B.Tech in Biomedical Instrumentation is a four-year professional undergraduate course. The Bachelor of Technology course has multiple specialisations that include Biomedical Instrumentation or Bioinstrumentation. The focus of this course is on the design, operation and maintenance of medical electronics equipment and software. Students pursuing the course in biomedical instrumentation learn about the use of electrical equipment in capturing patient’s physiological data, as well as about the way it can improve healthcare. They also understand about the living systems and how external devices interact with bodies.
The B.Tech in Biomedical Instrumentation course is majorly offered on a full-time study basis in most institutions. The course fee may range anywhere from less than INR 1 lakh to around INR 5 lakhs. However, the fee generally depends on the course quality and the institution offering it. By pursuing this course, students are able to gather the knowledge of varied aspects of biomedical instrumentation, including data processing, physiology, cell biology, biomechanics, computing, engineering software, and electrical safety. This engineering course is a link between the domains of medicine and engineering.
To gain success in the B.Tech in Biomedical Instrumentation course, it is essential that students possess a basic skill set and knowledge base. Not every student who is inclined to pursue engineering can excel in this course. Here are some important skills that students should possess if they are planning to take up this programme:
Curiosity and creativity to design equipment in the medical field
Passion for instrumentation systems, software and technologies
Passion for improving healthcare devices and measurement systems
Good interpersonal skills
Excellent oral and written communication
A keen eye for details
A focused and innovative mind
Several private, public and public-private institutions and universities in the country offer this specialised B.Tech course. However, it is not as widely available as other engineering courses are. Still, students can choose out of many good institutes that are recognised by the bodies like AICTE, UGC, and AIU. Some top institutions have separate departments dedicated to the domain of Biosciences or bioengineering. Students can pursue high-quality B.Tech in Biomedical Instrumentation courses at the following institutions:
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur
National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela / Raipur
Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute, Chennai
Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal
Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Chennai
Bundelkhand University, Jhansi
Karunya University, Coimbatore
Netaji Subhash Engineering College, Kolkata
Watumull Institute of Electronics Engineering and Computer Technology, Mumbai
Satyabhama University, Chennai
When students complete a course in biomedical instrumentation, they can become effective biomedical engineers who can work on designing medical software, as well as medical equipment of many types. With the growth of medical imaging systems, the demand for biomedical engineers is also on a rise in hospitals and private companies that manufacture medical equipment. Professionals who have done the B.Tech in Biomedical Instrumentation course can work in hospitals/medical centres to maintain medical equipment and devices.
After the completion of B.Tech in Biomedical Instrumentation programme, students can also pursue a Master’s degree course in this domain, which can raise their job prospects manifold. However, even graduates in biomedical instrumentation can go for job roles like product developer, R&D engineer, clinical research specialist, design engineer, and research biochemical engineer. They can also occupy the positions of product analysis engineers, tissue-processing technologists, rehabilitation engineers and bio environmental engineers.
There is a vast scope of career options in the healthcare sector. Specialists in biomedical instrumentation can explore careers in pharmaceutical firms, medical equipment manufacturing companies, industries, and government regulatory agencies. Those interested in teaching can join colleges and institutions offering courses in this domain. With cross-disciplinary knowledge, students can perform impactful work towards improving human health in newer ways.
Although a few institutions may have specific eligibility conditions for Indian and foreign candidates interested in the B.Tech in Biomedical Instrumentation course, most of the colleges and universities have some basic eligibility criteria to admit them. Find out these criteria below:
The candidate must have passed 10+2 or an equivalent exam in Science stream from a recognised board.
The candidate must have studied the subjects of Physics and Mathematics as mandatory subjects at the Intermediate level. The candidate must have studied Chemistry, Computer Science, Biology or Biotechnology as an optional subject. However, it is noteworthy that a few institutions may require the candidate to have studied biology as a mandatory subject.
The candidate should have scored at least 50% marks in the qualifying exam of 10+2. On the other hand, this criterion may vary by the institute and candidate category.
The candidate must appear in an entrance exam that is acceptable to a specific institution where he/she wants to take admission in the B.Tech in Biomedical Instrumentation course. Many institutions accept the scores or ranks obtained in the JEE (Main/ Advanced) or Joint Entrance Examination. On the other hand, some institutions or universities accept the scores or ranks obtained in a state-level exam. Therefore, the candidate must check the exam he/she needs to appear in.
The B.Tech in Biomedical Instrumentation course is a specialised programme in itself, and there are no further specialisations under this programme. This highly specialised engineering course gives students the knowledge of engineering processes as well as medical and clinical sciences. The course educates students in many different areas, such as medical imaging, biotechnology, medical analyses and informatics, biological analyses, biomedical instrumentation, physiological simulation and modelling, medical devices, etc.
The B.Tech in Biomedical Instrumentation course further trains students in the domains of rehabilitation engineering, servicing of medical equipment, computer architecture and operations, electrical and electronic measurement, biostatistics, medical electronics, etc. Apart from this, students gain the knowledge of biomedical photonics, special sensors, medical imaging, and health and hospital management. With a deep knowledge in all aspects of biomedical instrumentation, students can turn into skilled professionals.