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Biomedical Engineering—MSc

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Course Overview

The MSc in Biomedical Engineering is designed to give an advanced educational experience in biomedical engineering. The programme focuses on developing advanced technical knowledge and skills, coupled with real-world implementation through research and innovation.

Combining a substantial research component with instruction through taught modules and a significant project-based learning component, the aim of the programme is to generate the future leaders of the international medical technology industry, academic research and teaching in biomedical engineering.

The programme builds on the already highly successful BE and ME programmes in Biomedical Engineering at NUI Galway. It combines state-of-the-art graduate level taught modules with modern medical technology research. The programme is closely related to the ME in Biomedical Engineering (PAC code: GYE18), but is broader in scope and also includes a substantial one-year 30 ECTS research thesis.

The MSc is specifically designed to appeal to Irish and international students with a variety of relevant educational backgrounds, particularly those who have a strong foundation in mathematics and engineering from their Undergraduate education. 

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC). Entry to the programme is open to individuals who have a Second Class Honour Grade one, Level 8 degree in Biomedical Engineering or in a related discipline. If a student has an undergraduate degree in a related discipline, the application will be reviewed to establish whether the student has an appropriate depth of undergraduate level content in engineering-related modules, particularly mathematics and physics.  

If you have an accredited undergraduate Engineering level 8 (or equivalent) degree you may also be interested inME Biomedical Engineering. 

Who Teaches this Course

College of Engineering and Informatics

Dr Laoise McNamara - Programme Director
Professor Peter McHugh - Head of Discipline
Dr Patrick McGarry


Discipline of Mechanical Engineering:

Professor Sean Leen
Mr Enda Fallon
Dr Kathryn Cormican
Ms Mary Dempsey
Dr Noel Harrison
Dr Pat Donnellan

Discipline of Electrical and Electronic Engineering:

Professor Gearoid O’Laighin
Dr Eddie Jones 
Dr Fearghal Morgan
Dr Martin Glavin
Dr Sam Redfern

College of Science

Professor Michel Destrade
Dr Yury Rochev

College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences

Professor Matt Griffin
Dr Mary Murphy
Dr Thomas Ritter

A broad range of contributions from senior clinical staff across a range of areas (including cardiology, orthopaedics, pathology, vascular surgery, cardio-thoracic surgery) including:

Dr Fadel Bennani
Mr William Curtin
Mr Sherif Sultan
Ms Niamh Hynes
Mr W Tawfick
Mr F Shannon
Dr J Crowley
Dr Faisal Sharif
Mr Mark Da Costa

College of Business, Public Policy & Law

Mr Cathal Ó Curraoin 

 

Requirements and Assessment

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Entry to the programme is open to individuals who have a Second Class Honour Grade 1, Level 8 degree (or equivalent) in Biomedical Engineering or in a related discipline.

Additional Requirements

Duration

1 year, full-time

Next start date

September 2018

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

15

Closing Date

Please refer to the review/closing date website.

Next start date

September 2018

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

Award

CAO

PAC code

GYE24

Course Outline

This one year programme is designed around three areas: biomechanics / medical devices, biomaterials and bioelectronics.  A substantial thesis of 30 ECTS on a state-of-the-art topic in medical technology research has to be undertaken. 

Students take at least 15 ECTS in foundational modules and up to 45 ECTS in advanced modules.

Students study a wide range of advanced Biomedical Engineering subjects that offer practical and transferable training for future careers in research or the MedTech industry.

The advanced Biomedical Engineering subjects are:

  • Biomaterials/Advanced Biomaterials
  • Biomechanics/Advanced Biomechanics
  • Medical and Surgical Practice
  • Medical Implant and Device Design
  • Tissue Engineering/Advanced Tissue Engineering
  • Biotransport
  • Computational Methods in Engineering Analysis/ Advanced Finite Element Methods
  • Mechanobiology

The advanced interdisciplinary modules are:

  • Advanced Mechanics of Materials
  • Non-Linear Elasticity
  • Partial Differential Equations
  • Graphics and Image Processing
  • Bioinstrumentation Design
  • Embedded Image Processing
  • Reconfigurable System on a Chip
  • Stem Cells and Gene Therapy II
    • Polymer Engineering
    • Advanced Manufacturing
    • Translational Medicine
    • Basic and Advanced Immunology

The practical and transferable modules are:

  • Financial Management
  • Project Management
  • Lean Systems
  • Research Methods for Engineers
  • Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  • Human Reliability

 To find out more about these modules, the descriptions can be found at

 http://www.nuigalway.ie/engineering-informatics/biomedical-engineering/currentstudents/syllabusandmoduledescriptions/mscmoduledescriptions/

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Graduates will be readily employable in the medical technology and cognate high-tech industries (e.g., micro-electronics, pharmaceuticals).  In the medical technology industry in particular, employment roles will include research and development (R&D), design assurance, manufacturing and production, quality assurance and regulatory affairs.  Graduates will also be ideally qualified to undertake PhD-level research, leading to employment in the academic and industrial research sectors.

