How To Become A Biomedical Engineer: Career Guide, Courses, Steps, Types, Abroad, Jobs, Scope, Salary

What does a Biomedical Engineer do?

Biomedical Engineers are responsible for creating and designing several types of devices, software, equipment and systems that are used in medical and healthcare services. Also they conduct research needed to solve clinical problems.

Some of the other duties of a Biomedical Engineer are given below: 

• They design various devices or equipment such as machines for diagnosing medical problems, artificial internal organs and replace body parts.
• Biomedical engineers provide technical support for biomedical equipment.
• They are also responsible for maintaining, repairing, installing and adjusting different Biomedical equipment.
• Evaluate the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of biomedical equipment
• They provide training to clinicians and other personnel on the proper use of biomedical equipment.

Types of Biomedical Engineers

There are a range of application roles and responsibilities for biomedical engineering products and services. Depending upon the work profiles and roles there are different types of Biomedical Engineers. Some of the most popular Biomedical Engineers work profiles are given below:

• Biomedical Equipment Technician: A Biomedical Equipment Technician is a person who is responsible for designing and developing instruments and equipment for patient diagnosis and care using electronic devices and computers. The devices created are cutting-edge and operate digitally.
• Biomaterial Professional: A Biomaterial Professional is a specialist who designs and develops instruments which can be implanted into the human body to treat or solve problems. It's a responsible job position because the system must be secure for the individual patient and structured with the right dimensions.
• Cellular, Tissue, and Genetic Engineers: Cellular, Tissue, and Genetic Engineers are the ones who specialise in studying cells and tissues at the microscopic level. They are responsible for dealing with medical issues that are difficult to solve. Also, they figure out what's wrong is going on at a cellular level and how to fix it.
• Orthopedic Bioengineers: An orthopaedic Bioengineer is a specialist who works on devices to deal with the patients who have issues with their muscles, joints, bones or ligaments. The devices they made are inserted into the human body to allow for versatile body movement. Also, they collaborate with an orthopaedic surgeon to solve a specific patient's problems.
• Clinical Biomedical Engineers: Clinical Biomedical Engineers are the ones who are in charge of implementing technology and making use of various techniques in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. They collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals to use medical equipment.

Steps to Become Biomedical Engineers

Some of the important steps need to follow in order to become a Biomedical Engineer are mentioned below:

• Decision Making: Early decision making is a very important step, aspirants seeking to become a Biomedical Engineer should decide early on whether or not they want to pursue a career in Biomedical Engineering. Since it is very concentrated work that requires full attention, candidates must decide whether or not they are prepared for such a challenging and overwhelming job.
• Subject Choices: A candidate should choose subjects related to Science and should pursue the 12th standard from the science stream having biology as the main subject which will be an advantage to them.
• Selecting Correct Colleges: If pursuing a bachelor’s to become an Biomedical Engineer, the candidate needs to select a college after doing a bit of research. Right selection of the college is an important step. 
• Entrance Exam: To get admission to Biomedical Courses, aspirants must have to appear and qualify for various entrance examinations conducted at a university or national level. Some of the popular entrances for admission to Biomedical Courses are JEE Mains, JEE Advance, VITEEE, BITSAT and so on.
• After Qualifying Exam: If an aspirant somehow manages to clear the entrance exam, then they need to appear for a personal interview round and counselling sessions organised by the respective college to test the knowledge and experience of the students in the concerned field.

Read About: How to prepare for VITEEE 

How to become a Biomedical Engineer in India

A candidate wishing to become a Biomedical Engineer in India, needs to start their preparation from the school level. Candidates should follow the steps which are mentioned below to prepare themselves to be a professional Biomedical Engineer.

School Level Preparation 

• Interested candidates need to start preparations at the school level.
• Aspirants wishing to make a career as a Biomedical Engineer must take up the Science stream (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology) in their 10+2 level. 
• Also, aspirants can take Biology as the main or optional subject in 10+2 which will be an advantage for students. 
• It is important for a candidate to understand mathematical and scientific principles. Candidates should clear the topics like advanced algebra, trigonometry, and pre-calculus.

