Should I Get an MD or an MS in Biomedical Engineering?

Congratulations. Your interest in improving peoples’ health outcomes pairs well with your aptitude for science and math and there’s a wealth of professional opportunity waiting for you. But how do you know where to direct your energies? Can you do the same things and land the same jobs with an MD as you would with an MS in Biomedical Engineering? Are they two different versions of the same degree?

Not by a long shot. To paint the differences in the broadest strokes: Professionals in both fields strive to improve human health, but biomedical engineers work chiefly with things—medications, medical devices and so on—while medical doctors work primarily with people. The training and certification needed for careers in the two fields differ widely, as do the positions you can hold once training is complete.

Should you get an MD or an MS in Biomedical Engineering? Read on to explore what can happen with either choice you make.

The Medical Doctor

Role and Responsibilities

A doctor is a medical professional who is qualified and licensed to diagnose, treat and prevent human illnesses and injuries. These physicians—and, in the final item listed here, surgeons—hold the following responsibilities:¹

Maintain records. Doctors keep detailed records of patients’ conditions, including their symptoms, infections, injuries, treatments, past (pre-existing) conditions and medical prescriptions.

Review patient histories. This involves speaking with patients and going over their medical records when they’re in for office visits or participating in telehealth.

Maintain confidentiality. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) bars all medical professionals from disclosing their patients' medical histories, conditions and treatments at any time.

Order lab tests. Blood tests, bacterial and viral cultures, urinalysis and biopsies can help doctors make diagnoses once they’re familiar with patients’ symptoms.

Collaborate with other medical professionals—including nurses, therapists, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, lab technicians and other doctors—to diagnose and treat patients.

Make diagnoses. This involves analyzing patients’ symptoms and test results and identifying the medical challenges they face.

Design treatments. Equipped with full information and a diagnosis, doctors plan courses of action to resolve illnesses and injuries. These can include medications, therapy, surgery or any combination of them.

Inform patients and obtain consent for treatment. Doctors must fully inform their patients about all diagnoses they make and about treatments—including side effects, risks and possible alternatives. They must also obtain written consent from all patients before starting any course of treatment.

Maintain current knowledge of medicine. There is always something new to learn. Doctors stay up to date by attending conferences, collaborating with other medical professionals and reading publications within the field.

Teach. Doctors in teaching hospitals and medical schools train students in how to diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries.

Perform surgery. Having completed advanced training, surgeons specialize in performing intricate procedures to repair injuries, diagnose conditions and treat diseases.

Career Opportunities

Humans will always need healthcare, so there will always be a need for doctors—in urban centers, rural areas and everywhere in between. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts the rate of job growth for physicians and surgeons in this country, from 2022-2032, as matching the national average of three percent.²

There are, of course, many distinct areas within the field of medicine, including these:

Anesthesiology: Help with pain management, often during surgeries and invasive procedures
Average annual salary: $339,470³

Cardiology: Treatment of conditions affecting the heart and cardiovascular system
Average annual salary: $423,250³

Dermatology: Treatment of conditions affecting the skin, hair and nails
Average annual salary: $342,860³

Emergency medicine: Care for patients requiring immediate medical attention
Average annual salary: $306,640³

Family medicine: Care for patients of all ages
Average annual salary: $240,790³

Gastroenterology: Treatment of digestive disorders
Average annual salary: $271,113⁴

Internal medicine: Treatment of conditions affecting the internal organs
Average annual salary: $244,727⁵

Neurology: Treatment of conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves
Average annual salary: $271,470³

Obstetrics and gynecology: Care for female patients, including reproductive and cervical healthcare
Average annual salary: $278,660³

Oncology: The study and treatment of cancer
Average annual salary: $249,763⁶

Ophthalmology: Treatment of vision problems
Average annual salary: $312,120³

Orthopedic surgery: Care for people with musculoskeletal conditions or injuries
Average annual salary: $378,250³

Pediatrics: Care for patients who are under 18 years old
Average annual salary: $205,860³

Plastic surgery: Reconstructive and cosmetic procedures
Average annual salary: $298,641⁷

Psychiatry: Evaluation and treatment of people with mental health conditions
Average annual salary: $256,930³

