Master of Biomedical Engineering (MC-BIOMENG)

Masters (Coursework)Year: 2022 Delivered: On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Award titleMaster of Biomedical Engineering
Year & campus2022 — Parkville
CRICOS code106103A
Fees informationSubject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date
Study level & typeGraduate Coursework
AQF level 9
Credit points300 credit points
Duration36 months full-time or 72 months part-time

The Master of Biomedical Engineering is an entry-to-practice degree that provides students with the necessary knowledge and skills to enter the international workplace as biomedical engineers. Graduates are skilled in biomedical engineering principles and have the ability to apply these skills to complex, open-ended engineering tasks and problems.

Within the degree, students acquire core skills in the areas of biomechanics, biomaterials, biomedical imaging, bioinstrumentation, biosignal processing, biofluid mechanics, bioengineering data analytics, and bioengineering management and regulations. Students will also be able to focus on key discipline areas that include biomechanical engineering, bioinformatics, neuroengineering and tissue engineering.

The degree culminates in a major design and/or research project subject. Students have the opportunity to participate in overseas study, industry-based projects and supervised research.

Distinction

Upon completion of the Master of Biomedical Engineering, it is possible for a student to be awarded Master of Biomedical Engineering with Distinction provided a student has achieved a high level of academic performance. Eligibility of the Distinction award is dependent on a calculated distinction score.

The distinction score will only take into account Level 9 subjects undertaken at the University of Melbourne. This means Study Abroad and Exchange subjects will not be considered. One 12.5 point subject with the lowest mark will be omitted in the calculation of the distinction score. All level 9 subjects with credit points of more than 12.5 points must be included in the calculations. Only marks from the first attempt at a subject will be used. The average mark will be weighted by the credit points of the subjects. A Master of Engineering with Distinction will be awarded if the score is 80 or above.

 

Entry requirements

1.       In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

  • An undergraduate degree with a weighted average mark of at least H3 (65%) or equivalent, and
  • Maths pre-requisites, and science pre-requisites. The maths pre-requisites are 25 points of appropriate tertiary-level Mathematics, equivalent to MAST10006 Calculus 2 and MAST10007 Linear Algebra. The science pre-requisites are 25 points of appropriate tertiary-level Biology OR at least 25 points of appropriate tertiary-level Chemistry OR 12.5 points of 2nd year Engineering Mathematics, equivalent to MAST20029 Engineering Mathematics.

Applicants who are completing prerequisite subjects in order to meet the Mathematics, Chemistry or Biology entry requirements will be required to achieve a grade of at least H3 (65%) or equivalent in each individual prerequisite subject to satisfy this entry requirement.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2.       In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider;

  • Prior academic performance; and if relevant
  • Professional experience

3.       The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4.       Applicants are required to satisfy the University’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

Note.

Applicants with the following may be awarded up to 100 points of credit:

  • Graduates of Melbourne Model BSc undergraduate degree who complete the Bioengineering Systems majors with a weighted average mark of at least H3 (65%) or equivalent;
  • A Bachelor of Engineering, or equivalent as recognised by the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, in a cognate discipline appropriate to the stream of the Master of Engineering into which entry is sought with a weighted average mark of at least H3 (65%) or equivalent.

Available credit for other University of Melbourne graduates and graduates of other universities is normally evaluated on a case-by-case basis, but the Academic Board may approve standard credit arrangements for specified entry pathways.

Graduate Degree Packages for School Leavers

The University of Melbourne offers Graduate Degree Packages to high achieving school leavers, allowing them to secure places (Commonwealth Supported Places for domestic students or International fee places) in the Master of Engineering provided that they meet certain requirements.

For a Commonwealth Supported Place or an International Fee Place, the applicant must:

  • Complete an Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate (IB) in 2018 or later either:

                — In Australia; or

                — Outside Australia and be an Australian citizen;

  • Achieve an ATAR (or notional ATAR) of at least 96.00;
  • Apply for a University of Melbourne Graduate Degree Packages for commencement in the year following completion of Year 12 or IB via VTAC;
  • Enrol immediately or be granted deferral in the year following Year 12;
  • Successfully complete a Bachelor of Biomedicine, Commerce, Design or Science at the University of Melbourne including all the specified prerequisite subjects; and
  • Commence the Master of Engineering within 18 months of completing the undergraduate degree. 

Applicants should refer to the University handbook for the additional entry requirements for the undergraduate degrees in the Graduate Degree Packages.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The Master of Biomedical Engineering welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and degree policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the degree.

The Master of Biomedical Engineering requires all students to enrol in subjects where they will require:
• The ability to comprehend complex science, technology and engineering related information;
• The ability to clearly and independently communicate a knowledge and application of science, technology and engineering principles and practices during assessment tasks; and,
• The ability to actively and safely contribute in laboratory, and fieldwork/excursion activities.

Students must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students.