How to Become a Biomedical Engineer after 12th?

After completing 10+2, aspirants can pursue various UG, PG courses in Biomedical Engineering in order to develop a career as a Biomedical Engineer. The preparation steps that need to be followed at various levels have been mentioned below for your convenience:

UG Level Preparation 

• Aspirants can pursue courses such as BTech Biomedical Engineering, BSc in Biomedical Engineering and other related courses after completing their 10+2. 
• They should research well-known science and engineering for colleges and universities and get admission.
• You will need to complete coursework in engineering, biology, chemistry, and physics, regardless of your college's programme. 
• Also, during their graduation aspirants can apply for various internships programs to enable students to gain valuable work experience in a real-world environment. 
• Aspirants wishing to pursue advanced level courses in this field should have to conduct research with a professor.

PG Level Preparation

• After completing your undergraduate degree, candidates have a variety of career opportunities and they can also pursue PG courses in the same field. 
• Aspirants can pursue courses like MTech in Biomedical Engineering, MSc in Biomedical Engineering and any other PG Diploma courses in the relevant field. 
• In PG courses students can choose specializations such as biomedical optics, neurosensory molecular biology and tissue engineering. 
• After PG courses in Biomedical Engineering aspirants can also opt for research or PhD courses to specialize in this field.
• A Master's degree or PhD in Biomedical Engineering can allow candidates to perform advanced research and teach at a college or university.

Also Read: PhD in Biomedical Engineering 

Biomedical Engineering Courses

Candidates who have decided to make their career in the field of Biomedical Engineering can pursue any undergraduate or postgraduate courses such as BTech in Biomedical Engineering, MTech in Biomedical Engineering, MS Biomedical Engineering and any other related courses. For these courses candidates need to qualify 10+2 on Science stream from a recognized Board. 

Apart from UG and PG courses aspirants can also pursue various Diploma courses like Diploma in Bioinstrumentation, Diploma in Imaging and other Doctoral courses offered in the field of Biomedical Engineering. 

Aspirants can pursue several undergraduate courses available in the field of Biomedical Engineering. The duration of the course can be 3-4 years. The objective of Biomedical Engineering UG courses is to provide students with both practical and theoretical knowledge of various techniques and medical fields in order to develop the healthcare industry. 

An applicant pursuing a bachelor's degree can choose from a variety of specialisations and sub-streams. With advancements in the medical sector, bachelor in Biomedical Engineering courses are becoming more common now. Some of the popular courses in this field are given below: 

BTech Biomedical Engineering

Bachelor of Technology in Biomedical Engineering or BTech in BME is a 4-year undergraduate course programme that focuses on integrating engineering activities into the medical field.

• The syllabus of course uses a combination of medical science and engineering which helps to link and understand the two fields.
• BTech in BME is a combination of engineering and medicine that imparts knowledge of various techniques and skills used in medical and healthcare. 
• Scientist, medical researcher, and content creator are some of the job positions associated with the courses.

Admission Process: The Admission Process for BTech Biomedical Engineering is,

• Candidates must have completed 10+2 in a Science stream from a recognised Board.
• Admission is given based on the entrance exam conducted at the National or University level.
• Some private colleges or universities grant admission based on the academic result of students in their 10+2.
• The most common engineering entrance exams in the country are JEE Main and JEE Advanced, which are mandatory for admission into primarily public universities. 
• Private institutes also conduct their own examinations or rely on the national/ state level entrance exams.

Eligibility Criteria: The eligibility requirements for BTech Biomedical Engineering courses are given below. It should be noted that the eligibility requirements for each institute will vary.

• In most colleges and universities, admission granted to BTech Biomedical Engineering courses is based on the scores obtained by the candidate in the entrance exam.
• Candidates must have completed 10+2 in a Science stream from a recognised Board or University to be eligible for this course.
• For some entrance exams, applicants need to have a minimum of 75% in their 10+2.
• JEE Main & Advanced and VITEEE are some of the most common entrance exams for BTech Biomedical Engineering admissions.

