Biomedical Engineering and Orthopaedic Surgery

[Ryan30]

Would it be more beneficial to my application (as someone with no background in engineering) for orthopaedic surgery residencies to get an MSE in biomedical engineering while completing my MD degree (all MSE courses would be taken after STEP1 so this wouldn't interfere with study time) or would my time be better spent on research or an MBA? Also, which would be most beneficial to my career as a surgeon?

Thanks!

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[NicMouse64]

Would it be more beneficial to my application (as someone with no background in engineering) for orthopaedic surgery residencies to get an MSE in biomedical engineering while completing my MD degree (all MSE courses would be taken after STEP1 so this wouldn't interfere with study time) or would my time be better spent on research or an MBA? Also, which would be most beneficial to my career as a surgeon?

Thanks!

I did biomedical engineering. It was low yield, and I could've gotten into a much better medical school if I hadn't done engineering. That said I really liked my education and it is helping me do innovative things within the realm of medicine. Take that as you will. If you like engineering, do it and you'll come out a super well rounded and intelligent medical student. If you think it should be done to get into medical school don't do it.

 

[plshelpvanxious]

I did bme. Don't do this unless you love engineering and want to use the MSE for more than an application booster. I can't imagine it actually making a difference anyways.
I'm not sure if you can meet the requirements for a master's anyways with no engineering experience.

 

[atomi]

If you want an engineering degree, I'd recommend a bachelors in mechanical or electrical engineering.

Biomedical engineering is a fad niche specialized degree that shouldn't exist as a B.S. IMO.

Get your B.S. in a core field then specialize in grad school.

If you want to go to med school, then just major in a hard science like biology, physics, or chemistry.

 

[NicMouse64]

If you want an engineering degree, I'd recommend a bachelors in mechanical or electrical engineering.

Biomedical engineering is a fad niche specialized degree that shouldn't exist as a B.S. IMO.

Get your B.S. in a core field then specialize in grad school.

If you want to go to med school, then just major in a hard science like biology, physics, or chemistry.

Eh at my school BME had actually pretty good job options at big pharmaceutical companies. Most of my classmates are employed at big biomedical and biotech companies. Albeit it was more chemical focused than mechanical focused.

 

[Oso]

which would be most beneficial to my career as a surgeon?

Option #3, crush step 1 and do a ****-ton of ortho research

 

[NicMouse64]

Would it be more beneficial to my application (as someone with no background in engineering) for orthopaedic surgery residencies to get an MSE in biomedical engineering while completing my MD degree (all MSE courses would be taken after STEP1 so this wouldn't interfere with study time) or would my time be better spent on research or an MBA? Also, which would be most beneficial to my career as a surgeon?

Thanks!

You assume being a good biomedical engineer will translate into being a good medical student.....it won't. Two totally different beasts. I am below average and was a great engineering student at a top engineering school....

 

[Ryan30]

If you want an engineering degree, I'd recommend a bachelors in mechanical or electrical engineering.

Biomedical engineering is a fad niche specialized degree that shouldn't exist as a B.S. IMO.

Get your B.S. in a core field then specialize in grad school.

If you want to go to med school, then just major in a hard science like biology, physics, or chemistry.

You assume being a good biomedical engineer will translate into being a good medical student.....it won't. Two totally different beasts. I am below average and was a great engineering student at a top engineering school....

I’ll be starting medical school this summer. My program offers an MSE in biomed engineering so I’m not looking for a bachelors in the field and I’m not looking for it to make me a better med student. Just want to know if it would make me a better ortho applicant and surgeon at the end of the day.

 

[NicMouse64]

I’ll be starting medical school this summer. My program offers an MSE in biomed engineering so I’m not looking for a bachelors in the field and I’m not looking for it to make me a better med student. Just want to know if it would make me a better ortho applicant and surgeon at the end of the day.

I seriously doubt it.....The clinical and surgical aspects don't exactly need an in depth understanding of dynamics or statics. Just was my impression when I did ortho shadowing and had a BS in BME. Focus on learning how to butt-pound a sh** ton of material into your brain. Medicine is 80% memorization for first 2 years and carries into step 1 which determines what field you will be competitive for.

 

[OrthoTraumaMD]

I’ll be starting medical school this summer. My program offers an MSE in biomed engineering so I’m not looking for a bachelors in the field and I’m not looking for it to make me a better med student. Just want to know if it would make me a better ortho applicant and surgeon at the end of the day.

Neither the engineering degree or the mba will be useful. Save your time and your money, and just be a normal medical student. You will learn all of the biomechanics you need in residency.

 

[DarkHorizon]

I’ll be starting medical school this summer. My program offers an MSE in biomed engineering so I’m not looking for a bachelors in the field and I’m not looking for it to make me a better med student. Just want to know if it would make me a better ortho applicant and surgeon at the end of the day.

No.

 

[atomi]

If you want to be an orthopedic surgeon getting a masters in bme is a waste of time.

If you want to be a biomedical engineer, it’s debatable at best.

 

[nimbus]

It can be said of any medical specialty that residency itself is what prepares you for practice. Medical school prepares you for residency. The system is all sorted out.


Do it for your own passion and interest but don’t fool yourself into thinking that a masters degree in any topic will better prepare you for residency. If you want to do ortho, do ortho research.