Biomedical Engineering applies knowledge and approaches from Engineering to Medicine and Biology to contribute to medicine and human health. The major in Biomedical Engineering develops the ability to apply innovative solutions to health problems with an interdisciplinary approach. In addition, it allows them to articulate their knowledge to perform in various projects, thus being able to approach and solve problems of high complexity through the formulation and application of mathematical models. This major has a limited number of vacancies (24 students) so you must participate in a selection process. The major in Biomedical Engineering allows to articulate with the traditional titles of the School of Engineering UC, or to obtain the title of Surgeon UC, which considers 5 vacancies per year of admission.
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Career Resources
Students can choose the following alternatives upon graduation from the Major:
- Perform a professional degree of Civil Engineer UC: the related qualifications are Civil Engineer or Mechanical Engineer and Civil Engineer of the Industries with Diploma in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering.
- Perform a professional degree in Medicine through the Premedicine track of the Major (previous acceptance in the program).
- Perform a professional title of Civil Engineer UC plus the Master in Engineering Sciences, Master in Engineering or the PhD in Engineering Sciences UC. Requires application to the graduate program.
- Perform a Master or PhD in Biological and Medical Engineering. Requires application to the graduate program
- Perform a graduate degree (master's or PhD) at UC or another institution. Requires application to the graduate program.
- Entrepreneurship or early employment.
FAQ
What is the labor field?
There are opportunities in
- Medical diagnostic, monitoring and therapy equipment companies
- Biomedical technology companies
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Biotechnology companies
- Clinical engineering departments of hospitals
- Universities and research institutes
- Agencies and companies for health technology assessment and transfer
- Own entrepreneurship - innovation and development
- Start-ups in general
What are the research areas of the Institute of Biological and Medical Engineering?
The Institute of Biological and Medical Engineering is an interdisciplinary academic unit of the Catholic University that conducts research, teaching and extension at the intersection of technology, health and science. It belongs simultaneously to the faculties of Engineering, Medicine and Biological Sciences. It is formed by academics and students of diverse experiences and professional training. The Institute seeks, on the one hand, to apply the principles of engineering and the design concept in engineering to various fields of medicine and biology; and on the other, to use cells, living organisms and the principles of biology to solve specific problems of engineering, medicine and other disciplines. The ultimate goal is to develop biomedical engineering, biological engineering and biotechnology to benefit society. Within the research areas are biomedical images, biomaterials, biomechanics and bioengineering, among others.
What is the difference between biomedical engineering and biochemistry?
The difference between the research carried out by a biomedical engineer or a biochemist is that as an engineer there are more quantitative tools (mathematics, biophysics) to develop research. In any case, the research projects may or may not be very different, depending on the researcher. It is very common to find biomedical engineers working in teams with biochemists, since they are highly complementary scientific specialties.
What is the difference between biomedical engineering and biological engineering?
The Major in Biomedical Engineering focuses on applications for human health using engineering as the main tool, while in the case of the Major in Biological Engineering, it focuses on the use of biology (mainly cellular) as a tool for different applications, including those of a medical nature. , engineering, processes, among others. There is an intersection between both programs.
When is the major chosen?
Students enter the race through the common engineering plan. The common plan consists of basic science courses (mathematics, physics, chemistry) and transversal tools needed by each independent engineer in their specialty. It is suggested to take the exploratory course in the third semester, when the student applies and declares his / her best. In the fourth semester the first course of the major is requested and the common plan ends.
What is the process to enter the major? Which are the date?
The Major in Biomedical Engineering has a limited number of vacancies per year of admission (24 students) so you must participate in a selection process. The specific dates are communicated annually by the Undergraduate Office of the UC Engineering School.
What is the process to articulate with medicine? Am I going to be a doctor later?
The Major in Biomedical Engineering offers two different ways to reach the professional title:
- If a student follows the General Track, he finishes his first cycle obtaining the Bachelor of Science in Engineering, being able to subsequently continue with one of the traditional degrees offered by the School of Engineering.
- If a student chooses the Track of Premedicine, which considers 5 vacancies per year of admission, after his acceptance and fulfilling the necessary requirements, he finishes his first cycle obtaining the Degree in Engineering Sciences, continuing his studies in Medicine. After completing the corresponding courses, he obtains the UC Surgeon Degree. The Track of Premedicine does not give right to continue a professional title in Engineering.
Can I get a professional degree in Biomedical Civil Engineering?
No, the professional title of Biomedical Civil Engineer does not currently exist. After completing their degree, students can opt for the following alternatives:
- Continuity to a professional title of Civil Engineer UC: the related qualifications are Civil Engineer or Mechanical Engineer and Civil Engineer of the Industries with Diploma in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering.
- Continuity to the title Surgeon UC in combination with the Premedicine Track (previous acceptance in the program).
- Continuity to the professional title of Civil Engineer UC and Articulation to the Master in Engineering Sciences, Master in Engineering or the Doctorate in Engineering Sciences UC. Requires application to the Postgraduate program.
- Perform a higher academic degree of postgraduate (master's or doctorate) UC or another institution. Requires application to the Postgraduate program.
- Output to the labor market: Entrepreneurship or early employment.
What is the professional title of Engineering that has better continuity?
The titles most akin to the Major in Biomedical Engineering, Track General, are Civil Engineer or Mechanical Engineer, and Civil Engineer of the Industries with Diploma in Mechanical Engineering.