Biomedical engineering

Overview

What is Biomedical Engineering?

Biomedical engineering is at the intersection of engineering, the life sciences and healthcare. Biomedical engineers take principles from applied science (including mechanical, electrical, chemical and computer engineering) and physical sciences (including physics, chemistry and mathematics) and apply them to biology and medicine. Although the human body is a more complex system than even the most sophisticated machine, many of the same concepts that go into building and programming a machine can be applied to biological structures and systems leading to new diagnostic and therapeutic tools. The goal is to better understand, replace or fix a target system to ultimately improve the quality of healthcare.

Biomedical engineers become involved in research and development, spanning a broad array of subfields: biofabrication, bioprinting, biomechanics, biomaterials, tissue engineering, neural engineering, medical devices, clinical engineering, medical imaging. Prominent biomedical engineering applications include the development of biocompatible prostheses, various diagnostic and therapeutic medical devices ranging from clinical equipment to micro-implants, advanced imaging methods such as MRIs and EEGs as well as development of regenerative materials, engineered tissues and artificial organs.

Biomedical engineering is a challenging professional discipline, requiring knowledge of biology and medicine, as well as understanding of a range of engineering subjects. It is also a very exciting field in which new methods and products are constantly being developed, using the latest technology in materials, mechanics, electronics, mathematical analytical methods and manufacturing processes.

Do you enjoy…

• Finding out how living things work?
• Analysing problems and formulating solutions?
• Working with mathematics and numbers?

Graduate skills and career opportunities

Biomedical engineering is the fastest-growing career and this trend is expected to continue over the next decade. Ireland’s medical technology sector has evolved into a global leader for medical device and diagnostic products, with more than 450 companies involved in developing, manufacturing and marketing medical devices. These include Abbott, Bayer, Becton Dickinson, Boston Scientific, Johnson & Johnson, Guidant, Medtronic and Stryker. These companies have a strong demand for high quality graduates at Master’s and Ph.D. level.

Biomedical engineers also find employment in clinics and hospitals where they work as clinical engineers, responsible for complex, expensive diagnostic equipment and laboratories.

Your degree and what you’ll study

Course topics include areas of mechanical, manufacturing, and electronic engineering, specialised topics in biomedical engineering and courses in basic medical and biological sciences. Example biomedical courses include:

• Biomechanics.
• Biomaterials.
• Anatomy and Physiology.
• Cell and Molecular Biology.
• Medical Device Design.
• Tissue Engineering.
• Neural Engineering.
• Medical Imaging.

First and second years

During the first two years, students intending to take Biomedical Engineering as their final degree will take a range of modules in general engineering, as well as approved modules in other relevant areas.

Third and fourth years

In the third year you will study technical courses in both mechanical/manufacturing engineering and electronic engineering, along with courses in anatomy and physiology. In the fourth (final) year and (optional) Master’s year you will study a range of technical subjects in greater depth.

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 Capstone research project in your final year. Examples of final-year projects include:

• Design of a branch stent for abdominal aortic aneurysm.
• Finite element modelling of 3D printed scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.
• Determination of the effect of freezing on the mechanical properties of decellularised arteries.
• Head kinematics in contact sports.