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January 29, 2003
A: FROM MENTOR MAYLING WONG
IN IL
Katie - There are many facets to biomedical technology. For
instance, I
studied the mechanics of replacement knees in graduate school
as part of
my mechanical engineering degree. But within biomedical technology
are
many interesting topics: material science (friendly to the
body and long
lasting), electrical engineering (pacemakers for the heart),
systems
engineering (using an artifical arm in the same way as a real
arm in terms
of the brain signals and nerves), and medicine (working from
a physician's
standpoint in orthopedics). There are, of course, many more
areas.
Regarding college courses, I would suggest deciding if you
are interested
in the engineering side of things or the medicine side of
things. If
engineering, then you will take the same core classes as other
engineers.
If medicine, then you will take are more biology-oriented
way. Since I
graduated from Case Western Reserve University, I know they
have a very
informative website (http://www.case.cwru.edu/departments/).
While you
may not be interested in that school, it may help you form
questions to
ask in the schools that you are interested in. Best of luck!
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A: FROM MENTOR DEB MACKAY IN
KY
Katie,
Biomedical Technology, what a great field to consider!
Have you considered studying Biomedical Engineering? These
programs can
focus on bio-materials and artificial organs, instrumentation
(CAT scan,
NMR, other equpment used in hospitals), or other aspects of
biomedical
technology. Check out the programs at some schools that interest
you.
Consider USC, UC Davis (new program), UC San Diego (bioengineering),
and
University of Northern California, in your home state. Other
possibilities
include Duke (my alma mater, where I majored in Biomedical
Engineering),
Johns Hopkins, MIT. There are many more engineering schools
with
undergraduate programs than I have mentioned.
The degree will include classes in physics, chemistry, biology,
math, and
engineering subjects such as mechanics, material science,
instrumentation
and electronics. An undergraduate degree takes 4 or sometimes
5 years.
Some people go on to Medical school, others work for another
2 years on a
Master's degree before going to work.
I'd be happy to discuss my experience further, although I
am not working in
the biotechnology field and I graduated from college before
you were
probably born! (That's hard to admit.)
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