Biomedicine and Biomedical Sciences
Biomedicine, sometimes Biomedical Science (or “BioMed”), is
an academic field dedicated to the advancement of human medicine. It is a very
diverse discipline - offering students an opportunity to explore the biological
sciences and to work towards a career that can make a real difference in the
world.
Overview
Biomedicine studies the human body, and analyses the prevention,
development, and impact of chronic diseases and genetic disorders on our
health. Some of the core concepts used in Biomedicine come from areas like
Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics.
Biomedicine and Biomedical Sciences are often used
interchangeably, but there is no clear agreement on whether they are synonyms
or different disciplines. Some universities only offer Biomedicine degrees,
others only Biomedical Sciences, but courses are very similar. Other medical
schools include both types of degrees, with various big or small differences in
the curriculum.
Typical Biomedicine classes include General Chemistry, Molecular
Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Gene Engineering, Metabolism in Health and Disease,
Anatomy, Pathology, Immunology, etc.
In the US and Canada, where you need a Bachelor’s diploma before
going to medical school, Biomedicine is a popular undergraduate degree for
students who want to become doctors or work in the healthcare sector.
Career opportunities include areas that interact with medicine and
health, such as engineering-based fields that solve biological and medical
problems. Biomedical scientists work out a range of analytical and practical
laboratory tests in order to contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of
disease. Graduates are qualified to also work in academic research,
pharmaceutical industry.
Biomedical sciences imply the application of biological
principles, theories and innovations for the development of tools and
techniques which find increased applications in medical treatment of diseases.
Biomedical sciences involve amalgamation of contemporary research development
in varied scientific disciplines for the benefit of mankind. The branches of
biomedical sciences include medical microbiology, physiology, pathology,
epidemiology, haematology, clinical biochemistry, immunology, cytology,
neurology, biomedical engineering, medical electronics, nuclear medicine,
radiotherapy, etc. If follows a multidisciplinary approach and encompass the
application of scientific breakthroughs and technological interventions in the
development of principles, methods, tools and techniques application in the
medical and healthcare industry.
What is Biomedicine?
Biomedicine is theoretical medicine. It is a branch of Medical
Science which studies human body from theoretical positions. The results of
research in Biomedicine are modern drugs, deeper understanding of the nature of
illness, and more advanced knowledge about human body (for example, aging
processes).
Biomedicine is sometimes called modern western scientific medicine
- in contrast with eastern traditional practices.
The most important branches of Biomedicine are Biotechnology,
Biomechanics and Biomaterials. These disciplines can be taught either as a
course of basic Biomedicine study program or as a separate degree (Master’s
degree in these areas are more popular than Bachelor).
The broadness of this discipline gives graduates many
opportunities to specialise already during their studies, and thus offers many
career options. It is a very ‘real-world’ discipline. Biomedical scientists
regularly make headlines with advances in their fields, with results that you
can see first-hand. As a biomedical scientist, you might be growing embryos for
IVF, 3D-printing a heart, or finding a new medicine to fight cancer.
Biomedicine is the field where biology, chemistry, and changing the world meet.
A career in biomedicine is typically within the professional
health care or pharmaceutical industry. For those not interested in Clinical
careers, there are many opportunities for those with a biomedicine background
within policy and research, amongst a range of other fields.
Is there a difference between Biomedicine and Biomedical Sciences?
“Biomedicine” and “Biomedical Sciences” usually refer to the same
thing. Degree programmes might be named one or the other, but this is mostly
driven by how a university wants to present their curriculum to students like
you. To be sure about the course content, check a programme’s list of mandatory
and elective modules.
Top reasons for studying Biomedical Science
Choosing your course is a big decision and there is a lot of
information to take in. Here, put simply, are the three main reasons that make
studying Biomedicine a great choice:
- It’s very broad: BioMed is an incredibly diverse field. You will have the chance to explore lots of different areas of life science before choosing which path you want to take. Don’t specialise too early in your education, though, so as not to restrict your career and postgraduate options.
- It’s a desirable qualification: Many industries require biomedical scientists and the skills learned are highly transferable.
