Medical technology is one of the most in-demand industries in the country, and you can become part of it by earning a degree in biomedical engineering. Michigan can be a great state for prospective engineers—there are five schools that have this degree program. Four schools are in the Lower Peninsula and one school is in the Upper Peninsula. The average cost of tuition in Michigan is $16,600 per year. One of the big benefits of attending school in Michigan is the small average class size—the average class in a Michigan college has just 13 students.6
Biomedical engineering is a demanding field that requires a thorough education in the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of disease. This is why you need at least a Bachelor’s degree to start your career in this field. You should plan on completing 120 or more credits over the course of four to five years.
Your school will require you to take a variety of courses in physiology and engineering to help you get all the knowledge you need. Some of the courses you may take include Bioimaging & Biosensing, Biomedical Image Processing, Biomedical Design, and Quantitative Physiology.
Throughout the course of your degree program, you’ll take many blended and lab-only courses. Blended courses require you to spend some of your time in the lab and some of your time in the lecture hall. Lab courses will give you real, hands-on experience with the engineering materials that you’ll use throughout your career.
Many biomedical jobs require you to work in a research capacity, so conducting research as an undergraduate student can really help you with your career goals. At the University of Michigan, you can work on exciting research projects that are creating the next wave of technological advances.
In general, Michigan is one of the more inexpensive states to attend school in. However, it’s still important to evaluate each school’s tuition and financial aid options before selecting a school. One of the most affordable schools in Michigan is Wayne State University, where tuition is $4,890 per semester for residents and $11,200 per semester for non-residents. Kettering University is considerably more expensive, at $17,800 per semester for residents and non-residents.
You can begin applying for scholarships as soon as you are accepted to a school. This can help you save money on your overall tuition costs. The Michigan Society of Professional Engineers funds scholarships for dedicated students. The Gloria Wille Bell & Carlos R. Bell Scholarship is one of the largest scholarships in the state; it is worth up to $40,000.
Before you can work even one day as a professional engineer, you have to pass the Principles & Practice of Engineering exam and get your license from the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. You can submit your $35 application fee, pay your $40 licensing fee, and then sit for the exam. Once you pass the rigorous PE exam, you get your license.
One of the most important parts of your career is your ongoing education. Consider joining a local group like the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers. This local group offers ongoing education courses and seminars, legislative updates, and networking events that can help you find jobs.