Degree Name	BEng	MEng
Medical Engineering	HB18	HB1V

Latest news:

-  In the national research assessment (RAE, Dec 2008) the Civil & Computational Centre came 2nd in the UK (out of 23) and the Multidisciplinary Nanotechnology Centre came 5th in the UK (out of 56). This is great news for the medical engineering course, since most of the modules (70-80%) are being taught by lecturers and professors from these 2 centres.  

- Press release: Haemair win IChemE Bioprocess Innovation Award with device for patients with deficient lungs.

Welcome

Medical engineering is the application of engineering principles to both the human body itself and to a broad range of instrumentation used as part of modern medicine. The subject by its nature is multidisciplinary and this is reflected by the exposure students will receive to a broad range of activities; from the design of prosthetic devices and new biocompatible materials, to the study of the behaviour of complex biomolecules and fluids within the body. This degree is taught within the Schools of Engineering and Medicine at Swansea, and reflects the strong collaboration that exists between both schools at undergraduate and research levels.

The design of the course is such that it takes advantage of the expertise available as a result of the world leading research carried out within the Schools of Engineering and Medicine. This is particularly important in levels 3 and 4 of the course, where students will have the opportunity to carry out bio-medical engineering research projects within one of the research centres in the School of Engineering (eg research in nano-health or computational biomechanics). There will also be an opportunity for final year students to undertake research projects within the School of Medicine or within local NHS hospitals.

A multidisciplinary approach

The course has three engineering themes running through it:

• Biomechanics and materials; looking at the development and analysis of materials in terms of strength and biocompatibility 
• Instrumentation; looking at advanced diagnostic and therapeutic techniques
• Bioprocesses; looking at physical and chemical processes occurring in the human body

A strong clinical theme runs throughout the course  including case studies within engineering modules (eg design of electrocardiograph circuitry in level 1 electrical engineering module), and biological and clinical modules taught within the Medical School, which are specifically designed for the medical engineers.

Schemes of Study

BEng Medical Engineering

This is a three-year scheme. During your first two years of study you will encounter the fundamentals of engineering science and design, alongside introductory materials in fields such as cell biology, human physiology and medical diagnostics. At Level Three the course content becomes more specific, focusing more on the applications of engineering to the human body, with modules covering topics such as implant and prosthetic technology,immuno-biology and biomechanics. Level 3 also includes an extensive, individual research project linked with the School of Medicine or the local NHS.

MEng Medical Engineering

This is a four-year scheme, with the first three years identical to the BEng degree. The fourth year includes topics at the forefront of research in bio-engineering, drawing on the expertise and state-of-the-art equipment available in the schools of Engineering and Medicine. The modules taught in the fourth year cover advanced studies of established technologies such as Medical Imaging and also look to the future of medical engineering in areas such as Bio-Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering.

NOTE: It is also possible to transfer between the BEng and the MEng degree schemes at the end of Level Two.

Accreditation

The course is being submitted for accreditation by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE). Accreditation is based on rigorous reviews of our course content and delivery by the professional bodies. This means that, after a degree from the School of Engineering and structured industrial training, our graduates can aim for the prized “Chartered Engineer” status. This gives our graduates valuable experience, whilst adding to their qualifications, status and career prospects.

Career Prospects

Job opportunities in the field of medical engineering are good and cover a wide range of careers. These include established technologies such as the design and manufacture of medical instrumentation and devices; for example dialysis machines and artificial hip joints. Opportunities also exist for ‘clinical engineers’ within the NHS, who provide a wide variety of diagnostic and therapeutic services in collaboration with medical professionals. Finally, funding for medical research is growing rapidly and is likely to continue to grow. There is an increasing need for researchers to work at the interface between the traditional disciplines of physical and biomedical sciences. A graduate in medical engineering would be ideally placed to take advantage of these opportunities.

Entry Requirements

MEng: 320–360 tariff points including 100 points in Mathematics and either Physics or Chemistry at A2 level.

BEng: 260 tariff points including 80 points in Mathematics and either Physics or Chemistry at A2 level.

Applicants, whose qualifications are not suitable for direct entry to Level 1, may be considered for the four-year Integrated BEng degree scheme (foundation year + Beng).

Contact Details

Recruitment Office

Tel: +44-(0)1792-295255

Email: engineering@swansea.ac.uk