- You can make a real difference in the world: Advances in medicine, cures for diseases, environmental investigations - Biomedical scientists are at the forefront of it all!
How is studying Biomedical Science different from Biotechnology?
Biomedical Science and Biotechnology (“BioTech”) or Bioengineering
overlap in many places, but they differ in their ultimate goal. In Biomedicine,
everything is aimed at medical applications, ranging from diagnostics to
research. In Biotechnology or Bioengineering, the end goal may be more open,
and your methods may be different. As a Biotechnologist, your work can be aimed
at agriculture, green energy, technology, food science, or the environmental
industry.
Entry requirements for Biomedicine applicants
Admission for most Biomedicine study programs is highly
competitive. Applicants for undergraduate study programs need to have excellent
grades in Biology and Chemistry, some universities also require high GPA score
in all subjects. Personal achievements and volunteering in the field of
Medicine will be a huge advantage for some study programs and a mandatory
requirement for other.
Language proficiency is always required - almost all study
programs in Biomedicine (which can be found on our website) are taught in
English. Of course, you can also choose a university with basic language other
from English, for example, French or Spanish.
Those applicants who wish to study in a foreign university need
also to meet the specific requirements of the country they have chosen for the
education. They also will need to receive a student visa. Many foreign
universities help students with all visa issues; outstanding applicants can
also pretend for travel allowance.
Career options for Biomedicine graduates
The careers available to you as a Biomedicine graduate are as wide
ranging as the subjects you can study during your degree programme. Biomedical
career paths are usually focused on research, analysis, or development. You can
choose to stay in academia and pursue a PhD, researching and developing new
diagnostic or medical treatments. Or you can go out into the world and start an
exciting career in the private sector. The sky's the limit!
Examples of careers you can have with a qualification in Biomedical
Sciences include:
- Research scientist: Make new discoveries and develop cures, treatments, and diagnostic techniques. Research scientists can work in nearly every industry, not just healthcare.
- Biotechnologist: Have a deep understanding of the building blocks of life. Use this knowledge to discover and develop novel uses and treatments for cells, tissues, and organs.
- Forensic scientist: Use science to identify and analyse evidence from accidents and crime scenes.
- Bioengineer: Build artificial organs, design machines and devices for healthcare.
- Lab Technician or Lab Manager: Run a laboratory and support researchers in their work.
- Toxicologist: Investigate toxins and their effects. Work in healthcare or help protect the environment.
- Virologist: Study, identify and fight viruses.
- Clinical scientist: Be able to test for and identify a wide range of samples, research and develop new techniques for diagnosing illnesses.
- Medical chemist: Be an expert in how medicines work, discover and develop new medicines.
- Microbiologist: Study and work with microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, algae, yeast, etc.
- Epidemiologist: Study and analyse how diseases spread and advise on how to contain and treat them.
- Phlebotomist: Know how to test blood for diagnostics, conduct transfusions, and take donations.
- Remember that this is just a small sample of the careers you can pursue with a qualification in Biomedical Science.
What are similar subjects I could study?
Biomedicine is a cross-disciplinary subject that not only combines
Biology, Chemistry, and Medicine, but also incorporates aspects of many other
subjects. Some of these may suit you better, depending on your personal
preferences:
- Medicine: If you want to interact with patients directly and help them get well, consider studying Medicine. Studying Medicine will make you an MD (Medical Doctor).
- Biology: Biology is an incredibly diverse science with many more areas to specialise in.
- Biotechnology / Bioengineering: Use Biology to explore and solve real-world issues in a range of industries.
- Biochemistry: For those who love Chemistry as much as they love Biology. Biochemistry is the study of chemical processes within the body.
- Life Sciences: Many universities offer degrees in what they call “Life Sciences”, and this is often a broad term for a variety of Biology-related subjects. Check the curricula to find something that excites you.
- Bioinformatics: Research in Biology often heavily relies on data. Bioinformatics is the science of handling and analysing large amounts of scientific data. Some universities also call this “Life Science Informatics”.
- Pharmacology / Pharmacy: If you are specifically interested in pharmaceutical applications and researching potential new medicines, this is your area.
