Biomedical Engineering with Biomechanics

This stream focusses on bioengineering problems related to major diseases such as cardiovascular disease, glaucoma and bone and joint disease (osteoarthritis, osteoporosis). These are major causes of death and of loss of quality of life, both in the UK and internationally, and the new course aims to prepare engineers for a career in industry and research in these rapidly growing key areas.

The programme aims/objectives are to:
• The aim of the programme is to train students in engineering methods as applied to medicine,
to equip them to perform healthcare and medical research using engineering principles, and
to be able to design and understand the use of medical equipment.
• Objectives of the programme are to
• Train students in the physical understanding of human physiology
• Train students in mechanics methods that can be applied in healthcare and
biology
• Teach students in the principles of operation of medical imaging and
physiological monitoring equipment

Course structure

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

Compulsory courses

• BE9-MSPHYS Systems physiology (30) C
• BE9-MSTDA Statistics and data analysis (30) C
• BE9-MBIMG Biomedical imaging (30) C
• BE9-MJCLUB Journal club (10) C
• BE9-MMDC Medical Device Certification (20) C
• BE4-MBMX Biomechanics (30) S

Option modules (at least four must be chosen)

• MSE315 Biomaterials (30) S
• BE9-MCBMX Cellular biomechanics (30) S
• BE9-MOBMX Orthopaedic biomechanics (30) S
• BE9-MHNCL Human neuromechanical control and learning (30) S
• BE3-HPFM Physiological fluid mechanics (30) S
• E4.55 MEMS and nanotechnology (30) S
• BE9-MHEDM Health economics and decision making (30) S

Project

The minimum entry requirement (equivalent to a UK Lower Second Class Honours (2B) degree), but the majority of programmes have higher requirements (usually a minimum of a UK Upper Second Class Honours (2A) degree).

An upper second class or equivalent first degree is required, together with a satisfactory English test
result for non-native speakers and a satisfactory personal statement.

Selection is performed by the MSc course co-ordinator on the basis of academic performance and
exam results and the personal statement, working closely with the Higher Degrees Office in Registry,
who provide advice on the equivalence of foreign degrees. References are always taken, and where
there are special circumstances or in borderline cases applicants are interviewed.

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.

Some of integrated Master’s degrees incorporate assessed work outside the academic terms and therefore attract 270 (or more) ECTS credits.

In cases where integrated Master’s degrees attract 240 ECTS credits, some, but not all, students will optionally be able to undertake additional study or project work in the summer vacations to raise their ECTS count to 270 – details of available opportunities will be confirmed by your department.