Biomedical Engineering

This degree is one of three undergraduate degrees in the Department. All students follow the same programme for the first two years of study. The modules in this degree are designed to help you develop a deep understanding of fundamental engineering principles, such as heat and mass transfer, mechanics and electromagnetics. You will also gain specific expertise in how the human body functions through topics such as medical science and molecules, cells and processes.

The modules in this degree are designed to help you develop a deep understanding of fundamental engineering principles, such as heat and mass transfer, mechanics and electromagnetics. You will also gain specific expertise in how the human body functions through topics such as medical science and molecules, cells and processes.

It is this fusion of engineering knowledge and its practical application in healthcare that have led to advancements in areas such as assistive medical technologies, from artificial limbs to implanted medical devices such as pacemakers, stents and hearing aids, for people living with injuries, disabilities or illnesses.

In the second year, you will take part in a joint engineering design project with students from the Departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Electrical and Electronic Engineering as part of the Rio Tinto Sports Innovation Challenge. This project aims to unleash your creativity to improve the sporting and training equipment available to disabled people.

In the final year you will choose from a range of advanced modules, offered by departments across the Faculty of Engineering, that are designed to integrate engineering principles with medical applications. You will also undertake a research project, part of which may be in association with another department at Imperial or with hospitals associated with the Faculty of Medicine.

TAt the end of the second year students achieving 2:1 or above have the opportunity to go onto the four year MEng programme, which allows specialisation in either Mechanical or Electrical Engineering. 

YEARS 1 AND 2

BEng first and second years are required to take all of the following modules which integrate engineering concepts and practice with a wide range of medical applications:

• Walking and Running
• Molecules, Cells, Processes
• Mathematics
• Vibrations and Waves
• Electromagnetics
• Logic and Digital Systems
• Medical Science I Respiratory and Cardiovascular
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanics
• Fluid Mechanics 
• Solid Mechanics
• Heat and Mass Transport
• Programming
• Engineering properties of Materials
• Electrical Engineering Labs
• Wet lab skills
• Topics in Bioengineering
• Electronic Build Project
• Atomic, Molecular and Semiconductor Structure 
• Signals and Systems 
• Control Systems
• Mechanical Workshop Skills

The first two years provide a platform for specialisation in the final year(s) of the degree programme.

In second year, you will take part in an engineering design project based on the Rio Tinto Sports Innovation Challenge, which aims to unleash your creativity to improve the sporting and training equipment available to disabled people.

As part of the project, you will have chance to work with students from the departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Electrical and Electronic Engineering to share ideas, knowledge and skills. Past projects have included:

• an EMG (muscle-electrical signal) operated gear changing for upper-limb amputee cyclists
• a navigational communications and control suit to give sensory feedback via a smartphone for visually or orally impaired sailors

YEAR 3 BEng programme

You are required to take ALL the compulsory modules AND EITHER four technical options and two Business school/Humanities options, OR five technical options and one Business school/Humanities option.

Compulsory modules

• Modelling in Biology
• Individual Project
• Physiological Imaging and Monitoring 

Technical optional modules

• Physiological Fluid Mechanics
• Image Processing 
• Human Centred Design of Assistive and Rehabilitation Devices  Biomechanics
• Introduction to Bioinformatics
• Synthetic Biology
• Biomedical Electronics

Business school/Humanities optional modules

• Languages 
• Philosophy
• European History
• Politics
• History of Medicine
• Music and Western Civilisation
• Communicating Science: The Public and the Media
• Philosophies of Science: Theory, Society and Communication
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance and Financial Management 
• Managerial Economics
• Innovation Management

The normal A-level requirements are A*AA to include:

• A* in Mathematics
• A in Physics
• A in Further Mathematics, Chemistry or Biology

AS-level Chemistry and Biology are useful, though not essential, if they have been obtained with at least a grade B at GCSE either individually or as components of Combined Science.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

For students following the International Baccalaureate, we require 38 points overall, to include:

• 6 in Mathematics at higher level
• 6 in Physics at higher level
• 6 in a third subject at higher level

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS (ALL CANDIDATES)

All candidates must have a minimum English language qualification of at least grade B at GCSE or other equivalent qualification. For details of acceptable English language qualifications, and the minimum grades required by the College.

*Admission of students with other competencies http://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/ug/apply/requirements/ugacademic/

Bioengineering undergraduate students are encouraged and supported to find summer
placements in college or industry.
Over the summer recess the Department typically employs about 25 undergraduate
students to work on teaching or research related projects. Students earn about £2000
for about 10 weeks work. 

Prestigious departmental and college-wide scholarships ensure recruitment of the very
best scholars to the college. The scholarships are awarded on academic merit and are
allocated as part of the MEng application process (i.e. not BEng). You will be informed if
you have been awarded a scholarship when you receive your offer details. Therefore,
you do not need to apply for the scholarships.

The Department of Bioengineering provides the following undergraduate scholarships:

• The John Lever undergraduate scholarship is worth £3000 per year. The scholarship is for MEng applicants and will be initially for two years. The remaining two years of the scholarship will be awarded if the recipient successfully moves on to the third and fourth years of the MEng programme.
• The Department has five scholarships. Each is worth £3000 and is awarded in the first year.
• The Department has been allocated four of the College’s Rectors scholarships. Each is worth £3000 and is awarded in the first year.

The Department of Bioengineering has five MSc scholarships. Each is worth £5000 for
the year. The scholarships are awarded on academic merit and are allocated as part of
the MSc application process. The selection process takes place around April for the year
of admission. You will be informed if you have been awarded a scholarship separately
from receiving your offer details. Therefore, you do not need to apply for the
scholarships.

The College has a hardship fund to help European and overseas students who are
experiencing financial difficulties whilst studying at Imperial.

The opening date for applications for admissions in October 2015 is: mid-September 2014.

The deadline for the submission of applications to qualify for full and equal treatment is:

• Applicants including Oxford and Cambridge, Medicine among their entries – 15 October 2014
• Applicants including Medicine among their entries – 15 October 2014