FAQs
Careers
Q: What can I do with a degree in Biomedical Engineering and a Biomechanics specialization?
A: With a B.S., you will be qualified to design components of a medical device, and to perform biomechanical testing and experiments. For example, your technical manager may ask you to use computer aided design (CAD) software to design a new post for a hip prosthesis, or to determine the best shape and material for the implant by using finite element analysis (FEM), or to validate a particular prosthesis design using a mechanical testing system. Or you may be asked to assess the mechanical and thermal properties of a novel biopolymer to be used in the development of a vascular graft for coronary artery bypass, or to determine its biocompatibility and the characteristics of the flow of fluid through the graft.
With an M.S., you will be qualified to manage small groups of designers and/or researchers, design multi-component medical devices, and devise and perform biomechanical testing and experiments. In the above example, you may be the manager overseeing the measurements above, and you may be asked to perform additional design and analysis at a higher level.
With a Ph.D., you will be qualified to determine the direction of research and design efforts. You may also be qualified to manage large groups of designers and/or researchers, design multi-component medical devices, and/or devise and perform biomechanical testing and experiments. Following a Ph.D., it is customary to do two to four years of post-doctoral training before obtaining an academic position. Often this training is not required if going straight into industry.
How can I improve my job prospects and marketability?
Do community service, get a career oriented summer job, and work in a lab on campus, at UMMS, or at another university. See also the BMES Careers site.
Where should I be looking for a job?
The following sites are good starting points for a BME job search: Medzilla, MassMEDIC, Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, BMES, BMEnet.
What should I do to prepare for a job interview?
Go to the CDC on campus - they have excellent resources.
Majors and Concentrations
What is the difference between a BS in Biomedical Engineering (BE) with a Biomechanics specialization and a BS in Mechanical Engineering (ME) with a Biomechanics specialization?
A: When you graduate, what really matters is that you have the appropriate set of skills and experiences to do what you want to do (e.g., get a job designing prosthetics, get into a masters program in sports biomechanics, or study cellular forces at the doctoral level). Potential employers and graduate admissions boards examine at your skills, coursework, grades, and test scores to assess your fit for a given position; the department you were a part of is far less important (note: both BE and ME departments at WPI are fully ABET accredited).
At WPI, you can take any class offered by any department at any time. Thus, your choice of courses (in which you can gain important skills) is not limited by your choice of department. The basic mechanics courses are interdisciplinary (Engineering Science, ES) and are not associated with a particular department. Furthermore, many of the upper level courses that you will take are cross referenced between the BE and ME department (e.g., BE/ME 4504 Biomechanics) and taught either by BE faculty or ME faculty.
The difference between a degree in BE and a degree in ME at WPI lies in the distribution requirements needed to graduate. The BE department requires greater depth in science (e.g., experimental biology, human physiology, experimental physiology), whereas the ME department requires a greater number of engineering and design courses. Both the BE and ME requirements are sufficiently flexible to accommodate students with interests ranging from cell mechanics to wheel chair design. However, students primarily interested in the mechanics of living cells and tissues may find the BE requirements more suitable, whereas students primarily interested in the design of prosthetics and rehabilitation devices may find the ME requirements more suitable.
Graduate opportunities
What is the BS/MS Program? What should I do to prepare for the BS/MS Program?
See the BME section of the current Undergraduate catalog.
What is the difference between and M.S. and an M. Eng. degree?
The M.S. requires a thesis and is generally considered more scholarly and hands on than the M.Eng. (M.E.). The M.E. does not require a thesis but requires additional coursework - it is generally viewed good technical degree.
What should I be thinking about if I want to go to medical, dental or veterinary school?
See the BME section of the current Undergraduate catalog.
I'm interested in going to medical school after my undergraduate degree. Can I major in Biomedical Engineering and have the prerequisites for medical school?
Yes, the Biomedical Engineering curriculum is structured such that it is possible to fulfill the requirements for medical school admission. However, graduating in four years while fulfilling the prerequisites requires careful planning and you should discuss your goal with your advisor as early as possible. Essentially, the only courses not specifically covered are two organic chemistry lecture courses and one organic chemistry laboratory. Two of these can be counted as your two electives - the final one will be an extra course. You'll probably also want to take biochemistry.
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.eduLast modified: December 05, 2007 09:43:52