Pulmonology: Treatment of issues related to the respiratory system
Average annual salary: $278,266⁸

Radiology: The use of medical imaging techniques to diagnose and treat various conditions
Average annual salary: $353,960³

Surgery: Procedures to correct injuries and illnesses affecting the internal organs
Average annual salary: $343,990³

Urology: Treatment of conditions involving the kidneys, bladder and urethra
Average annual salary: $253,570⁹

Educational Requirements

To become a medical doctor, complete these six steps:¹⁰

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree. There is no single major required for admission to medical school, but you’ll likely find prerequisites of courses in certain topics. A strong undergraduate background in math and sciences will work in your favor.
2. Pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). This is a standardized, multiple-choice exam that, by testing your verbal and problem-solving skills, measures how ready you are for medical school. You can start taking it during your junior year in college and can sit for the exam up to three times a year. Most medical schools set a minimum score as a requirement for admission.
3. Complete medical school. Start applying in the summer before your senior year in college. You’ll probably use the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS)—a centralized database through which you can find application deadlines for medical schools nationwide and submit your applications. Medical school usually takes four years, during which you’ll participate in classes and on-site clinical work.
4. Pass parts one and two of the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). This three-part exam gauges your foundational knowledge and understanding of medical standards and practices and evaluates how well suited you are for a career as a doctor. You must pass all three parts of the exam to obtain a medical license in any state nationwide. Part one, taken during year three of medical school, tests you on medical principles. Part two, taken after year three and immediately after you complete clinical rotations, tests your ability to apply your knowledge and skills in the field.
5. Choose a specialty; complete your residency. Your residency—postgraduate training during which you’ll work as a qualified doctor under the supervision of an experienced physician—will be three to seven years long, depending on the specialty you choose.
6. Pass part three of the USMLE; obtain your state's medical license. Part three is a 16-hour, two-day exam that uses multiple-choice questions and case simulations to test your ability to practice medicine effectively and prioritize patient care. Your state licensing board may have other requirements in addition to a pass on the USMLE; they may include a year or more of postgraduate training, satisfactory physical and mental health evaluations and/or satisfactory assessment of fitness of character.

The Biomedical Engineer

Role and Responsibilities

As described by the Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Society, biomedical engineers “study, design, develop and evaluate biological and medical systems and products such as artificial organs, prostheses, medical instruments and information systems.” They collaborate with life scientists, chemists, physicians, nurses, therapists and technicians on the engineering aspects of biological systems.¹¹

Specific responsibilities will vary based on the position and area of specialization, but in the big picture, biomedical engineers:¹¹

• Design and develop:
  
  • Medical devices including pacemakers, surgical lasers, automated patient monitors, blood chemistry sensors and artificial hearts, kidneys and hips
  • Engineered therapies such as neural-integrative prostheses
• Adapt computer hardware or software for medical science or healthcare applications—for instance, they may develop medical imaging systems, models of different aspects of human physiology, or expert systems that help in diagnosing diseases
• Conduct research to test and adapt known theories; develop new theories
• Ensure the safety of equipment used for patient diagnosis, treatment and monitoring
• Investigate medical equipment failures
• Advise regarding the purchase and installation of new equipment
• Develop and evaluate quantitative models of biological processes and systems
• Apply engineering methods to answer questions about how the body works
• Contribute to patient assessments
• Prepare and present reports for health professionals and the public
• Supervise and train technologists and technicians

Specializations Within Biomedical Engineering

Specialized responsibilities within biomedical engineering include but are not limited to these:¹

Genetic engineers concentrate chiefly on tissues at a molecular level and they’re often able to alter an organism's genes. They may, for example, create genetically modified crops, develop synthetic medications or create mice for medical research and testing.

Pharmaceutical engineers develop biological agents for use in therapeutic drugs.

Tissue engineers develop artificial organs from a patient's own cells in order to replace a missing or malfunctioning organ in that person’s body when organ donation isn't an option.

Neural engineers work to repair the pathways that instruct an organism's muscles to move, helping to create treatments or cures for people experiencing paralysis.

Bionics engineers help develop electromechanical limbs for people who were born without certain body parts and those who have experienced amputation.

