OFO No: 214901

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Youtube clip – All about Biomedical Engineers

For training options in South Africa – scroll down

What is a Biomedical Engineer? 

Biomedical Engineers are employed in the medical industry.

They will need good research skills and a thorough knowledge of:

• Biology
• Medicine
• Electrical/electronics
• Technology
• Mechanical engineering etc

Biomedical Engineers design and develop a great variety:

• X-ray machines and other medical machines
  
• Joint replacements
• Prosthetics (false arms, legs etc)
• Artificial organs
• Safety equipment
• Medical instruments
• Products (wheelchairs, braces etc)

What does a Biomedical Engineer do?

• does intense research
• liaises with doctors and other medical staff
• analyses research
• makes calculations and designs new equipment or products
• draws up plans
• makes prototype and tests it
• makes adjustments and improvements
• makes sure all safety requirements are followed

Are you . . . ?

• intelligent?
• a creative thinker?
• good and maths and science?
• analytical?
• dedicated?
• a team player?
• mechanically minded?
• interested in medical careers?
• inquisitive?
• a problem solver?

How do I become a Biomedical Engineer?

PATH 1

Bachelor of Engineering Science in Biomedical Engineering

• University of the Witwatersrand

• This qualification does not qualify for professional registration. You will still require a degree in medicine or electrical engineering or Honours in physics.

PATH 2

Bachelor of Electrical Engineering at most universities

Master of Science (Med) Biomedical Engineering

PATH 3

Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery

• University of Cape Town
• University of KZN
• University of Pretoria
• University of Stellenbosch
• University of the Free State
• University of the Witwatersrand
• Walter Sisulu University

PATH 4

Honours degree in Mathematical Science, Science (Med), Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering or Biomedical Science

Master of Science (Med) Biomedical Engineering

• University of Cape Town

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions.

• ENGINEERING COUNCIL of SA (ECSA)

https://www.ecsa.co.za/default.aspx

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Biokineticist or Life Scientist

Is becoming a Biomedical Engineer the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 213104

Other names for Biochemist:

What is a Clinical Biochemist?

A Clinical Biochemist studies our body chemistry. Biochemistry also falls into the area of pathology.

Clinical Biochemists carry out complex analytical studies by analysing the results of the patient’s specimens (samples). They can, with very modern technology and equipment, detect changes in the chemistry of our body fluids.

What does a Clinical Biochemist do?

• works in a laboratory and organises the experiments
• performs tests, analyses and identifies the problems
• uses high-tech equipment
• writes reports
• solves problems
• conducts research
• trains staff
• attends conferences

Are you . . . ?

• scientific?
• inquisitive?
• methodical and accurate?
• a good communicator?
• self motivated?
• analytical?
• logical?

How do I become a Clinical Biochemist?

PATH 1

You will need to complete a Bachelor of Science degree at:

• Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
• University of KZN
• University of Pretoria
• University of Stellenbosch
• University of Venda
• University of Zululand
• Walter Sisulu University

PATH 2

• Complete an Honours degree in the field of specialisation

• Register as a Professional Natural Scientist with the SACNASP

• 3 years relevant workplace experience

• Designation: Only scientists registered with the SACNASP can use the title: Professional Natural Scientist (Pr.Sci.Nat)

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

• SOUTH AFRICAN ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY

http://www.saclinpath.co.za/

• HPCSA: Health Professionals Council of South Africa

http://www.hpcsa.co.za/board_radiography.php

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Chemical Pathologist or Veterinary Microbiologist

Is becoming a Clinical Biochemist the right career choice for me?

OFO No:

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Youtube clip – All about Biomedical Engineering

For training options in South Africa – scroll down

What is a Biomedical Engineering Technician?

A Biomedical Engineering Technicians work in a team alongside Biomedical Engineers. They help

Biomedical Engineering Technicians help design and develop a great variety of medical equipment and instruments.

For example:

• X-ray machines and other medical machines
• Joint replacements
• Prosthetics (false arms, legs etc)
• Artificial organs
• Safety equipment
• Medical instruments
• Products (wheelchairs, braces etc)

What does a Biomedical Engineering Technician do?

• assists biomedical engineers
• helps with research
• helps analyse data
• makes calculations and designs new equipment or products
• helps draws up plans
• makes prototypes and helps tests it
• makes adjustments and improvements
• makes sure all safety requirements are followed 

Are you . . . ?

• good and maths and science?
• analytical?
• dedicated?
• a team player?
• mechanically minded?
• interested in medical careers?
• inquisitive?
• a problem solver?

