A short history
Biomedical Engineering had its beginnings soon after the Second World War, mainly directed to the study of complex biological systems (Bioengineering) and the rehabilitation of soldiers (Rehabilitation Engineering). The ever-growing technological evolution during the last decades led Biomedical Engineering to participate also in the development of instruments for medical use (Medical Engineering) and in an adequate use of this field of engineering in medical/ hospital environments (Clinical Engineering).
During the 1980s, biomedical engineering was expanded for sectors of public and collective health, beginning the branch now known as Health Systems Engineering. Many other names are currently used to refer to different areas of expertise in engineering applied to health, often unnoticed or unknown to most people.
In Brazil, training in Biomedical Engineering began in PEB at the beginning of the 1970s, with a Master’s Degree Program. The Brazilian Society of Biomedical Engineering (SBEB) was created during the same period. Until the start of the 2000s, training in this area was always provided in graduate programs; currently, some undergraduate degrees in Biomedical Engineering are offered in different Brazilian states. PEB does not offer undergraduate degrees, but it takes part in the curriculum of various programs, and recently offers a specific Biomedical Engineering course (COB502) for POLI/UFRJ Engineering undergraduate degrees.(SBEB - courses)
Who is Biomedical Engineering for?
Involving all these different fields of activity in an interdisciplinary and multi professional manner, Biomedical Engineering contributes not only to health, but also to scientific, economic and social development. This allow a large number of people from different backgrounds and with different vocations to find in Biomedical Engineering an opportunity to improve their technical and scientific knowledge and act at the frontiers of knowledge. In general, all professionals in health, engineering and the exact sciences may work with Biomedical Engineering.
Where to work?
Due to being an interdisciplinary area, professional training occurs mainly in graduate programs. There is a great demand for Biomedical Engineering professionals to work not only in Biomedical Engineering, but also in the related fields of signal processing, scientific instrumentation, computing and projects and maintenance of complex systems and instruments.
Universities, research centers, industries, service companies and hospitals are the main employers of Biomedical Engineers.
