If you’re interested in starting a career in the dynamic field of biomedical engineering, you can start by earning a degree from one of eight Florida schools, dispersed evenly throughout the state. All of these schools offer Bachelor’s degrees and Master’s degrees in biomedical engineering. There are many different tuition rates in the state, but the overall average cost of tuition is $13,400 per year. The average class in Florida has 22 students, which is large enough to give you the opportunity to interact with many different types of people in each class.
The field of biomedical technology has changed drastically over just the last decade, so it’s clear why education is at the core of this career. Before you can begin a career, you need to earn a Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in the field. A Bachelor’s degree is comprised of 120 credits, which may take you about four years of full-time study.
You may want to look over the curriculum at your school to see exactly what you’ll be learning. Required courses and course names vary slightly between schools, but most schools require the same types of courses. You may take classes like Biology & Biotechnology, Transport in Biological Systems, Biomechanics, and Biosystems Simulation & Control.
Throughout your program, you will likely get many chances to work with your peers. You may spend the most time with classmates in the engineering lab, where you can work on high-level engineering projects that teach you how different materials work together.
Research is just as important as lab time, and participating in research as a Bachelor’s degree student can give you a leg up if you decide to earn a Master’s degree. At Florida State University, you can work on research as a junior or senior.
Tuition and financial aid both play a big role in most school decisions, since no one wants to take out huge student loans! Tuition rates vary across the state. The University of Florida has one of the lowest tuition rates in the state. You pay just $6,270 per semester. At the University of Miami, tuition is considerably more expensive. You can plan on paying $20,790 per semester.
Florida is home to many engineering scholarships, including school-specific and statewide scholarships. At Florida Atlantic University, for example, you can apply for the Engineering Scholars Program. The Florida Engineering Society awards up to $30,000 in scholarships each academic year.
Before you can officially work as an engineer in Florida, you have to get your license from the Florida Board of Professional Engineers. When you send in your application, be sure to send in a $230 check to cover your application and examination fees. The Professional Engineer exam is offered two times per year; once you pass the exam, you can become a licensed engineer.
Your education doesn’t stop after you get your degree. In fact, ongoing education is an essential component of biomedical engineering. You may want to consider joining the Florida Engineering Society. In addition to regular legislative updates, you can attend conferences and continuing education courses.