Top 200 institutions in biomedical sciences
The table shows leading institutions ranked by their fractional
count (FC) in biomedical sciences from 2015 to 2018. Also listed are
institution's total number of biomedical science articles in the Nature Index
(AC 2015–2018) and the proportion of each institution's FC in biomedical
sciences relative to total FC from 2015 to 2018 (biomedical sciences %).
#Rank |
Institution |
Country/Region |
FC 2015- |
AC 2015- |
Biomedical sciences (%) |
1 |
United States of America (USA) |
2,312.65 |
5,619 |
71.9 % |
|
2 |
United States of America (USA) |
1,332.54 |
3,135 |
91.0 % |
|
3 |
China |
1,034.32 |
2,534 |
17.5 % |
|
4 |
United States of America (USA) |
1,027.41 |
2,348 |
42.8 % |
|
5 |
Germany |
991.32 |
2,654 |
35.0 % |
|
6 |
United States of America (USA) |
754.28 |
1,926 |
94.3 % |
|
7 |
United States of America (USA) |
748.50 |
1,533 |
57.3 % |
|
8 |
United States of America (USA) |
687.75 |
1,676 |
60.4 % |
|
9 |
United States of America (USA) |
680.75 |
1,792 |
53.1 % |
|
10 |
United Kingdom (UK) |
670.64 |
1,832 |
40.1 % |
|
11 |
United States of America (USA) |
666.86 |
1,536 |
32.9 % |
|
12 |
United Kingdom (UK) |
661.99 |
1,850 |
39.1 % |
|
13 |
United States of America (USA) |
622.68 |
1,515 |
50.7 % |
|
14 |
Canada |
613.14 |
1,488 |
50.7 % |
|
15 |
United States of America (USA) |
613.00 |
1,597 |
67.0 % |
|
16 |
United States of America (USA) |
590.67 |
1,381 |
43.9 % |
|
17 |
United States of America (USA) |
574.06 |
1,213 |
72.9 % |
|
18 |
United States of America (USA) |
552.66 |
1,360 |
44.0 % |
|
19 |
United States of America (USA) |
545.45 |
1,214 |
35.1 % |
|
20 |
United States of America (USA) |
518.58 |
1,383 |
47.1 % |
|
21 |
United States of America (USA) |
516.28 |
1,453 |
49.6 % |
|
22 |
The University of Texas
Southwestern Medical Center (UT Southwestern Medical Center) |
United States of America (USA) |
471.48 |
965 |
92.0 % |
23 |
United States of America (USA) |
467.96 |
1,127 |
60.8 % |
|
24 |
United States of America (USA) |
465.39 |
1,156 |
70.9 % |
|
25 |
Japan |
457.23 |
1,138 |
24.8 % |
|
26 |
United Kingdom (UK) |
435.72 |
1,371 |
57.5 % |
|
27 |
United States of America (USA) |
415.24 |
1,046 |
58.0 % |
|
28 |
United States of America (USA) |
408.67 |
885 |
34.2 % |
|
29 |
United States of America (USA) |
403.67 |
859 |
71.4 % |
|
30 |
United States of America (USA) |
401.74 |
781 |
40.8 % |
|
31 |
United States of America (USA) |
366.69 |
888 |
46.4 % |
|
32 |
United States of America (USA) |
356.00 |
770 |
94.9 % |
|
33 |
United States of America (USA) |
346.91 |
900 |
95.1 % |
|
34 |
Germany |
346.27 |
1,673 |
18.9 % |
|
35 |
United States of America (USA) |
335.88 |
987 |
96.0 % |
|
36 |
Switzerland |
330.67 |
781 |
22.4 % |
|
37 |
United States of America (USA) |
326.01 |
855 |
69.3 % |
|
38 |
China |
324.04 |
776 |
25.5 % |
|
39 |
