The double degree Bachelor of Engineering (Biomedical) (Honours), Master of Engineering (Biomedical) requires five years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time).

The course is offered by the School of Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics, within the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Admission requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

Under current exsiting SACE - Successful completion of any of SACE Stage 2 (Year 12) Specialist Mathematics, Mathematical Studies or Mathematical Methods or equivalent International Baccalaureate subjects is normally required for entry. Knowledge of SACE Stage 2 (Year 12) Physics is assumed.

Under the National Curriculum (from 2017) - Successful completion of either SACE Stage 2 (Year 12) Specialist Mathematics or Mathematical Methods or equivalent International Baccalaureate subjects is normally required for entry. Knowledge of SACE Stage 2 (Year 12) Physics is assumed.

Course aims

The course has been designed to provide graduates with:

  • a strong understanding of both the theoretical and the practical aspects of engineering, particularly those relevant to the systematic development of biomedical engineering systems
  • an awareness of social, economic, cultural and environmental aspects of (biomedical) engineering
  • an ability to critically analyse and evaluate information and solve complex problems
  • an understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities and a commitment to them
  • well developed written and oral communication skills
  • structured engineering work experience
  • the ability to work and interact professionally as an individual and as a member of multi-disciplinary teams
  • an understanding of the need to undertake lifelong learning and the capacity to do so
  • an ability to undertake a substantial research-oriented project
  • preparation for future management roles as professional engineers.

The course provides the foundations that will underpin ongoing professional development, preparing graduates for further study or for a career in an engineering related field or in other areas where the range of skills and knowledge acquired is needed or desirable.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the award, students will be able to:

  • skillfully use professional skills and knowledge in the systematic development of complex biomedical engineering systems
  • demonstrate a broad understanding of the biomedical engineering discipline and a deeper understanding of some areas of biomedical engineering
  • apply advanced skills and knowledge in a professionally responsible manner
  • communicate effectively with other engineers and the wider global community using a wide range of communication technologies
  • work professionally as an individual and in a team
  • understand and describe the processes through which current knowledge was developed
  • develop engineering solutions appropriate to the social, political, international, economic and environmental contexts in which they are applied
  • engage in the process of continuing learning needed to retain the necessary level of professional skills and knowledge in the area of biomedical engineering
  • contribute successfully to project management
  • plan and execute a research project, applying relevant methodologies and knowledge
  • apply skills adopted through the thesis and advanced discipline topics to postgraduate level research or advanced industrial investigation.

On completion of the Bachelor of Engineering (Biomedical) (Honours), Master of Engineering (Biomedical) students will be eligible for professional membership of Engineers Australia. 

Program of study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Engineering (Biomedical) (Honours), Master of Engineering (Biomedical) a student must complete 180 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below.

This award has two recommended sequences:

  • Sequence 1 - Electronics-based Biomedical Engineering
  • Sequence 2 - Mechanics-based Biomedical Engineering

These recommended sequences indicate sensible progressions that will satisfy topic pre-requisites. Students are free, however, to select topics from either sequence as long as they satisfy topic pre-requisites.

Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.

Core - Year 1 topics

36 units comprising:

 ENGR1201  Electronics  (4.5 units)
 ENGR1401  Professional Skills  (4.5 units)
 ENGR1721 Engineering Programming (4.5 units)
 ENGR1722  Engineering Physics and Materials 1  (4.5 units)
 ENGR1732  Engineering Mechanics  (4.5 units)
 MATH1121  Mathematics 1A  (4.5 units)
 MATH1122  Mathematics 1B  (4.5 units)
 MMED1005  How Your Body Works: Human Physiology and Structure  (4.5 units)

Core - Year 2 topics

36 units comprising:

 ENGR1711  Engineering Design  (4.5 units)
 ENGR2711  Engineering Mathematics  (4.5 units)
 ENGR2722  Analysis of Engineering Systems  (4.5 units)
 ENGR2732  Biomechanics  (4.5 units)
 ENGR2742  Biomedical Instrumentation  (4.5 units)
 ENGR2772  Sensors and Actuators  (4.5 units)
 MMED2931  Human Physiology  (4.5 units)