Read More About: BTech in Biomedical Engineering 

BE Biomedical Engineering

BE Biomedical Engineering a four-year undergraduate programme that focuses on coding for medical equipment. It deals with the use of engineering methods and principles for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in their medical practises. 

• BE Biomedical Engineering imparts knowledge of various applications of engineering principles and design concepts to medicine and biology for the purpose of providing healthcare (e.g., diagnostic or therapeutic). 
• BE Biomedical Engineering is concerned with a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic uses.

Admission Process: The Admission Process for BE Biomedical Engineering is,

• The Candidates wishing to apply for the Bachelor of engineering or BE Biomedical Engineering program must complete their 10+2 in Science stream from a recognized Board. 
• There are certain colleges where Entrance Exams are required such as JEE Mains, JEE Advanced, VITEEE etc.
• Candidates should match the eligibility requirements set by the respective college or University and apply for the admission. 
• They need to appear and qualify for the entrance exam conducted at the National level or University level such as JEE Mains. 
• After that they will be called for a Personal interview or documents verification by the college/ University to test their knowledge. 

Eligibility Criteria: The following are the requirements for admission to the Bachelor of Engineering or BE Biomedical Engineering programme:

• Candidates must have completed 10+2 with at least 55% marks in a Science stream from a recognised Board or University to be eligible for this course.
• Candidates need to appear in the entrance exam conducted by University or at a national level and qualify them with good scores. 

MS Biomedical Engineering

MS Biomedical Engineering is a 2-years master's degree course programme. This course is a combination of biology and engineering syllabus which provides a comprehensive understanding of the field.

• MS Biomedical Engineering imparts knowledge of various techniques and skills used in medical and healthcare.
• This course helps the students to understand various principles and design concepts used in medicine and biology for healthcare purposes. 

Eligibility Criteria: The Eligibility Criteria for pursuing MS Biomedical Engineering is,

• Candidates must have passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics as their main subjects.
• Candidates must have to complete a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering with a minimum of 50% mark from a recognised university 
• They must pass the entrance examinations such as GATE, JEE-MAIN, JEE Advanced, etc. conducted at a national level.
• Some colleges or universities conduct their own entrance exams to test the knowledge of students and grant admission.

Read More About: MS in Biomedical Engineering 

MTech in Biomedical Engineering

A Master of Technology in Biomedical Engineering or MTech BME is a 2-year full-time postgraduate course programme. MTech in Biomedical Engineering is the combination of engineering, biology, and technology with the aim of improving healthcare, human life, and medicine.

• MTech in Biomedical Engineering course is split into four semesters.
• This course provides in-depth knowledge about healthcare, medicine, human life, equipment engineering, etc. to the students. 

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates must have passed 10+2 in a Science stream having Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology (PCMB) as the core subjects from a recognised Board.
• Candidates must have completed a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering or equivalent from a recognised university with a minimum aggregate of 50% and above. 
• They must pass the entrance examinations such as GATE, IPU CET, GUJARAT PGCET, etc. conducted at a national or state level.
• Some colleges or universities conduct their own entrance exams to test the knowledge of students and grant admission.

Check out: MTech Biomedical Engineering Top colleges  

Diploma in Biomedical Engineering

Candidates can opt various Diploma Courses related to the field of Biomedical Engineering. Following are the Diploma courses offered in this field: 

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Diploma in Bioinstrumentation

A Diploma in Biomedical Instrumentation is a Bioinformatics course programme which is offered at the Diploma level. 

• Diploma in Biomedical Instrumentation helps the students to understand and learn the use of electronic technology in the medical sectors such as tracking systems, affects health care providers and patients.
• Biomedical Instrumentation trains the students for repairing and servicing various applications and electronic equipment used in medical or healthcare facilities. 

Admission Process: The admission procedure to Diploma in BioInstrumentation is completely based on a merit based system, in which admission will be given based on the marks obtained by the student in their 10+2 qualifying exam.