United States of America (USA) |
324.01 |
821 |
60.1 % |
|
40 |
Canada |
314.91 |
840 |
50.9 % |
|
41 |
United States of America (USA) |
314.87 |
917 |
96.6 % |
|
42 |
Israel |
296.53 |
544 |
42.5 % |
|
43 |
United States of America (USA) |
287.89 |
572 |
28.9 % |
|
44 |
China |
275.22 |
675 |
22.4 % |
|
45 |
Germany |
269.61 |
984 |
36.8 % |
|
46 |
Japan |
265.10 |
696 |
22.9 % |
|
47 |
United States of America (USA) |
264.33 |
701 |
29.0 % |
|
48 |
United States of America (USA) |
262.58 |
867 |
97.1 % |
|
49 |
United Kingdom (UK) |
262.14 |
896 |
31.6 % |
|
50 |
United States of America (USA) |
260.35 |
546 |
27.0 % |
|
51 |
United States of America (USA) |
260.02 |
502 |
23.8 % |
|
52 |
United States of America (USA) |
259.90 |
483 |
25.0 % |
|
53 |
United States of America (USA) |
259.14 |
691 |
40.6 % |
|
54 |
Switzerland |
258.21 |
765 |
54.1 % |
|
55 |
United Kingdom (UK) |
257.62 |
778 |
55.7 % |
|
56 |
United States of America (USA) |
256.02 |
691 |
67.5 % |
|
57 |
Sweden |
247.10 |
932 |
92.9 % |
|
58 |
United States of America (USA) |
245.22 |
629 |
42.2 % |
|
59 |
United States of America (USA) |
242.99 |
697 |
45.4 % |
|
60 |
Denmark |
242.07 |
814 |
44.3 % |
|
61 |
University of Massachusetts
Medical School (UMass Medical School) |
United States of America (USA) |
231.38 |
553 |
95.6 % |
62 |
Japan |
226.97 |
778 |
40.3 % |
|
63 |
Japan |
221.90 |
607 |
29.6 % |
|
64 |
United States of America (USA) |
220.47 |
540 |
40.7 % |
|
65 |
China |
220.36 |
649 |
26.3 % |
|
66 |
United States of America (USA) |
220.16 |
1,380 |
93.5 % |
|
67 |
United States of America (USA) |
210.19 |
492 |
34.6 % |
|
68 |
United States of America (USA) |
207.79 |
540 |
42.7 % |
|
69 |
United Kingdom (UK) |
207.45 |
541 |
96.1 % |
|
70 |
United States of America (USA) |
205.28 |
577 |
48.0 % |
|
71 |
United Kingdom (UK) |
204.63 |
469 |
94.6 % |
|
72 |
Australia |
204.30 |
590 |
39.3 % |
|
73 |
United States of America (USA) |
201.38 |
486 |
24.8 % |
|
74 |
United States of America (USA) |
201.37 |
546 |
93.4 % |
|
75 |
Singapore |
201.01 |
727 |
23.8 % |
|
76 |
China |
198.62 |
505 |
21.0 % |
|
77 |
Israel |
193.01 |
456 |
42.4 % |
|
78 |
Canada |
190.49 |
526 |
37.1 % |
|
79 |
United States of America (USA) |
187.40 |
477 |
62.3 % |
|
80 |
University of Colorado
Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Anschutz) |
United States of America (USA) |
185.36 |
503 |
87.7 % |
81 |
Germany |
185.35 |
724 |
40.2 % |
|
82 |
Germany |
185.27 |
675 |
24.1 % |
|
83 |
South Korea |
185.25 |
478 |
28.0 % |
|
84 |
United Kingdom (UK) |
185.03 |
505 |
29.9 % |
|
85 |
United States of America (USA) |
184.61 |
443 |
91.4 % |
|
86 |
United States of America (USA) |
182.65 |
615 |
45.7 % |
|
87 |
Switzerland |
182.04 |
465 |
21.0 % |
|
88 |
China |
182.02 |
334 |
15.1 % |
|
89 |
United States of America (USA) |
179.28 |
582 |
96.9 % |
|
90 |
China |
