Program Overview
The Master of Engineering (Biomedical Engineering) at UNSW is a two-year full-time program designed to provide students with specialized skills and knowledge for a successful career in Biomedical Engineering. The program is specifically tailored for individuals who do not possess a formal engineering accreditation but hold an undergraduate degree in engineering, health, or medical sciences. The program's primary objective is to expand students' knowledge and skills while enhancing their career prospects through specialized study in Biomedical Engineering. Upon graduation, students earn an accredited Biomedical Engineer designation with an Engineers Australia accreditation, meeting national and international benchmarks for career advancement in the field.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Master of Engineering (Biomedical Engineering) at UNSW is a two-year full-time degree designed to provide students with specialized skills and knowledge for a successful career in Biomedical Engineering, leading to an Engineers Australia accreditation. This program is specifically tailored for individuals who do not possess a formal engineering accreditation but hold an undergraduate degree in engineering, health, or medical sciences. The program's primary objective is to expand students' knowledge and skills while enhancing their career prospects through specialized study in Biomedical Engineering. The curriculum encompasses engineering applications in medicine, covering areas such as neuromodulation, bioinstrumentation, biomechanics, rehabilitation, tissue engineering, bioinformatics, and medical device design. As part of the program, students undertake an open-ended research project, adding a research component to their studies. To fulfill the requirements of the program, students must complete 60 days of industrial training in Biomedical Engineering or related engineering fields, providing them with industry exposure and professional practice experience. The program includes a compulsory Master's Thesis, offering a research-oriented component. Upon graduation, students earn an accredited Biomedical Engineer designation with an Engineers Australia accreditation, meeting national and international benchmarks for career advancement in the field. The program is currently provisionally accredited by Engineers Australia.
Outline:
Course Structure and Schedule:
The Master of Engineering (Biomedical Engineering) is structured as a two-year full-time program, divided into semesters. The program's content is designed to provide students with a solid foundation and specialization in their chosen areas.
Year 1:
- Disciplinary Knowledge Courses: These introductory courses provide the fundamentals of the chosen specialization in Biomedical Engineering.
- Advanced Disciplinary Knowledge Courses: Students begin exploring advanced disciplinary knowledge, tailoring their studies to their career goals.
Year 2:
- Disciplinary and Advanced Disciplinary Knowledge Courses: Students complete the remaining Disciplinary and Advanced Disciplinary Knowledge courses.
- Engineering and Technical Management Courses: These courses focus on developing skills in project management, staff management, leadership, and strategy.
- Design Course: Students complete a specialized design course relevant to their chosen specialization, involving a design project in a specific area of study.
- Research Project: The program culminates in a research project, where students apply their acquired knowledge to solve complex, open-ended problems.
Assessment:
Methods of Assessment:
Students in the Master of Engineering (Biomedical Engineering) are evaluated through various assessment methods, including:
- Assignments: Regular assessments to evaluate understanding of course content.
- Quizzes and Tests: Short assessments to monitor progress and reinforce learning.
- Mid-Term Exams: Comprehensive assessments to gauge comprehension of course material covered in the first half of a semester.
- Final Exams: Culminating assessments to test overall understanding and retention of course content.
- Presentations: Opportunities to demonstrate communication and presentation skills, often involving project or research work.
- Research Report: A detailed report summarizing the findings of the research project.
- Research Thesis: An extensive document presenting the research project's methodology, results, and conclusions. The assessment criteria for each course or assessment component are clearly outlined and provided to students at the commencement of the program.
Teaching:
Teaching Methods:
The Master of Engineering (Biomedical Engineering) program utilizes diverse teaching methods to cater to different learning styles and preferences. These methods include:
- Lectures: Traditional method of content delivery involving presentations and explanations by instructors.
- Tutorials: Smaller group sessions focused on problem-solving, discussion, and application of taught concepts.
- Practical Sessions: Hands-on experiences to reinforce theoretical learning through experimentation and practical work.
- Workshops: Interactive sessions designed for focused skill development and group collaboration.
- Online Resources: Supplementary materials, such as lecture recordings, notes, and interactive simulations, available through online platforms.
Faculty:
The program is led by highly qualified and experienced faculty members from the School of Biomedical Engineering at UNSW. These faculty members are actively engaged in cutting-edge research and industry collaborations, bringing their expertise into the classroom. They are dedicated to fostering student learning and providing support throughout the program.
Careers:
Potential Career Paths:
Graduates of the Master of Engineering (Biomedical Engineering) open doors to a wide range of career opportunities in diverse industries. These career paths include:
- Research and Development Engineer in Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Device Design and Development Engineer
- Biomedical Engineer
- Clinical Engineer
- Biomechanics Engineer
- Rehabilitation Engineer
- Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Researcher
- Health Technology Consultant
- Entrepreneur in Biomedical Engineering
Additional Information:
Students who have completed a 4-year Bachelor of Engineering degree from Australia or accredited under the Washington Accord in any discipline with a minimum average of 65% may be considered for advanced standing on a case-by-case basis. Recognition of Prior Learning (Credit Transfer) is offered for students with relevant professional experience or prior studies. Conditional credit transfer is possible for previous study and work experience, potentially reducing program duration to one year or other accelerated options.
