Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical engineering combines engineering with medicine. You design and improve the technology hospitals depend on: imaging systems, implants, prostheses, patient monitors, biomaterials and medical software.

It is a full engineering degree, so maths and physics play a large role, but every module is applied to the human body.

Year 1: Engineering and science foundations

• Calculus, linear algebra and differential equations
• Physics, chemistry and introductory biology
• Programming in Python or MATLAB
• Engineering design and technical drawing

Year 2: Core biomedical engineering

• Human physiology for engineers
• Biomechanics and materials science
• Electronics, circuits and signals
• Thermodynamics and fluid mechanics

Year 3: Specialisation

• Medical imaging and biomedical instrumentation
• Biomaterials and tissue engineering
• Biomedical signal processing
• Regulation and quality management of medical devices
• Industry placement or co-op term at many universities

Year 4: Capstone

• Capstone design project with a hospital or company
• Electives such as rehabilitation engineering, neuroengineering or AI in medicine

In the UK the BEng takes three years, the MEng four. In Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA the degree takes four years.

• Brunel University London (UK): approx. 28,000 to 29,800 € per year
• Queensland University of Technology (Australia): approx. 24,000 to 28,800 € per year
• Monash University (Australia): approx. 27,000 to 33,000 € per year
• University of Auckland (New Zealand): approx. 23,900 to 31,800 € per year
• Toronto Metropolitan University (Canada): approx. 26,000 to 29,300 € per year
• University of Guelph (Canada): approx. 29,300 to 32,500 € per year
• Carleton University (Canada): approx. 26,000 to 31,200 € per year
• Florida Institute of Technology (USA): approx. 41,300 € per year
• Illinois Institute of Technology (USA): approx. 44,700 € per year
• Saint Louis University (USA): approx. 46,400 € per year

Biomedical engineers work for medical device manufacturers, hospitals, regulatory bodies, start-ups and research institutes. Typical roles: product development engineer, clinical engineer, regulatory affairs specialist, quality engineer.

In the USA, STEM graduates can work for up to three years after graduation through OPT.