Biotechnology or biomedical science? Wait — aren’t they the same thing?
It’s easy to misunderstand what these fields truly entail and use the terms interchangeably. After all, they’re both part of the bioscience field. So they should be about biology and science, right?
Well, there’s more to them than that. Here are 4 key differences between biotechnology and biomedical science.
#1. Biomedical science centres on the “what” while biotechnology focuses on the “how can we fix it”
While both biomedical science and biotechnology involve the study of life (hence the prefix bio), the two fields focus on different things.
Biomedical science is the study of the human body to prevent and treat diseases. The field looks at the “what”, “how” and “why” of the human body. Biomedical scientists conduct research to study a variety of conditions ranging from cancer and diabetes to stress and ageing. The research goes a long way in the development of new drugs, treatments and therapies.
Biotechnology, on the other hand, is the genetic manipulation of living organisms to develop new technology and products. It is more interested in answering the question of “what can we do to fix something”. Examples of products created by biotechnology are biodegradable plastics, GMOs like corn and seedless watermelon, and biodetergent.
#2. You will study different subjects although there may be some overlapping modules
If you choose to pursue biotechnology, you will cover a variety of subjects around the topic of bioscientific principles and knowledge and bioinformation technologies. Some of the modules you will cover include bioprocessing technologies, genetic engineering and molecular cloning.
In contrast, biomedical science students will focus more on the medical and healthcare side. On top of essential subjects like anatomy and clinical chemistry, you will also look into genetics, immunology, advanced pharmacology and other health related modules.
Having said that, since both fields are part of the bioscience field, you will share some similar subjects. This is primarily for introductory modules like microbiology and biochemistry.
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#3. Biomedical science has a higher entry requirement compared to biotechnology
Can’t decide which field to pursue? Perhaps you can let your results guide you.
Between the two programmes, a biomedical science degree in Malaysia commands a higher entry requirement.
Specifically, to study biomedical science, MQA requires you to have at least a GPA of 2.33 at STPM (or equivalent) in two of the following subjects — Biology, Physics / Mathematics or Chemistry.
In contrast, biotechnology does not require you to have any background at STPM level. Instead, it calls for a GPA of 2.00 in any 2 subjects at STPM (or equivalent). However, you must have achieved 3 credits in SPM including Mathematics and one Science subject.
#4. Both fields have different career prospects
Biotechnology is a vast industry and you can find work in a myriad of fields. This includes environmental (research renewable technology, pollution control, etc.), industrial (work on safer and more resilient food products, develop enzymes for bio detergents, etc.) and marine biotechnology (increase yields of farmed fish, prevent aquatic life from succumbing to diseases, etc.).
For biomedical science graduates, your prospects revolve mainly around the healthcare and medical field, primarily in the research arena. You can be a biomedical scientist to help diagnose and treat diseases. You can also choose to focus on specific parts of medicine by becoming a clinical scientist in biochemistry, immunology or genomics.
It is crucial to note that you can still go into the healthcare industry even with a biotechnology degree. In fact, you can combine your skill sets with biomedical scientists to come up with life-saving drugs and procedures.
Similarly, your options are not limited to healthcare even if you graduate with a biomedical science degree. Your skill sets are needed in a variety of fields and you can seek out careers such as a medical sales representative, medical product specialist, science journalist and bioentrepreneur.
With so many various life forms to cover, it’s only natural for bioscience to branch out into various fields. Hopefully, this short guide has helped you gain a better understanding of the differences between biotechnology and biomedical science.
Biomedical engineering has a clinical and medical health focus, while biotechnology concentrates on developing solutions in fields from agriculture to medicine. Biotechnology makes use of organisms, organic systems and biology to develop technological solutions.
Biotechnology courses will have a much stronger focus on molecular biology and its applications in the real world, while biomedical engineering courses will focus heavily on areas such as physiology, medicine, neurology, haematology and more.
Biotechnology covers the study of microorganisms such as bacteria, in industrial, agricultural, medical and other technological applications but not only the medical aspects. Bioengineering focuses on the application of engineering on biological processes, food, agriculture and environmental processes.
