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By Abigail Rome
January 14, 2010
News item: The University of Houston recently announced that it will open a biomedical engineering department, the first new department to be added to its Cullen College of Engineering in more than 35 years.
News item: According to Reuters, the
News item: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists biomedical engineering as one of the fastest growing occupations in the U.S. for the decade ending in 2018.
I could go on, but the point is clear: If you're an engineer, or can see yourself as one, biomedical engineering is the place to be. The BLS estimates that the profession will grow by 72% between 2008 and 2018, significantly more than other engineering subspecialties. When compared to other top growth occupations, it stands miles ahead of its closest competitors (network systems and data communications analysts and home health aides), which will grow in the 50% range.
Not only this, salaries for biomedical engineers are among the top five for the 20 fastest growing occupations. Those with a bachelor's degree had a median wage of $77,400 in 2008, according to the BLS. However, it will be biomedical engineers with master's degrees who have the best job prospects. They will find jobs in medical equipment and supplies manufacturing, and scientific research and development. In the latter case, salaries can top $90,000.
What is a biomedical engineer and where is the work?
With all that said, what, exactly, are biomedical engineers? They are engineers who apply science and technology in support of improved healthcare. They conduct research, and design, develop and evaluate systems and products that address health-related problems. The career is relatively new, evolving from what was an interdisciplinary specialization into a field of its own, and it may cover a variety of job descriptions with a range of employers.
A November 2009 survey conducted by the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) on graduation and job placement rates of members of its Academic Council, which represents 95% of all biomedical engineering departments in the U.S., identifies where the employment is. The study found that 49% of graduates with a Bachelor's degree and 68% with a Master's degree have found jobs in the bioengineering industry--as opposed to with government, hospitals, consulting, etc.
A council member from the University of Utah says, "Although the national economy is troubled, the vast majority of our students are achieving positions in industry." Career counselors at other universities agree. A spokesperson at Bucknell University adds, "Our alumni are obtaining employment in a very wide range of industries: medical device, health information systems, chemical engineering manufacturing, finance and business."
Why the growth?
When you think about it, it should come as no surprise that biomedical engineering is growing. As the American population ages, health care is becoming one of the country's top priorities. This means that there is increasing demand for quality medical devices, equipment and procedures, as well a need for improved cost-effectiveness. And, because such medical devices and implants are major export items, their development will help boost the American economy. Finally, the country is gradually redirecting its economy towards a knowledge-based one--as opposed to a production-oriented society--as manufacturing jobs have migrated overseas where costs are less. Specialized engineering, research and product development fit the bill.
Eugene Eckstein, Professor and Chair of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Memphis (TN) and President of AIMBE, says that one of the main factors behind the rapid growth of biomedical engineering is the expansion and evolution of biology and medicine. These fields have become more quantitative, in part because we now have sophisticated technologies that can measure a variety of indicators and conditions. Biomedical engineers are responsible for developing, maintaining and improving the effectivity of these technologies, as well as making them user-friendly for biological researchers, medical professionals, and ultimately, the home user.
Where the action is
Eckstein acknowledges that it's not only that the field of biomedical engineering is growing leaps and bounds, but also that more engineers are switching their focus. For example, many with bachelor's degrees in mechanical or electrical engineering are getting master's degrees in biomedical engineering because they find themselves in positions which allow them to apply existing skills to the living world. He notes, "Another interesting development is that the field is attracting more women than other engineering specialties. This may be because women are more interested in living things."
While many of the largest scientific and medical development and production companies are hiring biomedical engineers, the big growth is in the proliferation of small start-ups. "There's a lot of interest in new products and the entrepreneurial process, " Eckstein says. One case in point is the Innovation Depot, a business incubation center established in 2007 in Birmingham, Alabama, and closely connected to the UAB Health System. Its main focus is on the development of emerging biotechnology/life science, information technology and service businesses. Currently, the center supports 70 small companies that commercialize research and develop biomedical products and services.
Creating a broader appreciation of biomedical engineering
Eckstein is eager to demonstrate that biomedical engineering is incredibly valuable, not only to biologists and healthcare workers, but to everyday consumers. "The more patients can monitor their own health, the healthier they remain, and the less costly health care will become," he says.
Eckstein cites the increased ability of patients to measure their blood pressure or manage diabetes at home as examples of how biomedical engineering has contributed to personal and preventative health care. "As medical instruments become more reliable, they can be made easier to use. Through a process of commodification, they become cheaper and more accessible to the public," he says.
In summary, Eckstein adds, "There's no end to the types of products and services that biomedical engineers can develop." This means that there's no end to the number of potential jobs for such professionals. And if these jobs materialize, each of us individually, as well as society as a whole, will be all the better--and healthier--for it.
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