The double degree Bachelor of Engineering (Biomedical), Master of Engineering (Biomedical) requires five years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time).
The course is offered by the School of Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics, within the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
Admission requirements
The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.
Successful completion of either SACE Stage 2 (Year 12) Mathematical Studies or Mathematical Methods is normally required for entry to the Bachelor of Engineering (Biomedical), Master of Engineering (Biomedical). Knowledge of SACE Stage 2 (Year 12) Physics is assumed.
Course aims
The course has been designed to provide graduates with:
- a strong and broad foundation in both the theoretical and the practical aspects of engineering, particularly those relevant to the systematic development of biomedical engineering systems
- an awareness of social, economic, cultural and environmental aspects of (biomedical) engineering
- an ability to critically analyse and evaluate information and solve complex problems
- an understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities and a commitment to them
- well developed written and oral communication skills
- structured engineering work experience
- the ability to work and interact professionally as an individual and as a member of multi-disciplinary teams
- an understanding of the need to undertake lifelong learning and the capacity to do so
- preparation for future management roles as professional engineers.
The course provides the foundations that will underpin ongoing professional development, preparing graduates for further study or for a career in an engineering related field or in other areas where the range of skills and knowledge acquired is needed or desirable.
Learning outcomes
On completion of the award, students will be able to:
- skillfully use professional skills and knowledge in the systematic development of complex biomedical engineering systems
- apply advanced skills and knowledge in a professionally responsible manner;
- communicate effectively with other engineers and the wider global community using a wide range of communication technologies;
- work professionally as an individual and in a team
- understand describe the processes through which current knowledge was developed
- develop engineering solutions appropriate to the social, political, international, economic and environmental contexts in which they are applied
- engage in the process of continuing learning needed to retain the necessary level of professional skills and knowledge in the area of biomedical engineering
- contribute successfully to project management.
On completion of the Bachelor of Engineering (Biomedical), Master of Engineering (Biomedical) students will be eligible for professional membership of Engineers Australia.
Program of study
To qualify for the Bachelor of Engineering (Biomedical), Master of Engineering (Biomedical) a student must complete 180 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below.
Students must also achieve a credit level average or better at the end of third year. Students with less than a credit average at the end of third year will be permitted to transfer to the ordinary degree program of the Bachelor of Engineering (Biomedical) award.
Students continuing in the Bachelor of Engineering (Biomedical), Master of Engineering (Biomedical) program and maintaining a credit average or better will be awarded the degrees of Bachelor of Engineering with Honours and the Master of Engineering (Biomedical). Students who continue in this program but who fail to maintain a credit average will be awarded the ordinary degree of Bachelor of Engineering and the Master of Engineering (Biomedical).
Students who have successfully completed the first three years of the program (108 units) plus ENGR3403 Engineering Work Experience (0 units) may exit with a Bachelor of Engineering Science.
This award has two recommended sequences:
- Sequence 1 - Electronics-based Biomedical Engineering
- Sequence 2 - Mechanics-based Biomedical Engineering
These recommended sequences indicate sensible progressions that will satisfy topic pre-requisites. Students are free, however, to select topics from either sequence as long as they satisfy topic pre-requisites.
Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.
Core - Year 1 topics
36 units comprising:
COMP1102 Computer Programming 1 (4.5 units)
ENGR1201 Digital Electronics 1 (4.5 units)
ENGR1401 Professional Skills for Engineers (4.5 units)
ENGR1722 Engineering Materials (4.5 units)
MATH1121 Mathematics 1A (4.5 units)
MATH1122 Mathematics 1B (4.5 units)
MMED1005 How Your Body Works: Human Physiology and Structure (4.5 units)
Plus 4.5 units from recommended sequence 1 or 2:
Option - Electronics-based - Year 1 topics
ENGR1202 Analog Electronics 1 (4.5 units)
Option - Mechanics-based - Year 1 topics
ENGR1732 Mechanical and Electrical Fundamentals (4.5 units)
Core - Year 2 topics
36 units comprising:
ENGR2711 Engineering Mathematics (4.5 units)
ENGR2722 Signals and Systems (4.5 units)
ENGR2732 Biomechanics (4.5 units)
ENGR2742 Biomedical Instrumentation (4.5 units)
ENGR2772 Sensors and Actuators (4.5 units)
MMED2931 Human Physiology (4.5 units)
Plus 9 units from recommended sequence 1 or 2:
Option - Electronics-based - Year 2 topics
ENGR2721 Microprocessors (4.5 units)
ENGR2731 Electronic Circuits (4.5 units)
Option - Mechanics-based - Year 2 topics
ENGR1711 Engineering Design (4.5 units)
ENGR2741 Mechanics and Structures (4.5 units)
Core - Year 3 topics
36 units comprising:
ENGR2701 Engineering Programming (4.5 units)
ENGR3741 Physiological Measurement (4.5 units)
ENGR4702 Biomaterials (4.5 units)
MMED2932 Integrative Human Physiology (4.5 units)
MMED3932 Body Systems (4.5 units)
Plus 13.5 units from recommended sequence 1 or 2:
Option - Electronics-based - Year 3 topics
ENGR2702 Electrical Circuits and Machines (4.5 units)
ENGR2712 Electronic Design and Automation (4.5 units)
One of:
ENGR3701 Computer Organisation and Design (4.5 units)
MMED2933 Fundamental Neuroscience (4.5 units)
Option - Mechanics-based - Year 3 topics
MATH4701 Finite Element Methods (4.5 units)
ENGR2752 Mechanics of Machines (4.5 units)
One of:
ENGR2751 Fluid Mechanics (4.5 units)
ENGR2771 Dynamics and Mechanical Design (4.5 units)
Core - Year 4 topics
36 units comprising:
ENGR3704 Project Management for Engineering and Science (4.5 units)
ENGR3711 Control Systems (4.5 units)
ENGR3721 Signal Processing (4.5 units)
ENGR4781 Innovation in Medical Devices (4.5 units)
Plus 4.5 units CSEM option topics##
One of:
ENGR3700 Engineering Practicum* (13.5 units)
ENGR3710 International Engineering Practicum*# (13.5 units)
Core - Year 5 topics
36 units comprising^^:
ENGR5700A Masters Thesis (4.5/18 units)
ENGR5700B Masters Thesis (4.5/18 units)
ENGR5700C Masters Thesis (4.5/18 units)
ENGR5700D Masters Thesis (4.5/18 units)
Plus 18 units CSEM option topics##
*With the permission of the Director of Studies (Engineering), students may undertake ENGR3403 Engineering Work Experience (0 units) in place of ENGR3700 Engineering Practicum or ENGR3710 International Engineering Practicum. ENGR3403 may be taken any time after the student has completed 72 units, plus 13.5 units of CSEM upper-level topics. CSEM upper-level topics must be selected from COMP, ENGR, MATH and STAT topics at 2000-level and above.
#ENGR3710 International Engineering Practicum should be selected by those students intending to undertake their Practicum outside of Australia. Enrolment is subject to approval by the School and will consider the quality and appropriateness of the placement.
##CSEM Options must be selected from Table A, at least half of which will be chosen from those labelled as biomedical (Group B). With permission of the Director of Studies, one CSEM option topic may be chosen from CSEM upper-level topics. CSEM upper-level topics must be selected from COMP, ENGR, MATH and STAT topics at 2000-level and above.
^^Students must undertake the Masters Thesis topics over a minimum of two semesters.