The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the demand for biomedical engineers will increase by 72 percent from 2008 through 2018, making it the fastest-growing occupation in the United States. This growth should create more than 11,000 jobs for biomedical engineers. To qualify for a Professional Engineering license in bioengineering, the completion of an accredited postsecondary training program is necessary.
Minimum Training
The minimum training necessary to become a biomedical engineer is a baccalaureate degree. Undergraduate study in biomedical engineering typically requires four years of full-time study to complete. Students in such programs complete coursework in general biology, microbiology, mathematics and physics. Design courses are also featured in most programs, allowing students to gain experience creating their own projects for medical devices and equipment. A small number of associate degree programs in biolmedical engineering are offered in the United States. These courses of study can allow students to work as engineering technicians, assisting full biomedical engineers.
Accreditation
The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology accredits biomedical engineering programs in the United States. The board began in 1932 as the Engineers' Council for Professional Development, changing its name in 1980. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation has approved the board as a professional accrediting organization for collegiate programs since 1997. As of 2010, approximately 70 colleges and universities in the United States had accredited programs, meaning the schools met curriculum requirements established by the ABET.
Top-Rated Schools
"U.S. News and World Report" compiled a list of the 10 best biomedical engineering training programs in the United States. The Whitaker Institute at Johns Hopkins University ranked at the top of the list. This private, nonsectarian university in Baltimore, Maryland, grants undergraduate and graduate-level degrees in the field and has research institutes devoted to neuro-engineering and computational biology. Two public institutions, the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta and the University of California at San Diego tied for second place behind Johns Hopkins.
Advancement
To gain promotions or higher rates of pay, biomedical engineers may choose to pursue advanced training in the field. After earning a bachelor's degree in engineering, professionals can attend master's degree programs, which typically require around two years to complete. Doctorate engineering programs are another option. Some programs require a master's degree for admission, while others will admit students with only a baccalaureate degree. Biomedical engineering doctorate programs usually require a minimum of four years to complete and require students to complete a design research project and a dissertation. A doctoral degree is generally necessary to teach biomedical engineering at the college level.
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