Widener University’s announces new Biomedical Engineering Master’s Degree

Looks like more smart people will be studying in Chester.

Chester, Pa. (April 18, 2012) – The Widener University School of Engineering, which is celebrating its 150^th year of engineering education, is proud to announce a new master’s degree in biomedical engineering. This graduate program is the latest addition to one of six specializations that the School of Engineering offers in chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical, and engineering management, with the option of a dual MBA/master’s of engineering program. This new specialization will complement the recently introduced bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering, which started in the fall of 2011.

This rapidly growing field of biomedical engineering marries engineering and medical technology, requiring an understanding of complex living systems to find ways to improve the quality of human life. It is a very diverse field with biomedical engineers working in systems ranging from medical devices to drug delivery methods.

With ongoing research in areas such as nanotechnology application for kidney dialysis, Alzheimer’s disease detection, and breast cancer therapeutics; this new graduate program at Widener is focused on the Philadelphia region’s strength in the continually expanding biomedical field. The Philadelphia region is the second largest area of employment for biomedical engineers in the nation, and the Interstate 95 corridor from New York to Washington D.C. is major center of the therapeutics and devices industry.

“Biomedical Engineering is one of the fastest growing engineering specialties in the United States,” Dr. Fred Akl, dean of the School of Engineering, said. “We are now focused in preparing students for advanced practice in the field.”

The master’s degree in biomedical engineering degree will offer Widener graduates productive careers in a wide variety of healthcare-related industries and government agencies, including hospitals, academic research institutes, teaching, and national laboratories. The demand for biomedical engineers nationally is expected to grow by a robust 72 percent by 2018, far more than the 16 percent growth forecasted for all professional occupations.

Enrollment is open for the fall 2012 semester. The curriculum has been designed to further the student’s skills and understanding of both engineering and the life sciences, and to provide sufficient flexibility to encourage students to explore specializations within Biomedical Engineering. While graduate candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering, they do not need to have a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering to apply. For more information, visit:http://www.widener.edu/academics/collegesandschools/engineering/graddegrees/gradbme.