Bioengineering and biomedical engineering terminologies are often used interchangeably. The difference and similarities between these two disciplines must be more precise to many, especially individuals looking to take up a career in engineering.
The tendency to interchange these terms is an expectation in the industry, but through extensive research, we have compiled detailed information that will help cross-check their similarities and differences.
Bioengineering and biomedical engineering advance biological medicine and equipment by creating artificial hearts to improve and prolong lives. They also test the soil to determine the health of a crop field. The two disciplines gears toward enhancing human life.
Although Bioengineering and biomedical engineering appear to be similar, there are notable differences between the two practices, which is what we shall look into in this article.
What Is Bioengineering?
Bioengineering is a discipline that applies engineering, mathematics, physical science, and life science to analyze and solve problems in biological and healthcare systems.
Individuals in this field are trained both in biology and engineering such as electrical & mechanical engineering, biology, computer science, material science, and chemistry. Some examples of bioengineering are;
- Artificial hips, knees, and other joints
- Medical imaging technology
- Portable and rapid disease diagnostic devices
- Prosthetics
- Biopharmaceuticals
- Tissue-engineered organs.
- Ultrasound, MRI and other medical imaging techniques.
What Is Biomedical Engineering?
Biomedical engineering is a profession that applies the principle of engineering to solve problems in medicine.
Basically, biomedical engineers focuses on using technology advancement to improve healthcare services at all levels.
Biomedical engineering comprises many subdisciplines and they include but not limited to, design and development of active and passive medical devices, orthopedic implants, medical imaging, biomedical signal processing, tissue and stem cell engineering, and clinical engineering.
Take your research further: 18 Best Biomedical Engineering Schools in the World, 2024
Bioengineering Vs Biomedical Engineering: Similarities
One of the most common similarities between Biomedical engineering and bioengineering is they both apply engineering principles to the fields of biology and health care.
They also work in the same job settings; A biomedical engineer can assume the responsibility of a bioengineer in the healthcare industry. That being the case, one can say that these two professions share a certain set of skills.
What Are The Differences Between Bioengineering Vs Biomedical Engineering
Although Bioengineering and biomedical engineering share some clear similarities, they also have some notable differences as indicated below.
- Bioengineering is a broad topic compared with biomedical engineering; covers topics such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, natural resources, and many others
- Another key comparison is that Biological engineering practices are not explicitly for medical purposes while Bioengineering practices are applied to many different industries, including health care.
- Biomedical engineering is a more specialized version of bioengineering, utilizing many of the discipline’s principal theories and putting them to practice to improve human health.
- Bioengineers often focus on the general theory that can be applied to various different areas of natural sciences to solve problems while Biomedical engineering focuses more on the practical, specifically in the context of health care.
Learn How to Become a Biomedical Engineer? Schools, Cost, Program.
Bioengineering Vs Biomedical Engineering: Education
To become either a bioengineer and biomedical engineer, you need the right education and strong problem-solving skills and the perseverance necessary to handle projects through to the end.
A bachelor’s degree is a minimum requirement for an entry-level position in any field of engineering. The same applies to Bioengineering and biomedical.
Bioengineering and Biomedical engineering schools offer a wide range of programs for both undergraduate and graduate students. The Undergraduate coursework typically takes four years to complete, while the postgraduate curriculum takes a year or two years to complete.
The training basically begins with a solid foundation in science and engineering. For 2 years, you can expect to take lectures and basic science and engineering classes where you are exposed to basic electrical & electronics engineering, mechanical engineering, ICT, biology, chemistry, and other content relevant to the field of engineering.
Graduates of this program will gain knowledge on how to apply the principle of the life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, and engineering to solve problems in health care.
Furthermore, a master’s in bioengineering and biomedical engineering opens up many potential career paths for individuals in this field.
Pursuing an advanced degree to learn new skills is strongly advisable as it will open the door for bigger job positions and give you.
What Are The Best Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering Schools?
The following are the top Bioengineering and biomedical engineering schools in the world arranged in no particular other. These schools offer programs leading to a bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. in this discipline.
Our criteria for selection of these schools are the objectives/outcomes of the programs and the classes required by the curricula as this will tell whether the program is using the term bioengineer or biomedical engineering narrowly or broadly.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- Duke University (Pratt)
- University of California-Berkeley.
- University of California–San Diego
- Stanford University.
- University of Pennsylvania.
- Boston University
Explore more: 15 Best Engineering Schools in the World
Bioengineering Vs Biomedical Engineering: Job/Roles
Generally, Bioengineers design biomedical equipment and devices, such as artificial internal organs, replacements for body parts, and machines for diagnosing medical problems.
Their role is to Install, adjust, maintain, repair, and provide technical support for biomedical equipment.
Biomedical engineers on the other hand have various job possibilities at their disposal despite their more narrow focus, as practically every field of medicine makes use of biomedical engineers.
Additionally, Biomedical Engineers work with life scientists, chemists, and medical scientists. They conduct research on the engineering aspects of the biological systems of humans and animals. They also evaluate and install medical equipment.
Check this out: 10 Paid Biomedical Engineering Internships In 2024
Bioengineering Vs Biomedical Engineering: Work Environment
Biomedical engineering and bioengineering jobs can be found in a variety of job settings including pharmaceutical, drink food production companies, medical equipment manufacturing companies, medical research institutions, and regulatory agencies.
Bioengineering Vs Biomedical Engineering: Salary
The Bureau of Labour Statistics only keeps a record for biomedical engineering. However, data from ZipRecruiter shows that biomedical engineers make an average of $93,701 per year, On the other hand, Bioengineers make $82,908 per year.
From the above data, we can conclude that Biomedical Engineering is a more widely encompassing field than bioengineering.
Bioengineering Vs Biomedical Engineering: Job Prospects
Medical fields are growing at a very wide pace, and thus a career in biomedical engineering or bioengineering is a great choice for individuals looking to join the industry with good long-term job security.
Also, technology advancement is playing a role in medical diagnostics are changing the way medicine is practiced.
Biomedical engineers around the world keep researching to develop new medical devices that will help improve the quality and length of human life.
According to Deloitte, the health care sector is expected to reach a value of $10.059 trillion by 2024. This shows that Biomedical and Bioengineers have a very promising future.
Conclusion
Biomedical and bioengineering play an important role in the field of science and technology. These two professions integrate basic engineering principles into the analysis and process of designing new materials that will help solve the basic problem in health and life sciences. Although these disciplines share a common goal, they have some notable differences which we have carefully analyzed on our page.
FAQs- Bioengineering Vs Biomedical Engineering
A bioengineer can work in research, gene therapy, tissue engineering, drug delivery, or pharmaceuticals while a biomedical engineer can work in research or medical devices. With that said, both majors allow for a variety of career options.
Bioengineers and biomedical engineers install, maintain, or provide technical support for biomedical equipment. Bioengineers and biomedical engineers combine engineering principles with sciences to design and create equipment, devices, computer systems, and software
For those with an aptitude for science and creativity, bioengineering can be highly rewarding. Health care is routinely at the top of the list of highest-paying industries, as are jobs in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields.
References
- utoledo.edu
- bioeng.berkeley.edu
- Difference Between Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering: differencebetween.net
- engineeringonline.ucr.edu
- mtu.edu
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