Bio-Medical Engineering

The life sciences have presented exciting challenges and opportunities for chemical engineers.  Possible career paths are in the biotechnical industry, in biomedical engineering, and in medicine.

The biotechnical industry uses living cells and materials produced by cells, and biological techniques developed through research, to create products for use in other industries.  Work in the field of biotechnology has produced antibiotics, insulin, interferon, artificial organs, recombinant DNA, techniques for waste reduction and recycling, and hybrid plants that are insect resistant.  Chemical engineers in the biotechnology industry develop and design the processes to grow, handle, and harvest living organisms and their by-products.1

Biomedical engineers work alongside physicians to develop systems that track critical chemical processes in the body.  Biomedical specialists may be involved in the design of artificial organs, such as hearts, lungs, kidney, or skin.2

It is not uncommon for chemical engineers to go on to a successful career in medicine.  The rigor of the undergraduate curriculum gives students the discipline necessary to succeed in medical school and a demanding internship and residency.  The broad foundation of the chemical engineering degree coupled with the biological sciences required in the biomedical option is a natural spring board for successfully applying to medical school.
 
 

Bio-Medical Option

Students in the B.S.Ch.E. program can choose the Biomedical Option.  This option provides a background in biology for students interested in medical school, pharmacy school, or the biotech industry.  Please contact an undergraduate advisor for details.  Engineers are usually very successful in medical school and have one of the highest acceptance rates into medical school of all majors.

Admission to Medical School

Students interested in applying to medical school following completion of the Biomedical Option should consult their Chemical Engineering Advisor and the UNR Pre-Professional Advisor early in their program to discuss the details of medical school preparation and admission.  In addition to the courses required for the Biomedical Option, such students must take at least 3 credits of upper-division biology, and they must earn a high score on the Medical College Aptitude Test (MCAT).  Applicants to UNR's School of Medicine also must complete 6 credits of Behavioral Sciences courses that deal with the psychological stages of the life cycle.

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