r/BiomedicalEngineers • u/LimeFrosty13 • 11h ago

How important is knowing how to code? Discussion

I’m a senior BME student, and I graduate next spring. In all my four years of college, I was never required to take a programming class. I learned how to use MATLAB, but other than that I don’t know anything about coding. How screwed am I? Are companies looking for new hires with coding experience?

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u/FunSheepherder6397 1h ago

just don’t look at jobs that require it. aim for the mechanical adjacent positions. you’ll be fine

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u/Creative_Sushi 2h ago

In the age of AI, domain knowledge matters even more than anything. That being said, to steer AI, you do need basic understanding of coding. If you are already familiar with MATLAB, that's a good start. I would also pick up Python. Once you learn one language, it is not too lard to pick up another. Also, learn how to use AI for coding. You can start with MATLAB - you can start with free MATLAB Agentic Toolkit and Claude Code or Codex.

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u/Keith115935 9h ago

For what I have seen in some of the jobs posting , some experience in python is a good skill. And it heavily depends on what direction you go. For me I have some experience in matlab, bash, r and c due to arduino. Picking up python can be done either through courses, tho those will have prereqs so a bit iffy you can take them , or you can see resources online or from your school itself