I wouldn’t completely disregard the benefit of the versatility of the BME field. Considering my case, for instance, I did my undergrad in Biology, with a concentration in the Neuro-endocrine system. Prior to my becoming a grad student, I was confident of my solid knowledge of that system, however, my deficiency in other courses such as Biomechanics, Biomaterials, and Calculus, has rendered that knowledge defective. I couldn’t really explain in great depth how the topographical propriety of hormones, for instance, leptin, influences its activity, or how the density and curvature properties of the endothelial cells in the blood-brain barrier, BBB, affect the selectivity of the border. Understanding the physiological mechanism involved at that border, as would a Biology student, wouldn’t suffice in solving physiological problems due to alterations of certain topographical cues rather than the fallibility of the physiology itself. By providing different approaches to solving a problem, a BME concentration can actually make someone ” a master” in his discipline.
I understand this reasoning may not be applicable to BME grad students with an undergrad background in BME, as these students may not have a ” solid ” grasp on one specific discipline. However, students with a background different from BME might actually find it very valuable to supplement their knowledge by adopting approaches provided within the BME field.