175.21 |
579 |
29.2 % |
|
91 |
United Kingdom (UK) |
174.54 |
721 |
56.3 % |
|
92 |
United States of America (USA) |
173.29 |
482 |
68.7 % |
|
93 |
United States of America (USA) |
168.12 |
422 |
53.0 % |
|
94 |
Netherlands |
166.18 |
631 |
34.5 % |
|
95 |
United States of America (USA) |
163.23 |
411 |
26.9 % |
|
96 |
Germany |
161.94 |
526 |
47.4 % |
|
97 |
United States of America (USA) |
161.87 |
391 |
95.8 % |
|
98 |
United States of America (USA) |
160.09 |
370 |
96.6 % |
|
99 |
China |
159.37 |
993 |
19.4 % |
|
100 |
China |
158.30 |
573 |
72.3 % |
|
101 |
Germany |
157.04 |
602 |
90.1 % |
|
102 |
Switzerland |
156.84 |
358 |
78.7 % |
|
103 |
United States of America (USA) |
156.63 |
345 |
52.8 % |
|
104 |
Australia |
156.29 |
554 |
33.5 % |
|
105 |
China |
154.53 |
435 |
27.1 % |
|
106 |
United States of America (USA) |
154.08 |
347 |
90.6 % |
|
107 |
China |
153.94 |
290 |
27.6 % |
|
108 |
Italy |
153.79 |
754 |
91.3 % |
|
109 |
Switzerland |
152.20 |
519 |
44.2 % |
|
110 |
United States of America (USA) |
149.32 |
431 |
32.8 % |
|
111 |
United States of America (USA) |
149.01 |
410 |
50.8 % |
|
112 |
Belgium |
148.61 |
519 |
34.6 % |
|
113 |
Canada |
146.69 |
466 |
53.9 % |
|
114 |
Switzerland |
146.38 |
429 |
33.6 % |
|
115 |
Australia |
142.55 |
753 |
39.5 % |
|
116 |
Singapore |
141.57 |
540 |
45.6 % |
|
117 |
Switzerland |
139.30 |
467 |
69.0 % |
|
118 |
Germany |
138.08 |
460 |
46.3 % |
|
119 |
United Kingdom (UK) |
135.12 |
400 |
25.3 % |
|
120 |
United States of America (USA) |
133.43 |
340 |
43.9 % |
|
121 |
United States of America (USA) |
128.91 |
285 |
20.9 % |
|
122 |
Netherlands |
127.40 |
473 |
40.3 % |
|
123 |
Germany |
127.01 |
371 |
43.7 % |
|
124 |
Germany |
124.92 |
428 |
31.1 % |
|
125 |
Netherlands |
124.41 |
440 |
31.0 % |
|
126 |
Israel |
123.63 |
387 |
36.4 % |
|
127 |
United States of America (USA) |
123.50 |
270 |
20.9 % |
|
128 |
United States of America (USA) |
122.01 |
366 |
89.8 % |
|
129 |
United States of America (USA) |
121.85 |
435 |
96.1 % |
|
130 |
Taiwan |
121.81 |
318 |
42.0 % |
|
131 |
Germany |
121.25 |
559 |
23.4 % |
|
132 |
Spain |
119.07 |
427 |
24.8 % |
|
133 |
South Korea |
117.70 |
274 |
19.0 % |
|
134 |
Germany |
115.59 |
371 |
25.9 % |
|
135 |
Sweden |
115.23 |
390 |
33.0 % |
|
136 |
United Kingdom (UK) |
114.78 |
643 |
95.9 % |
|
137 |
Australia |
114.55 |
431 |
38.7 % |
|
138 |
United States of America (USA) |
114.18 |
297 |
45.0 % |
|
139 |
Germany |
114.07 |
438 |
34.5 % |
|
140 |
United States of America (USA) |
113.88 |
350 |
82.0 % |
|
141 |
Japan |
112.37 |
319 |
29.1 % |
|
142 |
United States of America (USA) |
111.63 |
182 |
64.4 % |
|
143 |
Japan |
110.74 |
304 |
24.1 % |
|
144 |
Japan |
110.70 |
320 |
21.1 % |
|
145 |
United Kingdom (UK) |
110.22 |
406 |
47.7 % |
|
146 |
Netherlands |
107.92 |
473 |
41.2 % |
|
147 |
United States of America (USA) |
