Biomedical Engineering BSc (Hons)

Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.

Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
Year one
Anatomy and Physiology for Engineers
Year: 1

This module provides students with an understanding of anatomy and physiology that are directly applicable to the area of biomedical engineering.

Introduction to Biomedical Engineering
Year: 1

This module will introduce students to studying Biomedical Engineering at Ulster University and will develop some of the foundational knowledge and skills that will enable them to succeed on their degree programme.

Engineering Mathematics
Year: 1

This module provides an understanding of the language and terminology of mathematics, together with the mathematical techniques from algebra, calculus and statistics that are necessary for the description and analysis of engineering systems.

Analogue and Digital Electronics 1
Year: 1

This module will provide an introduction to semiconductor devices and their application in electronic circuits such as power supplies, voltage regulators and simple amplifier circuits. It will also introduce the field of digital electronics, with simple combinational logic circuit analysis and simplification

Design and CAE 1
Year: 1

This module provides an introduction to the fundamentals in the use of a modern 3D CAD system to create robust 3D part modules using an introductory range of feature types. This module provides an introduction to product design specification, design, build and analysis/testing of a product as part of a design project, working as part of a team.

The Global Engineer
Year: 1

This module will introduce students to working in multidisciplinary teams to solve a real-world problem and present their solution to an audience of their tutors and peers.

Year two
Regulatory Affairs and Ethics
Year: 2

This module provides students with a detailed understanding of the important issues relating to the regulatory control of the design, fabrication, manufacture and safe use of medical devices in Europe and the US. It includes information on the design and manufacture of medical devices and equipment. The origins and implementation of various directives in terms of classification, regulatory requirements and the use of standards are provided and demonstrated via an integrated group project approach involving structured exercises related to actual medical devices.

Mechanical Systems Analysis for Biomedical Engineers
Year: 2

This module provides an introduction to the fundamentals of static mechanics and fluid mechanics, with a particular emphasis being placed on the application of this theory to biomedical engineering devices and examples.

Advanced Biomedical Engineering Topics
Year: 2

The module is designed to extend the students understanding of biomedical engineering in terms of medical physiological measurements, medical imaging and clinical diagnosis. The electrical properties of tissue are studied and their importance for a number of clinical situations examined. The development of electrodes for particular purposes is evaluated. Medical devices for a range of physiological and diagnostic applications are studied.

Embedded Systems and Microcontrollers
Year: 2

This module will equip students with necessary knowledge and hardware-software design skills needed to design/implement microcontroller based embedded systems.

Engineering Programming
Year: 2

This module is designed to introduce engineering students to the basic principles of algorithmic programming, and the solution of engineering problems using MATLAB and Simulink.

Design and CAE 2
Year: 2

The module considers creativity in design; product innovation; technical and non-technical aspects of design; sustainability; design analysis techniques for economic product manufacture and assembly; functional analysis; visual design; value engineering; safety and reliability through design projects; manufacturing processes; assembly techniques; market intelligence; component and product inspection and testing. This module builds on the fundamentals of 3D solid part modelling with the introduction of more advanced solid modelling tools, assembly modelling, creation of 2D drawings and incorporation of all these tools and features within a design project, working as part of a team.

Year three
Industrial Placement
Year: 3

This module is optional

This module provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to gain structured and professional work experience, in a work-based learning environment, as part of their planned programme of study. This experience allows students to develop, refine and reflect on their key personal and professional skills. The placement should significantly support the development of the student's employability skills, preparation for final year and enhance their employability journey.

International Academic Studies
Year: 3

This module is optional

This module provides an opportunity to undertake an extended period of study outside the UK and Republic of Ireland. Students will develop an enhanced understanding of the academic discipline whilst generating educational and cultural networks.

Study USA
Year: 3

This module is optional

This module provides an opportunity to undertake an extended period of study in the USA; to acquire business and management skills, and to develop educational and social links. Places on the module are limited and subject to a competitive selection procedure.

Year four
Design of Advanced Medical Sensors
Year: 4

This module prepares the student for the multidisciplinary (physics, chemistry and engineering) nature of biomedical devices. An applied view of sensor principles and associated device fabrication techniques is presented with modern and future medical applications constantly being illustrated.

Functional Biomaterials
Year: 4

This module provides students with a detailed understanding of the composition, function and application of synthetic and natural biomaterials in the context of the medical implant devices they are used to fabricate. The approach taken highlights the important materials science issues involved in the provision of these systems. The increasing importance of functional biomaterials to the provision of enhanced medical implant devices that can more effectively replace damaged and/or diseased tissues and organs is also addressed.

Signal Processing and Data Analysis
Year: 4

The module provides a knowledge of analogue and digital signal processing of simple level systems;

with particular application to basic signals generated by biological systems.

Research Methods and Management
Year: 4

The project is a substantial individual piece of work completed over 2 semesters. Each student taking this module will carry out an individual project on a topic relevant to their degree of study. Students will be expected to manage and design the project in collaboration with their supervisor. They will be responsible for carrying out the project and writing up and presenting their work in the form of written submissions and a final examination. General guidance on all aspects of the project is given through specific lectures devoted to the topics.

BEng Final Year Project
Year: 4

Each student taking this module will carry out an individual project on a topic relevant to their degree of study. Students will be expected to design the project in collaboration with a nominated supervisor. They will be responsible for carrying out the project and writing up results in the form of a final written report.

Nanotechnology
Year: 4

This module is optional

This module gives the student an overview of nanotechnology and its applications in engineering.

Object Oriented Programming
Year: 4

This module is optional

This module extends the students understanding of the design and creation of software structures using an object-oriented paradigm. The programming language is C++ which is of particular relevance to engineering students.

Environmental Engineering
Year: 4

This module is optional

This module introduces environmental issues, key aspects and provides coverage of science, technology, design, regulations and management systems pertaining to environmental protection, resource conservation and alternative energy sources.

Advanced CAE
Year: 4

This module is optional

This module provides a practical, hands-on experience of Computer Aided Engineering in the context of industrial design and manufacturing. It focuses on advanced part modelling techniques, assembly modelling, creating associative links, good modelling practice, collaboration and interoperability, design documentation, 3D printing, surface modelling, photorealistic rendering, dynamic simulation and Finite Element Analysis. It involves the utilisation of an integrated, state-of-the-art MCAD suite, along with the teaching of the general principles of the aforementioned technologies.