Biomedical Engineering with Biomaterials

The Biomaterials stream is offered jointly with the Department of Materials and focuses on the design and synthesis of new materials that will be used as implants or prostheses. Key to implant development is the understanding of how the material design affects biological response. An example is total joint replacement: understanding materials selection and properties and the advantages and disadvantages of their use and long term effects. Another example is the design of temporary templates (scaffolds) that can act as guides for tissue repair and can signal stem cells depending on their surface chemistry and topography. Depending on their design, materials can be degradable, can stimulate tissue growth at the cellular level and can release drugs at controlled rates. The design of the material is very specific to the tissue that is being repaired or the drug being delivered. Techniques for imaging the cell-material interactions are also important.

(are being updated for 2014 15)

Course structure

Numbers in brackets are taught hours. C=core element, S=specialist element. 

Compulsory modules

• MSE315 Biomaterials (30) S
• MSE418 Advanced tissue engineering (30) S
• MSE417 Advanced biomaterials (30) S
• BE9-MSPHYS Systems physiology (30) C
• BE9-MSTDA Statistics and data analysis (30) C
• BE9-MBIMG Biomedical imaging (30) C
• BE9-MMDC Medical Device Certification (20) C
• BE9-MJCLUB Journal club (10) C

Option modules (at least two must be chosen)

• BE9-MBMX Biomechanics (30) S
• E4.55 MEMS and nanotechnology (30) S
• BE4-MAMI Advanced medical imaging (30) S
• BE3-HIPR Image processing (30) S
• BE9-MHEDM Health economics and decision making (30) S
• BE9-MOBMX Orthopaedic biomechanics (30) S
• BE9-MAPMDA Advanced physiological monitoring and data analysis (30) S

Project

The minimum requirement is a degree equivalent to a Upper Second Class Honours in engineering, physical science or mathematics.

The Department of Bioengineering has 5 partial scholarships (£5000 each) for this course. These scholarships provide partial funding for students undertaking the one-year MSc in Biomedical Engineering at Imperial College London on a full-time basis commencing in October 2015. Scholarships may be awarded to any student regardless of country of origin, but are unlikely to be awarded to those who already have external funding for the course. Selection will be based on academic excellence, however an applicant’s financial need may also be considered; for this reason applicants will normally summarise their financial circumstances clearly in their application. To be eligible you must have applied for the course, and be holding an offer by the 31 March 2015. Applicants who meet these criteria will then be automatically put forward and will be notified if they are successful.