Biotechnology Vs Biomedical Engineering: Which Path is Right for You?

Finishing college means picking a career path that you like, but that can feel like a big decision. If you’re drawn to science, medicine, and technology, you’ve probably heard of biotechnology and biomedical engineering. At first glance, they sound like the same thing, but each path offers a distinct focus, education, and career.

If you want to know what biotechnology and biomedical engineering are all about and how they differ, then this article is here to help you figure out which path is right for you.

What Is the Focus of Biotech vs Biomed Engineering?

Biotechnology uses living organisms or cells, like bacteria, plants, or human cells, to make medicines, improve crops, or clean up the environment. Biotechnology came up with simple yet impressive inventions like polyester fabric and vaccines. You can see all the daily uses of biotechnology in our article here! [LINK TO “Biotech in Your Daily Life” HERE].

According to the University of North Dakota, biomedical engineering blends engineering with biology and medicine. The goal is to design devices, systems, or machines that can improve healthcare. Think prosthetic limbs, X-ray and imaging machines, artificial organs, and diagnostic tools.

What Do I Major in for Biotech vs Biomed Engineering?

At many universities, including BYU-Idaho, biotechnology is its own emphasis in the biology major. You can check out our degree here! [LINK TO DEGREE PAGE] Some of the courses you’ll take in biotechnology include:

• Microbiology 

• Molecular Biology 

• Organic Chemistry 

• Genetics 

• Immunology 

For biomedical engineering, you may choose to major in biomedical science as your undergraduate, and move on to graduate school for engineering. Or get your bachelor’s in engineering and your master’s in biomedical science. Either way, you will need a strong foundation in engineering to be successful.

No matter what educational path you take, you can expect classes in:

• Engineering 

• Medicine 

• Physiology 

• Calculus 

• Psychology 

Where Will I Work for Biomed vs Biotech Engineering?

Your career path will determine where you end up working, and this detail can be incredibly important. While both paths will find overlap with technology and research, biotechnology tends to lean towards:

• Agriculture: Improve crop yield and nutrition for farmers everywhere. 

• Pharmaceuticals: Make medicines and vaccines for people in need. 

• Conservation: Preserve and protect the land, ocean, and air for the future. 

Meanwhile, biomedical engineering has careers in:

• Manufacturing: Build machines and prosthetics for patients who need it. 

• Hospitals: Maintain life-saving equipment for doctors and nurses. 

• Government: Oversee product testing and certification for health agencies. 

Which One Matches My Interests: Biotech or Biomed Engineering?

Picking a field isn’t as scary as you think! Having too many options can be overwhelming, but when it comes down to biotechnology and biomedical engineering, ask yourself:

• Do you like biology and chemistry or physics and engineering more? 

• Do you like solving problems with math or using biology to find solutions? 

• Are you more excited by studying cells and genetics in the lab, or by designing devices and medical technology? 

• Do you prefer experiments with living organisms or hands-on projects with computers? 

• In the future, do you see yourself in a research lab or in an engineering lab? 

These questions can help find what works best for you. You should also consider how you learn best and what keeps you motivated. With biotechnology, you’re making and testing medicine that will have a real impact in someone’s life. And with biomedical engineering, you’re making prosthetics and machines that make a patient’s life that much easier.

What Path Is Right for You?

When it comes down to it, a chart can be really helpful for picking the right career path. So we made one just for you!

As you explore programs, reflect on your interests and strengths, look at course lists, and talk to other people in the field. Whichever you choose, you’ll be in a field that contributes to bettering lives and pushing science forward.