Eligibility Criteria: The eligibility criteria is as follows,

• As per the prescribed eligibility criteria, students who have completed their 12th or equivalent with can apply for this course.
• Candidates must have passed 10+2 in Science with at least 50% marks from a recognized Board. 

Diploma in Medical Imaging

The Diploma in Medical Imaging is a 2-year undergraduate programme. This Diploma course students with a comprehensive understanding of biophysical and health sciences, as well as hands-on experience with radio imaging equipment and procedures. 

• Diploma in Medical Imaging course covers the theoretical studies and clinical experience needed to become a Radiology technician.
• This course helps the students to be capable of performing diagnostic imaging tests on patients such as X-Rays, CT scans, and MRI scans.

Admission Process: The admission process for Diploma in Medical Imaging Technology is entirely a merit based system based upon the marks scored by the candidates in their 10+2 qualifying exam.

Eligibility Criteria: The eligibility criteria for pursuing  Diploma in Medical Imaging is as follows,

• Candidates should have passed 10+2 in Science in Science stream from a recognized Board. 
• Candidates must have scored a minimum of 40% marks in their 10+2 qualifying exam from any stream.

Also read: BSc in Medical Imaging

MSc Biomedical Science

A Master of Science in Biomedical Science or MSc BME is a 2-year post-graduate course programme. This course provides both theoretical knowledge and practical experience to the students. It also helps the students to learn sample study, diagnosis, and treatment.

Admission Process

• The admission to MSc Biomedical Science course is based on the merit based system that is the scores secured by a candidate in 10+2. 
• Some Institutes grant admission based on the entrance examination conducted by institutes like Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai.
• After the declaration of result and clearing the cut off, students are called for counselling on the basis of the merit list.

Eligibility Criteria

• Aspirants must have completed a Bachelor's degree like BSc in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or in any other related discipline.
• Candidates should pass undergraduate courses with a minimum aggregate score of 55% from a UGC approved college. 
• Some colleges or universities have set an age limit for the admission to this course.

Read More About: BSc in Biomedical Science 

How to Become a Biomedical Engineer Abroad?

Biomedical Engineering is a common study abroad programme for Indian students. Candidates can pursue various courses related to this field in countries like Australia, USA, Canada, Lebanon. Candidates wishing to work and study Abroad can pursue Biomedical Engineering courses from recognized foreign universities.

Candidates prefer to study from foreign universities because of better infrastructure, research facilities as well as employment opportunities. The candidates must keep the following things in mind before applying to foreign colleges.

College Ranking

• The candidates are required to do thorough research on the college rankings from various agencies such as QS world ranking, US News, etc. 
• The candidates are required to consider the various expenses (Tuition fees and Living Expenses) before they take up any course from a foreign College.

Educational Requirements 

• The educational requirements for admission to the different colleges and universities are done based on cutoff scores released by the concerned universities. 
• The institutes may also use various entrance exams for admission to the various courses. 
• Apart from the educational requirements, the candidates are required to submit proof of their English proficiency tests to gain admission. 
• Some of the popular English proficiency tests are TOEFL, IELTS or PTE. 

Read About: How to prepare for IELTS 

Other Documents

• The candidates are required to submit various documents such as mark sheets, Letter(s) of recommendations, Statement of Purpose, health insurance and Bank statement to take up admission in foreign universities.

How to become Biomedical Engineer USA

• Students must submit their 10+2 qualifying exam results with at least 75% marks from a recognized Board. 
• Students applying for Postgraduate courses must have a Bachelor's degree in the relevant field from a recognized University. 
• Candidates can pursue courses in Biomedical Engineering such as MS in Biomedical Engineering, MD in Biomedical Engineering, MEng Bioengineering, Masters in Biomedical Engineering, etc.
• The average for pursuing various courses in this field in the USA is INR 40,00,000.

Top Colleges

Check: How to qualify TOEFL

How to become Biomedical Engineer UK

• Aspirants must submit their 10+2 qualifying exam results with at least 80% marks from a recognized Board. 
• For PG courses aspirants have a Bachelor's degree in the relevant field from a recognized University. 
• In the UK, a master's degree in biomedical engineering is taught in a fantastic clinical environment that allows students to gain a greater understanding of their positions
• Candidates can pursue courses in Biomedical Engineering such as MSc Biomedical Engineering, MEng Bioengineering, Masters in Biomedical Engineering, etc.
• The average for pursuing various courses is INR 16,00,000 and it can vary depending on where the universities are located and the type of courses. 

