Preparation
 A bachelor's degree in engineering is required for almost all
entry-level engineering jobs. Unlike many other engineering specialties,
a graduate degree may be recommended or required for some entry-level
jobs in bioengineering.
College graduates with a degree in a
physical science or mathematics occasionally may qualify for some
engineering jobs, especially in specialties in high demand. Most
engineering degrees are granted in electrical, electronics, mechanical,
chemical, civil, or materials engineering. However, engineers trained in one branch may work
in related branches. For example, some biological engineers also have training
in mechanical engineering. This flexibility allows employers to meet
staffing needs in new technologies and specialties in which engineers
may be in short supply. It also allows engineers to shift to fields with
better employment prospects or to those that more closely match their
interests.
At the college level, the
student usually selects engineering as a field of study, then chooses a
discipline concentration within engineering. Some students will major in
bioengineering or biomedical engineering, while others may major in a
traditional field such as electrical, mechanical, or chemical
engineering, with a specialty in biomedical engineering.
Most engineering programs involve a concentration of study in an
engineering specialty, along with courses in both mathematics and
science. Most programs include a design course, sometimes accompanied by
a computer or laboratory class or both.
Source: Engineering
Workforce Commission of the American Association of Engineering
Societies.
 Admission
Requirements
Admissions
requirements for undergraduate engineering schools include a solid
background in mathematics (algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and
calculus) and science (biology, chemistry, and physics), and courses in
English, social studies, humanities, and computer and information
technology. Bachelor's degree programs in engineering typically are
designed to last 4 years, but many students find that it takes between 4
and 5 years to complete their studies. In a typical 4-year college
curriculum, the first 2 years are spent studying mathematics, basic
sciences, introductory engineering, humanities, and social sciences. In
the last 2 years, most courses are in engineering, usually with a
concentration in one branch.
Co-ops
Internships and Coops
provide students with a great opportunity to gain real-world experience
while still in school. Click here for more
information.
High
School Prep
The high school
preparation for bioengineering is the same as for any other
engineering discipline, except that some life science course work
should also be included.
Alternate
Degree Paths
 Some engineering
schools and 2-year colleges have agreements whereby the 2-year college
provides the initial engineering education, and the engineering school
automatically admits students for their last 2 years. In addition, a few
engineering schools have arrangements whereby a student spends 3 years
in a liberal arts college studying pre-engineering subjects and 2 years
in an engineering school studying core subjects, and then receives a
bachelor's degree from each school. Some colleges and universities offer
5-year master's degree programs. Some 5-year or even 6-year cooperative
plans combine classroom study and practical work, permitting students to
gain valuable experience and to finance part of their education.
Graduate
Training
Graduate training is
essential for engineering faculty positions and many research and
development programs, but is not required for the majority of
entry-level engineering jobs. Many engineers obtain graduate degrees in
engineering or business administration to learn new technology and
broaden their education. Many high-level executives in government and
industry began their careers as engineers. It is important to
select a degree program that has been accredited.
Source: Engineering
Workforce Commission of the American Association of Engineering
Societies.
Accredited
Programs
Those interested in a
career in Bioengineering/Biomedical should consider reviewing engineering programs that are
accredited by
ABET, Inc. If you choose to attend a program that is not ABET accredited, you should be sure that the university is
regionally accredited.
The following is a current list of all universities offering accredited degree programs in Bioengineering. You may also download
a PDF of this list.
Note: Some resources in this section are provided by the US Department
of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
and the Whitaker Foundation.
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