(BT) Careers in Biotechnology Lesson

EngTech_LessonTopBanner.png

Careers in Biotechnology

Introduction

QuickGlance.png 

Careers in bioengineering technologies are vast and the opportunities are expanding. Projected employment growth is above average. Salaries are higher than average. This lesson will identify many careers and areas of work in medical, agricultural, and environmental bioengineering.

s02.png 

Explore

As technologies have evolved and more knowledge developed, new prospects for engineering in biological systems have emerged. In addition, existing engineering solutions are modernized and significantly improved using the new technologies. All these investments in research and development improve career opportunities.

The U.S. Department of Labor has identified growth in bioengineering fields in the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2016-2026 Occupations Projections report. Data pertinent to these fields is summarized below.

*data not available for technicians in other fields

Table.png 

 

Agricultural Engineer- The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) defines Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) as “the discipline of engineering that applies engineering principles and the fundamental concepts of biology to agricultural and biological systems and tools, ranging in scale from molecular to ecosystem level, for the safe, efficient and environmentally sensitive production, processing, and management of agricultural, biological, food, and natural resources systems.” 

What they do? Environmental engineers use principles of engineering, biology, chemistry, and environmental sciences to develop solutions for environmental problems both locally and globally. The focus is to improve and develop systems for water and air pollution controls, efficient water use, waste disposal systems, recycling, improved public health, and environmental sustainability. 

What are some specialty areas? Environmental biotechnology, water quality and treatment, wastewater reclamation and reuse, solid and hazardous waste management, air quality monitoring, pollution control and monitoring, industrial ecology 

What are the educational requirements? A Bachelor of Science in Engineering is required for an engineer and technologists need an Associates of Engineering. However, others may pursue a less technical, business oriented opportunity through a degree in agricultural systems and management. 

Environmental Engineers- The American Academy of Environmental Engineers & Scientists (AAEES) defines environmental engineering as “as the application of engineering principles to improve and maintain the environment for the protection of human health, for the protection of nature's beneficial ecosystems, and for environment-related enhancement of the quality of human life. 

What do they do? Environmental engineers use principles of engineering, biology, chemistry, and environmental sciences to develop solutions for environmental problems both locally and globally. The focus is to improve and develop systems for water and air pollution controls, efficient water use, waste disposal systems, recycling, improved public health, and environmental sustainability. 

What are some specialty areas? Environmental biotechnology, water quality and treatment, wastewater reclamation and reuse, solid and hazardous waste management, air quality monitoring, pollution control and monitoring, industrial ecology. 

 What are the educational requirements? A Bachelor of Science in Engineering is required for an engineer and technologists need Associates of Engineering. Engineering degrees can be in environmental, civil, chemical or general engineering. 

 

 

 

Biomedical Engineer

The Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) states that

“biomedical engineers bridge the medical and engineering disciplines providing an overall enhancement of health care. Biomedical engineers develop innovative devices (artificial limbs and organs, new-generation imaging machines, advanced prosthetics and more) and improve processes for genomic testing, or making and administering drugs."

Biomedical engineers work in hospitals, industry, universities, and their research facilities. A Bachelor of Science in Engineering is required with additional life science training.

The medical and healthcare industry is a very large and significant sector of the US economy. Therefore, career paths in biomedicine are broad and distinct with many different career options. Explore further to learn the biotechnology career opportunities in medicine.

 

s04.png 

Challenge

 

s03.png 

Take Away

Watch the following video to learn medical bioengineering options in nanotechnology.

 

EngTech_LessonBottomBanner copy.png  IMAGES CREATED BY GAVS