If you’re ready to get a job in one of the most in-demand fields in the country, it’s time to earn a biomedical engineering degree in Minnesota. Minnesota is home to two well-known universities with this program—one in Rochester and one in the Twin Cities. Both schools have Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. The average cost of tuition is $15,300 per year, although tuition rates tend to be higher for graduate students. Minnesota colleges have an average class size of 21 students, so there is plenty of room for healthy discussion in all of your classes.
Education is a cornerstone of biomedical engineering. You need a thorough education in three main fields: engineering, human biology, and the intersection of both fields. Plan on earning at least a Bachelor’s degree to start your career. This 120-credit degree will likely take you four to five years.
As an undergraduate student, you can look through the biomedical engineering curriculum to find out what you’re expected to know by the time you graduate. Some of the required courses you may take include Quantitative Physiology, Biomedical Microtechnology, Biosystems Simulation & Control, and Biomaterials.
If you attend the University of Minnesota, you may have the chance to conduct research into several different biomedical fields. The Biomedical Discovery District houses five buildings dedicated to biomedical research in fields like cardiovascular health, cancer, and MRIs.
On top of theory and research, you need to set aside time for your hands-on education. In your school’s engineering lab, you will learn how materials work on their own, in conjunction with other materials, and under different conditions.
It’s important to square away your financial aid and tuition well before you start your classes! The University of Minnesota is a very affordable school; tuition here is $6,030 per semester for residents and $9,155 per semester for non-residents. Tuition at the Mayo Graduate School is a bit harder to pin down, since many students have their education funded by the school or outside donors.
One of the benefits of living in Minnesota is the variety of engineering scholarships. You can apply for scholarships funded by the Minnesota Surveyors and Engineers Society, as well as scholarships offered by the Minnesota Society of Professional Engineers. You may also be able to win a $2,500 scholarship from the City Engineers Association of Minnesota.
After you graduate with a degree in biomedical engineering, there are only a few more steps you have to take to become a working engineer in Minnesota. You have to sit for the Principles & Practice of Engineering Exam, which is offered every April and October. This involves sending a completed application to the Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Land Architecture, Geoscience, and Interior Design. You must pay a $75 application fee and a $250 testing fee. Upon passing your exam, you receive your engineering license.
You can make sure that you stay on top of your field by continuing your education after you start your career. Attend regular continuing education classes and educational seminars to stay up-to-date on new biomedical technologies. You can be the first to learn about new educational opportunities by joining the Minnesota Society of Professional Engineers.