Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical engineers bridge the gap between technology, medicine and biology.
What is Biomedical Engineering?
Biomedical engineering focuses on the design and operation of medical devices and processes, applying engineering skills to new medical treatments, instruments and machines. Biomedical engineering is based on biomedical and physical sciences, with specialist knowledge of engineering modelling, measurement, research and design. Biomedical engineers span disciplines to address healthcare specific problems from a unique perspective.
What You Study
Core engineering studies include systems design, mathematics, computing and mechanics. Biomedical study areas include biomechanical engineering, bioengineering, bio-informatics, bio-cellular engineering, biosignals, neuroengineering or clinical engineering. Students learn from leaders in biomedical innovation who work on projects like the bionic ear, bionic eye and the management of epilepsy.
Career Outcomes
Graduates can expect to work in the biotechnology, biomedical or pharmaceutical industries, in research and innovation, in the health services or in government and consulting. Graduates may work for companies such as Cochlear, Aventis, Cell Therapies or GlaxoSmithKline, or for research organisations such as CSIRO or Bio21.
How to Become a Biomedical Engineer
Step 1: Bioengineering Systems
The Bioengineering Systems major may be taken as a part of either of the following degrees. You can find out more about each degree on the following websites:
Bachelor of Commerce students may choose the Biomedical Systems sequence, and study between eight and ten engineering subjects as the breadth component of their degree. You can find out more about the degree on the following website:
Duration
300 credit points / 3 years full-time
Fees
Domestic Students
Commonwealth Supported Places: Fees per 100 credit points (depending on subjects taken) $4547–$7262 (with 10% up-front discount)
Commonwealth Supported Places are guaranteed until 2019 for the duration of the undergraduate degree and Master of Engineering course.
International Students
Typical yearly fee range per 100 credit points (depending on subjects taken) $28,788–$33,004
For more information please refer to the Fees page on the University’s Future Students website.
Course Structure
Sample Course Plan — Bachelor of Science (Bioengineering Systems)
This example is provided as a guide only. Subject availability will vary from year to year and there is no guarantee that the listed subjects will be available in future years. This information is for students with VCE Units 3 and 4 Specialist Mathematics.| Year 1 | Semester 1 | Engineering Systems Design 1 | Calculus 2 | Biology of Cells and Organisms | Breadth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Semester 2 | Engineering Systems Design 2 | Linear Algebra | Genetics and the Evolution of Life | Breadth |
| Year 2 | Semester 1 | Engineering Computation | Engineering Mathematics | Science elective | Breadth |
| Year 2 | Semester 2 | Chemistry 1 | Engineering Mechanics | Science elective | Breadth |
| Year 3 | Semester 1 | Biomechanics and Biotransport | Fundamentals of Biosignals | Science elective | Breadth |
| Year 3 | Semester 2 | Biocellular Systems Engineering | Biosystems Design | Science elective | Breadth |
| Bioengineering Systems subjects | Electives | Breadth subjects |
Step 2: Master of Engineering (Biomedical)
Graduates with a Bioengineering Systems major (with a 65% average) are eligible for a two-year Master of Engineering (Biomedical).
Find out more about the Master of Engineering (Biomedical)
Sample Course Plan — Master of Engineering (Biomedical)
| Year 4 | Semester 1 | Probability and Random Models | Bioengineering elective | Bioengineering elective | Control Systems |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 4 | Semester 2 | Biomaterials | Bioengineering elective | Bioengineering elective | Approved elective |
| Year 5 | Semester 1 | Research/Industry Project | Biomedical Design and Regulation | Biomedical Engineering Management | Biomedical Engineering elective |
| Year 5 | Semester 2 | Research/Industry Project | Biomedical Engineering Design Project | Biomedical Engineering Design Project | Biomedical Engineering elective |
| Core subjects | Electives |
Make an Enquiry
Please call or email Eastern Precinct Student Centre:
13 MELB (13 6352)
+61 3 9035 5511 (overseas)
Apply Now
Engineering Study Guide
Download Engineering Study Guide [PDF 2.9MB]
Rowan Habel
Rowan recently completed his Bachelor of Biomedicine with a major in Engineering Systems. During this time, he developed a strong interest in electrical engineering subjects that would prepare him for a career as a clinical engineer in a hospital. He also made the most of the Melbourne Model’s breadth component to pursue a burgeoning interest in English grammar studies. Rowan received a Dean’s Award for Biomedicine and was recently awarded a Master of Engineering Scholarship to undertake his Master of Engineering (Biomedical).
I wanted to incorporate my love of maths and physics into a health-science discipline. Biomedical Engineering is the perfect composite, promising an integrated career of design, research, travel, working on the cutting-edge of modern science and technology, and making a rewarding contribution to humanity.