Top Colleges

How to become Biomedical Engineer Germany

• Germany is one of the best places in the world to study biomedical engineering. 
• Biomedical Engineering or BME courses in Germany have both practical experience and a broad context of knowledge. 
• Students are given education loans to help them further their education in this country.
• Candidates can pursue courses in Biomedical Engineering such as PhD Biomedicine and Bioengineering, BSc in Biomedical Engineering, etc.
• The average for pursuing various courses in this field in Germany is INR 25,000.

Top Colleges

Benefits of becoming a Biomedical Engineer

The job of an Biomedical Engineer undoubtedly has certain advantages that entice applicants to apply for the position. For your convenience, these benefits are outlined below:

• High Salary: Candidates hired as Biomedical Engineers are initially given an annual pay of about INR 3,00,000 to INR 5,00,000 per year. With an increase in work experience and skills, this salary tends to increase even more.
• Job Security: The job of a Biomedical Engineer is in the hospital, clinics, research centers, etc. They may find employment as Biomedical Equipment Technician, Biomaterials Specialist, Biomechanics Engineer, etc. Working anywhere in the world, they would surely have job security as Biomedical Engineer.
• Unique Experience: While studying and working in their respective career as a Biomedical Engineer, the students may gain a unique experience of working in research centres, hospitals, clinics and get practical knowledge of the field.

Skills Required to become Biomedical Engineer

The various skills required in becoming a Biomedical Engineer are been mentioned below:

Biomedical Engineering Scope

Career as a Biomedical Engineer lands you with highly paid and lucrative job opportunities. Graduates in this field can find employment in private as well as public sectors. They can work in hospitals, clinics, defence, research centers and a lot more.

Biomedical Engineering Companies: Candidates post completing Biomedical Engineering can find employment in various private as well as government companies. Some of the top recruiters that hired graduates in the field of Biomedical Engineering are given below:

Salary of a Biomedical Engineer: After completing graduation in this field candidates can get an average starting salary of INR 3,00,000 to INR 5,00,000. According to Zippia, the average annual salary received by an entry-level Biomedical Engineer in India is INR 3,67,000 which increases with experience and skills. 

Biomedical Engineer Jobs: Candidates after completing courses in the field of Biomedical Engineering or any other related courses in this field can find highly paid in public as well as government sectors. They can work in research centers, hospitals, clinics and several other areas. They can get jobs in these sectors according to their specializations. 

Some of the best and popular Job Profiles in Biomedical Engineering field are given below: 

Check out: Jobs After completing Biomedical Engineering 

Average Salary of Biomedical Engineer in India

In India, the average salary of a Biomedical Engineer according to Payscale is INR 3,67,098 per annum. The salary depending on various aspects like experience, gender, etc are given below: 

Job Profiles & Salary

Experience Wise Salary

After Becoming a Biomedical Engineer

Post completing the bachelor's degree, students can either choose to start their professional career or can also choose to study further in the relevant fields. Some of the top measures taken post completion of the course are mentioned below: 

• Higher Education: Candidates after completing undergraduate degree in the field of Biomedical Engineering are eligible to go for higher education and to pursue courses in the same field. Aspirants can opt for a masters or doctorate degree in the same field or any related field for further gaining knowledge and experience about Biomedical Engineering.
• Start Working: A career in the field of Biomedical Engineering provides the students with admirable employment opportunities both in India as well as abroad. Biomedical Engineers are in high demand in today’s market. 

At the successful completion of all the necessary degrees and studies about Biomedical Engineering, one may find lucrative employment opportunities such as Clinical Biomedical Engineers, Biomaterial Professional, Orthopaedic Bioengineers, Clinical Biomedical Engineer, Cellular, Tissue, and Genetic Engineer and many more.