There may be additional inherent academic requirements for some subjects, and these requirements are listed within the description of the requirements for each of these subjects.

Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the relevant Subject Coordinator and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Professional accreditation

Engineers Australia

The Master of Biomedical Engineering is fully accredited by Engineers Australia.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this course, graduates will:

  • Acquire knowledge and practice in medical technologies, health informatics and healthcare that has societal and economic impact through innovation, translation and commercialisation;
  • Gain knowledge and practice in the design and operation of devices and processes, and the application of engineering skills to new medical treatments, instruments and machines;
  • Acquire knowledge and practice in anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, biofluid mechanics, biomaterials, electronic circuits, bioinstrumentation, and biomedical engineering regulation;
  • Acquire knowledge and practice in advanced biomedical engineering topics which might include computational biomechanics, medical imaging, neural information processing, computational genomics, tissue and soft matter engineering, and systems and synthetic biology;
  • Develop problem solving and trouble shooting skills that may be applied in professional practice;
  • Gain knowledge and practice in biomedical engineering management including economics, intellectual property, ethics, regulation, and the law as it applies to the biomedical engineering profession;
  • Acquire the ability to complete a piece of original research either within an industrial setting or in a laboratory, involving the collection of data, its quantitative analysis and interpretation.
  • Develop effective verbal and written communication skills that enable a meaningful contribution to the biomedical engineering community and broader society;
  • Develop effective team membership and leadership skills
  • Know and epitomize professional ethical behaviour and responsibilities towards the profession and community, including having positive and responsible approaches to personal safety, management of information and professional integrity.

Generic skills

  • An advanced understanding of the changing knowledge base in biomedical engineering;
  • An ability to evaluate and synthesise the research and professional literature in the biomedical engineering discipline;
  • Advanced skills and techniques applicable to biomedical engineering;
  • Well-developed problem-solving abilities, characterised by flexibility of approach;
  • Advanced competencies in engineering professional expertise and scholarship;
  • A capacity to articulate their knowledge and understanding in oral and written forms of communications;
  • An advanced understanding of the international context and sensitivities of biomedical engineering;
  • An appreciation of the design, conduct and reporting of original research;
  • A capacity to manage competing demands on time, including self-directed project work;
  • A profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of scholarship;
  • An appreciation of the ways in which advanced knowledge equips the student to offer leadership in the specialist area;
  • The capacity to value and participate in projects which require team-work;
  • An understanding of the significance and value of their knowledge to the wider community (including business and industry);
  • A capacity to engage where appropriate with issues in contemporary society; and,
  • Advanced working skills in the application of computer systems and software and a receptiveness to the opportunities offered by new technologies.

Graduate attributes

University of Melbourne Graduate Attributes

  • Academically excellent
  • Knowledgeable across disciplines
  • Attuned to cultural diversity
  • Active global citizens
  • Leaders in communities

Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology Graduate Attributes

  • Strong analytical skills
  • Depth of understanding
  • Practical ingenuity creativity
  • Understanding of global issues
  • Communication
  • Business and management
  • Creativity
  • Leadership
  • Lifelong learners
  • High ethical standards and professionalism

Engineers Australia Competencies:

1.1   Comprehensive, theory-based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline.

1.2   Conceptual understanding of the mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline.

1.3   In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.

1.4   Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline.

1.5   Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline

1.6   Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering

2.1   Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving

2.2   Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.

2.3   Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.

2.4   Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects.

3.1   Ethical conduct and professional accountability.

3.2   Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.

3.3   Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour.

3.4   Professional use and management of information.

3.5   Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.

3.6   Effective team membership and team leadership.

Course structure

The Master of Biomedical Engineering is a three year degree (full time) and requires the successful completion of 300 credit points.

To obtain the degree (standard option) students must complete:

  • 175 credit points of compulsory subjects
  • 37.5 credit points of selectives
  • 87.5 points of electives including
    • 62.5 credit points of Bioengineering electives
    • 25 credit points of approved electives

To obtain the degree with a specialisation, students must instead complete:

  • 175 credit points of compulsory subjects
  • 25 credit points of selectives
  • 50 points of core specialisation subjects
  • 50 credit points of electives including
    • 25 credit points of Bioengineering electives
    • 25 credit points of approved electives

Note: Students entering the course with advanced standing who plan on completing a specialisation may need to enrol in core specialisation subjects in their commencing semester. Please check and follow the structure outlined for your intended specialisation and seek course planning advice.

 

Year 1:

  • 75 credit points of Year 1 compulsory subjects
  • 25 points of Year 1 selectives

Year 2:

  • 75 credit points of Year 2 compulsory subjects
  • 12.5 credit points of Year 2 selectives
  • 12.5 credit points of Bioengineering electives OR 12.5 credit points of core specialisation subjects

Year 3:

  • 25 credit points Year 3 compulsory subjects
  • 50 credit points of subjects including
    • a minimum of 12.5 points of Bioengineering electives
    • 37.5 points of Bioengineering electives OR 37.5 credit points of core specialisation subjects
  • 25 credit points of approved electives

 

Progression: The core subject lists are divided into specific year levels, reflecting the recommended order of completing the course. There is, however, some flexibility between Year 2 and 3 core subjects, depending on the requisites set between them. Check the individual Handbook entries of these subjects for more detail.

