Bachelor of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering

Why Study Biomedical Engineering at UL?

Modern medicine has given rise to the development of a wide range of novel engineering solutions to clinical problems. Examples of these developments vary from orthopaedic implants such as total hip replacements to cardiovascular implants such as coronary stents (small wire scaffolds inserted into the blood vessels around the heart). As a result of the increased collaboration between engineers and doctors, the new discipline of biomedical Engineering developed. Biomedical Engineering is the fastest growing area of Engineering.

Students who follow this programme can look forward to exciting and rewarding careers in the biomedical engineering industry, an industry that is undergoing major expansion internationally and in Ireland. The biomedical engineering industry in Ireland has factories from all the major multinational companies resulting in the need for highly skilled biomedical engineers.

The programme has a common first year with academic programmes Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Design and Manufacturing Engineering. You will study modules in areas of Engineering, Mathematics, Engineering Mechanics, Chemistry for Engineers and Computing.

Part II comprises of Years 2, 3 & 4 of the course.

During year 2 (2 semesters), you will study subjects including Introductory Anatomy and Physiology, Mechanics of Solids, Computer Aided Design, Materials, Thermodynamics and Physiological Fluid Mechanics 1. At the end of Year 2 you are placed in a company in the biomedical engineering industry both in Ireland and internationally for an 8 month Co-operative Education Period. Typical companies include Boston Scientific (Ireland & USA), Abbott (Ireland & USA) and Medtronic (Ireland and USA).

In Year 3 (1 semester) you will undertake courses including Physiological Fluid Mechanics 2, Biocompatibility and Finite Element Analysis. The opportunity to study the Year 3 semester at Georgia Institute of Technology, USA, exists for the top students in the class.

In Year 4 the Biomedical Engineering students take courses including Biomaterials, Medical Device Design, Microfluidics and Orthopaedic Biomechanics and Mechanobiology. You also undertake hospital visits to view operations and observe Biomedical Engineering devices in practice. In Year 4 you will complete a major project with a Biomedical Engineering theme.

PART II - of the BE Biomedical Engineering

Part II comprises of Years 2, 3 & 4 of the course. During year 2 (2 semesters), you will study subjects including Introductory Anatomy and Physiology, Mechanics of Solids, Computer Aided Design, Materials, Thermodynamics and Physiological Fluid Mechanics 1. At the end of Year 2 you are placed in a company in the biomedical engineering industry both in Ireland and internationally for an 8 month Co-operative Education Period. Typical companies include Boston Scientific (Ireland & USA), Abbott (Ireland & USA) and Medtronic (Ireland and USA). In Year 3 (1 semester) you will undertake courses including Physiological Fluid Mechanics 2, Biocompatibility and Finite Element Analysis. The opportunity to study the Year 3 semester at Georgia Institute of Technology, USA, exists for the top students in the class.

In Year 4 the Biomedical Engineering students take courses including Biomaterials, Medical Device Design, Microfluidics and Orthopaedic Biomechanics and Mechanobiology. You also undertake hospital visits to view operations and observe Biomedical Engineering devices in practice. In Year 4 you will complete a major project with a Biomedical Engineering theme.

Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include: Two H5 (Higher Level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary Level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Mathematics, Irish or another language, and English.

In addition, applicants must hold a minimum grade H4 in Mathematics and grade O6/H7 in one of the following: Physics, Chemistry, Physics with Chemistry, Engineering, Technology, Design & Communication Graphics/ Technical Drawing, Biology, Agricultural Science, Applied Maths, Construction Studies.

A Special Mathematics Examination will be offered at UL following the Leaving Certificate results for those students who did not achieve the Mathematics requirement. We welcome applications from mature students. Mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1 February.

Careers open to you with a degree in Biomedical Engineering include;

• Design engineer (medical devices)
• Manufacturing engineer
• Polymer engineer
• Process engineer
• Biomaterials Development
• Sterilisation engineer
• Quality Engineer

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