Biomedical engineering degree available this fall for incoming freshmen
Tricia Sims // Intern Writer
After five years of planning, the College of Engineering was granted approval of a new biomedical engineering degree program, focused on using technology to further the advancement of medicine.
“Biomedical engineering is a popular field,” said Vijay Vaidyanathan, College of Engineering associate dean for undergraduate studies. “The US department of labor predicts a 72 percent increase in jobs in the next 10 years.”
The degree will cover three topics: biomedical instrumentation, bioinformatics, and biomechanics. Incoming freshman can now apply for the degree plan through ApplyTexas.
“Biomedical engineering connects biology with engineering,” Vaidyanathan said. “Biomedical engineering kind of ties everything together.”
Electrical engineering junior Tashanique Jones said it is interesting to have a whole new major in the school.
“I know a couple of people who were telling me that they are mad that it’s just now coming about,” she said. “They wish that it would have been here earlier so they could have taken it.”
Mechanical engineering and energy senior Edward Gates is transferring next semester to a school with a biomedical engineering program and said he disappointed UNT is just now introducing the degree.
“It is amazing that they are actually bringing it to this campus,” he said. “Medicine has gotten to a point where pharmaceuticals are only getting us so far. Technology is the next step on this.”
Vaidyanathan, who has his master’s and a doctorate in biomedical engineering, said he will teach the first courses as the college continues developing the program. More staff members will be hired after the program gains more funding.
“I’m very excited. It’s great fun to create something from scratch and make it happen,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to do it, but it has just been a question of the right time and place and all the stars being aligned. This will be my legacy, I guess.”
Gates said the new degree will open up possibilities for students.
“It’s basically this hidden underground major that is exploding in America,” Gates said. “It’s one of the fastest growing with jobs; it’s going to be huge. It’s the obvious next step.”
Feature photo: Associate Dean of Engineering for Undergraduate Studies Dr. Vijay Vaidyanathan has a background in Biomedical Engineering, he will assist in the education of students in the new Biomedical Engineering Degree Program at UNT. Photo by Zixian Chen / Senior Staff Photographer
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