Medical device developers design, create and improve devices—such as nonorganic implants, pacemakers, prostheses and life-sustaining machinery—that don't primarily rely on chemical engineering.

Career Opportunities

The BLS projects job growth in biomedical engineering, between 2022 and 2032, at a faster-than-average rate of five percent.¹² As of May 2023, the most recent month for which the BLS has published industry-wide salary numbers, the median annual wages for bioengineers and biomedical engineers in the top industries in which they worked were:¹³

• Professional and commercial equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers: $104,600
• Research and development in the physical, engineering and life sciences: $102,470
• Engineering services: $100,930
• Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing: $99,380
• Healthcare and social assistance: $92,140

A sample of individual positions within biomedical engineering shows these prospects:

Clinical Engineer
Manage and maintain medical equipment in hospitals or healthcare institutions, ensuring proper functionality and compliance with safety standards.
Median annual salary: $109,000¹⁴

Biostatistician
Design experiments, implement statistical studies and analyze data on living organisms. Influence developments in areas such as medicine and pharmaceuticals, government, the environment and public policy.
Average base salary: $125,519¹⁵

Biomedical Software Engineer
Develop software applications or systems that facilitate healthcare services and provide new ways to perform medical treatments using the latest technologies.
Median annual salary: $150,000¹⁶

Educational Requirements

While medical doctors spend several years to complete their education and practical training after college, biomedical engineers can start their careers with a bachelor’s degree alone. Undergraduate programs in biomedical engineering provide a strong foundation in biology, chemistry and engineering. Professionals looking to improve their career prospects go on to complete a master’s degree in biomedical engineering.

The Value of an MS in Biomedical Engineering

Distinction Through Advanced Skills and Knowledge

In the last two decades, bachelor’s degrees have become common in this country.¹⁷ Graduates who have earned master's degrees stand out from the hiring pool in pursuing attractive jobs.

According to 2022 statistics gathered by the United States Census Bureau, 23% of people in their mid-twenties (and above) have a bachelor’s degree as their highest educational achievement. Only 14% of people aged 25 and older have advanced degrees.¹⁸ By earning an MS in Biomedical Engineering, you demonstrate that you have strengthened your knowledge in a complex area—an advantage that sets you apart as a more capable, more qualified fit for a job than someone who has not gone beyond undergraduate school.

Career Advancement

In the expanding employment landscape of biomedical engineering, entry-level wages can be competitive even for those who haven’t gone to graduate school. Earning a master's degree, however, can significantly increase your earning potential. According to the employment website Indeed.com, a person with a master’s degree earns 16% more than someone with bachelor’s degree alone.¹⁹

Yes, you can get hired with just a bachelor's degree, but you can move up with a high-quality online MS in Biomedical Engineering degree. The curriculum prepares you for more lucrative career paths and a notable career: one with additional responsibilities, heightened authority and the chance to make a bigger difference in patient treatment and care.

Networking and Professional Growth

According to Forbes, the majority of successful people largely attribute their success to the strong networking channels they’ve built over time.²⁰ The essential power of networking lies not in the number of people you meet, but in the quality of their credentials and industry knowledge, which can add up to their importance in your career development.

Pursuing an online MS in Biomedical Engineering is a way to connect directly with accomplished, like-minded professionals who can help you move up: faculty members who can serve as mentors and classmates and alumni with hands-on experience in specific fields who may become your employers and collaborators.

These networking opportunities are critical to your career advancement because many positions are filled through referrals and personal connections. According to statistics posted on CNBC, 70% of all open jobs are not advertised publicly on job sites and about 80% are filled through professional and personal connections.²¹

Launch your advancement in biomed at CWRU.

Advance your technical acumen, strengthen your critical thinking and redefine your career journey. Case Western Reserve University's online MS in Biomedical Engineering program is specifically designed to teach interdisciplinary skills that are immediately relevant and applicable, helping you stand out in the job market and expand your earning potential.

Learn from experienced faculty who are active in cutting-edge biomedical research. In this fully online program, you can tailor your education to fit your schedule. By supporting students in job placement, sponsored research and industrial training, we help our graduates decide how best to use their biomedical engineering education.

Make the next move toward the career that feeds your passion. Schedule a call with one of our admissions outreach advisors today.