Biomedical engineering is a branch of the engineering profession that combines engineering principles with medical applications. Biomedical engineers design medical devices, prosthetic limbs, replacement joints, and other components that have significantly improved the lives of many people. Biomedical engineers also design wheelchairs and other assistive devices to provide people with disabilities freedom of movement.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomedical_engineering

Biomedical engineering is a natural extension of the medical field, where engineers create products that help doctors and other health care providers treat their patients. Examples of well known biomedical engineering projects are the artificial heart, the pacemaker, imaging systems such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and implants such as the artificial hip.

People who are interested in becoming biomedical engineers usually have an interest in engineering design, but want to put that skill to use helping people. Biomedical engineering is rewarding in this way, because the benefits of the innovations can be directly seen when they are used by a doctor or patient. Also, because of the significant regulatory issues associated with any product used with humans and medicines, biomedical engineers have an in-depth understanding of relevant rules and regulations, and know how different materials can be used in the body.

Biomedical engineers often have a background in mechanical engineering, particularly in mechanical design or materials, but can also come from the chemical engineering or biology fields. Biomedical engineers may also have some biology background, including anatomy and physiology, depending on the type of work that they do.

Entry-level biomedical engineers will often be part of a project team and will be assigned specific engineering tasks that match their skills. This could include research, basic design, fabrication, and testing. As the engineer gains experience, he will begin to manage teams of support personnel, guide projects, and perform higher level design tasks. Engineering managers will write design proposals and reports and manage large teams of support personnel.http://www.bmecareeralliance.org/index.cfm?nodeid=1