Biological engineering and biomedical engineering are two exciting areas of engineering that offer rewarding career opportunities where you can make a difference across a range of industries. The two fields overlap and you might be curious to know the difference between them. The short answer: biological engineering is broader in scope, with biomedical engineering often considered a specialized branch of biological engineering. For more detail, please read on to explore the similarities and differences between the two areas.
Biological engineering focuses on biological systems
Biological engineering, also known as bioengineering, is a rapidly advancing field that discovers and develops technologies based on the principles of biology and the physical sciences. This engineering discipline integrates knowledge from molecular biology, genetics, medicine, and chemical engineering to develop new approaches that enhance how we use biology in the world.
Biological engineers might work on projects such as creating sustainable agricultural practices, developing new medicines or vaccines, engineering microorganisms for biofuel production, developing diagnostics based on gene signatures of a disease, or producing biocompatible materials for various applications.
Biomedical engineering specializes in health-care and medical applications
In many ways, biomedical engineering is a subfield of bioengineering, although it has evolved into a distinct discipline. Biomedical engineers apply bioengineering principles and design concepts specifically to medicine and health care. People working in this field aim to improve human health by developing technologies and devices that can diagnose, treat and monitor medical conditions.
Biomedical engineers work on projects such as designing prosthetics, developing medical imaging systems, creating wearable health monitors, and improving surgical tools. Their work is usually directly related to clinical settings and patient care, areas where you can also find many bioengineers.
Education paths
From an education perspective, biological engineers typically pursue degrees in biological engineering or bioengineering, with coursework that includes molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, and various engineering principles. They develop skills in manipulating biological systems, working with living organisms, and applying engineering techniques to biological problems, including those in the environmental, agricultural, and medical fields.
On the other hand, biomedical engineers generally obtain degrees in biomedical engineering, with a curriculum that covers biomechanics, biomaterials, medical imaging, molecular biology, biochemistry, and systems physiology. They are trained to understand both engineering and medical sciences, allowing them to create technologies that interact safely and effectively with the human body.
Career opportunities for bioengineers and biomedical engineers
Biological engineers work in an incredibly diverse range of industries, including agriculture, environmental management, pharmaceutical, medical technology, and biotechnology. They may be involved in genetic engineering, developing biofuels, creating biosensors, or improving food production processes.
Biomedical engineers are typically employed in health-care settings, medical device companies, research institutions and regulatory agencies. They work on developing and improving medical devices, conducting clinical research, and ensuring that medical technologies comply with regulatory standards.
Biological engineers are also often employed by these same organizations and conduct similar work to biomedical engineers. That’s because biomedical engineering emerged as a discipline from bioengineering. Bioengineers draw on a similar knowledge base and use the same problem-solving and design thinking skills as biomedical engineers.
An example of how the two engineering areas overlap
Here’s an example of how these two fields can interact or overlap. Imagine you are developing a new biosensor to monitor treatment for an illness. A biological engineer might focus on designing and optimizing the biosensor to detect specific biological molecules. They would work to ensure the sensor is sensitive, accurate and can be produced cost-effectively using biological materials.
The biomedical engineer would then take this biosensor and adapt it for use in a clinical trial. They would be responsible for making sure it meets medical standards, is safe for patient use, and integrates well with existing medical systems. In general, because of the overlap in training, some of these activities can be completed by either the bioengineer or the biomedical engineer.
In short, biological engineering is a broader field than biomedical engineering. Biological engineering deals with biological systems and applications that both include and go beyond human health, while biomedical engineering is more specialized, aiming specifically to improve medical care and patient outcomes. Both fields offer exciting career opportunities and contribute significantly to advancements in technology and health care.
Learn more
Check out resources from professional organizations such as the American Institute of Biological Sciences and the Biomedical Engineering Society to learn more about these two areas. You can also explore profiles of UBC students and alumni who have pursued biomedical engineering and biological engineering, as well as student projects in both areas to get a sense of what it would be like to study either option in university.