Year 1 compulsory subjects

Code Name Study period Credit Points
BMEN20002 Anatomy & Physiology for Bioengineering
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
BMEN20003 Applied Computation in Bioengineering
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
BMEN30010 Mechanics for Bioengineering
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
BMEN30006 Circuits and Systems
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
BMEN30009 Introduction to Biomaterials
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
BMEN30008 Biosystems Design
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5

Year 1 selectives

Students should complete the equivalent of all Year 1 selective subjects across both their undergraduate and graduate degrees to ensure they meet all the prerequisite requirements of their course subjects. 

Code Name Study period Credit Points
BIOL10009 Biology: Life's Machinery
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
CHEM10003 Chemistry 1
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
MAST20029 Engineering Mathematics
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5

Note: Students who have taken VCE Units 3/4 Biology or equivalent should take BIOL10009 Biology: Life’s Machinery, while students who have not should take BIOL10008 Introductory Biology: Life’s Machinery.

Year 2 compulsory subjects

Code Name Study period Credit Points
BMEN90038 Biomechanics
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
BMEN90037 Bioengineering Data Analytics
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
BMEN90033 Bioinstrumentation
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
BMEN90039 Biomedical Eng Management & Regulations
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
BMEN90036 Biofluid Mechanics
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
BMEN90035 Biosignal Processing
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
 

Year 2 selectives

Code Name Study period Credit Points
ENGR90034 Creating Innovative Engineering
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
ENGR90039 Creating Innovative Professionals
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
ENGR90021 Critical Communication for Engineers
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5

Year 3 compulsory subjects

Code Name Study period Credit Points
BMEN90018 Biomedical Engineering Capstone Project
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Year Long (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 25
BMEN90031 Biomed Eng Capstone Proj Part 1
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
BMEN90032 Biomed Eng Capstone Proj Part 2
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5

Note: *Students may alternatively take BMEN90030 BioDesign Innovation (50 points) in place of BMEN90018 Biomedical Engineering Capstone Project and 25 points of Bioengineering Electives or Approved Electives. Permission to enrol in BMEN90030 must be granted by the subject coordinator.

As an alternative to BMEN90018 Biomedical Engineering Capstone Project, students may also take BMEN90031 Biomedical Engineering Capstone Project Part 1 and BMEN90032 Biomedical Engineering Capstone Project Part 2. These subjects must be taken in 2 consecutive semesters. Students commence BMEN90031 in Semester 2 and continue BMEN90032 in the consecutive semester (Semester 1 in the following year). Upon successful completion of this project, students will receive 25 points credit.

Bioengineering electives

Code Name Study period Credit Points
BMEN90021 Medical Imaging
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
BMEN90002 Neural Information Processing
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
BMEN90040 Biotransport Processes Not available in 2022 12.5
BMEN90011 Tissue Engineering & Stem Cells
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
BMEN90029 Soft Tissue and Cellular Biomechanics
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
BMEN90022 Computational Biomechanics
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
BMEN90027 Systems and Synthetic Biology Not available in 2022 12.5
COMP90016 Computational Genomics
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
COMP90014 Algorithms for Bioinformatics
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
CHEN90039 Pharmaceutical & Biochemical Production
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5

Approved electives:

An approved elective is any postgraduate level subject. Third-year undergraduate subjects may be permitted on application to the course coordinator. The following subjects are recommended as approved electives:

Code Name Study period Credit Points
ENGR90033 Internship
Summer Term (Online)
Semester 1 (Online)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 25
ENGR90024 Computational Fluid Dynamics
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
MCEN90048 Artificial Intelligence for Engineers
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
ENGR90040 Film and Engineering at the Crossroads No longer available
COMP90007 Internet Technologies
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
COMP90038 Algorithms and Complexity
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
COMP90041 Programming and Software Development
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
ELEN90054 Probability and Random Models
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
ELEN90055 Control Systems
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
MAST90007 Statistics for Research Workers
Winter Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
MKTG90022 Commercialisation of Science
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
SCIE90011 From Lab to Life
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
SKIL90004 Project Management in Science
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
CHEN90038 Product Design and Analysis
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
BMEN90041 Biomedical Eng Summer Research Project
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Note:

  • all students must meet any requisite prior to enrolling in a subject
  • students may need written permission from other faculties to enrol in some subjects; please check with the subject coordinator

Core specialisation subjects

Please see the core specialisation subjects in the respective specialisations linked below.

 

Majors, minors & specialisations

Name Credit Points
Business 62.5

Last updated: 1 April 2025