Bioengineers

Career summary

Bioengineers conduct research in many fields:

• In genetics, bioengineers try to detect, prevent, and treat genetic diseases.
• Sports medicine bioengineers develop devices for athletes who are recovering from injuries
• Industry bioengineers conduct research and create designs to improve products and technologies.

Bioengineers often work in product testing and safety to establish safety standards for medical devices.

Many bioengineers solve problems in medicine and health care. They develop products such as digital hearing aids, artificial heart valves, and pacemakers. They also design artificial joints, tissues, and organs.

Bioengineers use computers to model organs and internal systems. This allows them to see how the body would function with, or react to, a biomedical device. They use computers to perform research on new materials, devices, and procedures. Some bioengineers create computer simulations that allow doctors and medical students to practice specific surgical procedures. Others use computers to create robots that assist surgeons.

Some bioengineers design computer systems to monitor people in unusual environments. For example, some systems monitor astronauts in space. Other systems monitor underwater divers at great depths.

Bioengineers do similar work as biomedical engineers. The field of bioengineering is more diverse and includes work in areas outside of medicine such as genetics or food modification.

Bioengineers work with other scientists, doctors, and engineers. They interact with specialists in a wide range of fields outside engineering.

Related careers

This career is part of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Astronauts
• Biologists
• Biomedical Engineers
• Chemical Engineers
• Computer Engineers
• Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Materials Engineers
• Mechanical Engineers
• Medical Laboratory Technologists
• Medical Scientists
• Orthotic and Prosthetic Specialists
• Robotics Engineers
• Validation Engineers

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study to consider

• Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
• Bioinformatics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Biomedical Sciences, General
• Biophysics
• Biotechnology
• Chemical Engineering
• Genetics
• Interdisciplinary Studies
• Mechanical Engineering
• Pre-Engineering

Training

To work as a bioengineer, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete at least a bachelor's degree in bioengineering or a related field.

Education after high school

Most students earn a bachelor's degree in engineering with a specialization in bioengineering. As an undergraduate student in engineering you take courses in math, physics, chemistry, and biology. You also take courses in computer science and communications.

Some colleges offer undergraduate degrees in bioengineering. College degrees in bioengineering often emphasize particular aspects of the biomedical industries, such as prosthetic devices or medical instrumentation. Other programs emphasize bioengineering as a pre-med major. As an undergraduate student in bioengineering, you take courses in chemical, electrical, or mechanical engineering.

Many students earn their undergraduate degrees in a different engineering specialty and then move into bioengineering for a master's degree or doctorate. Many entry-level jobs in bioengineering require a graduate degree. Most graduate-level programs look for students who have a background in engineering or science. Typically, a graduate program will seek students with some mix of coursework in calculus, physics, chemistry, and biology. Students who want to advance into research, especially at a university, need a doctoral degree.

Work experience

You should consider participating in an internship with a bioengineering firm while in college. An internship is usually part of a four-year degree program. It offers you a chance to apply what you have learned in the classroom to a work situation. An internship also allows you to build skills and make contacts with people in the field.

On-the-job training

New graduates work under the guidance of experienced engineers. In large companies, you may also receive formal classroom training. You receive greater independence and work on more difficult tasks as you gain knowledge and experience. This phase of training typically lasts one year.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum  may be different from your state's graduation requirements .

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Algebra
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Applications
• Computer Science

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

• Bioengineering is a combination of biology and engineering.
• Bioengineers need excellent communication skills, both written and spoken.
• Almost a third of graduates obtaining a bachelor's in bioengineering go on to medical school. Another third go on to graduate school and the rest go straight into the workforce.
• Most bioengineering specialists work in manufacturing industries, such as pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical instrument development, and health care supply. Many others work for hospitals and government agencies, or as independent contractors or consultants.
• Through the next decade, experts predict that bioengineering positions will increase at nearly double the average rate for all other types of jobs. Much of this increase will be to replace current bioengineers who are expected to retire. However, some of this increase will be to fill new jobs.
• You generally need a doctoral degree in bioengineering to perform biological and medical research in educational and governmental research laboratories.

Licensing/certification

Engineers employed in responsible positions in government or in firms offering services to the public, or who stamp their work as being done by an engineer, must be licensed by the Washington State Department of Licensing.

Getting a license as an engineer-in-training requires:

• either senior standing at or an engineering degree from a school approved by the Accrediting Board for Engineering Technology (ABET), or four years of practice in engineering working under a licensed engineer, or a combination of education and work experience; and
• passing a written exam.

Professional engineer licensing requirements include:

• completion of the engineer-in-training requirements;
• four additional years of active practice in engineering working under a licensed engineer or a combination of work experience and education; and
• passing a written exam.

Licensing fees for engineers are $350 for the registration examination from the National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors, and $65 for the initial state exam application. The renewal fee is $116 every two years. Not all engineers must be licensed.

For information on testing, contact:

National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying 
PO Box 1686
Clemson, SC 29633-1686
800.250.3196

For licensing information, contact:

Washington State Department of Licensing
Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and
Land Surveyors Licensing Program 
PO Box 9025
Olympia, WA 98507-9025
360.664.1575

#2/19/20

Other resources

American Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) 
(This website provides a list of engineering-related programs accredited by ABET)
415 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410.347.7700

American Institute for Medical & Biological Engineering 
1400 I Street NW
Suite 235
Washington, DC 20006
202.496.9660

American Oil Chemists Society 
PO Box 17190
Urbana, IL 61803-7190
217.359.2344

American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers 
2950 Niles Road
St. Joseph, MI 49085
800.371.2723
269.429.0300

Bioinformatics Organization 

Bio-Link 

Biophysical Society 
5515 Security Lane, Suite 1110
Rockville, MD 20852
240.290.5600

Careers in Biotechnology 

Council for Agricultural Science and Technology 
4420 West Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50014
515.292.2125

Discover Engineering 

eGFI - Dream Up the Future 

Engineer Girl! 
National Academy of Engineering

Engineering Your Future 

Genetics Education Center (University of Kansas Medical Center) 

Institute of Biological Engineering 
446 East High Street, Suite 10
Lexington, KY 40507
859.977.7450

Life Science Washington 
188 East Blaine Street
Suite 150
Seattle, WA 98102
206.456.9567

National Academy of Engineering 
500 Fifth Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
202.334.3200

National Academy of Sciences Interviews 

National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering 

Parenteral Drug Association 
Bethesda Towers
4350 East West Highway, Suite 600
Bethesda, MD 20814

Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology 
3929 Old Lee Highway, Suite 92A
Fairfax, VA 22030-2421
703.691.3357

Society of Women Engineers 
130 East Randolph Street, Suite 3500
Chicago, IL 60601
877.793.4636

Technology Student Association 
1904 Association Drive
Reston, VA 20191-1540
888.860.9010

The American Physiological Society 
9650 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20814
301.634.7164

References

Career cluster

• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Career path

• Investigative (Science)

Strong Interest Inventory

• Engineer

Holland occupational cluster

• Investigative/Realistic/Enterprising