If you are naturally skilled in math and science, you can harness your skills and turn them into a career in biomedical engineering. This field requires a strong grasp of human biology and engineering. There are two schools in Nevada that offer this degree. They are in Nevada’s largest cities, Reno and Las Vegas. You can earn a Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree at both of these colleges. The average cost of tuition is $4,200 per semester, making Nevada one of the most affordable states for students. These two schools have an average class size of 24 students.
If you want a thriving career in biomedical engineering, you need to start by earning a Bachelor’s degree. A Bachelor’s degree is composed of 120 credits in general education classes, human biology courses, and engineering courses. You can plan on spending four to five years in school earning this degree.
Your curriculum will depend on which school you attend, but most colleges require many of the same courses. Some of the classes you may take include Biomedical Image Processing, Transport in Biological Systems, Biosystems Simulation & Control, and Quantitative Physiology.
Some programs require you to spend most of your time in the lecture hall, but biomedical engineering is not one of those programs. Your time will likely be split between the lecture hall and the engineering lab. You can plan on working closely with peers and professors to learn about how each material works.
Many schools will also require you to conduct research. At the University of Nevada-Reno, you can work on a dissertation or thesis with a faculty member that is most closely aligned with your career goals.
One of the most important ways you can prepare for your education is figuring out your tuition and financial aid situation. Tuition rates are very similar at both Nevada schools. At the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, tuition is $191.50 per credit for residents and $402.25 per credit for non-residents. At the University of Nevada-Reno, tuition is $196.50 per credit for residents and $6,955 per semester for non-residents.
As soon as you get accepted into your engineering program, you can begin applying for school-specific and statewide scholarships. At the University of Nevada-Reno, you can apply for multiple engineering scholarships at once. The Nevada Society of Professional Engineers also awards scholarships to local engineering students.
Before you can begin your career as a biomedical engineer, you need to get your license from the Nevada State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. The first step is paying a $200 application fee and submitting a completed exam application. At this point, you can take the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam. You receive your engineering license after you pass the exam.
There are two main things you need to focus on as an engineer: professional development and continuing education. You can work on both of these objectives by joining the Nevada Society of Professional Engineers. They have educational programs that can help you stay up-to-date on changes in the field. You can also attend networking events and members-only meetings.