Plus 4.5 units from recommended sequence 1 or 2:

Option - Electronics-based - Year 2 topics

 ENGR2731  Electronic Circuits  (4.5 units)  

Option - Mechanics-based - Year 2 topics

 ENGR2741  Mechanics and Structures  (4.5 units)  

Core - Year 3 topics

36 units comprising:

 COMP2711  Computer Programming 2  (4.5 units)
 ENGR3741  Physiological Measurement  (4.5 units)
 ENGR7702  Biomaterials  (4.5 units)
 MMED2932  Integrative Human Physiology  (4.5 units)
 MMED3932  Body Systems  (4.5 units)

Plus a 4.5 unit elective topic

Plus 9 units from recommended sequence 1 or 2:

Option - Electronics-based - Year 3 topics

 ENGR2721  Microprocessors  (4.5 units)
 ENGR3721  Signal Processing  (4.5 units)

Option - Mechanics-based - Year 3 topics

 ENGR2751  Fluid Mechanics  (4.5 units)
 ENGR3751  Solid Mechanics  (4.5 units)

Core - Year 4 topics

36 units comprising:

ENGR9704  Project Management for Engineering and Science GE  (4.5 units)
ENGR9721  Control Systems GE  (4.5 units)
ENGR7781  Innovation in Medical Devices  (4.5 units)
ENGR3750  Workplace Preparation (0 units)

Plus 9 units CSEM option topics (see note 5)

Plus one of:

 ENGR3700  Engineering Practicum  (13.5 units) (see note 1)
 ENGR3710  International Engineering Practicum (13.5 units) (see notes 1, 2)

Core - Year 5 topics

36 units comprising:

 ENGR9700A  Masters Thesis  (4.5/18 units) (see note 3)
 ENGR9700B  Masters Thesis  (4.5/18 units) 
 ENGR9700C  Masters Thesis  (4.5/18 units) 
 ENGR9700D  Masters Thesis  (4.5/18 units)
 ENGR9742  Standards, Ethics and Compliance  (4.5 units)
 
Plus 13.5 units of Table A topics where the prerequisites are met (see notes 4 and 5)

  1. With the permission of the Director of Studies, students may undertake ENGR3403 Engineering Work Experience (0 units) plus 13.5 units of CSEM upper-level topics in place of ENGR3700 Engineering Practicum. ENGR3403 may be taken any time after the student has completed 63 units. Note that under the Fair Work Act, students enrolled in 0-unit Industry Experience topics must be in receipt of appropriate remuneration from the industry partner. Evidence of appropriate remuneration must be demonstrated before enrolment is permitted in the topic. International students please are aware that your student visa conditions may restrict you from undertaking ENGR3403 within Australia. Please see the topic coordinator for further details.
  2. ENGR3710 International Engineering Practicum should be selected by those students intending to undertake their Practicum outside of Australia. Enrolment is subject to approval by the School and will consider the quality and appropriateness of the placement.
  3. Students must undertake the Masters Thesis topics over a minimum of two semesters.
  4. At least 9 units of the topics taken from Table A must be from those labelled as Biomedical (Group B).
  5. With the permission of the Director of Studies, one Table A topic may be replaced by a COMP, ENGR, MATH or STAT topic at 7000-level and above as long as Note 4 is satisfied.
  6. The honours grade for the Bachelor degree is awarded at the end of the combined degree and is determined in accordance with the University''s Assessment Policy and Procedures and is calculated from the Weighted Average Mark of all topics at level 7000 and above taken as part of the degree as follows:

           85 ≤ WAM - Honours First Class (H1)
           75 ≤ WAM < 85 - Honours Second Class Division A (H2A)
           65 ≤ WAM < 75 - Honours Second Class Division B (H2B)
           50 ≤ WAM < 65 - Honours Third Class (H3)

           Where a student has satisfied all requirements for the course but has achieved a 
           WAM of less than 50, the WAM will be deemed 50 for the purposes of calculating the
           honours classification.

Combined degrees

The Bachelor of Engineering (Biomedical) (Honours), Master of Engineering (Biomedical) may also be studied in a combined degrees program with any Bachelor degree in the Faculty of Science and Engineering.