Dr. Amy L Dejongh-Curry called the University College an “incubator” for new programs, and now The University of Memphis’ baby has been born.
The U of M announced last week that an undergraduate biomedical engineering degree program will join the Herff College of Engineering.
Curry, an assistant professor in the biomedical program, said the program which began as several courses in the University College is growing because of the number of elderly populating the nation.
In 1990, there were 31 million people over the age of 65, and in 2000, the number increased to 35 million, according to census records. That increase could mean many more people may need medical care and more technologically advanced medical care, which is what biomedical engineering specializes in.
Tennessee Higher Education Commission and Board of Regents approved, the program will have 13 courses, some of which were previously taught in the University College.
“We’ll have several new courses specific to the undergraduate program targeted at freshman and sophomores,” said Dr. Joel Bumgardner, associate professor in biomedical engineering.
Both Curry and Bumgardner said the plans have been in motion to set up a biomedical engineering degree program for about four years. The initial courses started about two years ago, according to Bumgardner.
“The discipline is maturing as a stand-alone discipline,” Bumgardner said. He compared the situation to chemical engineering, which branched off mechanical in the late 1800s. Biomedical remains a growing field from three different disciplines, including electrical, mechanical and engineering.
Prospective students looking into biomedical engineering have several reasons to consider the Memphis program.
The undergraduate program is one of two in the state hosted by a public university. Students in the area will not have to pay out-of-state tuition fees due to the nonexistence of any biomedical program in Arkansas, Kentucky or Mississippi.
Finally, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, the number of occupations in the field of biomedical engineering is supposed to increase faster than average from now until 2012. This growth rate indicates the field could see increases from 21 to 35 percent in job growth.
The program will have an ideal regional home, as the Memphis area is one of the leading biomedical areas in the nation. It is home to three large biomedical companies, (Smith and Nephew Orthopedics, Medtronic Sofamor Danek and Gyrus ENT) and a large biotechnology foundation (Memphis Bioworks).
“(The foundation) is not only looking to support, but promote new industries and technologies,” Bumgardner said.
