ISSN:
1045-4861
Keywords:
Chemistry
;
Polymer and Materials Science
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Medicine
,
Technology
Notes:
The field of biomaterials has grown rapidly over the last three decades in the academic, industrial, and regulatory sectors. Beginning as a research thrust, which led to courses at a few universities, biomaterials education has evolved into distinct curriculum in over 60 institutions in the United States and Canada alone.Rapid growth, however, can cause problems. In an effort to determine the present status and future needs in each sector, as well as begin to assess if the needs of industry are being met by present academic programs, two surveys were sent out.As shown by the two surveys, academic programs have been increasing in both size and quality while industry has also been expanding, as indicated by the many small companies involved in biomaterials. The shift toward graduate programs is in keeping with the perceived educational needs of potential employers. The majority of academic programs appear to be providing the training and coursework desired by employers. Further information, however, is needed to determine if the number of graduates trained in biomaterials is adequate, or in fact excessive.It is, therefore, recommended that a more comprehensive survey, sent to the biomaterials companies listed in the FDA registry, be undertaken. In addition, a survey to each academic program that addresses hiring of recent graduates would also be beneficial. It does appear that certain standards for curricula could be agreed upon, although the field has probably not evolved sufficiently for accreditation or professional registration to be addressed yet.
Additional Material:
4 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jab.770020209
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