Biomedical Engineering

Q: I would really appreciate it if someone would tell me if it were possible to major in electrical/mechanial/other engineering but still go to grad school as a biomedical engineering. Sort of like a history major being a doctor or a computer science major being a lawyer kind of thing. Is it possible?

A: The way that it's done, as a rule, is to follow a strong pre-med path, and believe it or not, double up on the maths. Pre-Medicine as an academic discipline is generally considered as being extremely strong on the hard sciences, in particular chemistry. (Obviously.) However, you would have to add to the grueling pre-med schedule some extra courses in information sciences, engineering graphics, structural analysis disciplines, and so forth. Biomedical engineering is, so far as I know, possessed of the prerequisite of being a doctor. Having actually achieved MD status, continued education is the norm, given the dizzying advance of the medical disciplines. While a true biomedical engineer might have started off as a doctor of medicine, with a strong additional minor in chemical engineering, they quite often pursue additional letters in mechanical engineering, mathmatical modelling, and recently, computer-assisted design in a multidisciplinary mode. I guess what I'm trying to get across to you is that whichever profession in combined mode will require the greatest credentials and certifications, that is the profession upon which you should set your sights. Become a doctor and then become an engineer as well - once you've gotten through medschool you'll already have most of the credits and courses.

Discuss It!

Most Popular Articles

More