Welcome to Biomedical Engineering!

Biomedical Engineering in Society

As one of the newer fields of engineering, the term “Biomedical Engineering” can imply different things to different people. Some wonder if Biomedical Engineering includes things like surgical tools, heart valves, prosthetic devices, engineered tissue, drug delivery systems, diagnostic devices and sensors, medical imaging systems, and development of new materials for medical applications. The answer is - yes! - biomedical engineering includes these fields of study, and many more! 

The benefits of biomedical engineering to society are myriad, allowing patients to extend the quality of their life (and in some cases, the length of their life). Medical devices and interventions like prosthetics, artificial heart valves, and engineered tissue can restore function to patients, improving their enjoyment of activities and their overall mental and physical health. Innovations in medical imaging systems and diagnostic devices allow ever-earlier detection of disease states in patients. Combining earlier detection of disease with innovations in drug- and drug-delivery development also allows for the extension of patients’ lifetimes. 

Job Outlook in Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical engineers study traditional engineering disciplines such as solid and fluid mechanics, material science, and electrical circuit analysis, applied to problems in biomedicine. In addition, they gain knowledge in the process of medical device design and testing and the process of FDA authorization of medical devices. As a result of this cross-functional training, biomedical engineers are uniquely equipped to communicate with many different personnel in organizations, filling a vital role in connecting teams such as R&D, manufacturing, quality systems, and even marketing and sales, to bring a safe and effective,  FDA-compliant products to the market. Graduates from our Biomedical Engineering program pursue careers in research, quality systems, and manufacturing as well as continuing their education in M.S., Ph.D., and M.D. programs.

Student Clubs

The Biomedical Engineering Society chapter at SJSU is highly active and has won numerous awards. There is a great spirit of collegiality among students in our department, fostered in part by this strong student organization. The chapter hosts numerous professional and social events throughout the year, including resume reviews, networking opportunities, trips to the national BMES conference, as well as events like hiking, game nights, and bowling. BMES student members also enjoy access to a BMES club room, equipped with a microwave and fridge, couches for relaxing between classes, whiteboards and tables for homework and group project work. The chapter’s efforts culminate in a yearly Bay Area Biomedical Device Conference, planned and run entirely by the students of the SJSU BMES chapter. 

Aside from the BMES student chapter, many BME students participate in other engineering organizations such as BMEIdea, the Black Alliance of Scientists and Engineers (BASE), the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), the Mesa Engineering Program (MEP), and others. Outside of the College of Engineering are hundreds of student organizations to explore. 

Contact

Please feel free to contact our department chair, Dr. Alessandro Bellofiore (alessandro.bellofiore@sjsu.edu) for general questions and information about the program. You may also contact Dr. Melinda Simon (melinda.simon@sjsu.edu), the author of this document, with questions about this roadmap or about the program in general.

Finally, we encourage undergraduate students to get involved in research. Please visit our website to learn more about the research interests of faculty in our department and don’t be afraid to reach out to them directly to learn more about research opportunities with them.