Biochemistry is a multidisciplinary science that draws on core components of chemistry, microbiology, molecular biology and genetics. Biotechnology is the application of biochemistry to develop technologies, materials and products.
Biomedical science includes any course of scientific study related to biology as it affects health care. It includes classes such as physiology, anatomy, epidemiology, biochemistry, nutrition and kinesiology. Biomedical sciences are the foundation of knowledge for all health care professionals.
Medical Technologists perform lab tests used to diagnose and treat disease in a clinical setting while the Medical Biotechnologist works in a research setting, providing valuable data for scientific studies.
Biomedical Sciences is the fundamental building block of medical practice. Without a deep understanding of the internal body, health professionals cannot truly evaluate, diagnose and treat illnesses.
The development of insulin, the growth hormone, molecular identity and diagnostics, gene therapies and vaccines such as hepatitis B are some of the milestones of biotechnology and its alliance with genetic engineering.
While the fields could overlap in many ways, a biology degree provides a foundation for future specialization. Biological engineering degree jobs lead down a more specific career path. Aspiring engineers may be more drawn to problem-solving and innovation, while aspiring biologists may value research and discovery.
Bioengineering uses engineering principles to study different areas of natural science and create economically viable or valuable products, systems, or devices. Biomedical engineers use the same engineering principles but focus solely on creating goods that solve medical problems.
Biochemistry is a pure science field, while biotechnology is an applied science field. Biochemistry deals with the process and pathways happening inside the living cell, while biotechnology deals with the techniques to study those processes, and applications of those processes.
Biotechnology combines the disciplines of biology and chemistry and utilizes mathematics and physics to provide the tools for modern biology and biomedical research.
A doctoral degree is the highest level of degree one can achieve in the field of biomedical science and is mostly preferred by candidates who wish to enter the field of research and academics. Some doctoral students in the biomedical science field combine their Ph.
Biomedical scientists are responsible for better understanding, diagnosing, treating and preventing human diseases. They not only study the human body and gain knowledge of how it works, but are responsible for finding new ways to cure or treat diseases.
Biomedical science is a biology and chemistry related discipline used mostly in healthcare laboratories to identify, research, monitor and treat disease. As one of the broadest areas of modern science, it focuses on the complexity of the human body and underpins much of modern medicine.
Biotechnology is the application of biological molecules and processes towards medicine, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and biofuels and biomaterials.
Biology is the branch of science that deals with studying living organisms, whereas biotechnology is a branch of biology that involves living organisms to develop products for human benefit.
Is biotechnology a good career option? Answer- Biotechnology is a booming career option with its demand emerging in sectors such as pharmaceutical, animal husbandry, agriculture, healthcare, medicine, genetic engineering, etc.
In the coming decades, healthcare is set to become increasingly personalised, integrating technology, design and engineering advances with medical treatment. As a result, Donna explains, people with the training to couple biomedicine with data science are essential to that future - and will be in high demand.
Structure. You can complete your Biomedical Sciences degree in three or four years. If you choose to study abroad, this will take place in Year 3, and the Year 3 modules will instead be studied in Year 4.
Your B.S. degree in biomedical science can be a gateway to working in many fields: education, research, sales, medical practice, and hospital and institutional work. Students also use this degree to pursue graduate study in the health professions to become a medical doctor, dentist, podiatrist, etc.
Employment of medical scientists is projected to grow 17 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 10,000 openings for medical scientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
A system in which medical doctors and other healthcare professionals (such as nurses, pharmacists, and therapists) treat symptoms and diseases using drugs, radiation, or surgery. Also called allopathic medicine, conventional medicine, mainstream medicine, orthodox medicine, and Western medicine.
Synthetic insulin and synthetic growth hormone and diagnostic tests to detect various diseases are just some examples of how biotechnology is impacting medicine. Biotechnology has also proved helpful in refining industrial processes, in environmental cleanup, and in agricultural production.
Biomedical science involves critical thinking skills that you apply what you've memorized vs it's application in real world problems. So biomedical science is technically more difficult.
