How would you like to help people live longer and better lives while working for some of the biggest companies in the United States? You can tackle both of these goals by earning a degree in biomedical engineering. Tennessee is home to three schools with biomedical engineering programs, and all three schools have Bachelor’s degree programs and Master’s degree programs. The average cost of tuition in Tennessee is $10,900 per year, which is much lower than rates in many other states. Another benefit of studying in Tennessee is the small average class size of 13 students.
In order to become a biomedical engineer that practices ethically and contributes to the field, you need a comprehensive education in many different subjects. It all starts with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited Tennessee school. This degree takes four years of full-time study, during which time you’ll earn 120 credits.
Required classes span the fields of human biology, engineering, and biomedical principles. Some of the courses you may be required to take include Medical Imaging, Biomedical Nanotechnology, Quantitative Physiology, and Biomedical Design.
You will build on your theoretical understanding of biomedical engineering by taking lab and research courses. These courses may take up as much as 50% of your time, which indicates how important they are! Your future career will likely require you to conduct research or work in a lab, so it’s important to work hard in these classes.
Some schools have special minor offerings or certificates that you can earn in addition to your biomedical engineering degree. Vanderbilt University, for example, allows you to earn a Certificate in Molecular Medicine.
Tennessee has many different tuition rates, thanks to the mix of public and private colleges in the state. The University of Memphis is one of the least-expensive schools in the state. Tuition is $4,333 per semester for residents and $12,058 per semester for non-residents. Vanderbilt University may be the most expensive school in the state, with an annual tuition rate of $41,928.
You can apply for a variety of school-specific and statewide scholarships to partially or completely pay for school. The American Council of Engineering Companies Tennessee Chapter awards two $1,000 scholarships each year. You can also apply for scholarships offered by the Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers.
Tennessee has strict licensing requirements for engineers, and you must meet these requirements before you can begin working. First, you have to submit your application with a $30 check to the Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners. You can then take the Professional Engineer exam. If you pass this exam, you can get your license from the Board.
Joining a local engineering organization like the Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers has numerous benefits. One of the biggest benefits is early access to continuing education events. Since this field is always changing, continuing education is your key to success. As a member, you can also access an exclusive job board and network with other biomedical engineers.