engineers and have completely changed the way doctors deal with disease and trauma. They help prolong the quality and longevity of human life. Finally, the future of biomedical engineering is tied to the problems and barriers we discovered on the one hand, and to the advances and achievements in fields such as chemistry, materials science, and biology on the other.
Bioengineering has also showcased many future trending fields. According to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Foundation, tissue engineering, transdermal patches, wearable devices, robotic surgeons, and rehabilitation, nanorobots, virtual reality, microbubbles, prime editing, organ-on-a-chip, and mini bioreactors are the more trending topics. These R&D advances are happening at an ever-increasing rate and will continue to do so in the future.
Whatever your decision, bioengineering and biomedical engineering are highly skilled, highly academic fields that are home to many productive and meaningful jobs. With Bioengineering, you can gain a great understanding of engineering theory and various biological experiences. Biomedical engineers, meanwhile, can create practical solutions to problems affecting biology and human health through their medical training. Whatever your philosophy, these engineering subjects can offer you a lot.
Christina Lyon is the author of this educational blog and she is involved with student’s life and education. She has a passion for writing articles related to education including Degrees, Diplomas, exams, students’ experience, and her prime objective is to support worldwide students by answering all their FAQs through this blog.
