| As baby boomers age, there has been an increased | | | | community has a better understanding of how |
| demand for new medical procedures and equipment. | | | | certain organs and musculoskeletal systems function. |
| As a result, biomedical engineering, a field that | | | | According to the U.S. Department of Labor, |
| combines medicine with engineering and biology, is | | | | biomedical engineering is expected to grow faster |
| expected to grow in the next decade and beyond. | | | | than the average for all occupations through 2014. |
| With an insight into both medical and engineering | | | | While a bachelor's in engineering is required, a |
| fields, biomedical engineers work effectively in | | | | graduate degree in engineering is also recommended |
| hospitals, research facilities, academia, government | | | | for most entry-level bioengineering jobs. Many |
| regulatory agencies or as consultants. | | | | universities offer accredited engineering graduate |
| Biomechanics, which applies biomechanical engineering | | | | programs. |
| to biological or medical problems, utilizes scientific | | | | Professional organizations, such as the American |
| principles to produce new ways of keeping the body | | | | Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), can help |
| functional and healthy. These include the creation of | | | | students interested in pursuing biotechnology careers. |
| synthetic organs and joints, as well as machines that | | | | ASME promotes the interests of its members and |
| control body functions, imaging systems like X-ray | | | | keeps them informed of industry developments. |
| and ultrasound, and the laser systems used in | | | | Additionally, networking opportunities offered by the |
| corrective eye surgery. | | | | organization can help students find jobs and get on |
| As a result of these advances, the medical | | | | the right career track. |