Introducing MSc Biomedical Engineering — University of Sussex

If you want to develop and maintain the next advances in healthcare then this course is for you. Course convener, Dr Carlo Tiseo explains why the course is unique and where it can lead

What is biomedical engineering?

Biomedical engineering is the branch of the discipline that applies its principles and problem-solving techniques to address biological and medical issues.

It is an intrinsically multidisciplinary field where the practitioner must integrate knowledge from different fields, such as physics, chemistry, mechanical and electrical engineering, to develop solutions.

Biomedical engineers also have to consider in their practice the ethical and societal impacts of their work, which serves a frail population. From a practical standpoint, some of the tasks that fall within the remit of biomedical engineers are:

• biomaterials
• diagnostic and interventional technologies
• hospital infrastructure design and management
• implantable, assistive and rehabilitation devices.

What are the courses unique selling points?

The School of Engineering and Informatics (EngInf) and the Brighton Sussex Medical School (BSMS) have developed the course together to ensure the students are provided with an experience encompassing interaction with the clinical elements that will be a key part of their future careers. BSMS will deliver the fundamentals of anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry needed to understand the discipline, which is then integrated into the technical courses developed by EngInf.

We have three engineering modules (Medical Instrumentation, Wearable Technologies, and Biomaterials and Biocompatibility) specifically designed to integrate their notional element with practical elements that allow our students to develop the problem-solving skills of a biomedical engineer, accounting for both technical and ethical constraints into the development of practical solutions.

Our final-year projects are specifically designed to include a supervisor from each school to ensure that students experience the biomedical engineering working environment at the interface between the clinical and the technical side of medicine. The students will have access to the state of the anatomy laboratory in BSMS, and the engineering laboratories, including the recently opened robotic laboratory, which we are expanding to include medical robotics.

What types of students would suit this course?

We are looking for students with either a BEng in engineering or BSc in physics, who are interested in pursuing a career in biomedical engineering. They need to be motivated to challenge themselves outside of the comfort zone of their main expertise and study a multidisciplinary subject, which will teach them to exploit those methods learned in their previous studies to solve problems across different subjects. Therefore, being able to express their creativity in delivering solutions for improving healthcare services.

Where can the course lead?

The course has been designed to prepare students for careers as clinical engineers, the largest cohort among biomedical engineers. A clinical engineer can work for a hospital to manage their infrastructure or for medical manufacturers to handle customer relationships. Often referred to as product specialists, they are the interface between the clinicians and the company to provide commercial and technical support, including providing feedback to the development teams on how to improve the product. In the next few years, we will continue to diversify the formative offer, allowing students to adapt the course to pursue different subfields of biomedical engineering.

What advice do you have for anyone considering a career in biomedical engineering?

• Actively participate - During all the activities, engage with the academics and the other students, and do not be afraid to make mistakes because they are fundamental to the learning process. Biomedical engineering is a multidisciplinary subject and as a result everyone faces challenges that go beyond their expertise. It is important that you communicate with the academic staff so they can support your learning.
• Use the MSc project as an opportunity to experience the research world - You should approach it with professionalism and take it as an opportunity to experience activities typical of research and development careers.
• Read all the student materials before you start - The university provides many support services that can help you overcome problems that might arise during your studies. Additionally, there are formal procedures you need to abide by during your studies and you should familiarise yourself with them before the start of the programme.

Find out more

• Take a look at the University of Sussex’s MSc Biomedical Engineering.
• Read all about being a biomedical engineer.