Essential Information
Online undergraduate education is extremely rare in biomedical engineering, bioinformatics, or biomedical science. Students instead must attain their degree in-person, and then pursue an online or blended graduate program, which is far more common.
Graduate certificates and master's degree programs may be intended for working professionals. Some master's degree programs require that students be concurrently employed in the field so that they can participate in hands-on training or lab sessions, as well. A bachelor's degree is typically required to apply, and many programs prefer students with backgrounds in biology.
Bioinformatics Graduate Certificate
Bioinformatics certificate programs focus on the use and development of information systems for creating, managing, accessing, and analyzing biomedical data, which may be used by healthcare organizations, vendors, pharmaceutical companies, or academic institutions.
Information and Requirements
Students with busy schedules can enroll in a graduate certificate program, which provides advanced education without major time commitments. Programs are available fully online. Applicants need a bachelor's degree, and completion of specific prerequisite coursework may be required.
Common Courses
Courses may include:
- Computational methods
- Decision analysis
- Data driven medicine
- Ontology
Master's Degree in Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical engineering programs provide students with a foundation in engineering and life sciences. Students are trained to apply the principles of engineering and science to address healthcare problems with biomedical solutions like specialized devices and sensors.
Information and Requirements
Given the advanced nature of the degree, applicants must have a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as engineering. Some programs may also require coursework in subjects such as calculus or physics.
Common Courses
Some common topics covered in biomedical engineering programs include:
- Biomedical systems
- Physiology
- Biosensor techniques
- Tissue engineering
- Biomechanics
Master of Science in Biomedical Science
Biomedical science programs involve the study of biology - from the cellular to the system level - within the context of medical science and healthcare. Lab-oriented research is a cornerstone of the field.
Information and Requirements
Master's programs in this field place heavy emphasis on biology study and lab work, which sometimes requires on-campus attendance. Some schools offer hybrid master's or continuing education programs in medical science or related fields that incorporate biomedical sciences as well.
Common Courses
Online courses cover areas such as:
- Human anatomy
- Biomedical ethics
- Cell biology
- Microbial pathogenesis
How Online Biomedical Programs Work
For students enrolled in online biomedical training programs, course materials may be accessible 24/7; however, some programs may require students to turn in assignments and take exams according to set deadlines. Online course materials can include streaming video lectures, online lecture notes, reading assignments, online chats with fellow students and teachers, online discussion boards, and participation in email conversations. Online students may have specialized online library or database access, file sharing capabilities, or whiteboards.
While online biomedical bachelor's degrees are quite uncommon, fully or partially online graduate certificates or master's degrees can often be found. Students will likely earn a bachelor's degree on-campus, then apply for one of these distance learning programs in fields like biomedical engineering, bioinformatics, and biomedical science.