Top Three Reasons to Choose an MSc in Biomedical Engineering at NUI Galway

1.      Trains Biomedical Engineers to meet specific Industry needs:

The Masters in Biomedical Engineering has been designed to produce top quality Biomedical Engineers that can meet the needs of the rapidly evolving technologies in the biomedical device sector. We have developed strong industrial relationships, which are fundamental to the success of our program. Galway city is a hub for smaller start-up Biomedical Engineering companies and there are employment opportunities in these exciting environments.

2.     Teaches the skills to research and help solve real-world problems:

One of the key aspects of the MSc in Biomedical Engineering is the 30 ECTS Master’s Thesis project. This project challenges students to undertake individual study in specific topics and derive solutions using both their engineering and biological skills. Many students undertake projects, which are part of larger research projects within the Discipline and at the Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM). Some examples of recent projects include:

  • Development of a “Bone-on-a-chip” device for screening drug candidates for treatment of Osteoporosis 
  • Finite Element Modelling of Surgical Cutting for Orthopaedic Applications
  • Developing micro-pillar mechanosensitive substrates to measure the forces exerted by neurons on electrically conducting polymeric surfaces
  • Investigation of the fracture properties of bone and finite element prediction of femoral fracture risk during hip replacement surgery

 3.      Immerses students in real-world Clinical settings:

Biomedical engineers are true innovators who use their broad knowledge to develop new medical devices and machines that can improve health and save lives. To fully expose our students to their potential we have a strong input from healthcare professionals and clinicians into the program. This includes formal lectures delivered by clinicians and faculty from the School of Medicine and in particular the Western Vascular Institute. Students are brought into real clinical situations, when they visit operating theatres and witness real procedures. Our students engage in projects to design new solutions to existing problems they observe in the clinical setting (Western Vascular Institute). These elements ensure that our students identify and exploit their engineering expertise to improve the world of clinical medicine by developing new methods to help prevent, diagnose and treat all types of diseases, injuries and disabilities.

 

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

 

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€6,800 p.a. 2017/18

Fees: Tuition

€6,576 p.a. 2017/18

Fees: Student levy

€224 p.a. 2017/18

Fees: Non EU

€13,750 p.a. 2017/18

Find out More

Professor Laoise McNamara
T: +353 91 492 251
E: laoise.mcnamara@nuigalway.ie

Ms Jane Bowman
T: +353 91 492 723
E: jane.bowman@nuigalway.ie

More Information

What Our Students Say

Dharmesh

Dharmesh Barot |   Biomedical Engineer

I completed my bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from India. As a Biomedical Engineer I was looking for a course which falls in line with the medical industry requirements but that would also upgrade my skills. The Masters in Biomedical Engineering at the National university of Ireland, Galway has all the ingredients to boost my career. Not only was I able to complete my theoretical course work smoothly with the guidance of professors and staff members but the state of the art facilities provided by the department has helped me to complete my master’s thesis successfully. The MSc in Biomedical Engineering has helped me to build that confidence and skill set which is an absolute necessity for medical device industry.
Robert

Robert Johnston |   BSc Physics with Medical Physics, NUI Galway

The MSc in Biomedical Engineering at NUIG is a challenging but very rewarding course which I enjoyed immensely. Not only does it harness all aspects of your undergraduate degree to be used in the vastly growing biomedical field, but it also gives you the opportunity to be innovative, to research independently as well as work in teams and develop fundamental design and analytical skills through both design projects and a research based thesis, all of which are important to being an engineer in the industry. Along with this, the researchers and lecturers are clearly passionate and at the forefront of their research areas and this makes content easier to understand. I would strongly recommend this course to anyone who has an interest in this area, as I feel that after completion of this course I am fully prepared for my future engineering career.
Susan

Susan Lowry |   B.Sc. Physics with Biomedical Sciences, DCU

I chose the M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering in NUIG because I came from a B.Sc. Physics with Biomedical Sciences and I was looking for a way to specialize in the biomedical sector with a view towards tissue engineering and/or device design. I feel that this course suits me perfectly, as it has a selection of many of the things I have a desire to study further. There are a lot of choices in the modules, so you can tailor the degree to your own interests and career goals. Through the completion of a year-long research project I hope to bring my research skills and experience to the next level.

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