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About Biomedical Engineering

 
Every year the famous Cleveland Clinic announces its choice of Top 10 Medical Innovations. In 2008, 7 of them involve engineered devices and technologies, ranging from a robot to a cartilage tissue replacement. Biomedical engineers are making an enormous contribution to 21st century healthcare, working with physicians and scientists to create devices and systems that improve the prevention and treatment of disease.

• What is Biomedical Engineering ?
• What type of work does a Biomedical Engineer do?
• What types of jobs are available to Biomedical Engineers?
• Details of the NUI Galway degree in Biomedical Engineering
  
• Further information

What is Biomedical Engineering?

It's one of the youngest fields of engineering, in which traditional engineering expertise is blended with medical knowledge to analyse and solve problems in biology and medicine, providing an overall enhancement of healthcare. As such, biomedical engineers need to obtain a fundamental education in areas of both medicine and engineering. On this website you can read our newsletters for some examples of what biomedical engineers (including recent NUI Galway graduates) are doing. You'll also find full details of the Biomedical Engineering degree course.

What type of work does a Biomedical Engineer do?

The work of Biomedical Engineers includes a wide range of areas. The following are just a few:

Artificial organ design and development: artificial organs include the design of artificial hearts, lungs, kidneys, and livers; the design of organ components such as artificial heart valves and synthetic blood vessels. 

Orthopaedic biomechanics: includes the design of artificial joints (hips, knees, elbows, shoulders), and the analysis of human motion. 

Cardiovascular device design and development: Biomedical Engineers are involved in the design of blood pumps, oxygenators, surgical tools, catheters, etc. to facilitate the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Design of Materials (metals, ceramics, polymers) for use in the body: the human body rejects all foreign materials which enter it, and as such, a large portion of Biomedical Engineering entails developing and testing new materials for use in the body as artificial organs, orthopaedic implants, or surgical tools.

Rehabilitation medicine: includes the development of tools and procedures to improve the standard of living for people with physical impairments. 

What types of jobs are available to Biomedical Engineers? 

The West of Ireland has become the European capital for the healthcare and medical device industries, with several more companies located throughout Ireland. The majority of the companies in the healthcare and medical device industry are international, and as such, opportunities to work abroad are available. Biomedical Engineers will find that they work in interdisciplinary environments, and often have direct contact with physicians. Typical careers, and where they can be found, are shown below. 

Product Development:	companies/industry
Manufacturing:	companies/industry
Management/ Research:	companies/industry, universities, hospitals
Teaching:	universities, hospitals
Other:	physicians, lawyers  (requires additional education)

See the Employment page for some more information.

More information about Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical Engineering Society	Includes a useful introduction to the subject.
Biomedical Engineering Network	General site with many links.
Biomedical Engineering Society of Ireland	Overview of activities in this country.
The Whitaker Foundation	A wealth of information and links on biomedical engineering.
ASME Bionengineering	Biomedical division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Publications on state-of-the-art work and useful links.
Biomechanics Worldwide	Comprehensive directory for the specific field of biomechanics.

    

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