Biomedical Engineering - BEng (Hons)

including a Foundation Year

Course structure

Duration: 4 years full-time

Modules 

The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

On most programmes, you study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also be able to take ‘elective’ modules from other programmes so you can customise your programme and explore other subjects that interest you.

Foundation year

Compulsory modules currently include

MA022 - Graphs, Geometry and Trigonometry (15 credits)

PH020 - Algebra and Arithmetic (15 credits)

EL021 - Calculus (15 credits)

EL024 - Electromagnetics for Engineers (15 credits)

EL025 - Engineering Principles - 1 (15 credits)

EL026 - Engineering Principles - 2 (15 credits)

EL033 - Engineering and Programming Skills (15 credits)

Optional modules may include

BI305 - Fundamental Human Biology (15 credits)

EL027 - Engineering Principles - 3 (15 credits)

Stage 1

Compulsory modules currently include

EL313 - Introduction to Programming (15 credits)

EL323 - Engineering Design and Mechanics (15 credits)

BI307 - Human Physiology and Disease (15 credits)

EL305 - Introduction to Electronics (15 credits)

EL311 - First Year Engineering Applications Project (15 credits)

EL315 - Digital Technologies (15 credits)

EL318 - Engineering Mathematics (15 credits)

EL319 - Engineering Analysis (15 credits)

Stage 2

Compulsory modules currently include

BI513 - Human Physiology and Disease II (15 credits)

EL517 - Control and Mechatronics (15 credits)

EL577 - Entrepreneurship and Professional Development (15 credits)

EL516 - Biomechanics (15 credits)

EL515 - Physiological Measurements (15 credits)

EL561 - Image Analysis and Applications (15 credits)

EL562 - Engineering Group Project (15 credits)

EL519 - Introduction to Fluid Dynamics (15 credits)

Stage 3

Compulsory modules currently include

EL640 - Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (15 credits)

EL600 - Project (15 credits)

EL614 - Biomaterials (15 credits)

EL683 - Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety (RAMS) (15 credits)

EL676 - Digital Signal Processing and Control (15 credits)

Optional modules may include

EL522 - Design & Manufacturing Technology (15 credits)

EL677 - Communication Network and IoT (15 credits)

PH513 - Medical Physics (15 credits)

EL509 - Virtual Reality (15 credits)

Teaching and assessment

Teaching/learning

Lectures; tutorial lectures; demonstrator-led examples classes; tutor-led small group supervisions; project work; laboratory experiments and computer-based assignments.  Case studies on industry hot topics and emerging technologies. In particular the first, second and third-year projects give hands-on experience of electronic design and project management.

Problem-solving workshops allow you to develop skills in applying biomedical knowledge to solution of problems. Practical classes teach specific laboratory skills and demonstrate how they can be used to investigate biomedical systems.

Assessment

Written unseen examinations; assessed coursework in the form of examples, class assignments, laboratory write-ups, assessed project work, assignments and essays and class tests.

Contact hours

For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours.  The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Programme aims

The programme aims to:

• Educate students to become engineers who are well equipped for professional careers in development, research and production in industry and universities, and who are well adapted to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing subject.
• Produce professional engineers skilled in Biomedical engineering with a well-balanced knowledge of Electronic System Engineering.
• Provide proper academic guidance and welfare support for all students.
• Create an atmosphere of co-operation and partnership between staff and students, and offer the students an environment where they can develop their potential.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

You gain knowledge and understanding of:

• Mathematical principles relevant to bioengineering
• Scientific principles and methodology relevant to bioengineering
• Advanced concepts of instrumentation and systems engineering.
• The value of intellectual property and contractual issues
• Business and management techniques which may be used to achieve engineering objectives
• The need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct in engineering 
• Current manufacturing practice with particular emphasis on product safety and EMC standards and directives
• Characteristics of materials, equipment, processes and products 
• Appropriate codes of practice, industry standards and quality issues
• Contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied 
• The structure, function and control of the human body
• The main metabolic pathways used in biological systems in catabolism and anabolism, understanding biological reactions in chemical terms
• The variety of mechanisms by which metabolic pathways can be controlled and the way that they can be co-ordinated with changes in the physiological environment
• The main principles of cell and molecular biology, biochemistry and microbiology
• Immunological disease/disorders
• The main methods for communicating information on biomedical sciences

Intellectual skills

You gain the following intellectual abilities:

• Analysis and solution of problems in bioengineering using appropriate mathematical methods
• Ability to apply and integrate knowledge and understanding of other engineering and bioscience disciplines to support study of bioengineering
• Use of engineering and bioscience principles and the ability to apply them to analyse key bioengineering processes
• Ability to identify, classify and describe the performance of systems and components through the use of analytical methods and modelling techniques
• Ability to apply and understand a systems approach to bioengineering problems
• Ability to investigate and define a problem and identify constraints including cost drivers, economic, environmental, health and safety and risk assessment issues
• Ability to use creativity to establish innovative, aesthetic solutions whilst understanding customer and user needs, ensuring fitness for purpose of all aspects of the problem including production, operation, maintenance and disposal
• Ability to demonstrate the economic and environmental context of the engineering solution
• Integrate scientific evidence, to formulate and test hypotheses
• Recognise the moral and ethical issues of biomedical investigations and appreciate the need for ethical standards and professional codes of conduct

Subject-specific skills

You gain subject-specific skills in the following:

• Use of mathematical techniques to analyse problems in bioengineering.
• Ability to work in an engineering laboratory environment and to use a wide range of electronic equipment, workshop equipment and CAD tools for the practical realisation of electronic circuits
• Ability to work with technical uncertainty
• Ability to apply quantitative methods and computer software relevant to engineering in order to solve bioengineering problems
• Ability to design electronic circuits or systems to fulfil a product specification and devise tests to appraise performance.
• Awareness of the nature of intellectual property and contractual issues and an understanding of appropriate codes of practice and industry standards
• Ability to use technical literature and other information sources and apply it to a design 
• Ability to apply management techniques to the planning, resource allocation and execution of a design project and evaluate outcomes
• Ability to prepare technical reports and presentations.

Transferable skills

You gain transferable skills in the following:

• Ability to generate, analyse, present and interpret data
• Use of Information and Communications Technology
• Personal and interpersonal skills, work as a member of a team
• Communicate effectively (in writing, verbally and through drawings)
• Learn effectively for the purpose of continuing professional development
• Ability for critical thinking, reasoning and reflection
• Ability to manage time and resources within an individual project and a group project

Careers

Graduate destinations

The School of Engineering has an excellent record of student employability. Previous graduates have gone on to careers in:

• design of electronic and computer systems
• software engineering
• real-time industrial control systems
• computer communications networks.

Other graduates have gone on to work for a range of organisations including:

• BAE Systems
• RAF
• CISCO
• Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (MOD).

Help finding a job

The School of Engineering holds an annual Employability and Careers Day where you can meet local and national employers and discuss career opportunities. Ongoing support is provided by the School's dedicated Employability Officer.

The University also has a friendly Careers and Employability Service which can give you advice on how to:

• apply for jobs
• write a good CV
• perform well in interviews.

Career-enhancing skills

Alongside specialist skills, you also develop the transferable skills graduate employers look for, including the ability to:

• think critically 
• communicate your ideas and opinions 
• work independently and as part of a team.

You can gain extra skills by signing up for one of our Kent Extra activities, such as learning a language or volunteering.

Professional recognition

Our programme is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), which enables fast-track career progression as a professional engineer.