107.75 |
305 |
52.9 % |
|
148 |
United States of America (USA) |
107.15 |
1,078 |
96.6 % |
|
149 |
State University of New York
at Stony Brook (SUNY Stony Brook) |
United States of America (USA) |
106.85 |
305 |
30.9 % |
150 |
China |
106.45 |
286 |
9.5 % |
|
151 |
Spain |
105.77 |
414 |
24.7 % |
|
152 |
United States of America (USA) |
105.65 |
272 |
94.4 % |
|
153 |
Switzerland |
104.69 |
268 |
80.5 % |
|
154 |
Germany |
104.51 |
399 |
43.8 % |
|
155 |
Singapore |
104.51 |
251 |
11.5 % |
|
156 |
United States of America (USA) |
103.87 |
317 |
96.7 % |
|
157 |
United States of America (USA) |
103.30 |
277 |
52.0 % |
|
158 |
China |
102.66 |
220 |
16.2 % |
|
159 |
Sweden |
102.41 |
383 |
28.8 % |
|
160 |
United States of America (USA) |
101.26 |
258 |
16.4 % |
|
161 |
United States of America (USA) |
101.02 |
263 |
55.2 % |
|
162 |
United States of America (USA) |
100.89 |
222 |
24.4 % |
|
163 |
Finland |
100.26 |
411 |
48.7 % |
|
164 |
China |
100.14 |
154 |
25.9 % |
|
165 |
China |
99.46 |
213 |
18.6 % |
|
166 |
Canada |
98.05 |
271 |
24.7 % |
|
167 |
Japan |
97.82 |
282 |
14.5 % |
|
168 |
Germany |
97.51 |
359 |
32.3 % |
|
169 |
Denmark |
97.33 |
326 |
29.0 % |
|
170 |
Germany |
95.62 |
333 |
22.4 % |
|
171 |
Israel |
94.41 |
228 |
24.4 % |
|
172 |
United Kingdom (UK) |
93.95 |
253 |
89.1 % |
|
173 |
China |
93.03 |
290 |
18.5 % |
|
174 |
Germany |
93.00 |
481 |
92.1 % |
|
175 |
Norway |
92.79 |
360 |
41.0 % |
|
176 |
Belgium |
92.24 |
450 |
87.9 % |
|
177 |
United States of America (USA) |
91.73 |
258 |
31.2 % |
|
178 |
United States of America (USA) |
90.70 |
256 |
28.4 % |
|
179 |
United States of America (USA) |
90.22 |
241 |
38.5 % |
|
180 |
United States of America (USA) |
88.95 |
416 |
94.7 % |
|
181 |
Australia |
88.87 |
383 |
20.0 % |
|
182 |
China |
88.75 |
289 |
21.6 % |
|
183 |
Canada |
87.87 |
221 |
42.9 % |
|
184 |
South Korea |
87.78 |
238 |
25.1 % |
|
185 |
United States of America (USA) |
87.53 |
257 |
22.9 % |
|
186 |
India |
87.43 |
140 |
18.6 % |
|
187 |
United Kingdom (UK) |
86.67 |
348 |
56.0 % |
|
188 |
Canada |
85.06 |
224 |
37.2 % |
|
189 |
China |
84.90 |
205 |
14.9 % |
|
190 |
Japan |
84.68 |
261 |
35.1 % |
|
191 |
Netherlands |
84.41 |
440 |
94.3 % |
|
192 |
United Kingdom (UK) |
84.02 |
315 |
41.2 % |
|
193 |
United States of America (USA) |
82.10 |
192 |
11.4 % |
|
194 |
China |
80.97 |
186 |
22.7 % |
|
195 |
Switzerland |
80.94 |
301 |
29.9 % |
|
196 |
Chinese Academy of Medical
Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC) |
China |
80.57 |
291 |
65.7 % |
197 |
China |
80.10 |
101 |
44.6 % |
|
198 |
China |
79.90 |
239 |
31.3 % |
|
199 |
Sweden |
79.68 |
264 |
57.6 % |
|
200 |
United Kingdom (UK) |
78.66 |
335 |
41.9 % |
Sources; https://www.nature.com/nature-index/supplements/nature-index-2019-biomedical-sciences/tables/overall
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