How do I become a Biomedical Technician?

Most Biomedical Engineering Technicians have a National Diploma, BTech or DTech in Biomedical Technology from a university of technology

• Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
• Durban University of Technology
• University of Johannesburg

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions.

• ENGINEERING COUNCIL of SA (ECSA)

https://www.ecsa.co.za/default.aspx

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Biomedical Engineer or Clinical Biochemist

Is becoming a Biomedical Engineering Technician the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 213110

OFO No: 213105

Other names for Biotechnologist:

• Biodiversity Researcher
• Bioinformatician
• Bioprocess Engineer
• Cell Geneticist
• Crop Research Scientist
• Cytotechnologist
• DNA Sequencer
• Fruit Research Scientist
• Genomic Investigator
• Molecular Biologist
• Molecular Geneticist
• Plant Molecular Biologist

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For an interview with Siew Leng Tai: Lab Manager

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What is a Biotechnologist?

A Biotechnologist is a scientist. Their main job is to study the characteristics of cells in living organisms then modify them for product development or scientific research.

They can work in industries like:

• Medical (eg cures for diseases, or develop medicines/pharmaceuticals etc)
• Food (eg preservatives etc)
• Manufacturing / Health & Safety (eg developing products)
• Agriculture (eg pesticides, genetically modified fruits and vegetables etc)
• Academia / Research (eg studies and writes scientific papers etc)

They often have a postgraduate degree:

• Biology
• Organic Chemistry
• Plant Sciences
• Animal Sciences
  

What does a Biotechnologist do?

This will depend on what industry they finally work in. Each industry will require very different tasks.

Most Biotechnologist work in laboratory.

Are you . . . ?

• interested in science?
• interested in working in a laboratory?
• detail orientated?
• a problem solver?
• curious?
• a good communicator?
• responsible and reliable?

How do I become a Biotechnologist?

Depending on your field of interest, you will need a degree in the sciences.

Most Biotechnologist have a postgraduate degree in biology and/or chemistry or animal and plant sciences.

Entry level positions in this field are usually laboratory or biotechnology technicians. They usually assist the Biotechnologist.

There are many fields of biotechnology. One usually starts off with a Bachelor of Science which can be done at most universities in South Africa. Once you have your BSc you can then specialise in a variety of areas.

For instance:

• MSc (Wine Biotechnogy) at Stellenbosch University
• BSc (Hons) in Biotechnology from University of Pretoria

Check with your local university what programmes they offer.

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

The South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP)

The minimum qualification required for registration as Certificated Natural Scientist is a 3-year degree/ diploma in the natural sciences

You can be registered as a:

• Certificated Natural Scientists … OR …

• Professional Natural Scientist

The minimum qualification required for registration as Professional Natural Scientist is an honours degree + 3 years post qualification relevant work experience

Only after you have registered with the SACNASP can you put Pr.Sci.Nat. after your name.

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Audiologist or Dental Technician

Is becoming a Biotechnologist the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 211101

Other names for Biophysicist?

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Youtube clip – All about careers in Biophysics & Biochemistry

For training options in South Africa – scroll down

What is a Biophysicist?

Biophysics is the link between biology and physics.

Biology studies life in every form while physics studies the mathematical formulas of nature.

Biophysicists study life on every level including the biology and physics of cells, organisms and environments. They use methods of mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology to study how living organisms work. They usually work in teams with different kinds of scientists to solve problems.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_a_biophysicist_do#ixzz2hssJtdHv

Biophysicists constantly strive to find answers to questions.

• For more info, … CLICK HERE

Examples of questions they may ask:

• How do protein machines work?
• How do nerve cells communicate?
• How do viruses invade cells?
• How do plants use the sun to make food?
• How can we feed the world’s population?
• How do we stop global warming? Etc.

What does a Biophysicist do?

• lots of research
• compiles and goes through lots of information
• analyses the information
• does experiments
• finds solutions to life problems like global warming, or ways to combat diseases

Are you . . . ?

• interested in science and biology?
• inquisitive?
• a problem solver?
• methodical?
• organised?
• a hard worker?
• creative thinker?

How do I become a Biophysicist?

Most Biophysicists do a Bachelor of Science degree (BSc) in Physics at one of South Africa’s universities.

Once they have their BSc they then go onto the post-graduate degree/s to specialise in a particular field like Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Molecular or Cellular Biology etc.

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Chemical Pathologist or Life Scientist

Is becoming a Biophysicist the right career choice for me?