If you want to attend graduate school to study biology, experiment with materials as a research scientist or biochemist, or advance to a medical, dental, or veterinary program, a BS is likely the right choice. A BA can lead to more “public-facing” roles in biology.
Biomedical engineering is the most natural course of study to get you into medical school and guide you towards a rich and exciting medical career. There may be an easier way to become a physician or health professional, but as a high achiever, you'd rather do it the right way.
Biological engineering or bioengineering is the application of principles of biology and the tools of engineering to create usable, tangible, economically viable products.
Biomedical engineers focus on advances in technology and medicine to develop new devices and equipment for improving human health. For example, they might design software to run medical equipment or computer simulations to test new drug therapies.
Like chemical engineering, biomedical engineering relies a lot on science rather than physics. With a lot of courses in chemistry and biology, biomedical engineering ranks as one of the hardest engineering majors there is. Many engineering majors focus on physics while this one requires much more than that.
Students who successfully complete a degree in biotechnology can seek promising career positions in fields like the food & beverage industry, textile industry and pharmaceutical industry, etc.
Thus, ultimately, it depends upon the interest level and passion of students and they can choose to pursue degrees in any of these fields. Both Biotechnology and Microbiology are equally beneficial for career growth.
Biotechnology is a very complex field and requires intelligence, creativity, and more importantly, patience & perseverance. You need to remain updated and aggressively seek opportunities to gain hands-on experience and training.
Bench work in the biotechnology laboratory requires that technicians possess certain fundamental math skills and the ability to apply these skills. Beginning biotechnology students often need a "refresher" of basic algebra, scientific notation, logarithms and graphing.
The work environment can, therefore, become quite stressful, and it requires someone who can be organized and efficient in the workspace without getting too shaken.
Maths is not compulsory for B.Sc Biotechnology. The minimum eligibility for the course is 10th and 12th with physics, chemistry and biology as main subjects.
White biotechnology is arguably the largest area of biotechnology. It revolves primarily around the use of biocatalysts for the industrial-scale production and processing of products.
Biomedical science involves critical thinking skills that you apply what you've memorized vs it's application in real world problems. So biomedical science is technically more difficult.
Biomedicine (or Biomedical Sciences) is a much broader degree. You would HAVE to study things like pharmacology, physiology and biochemistry but you would probably have a lot of choice of subjects in the later part of the degree. In some universities, the Biomedical Science degrees are “accredited”.
Biotechnology is all about technology , where biology is study in living organisms, biotechnology exploitation of living organisms to develop any products.
Molecular Cell Biology is one of the hardest Biology degrees to study, and Biology in itself is a very challenging discipline. Studying Molecular Cell Biology is like learning a new language, as there is an incredibly complex vocabulary to describe the structure and function of life at the molecular level.
Biomedical scientists run, develop, validate and implement new tests, undertake research and service development, make essential reagents and components and manage the testing facilities needed to provide high quality healthcare to patients.
Biomedical Sciences is the fundamental building block of medical practice. Without a deep understanding of the internal body, health professionals cannot truly evaluate, diagnose and treat illnesses. It's an important subject that's essential to improving the health of the world's population.
Agricultural biotechnology. Agriculture is the science or practice of raising crops or rearing animals to produce products such as food, fiber, cooking oil, and... ...
degree in Biotechnology is designed to give you fundamental training in basic scientific principles as well as in specific concepts, techniques, and applications used in biotechnology.
The correct answer is PENICILLIN. The antibiotic penicillin is renowned as the "Queen of Medicines." Penicillins (P, PCN, or PEN) are antibiotics that were first discovered in Penicillium moulds, particularly P.
From the Ebola vaccine to mapping human DNA to agricultural impacts, medical biotechnology is making huge advancements and helping millions of people. Some of the most recent uses of biological tech is work in genetic testing, drug treatments, and artificial tissue growth.
Biomedicine (also referred to as Western medicine, mainstream medicine or conventional medicine) is a branch of medical science that applies biological and physiological principles to clinical practice.
Introduction: My name is Greg O'Connell, I am a delightful, colorful, talented, kind, lively, modern, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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