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Engineering, Mathematics and Science
129
Biomedical engineering
Students who wish to study Biomedical engineering
apply to the Integrated engineering degree (TR032). The
first two years are common to all Integrated engineering
students and at the end of the second year students select
Biomedical engineering as their specialist area.
See page 125 for details of the Freshman (first two) years.
What is Biomedical engineering?
Biomedical engineering is the application of engineering
principles to study how the human body works and to design
medical devices and diagnostic equipment. Biomedical
engineers are found working in companies making medical
devices such as cardiac pacemakers, stents, MRI scanners
and aids for people with disabilities. They also work in
pharmaceutical companies and as clinical engineers in hospitals.
It’s a challenging subject which requires a basic knowledge of
biology and medicine as well as understanding of a range of
engineering topics spanning electronics, computers, mechanics
and manufacturing.
It’s a very exciting field in which new products are being
developed all the time, often using the latest technology in
materials, manufacturing techniques and analytical tools.
What will you study?
Course topics include areas of both mechanical and electronic
engineering, specialised topics in biomedical engineering and
courses in basic medical and biological sciences. Courses
include the following:
n
Biomechanics
– principles of statics and dynamics applied
to the human body
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Biomaterials
– materials used in implants, instruments and
other medical devices
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Physiological measurement and data analysis
–
collecting and interpreting data from diagnostic instruments
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Telemedicine
– using computers and telecommunications in
a medical context
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Anatomy and physiology
– how the human body works
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Cell and molecular biology
– how living cells work
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Medical device design
– designing new devices for
implantation into the body, new instruments or monitoring
equipment
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Tissue engineering
– using the body’s own cells to make
new tissues
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Neural signal analysis
– measuring and analysing signals
from the brain
In the Junior Sophister (third) year you will study technical
courses in both mechanical/manufacturing engineering and
electronic engineering, along with a course in Anatomy and
physiology. In the Senior Sophister (fourth) year and (optional)
Masters (fifth) year you will study a range of technical subjects,
most being in specialised areas of Biomedical engineering (see
above), and a course in Cell and molecular biology.
Project work is an important aspect of this degree and there is
an extensive research facility available to students. You will carry
out several projects, including a major research project in your
final year. Some examples of final-year projects include:
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Nanocomposites for cardiovascular implants
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The biomechanics of rowing
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Design and construction of an improved wheelchair
n
Improved diagnosis and treatment of stroke
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Remote ECG monitoring
Study abroad and work experience
You can spend part of your fourth year studying abroad
or
working in industry
. There are opportunities to study
abroad through the Erasmus, Cluster and Unitech exchange
programmes. The Department links with many universities
including Katholieke University of Leuven, Belgium; INSA de
Lyon, France; INPG Grenoble; Karlsruhe, Germany and KTH,
Sweden.
Career opportunities
Though the biomedical engineering sector worldwide is not as
large as some of the major, traditional engineering sectors such
as telecommunications and automotive engineering, Ireland
has a very strong concentration of medical companies making
it a European hub for the manufacture of medical devices and
pharmaceuticals. These companies have a strong need for high
quality graduates at the Masters and PhD level because of the
high technical level of their products.
Biomedical engineers also find employment in hospitals where
they work as clinical engineers, responsible for complex,
expensive diagnostic equipment and laboratories.
Further information
Course coordinator: Richard Reilly
Website:
Trinity Centre for Bioengineering:
Tel: + 353 1 896 4214
