Biosystems Design (BMEN30008)

Biosystems Design is the capstone experience for the Bioengineering Systems major, bringing together learning, skills, and biosystems knowledge from across the degree and apply it in a team-based design project. Students work collaboratively and independently from concept development to prototype implementation, engaging with real-world, complex, and open-ended projects that reflect professional health and medical technology contexts. 

Project work is scaffolded by structured activities that reinforce foundational knowledge and highlight  applications of biosensors, transducers, and signal processing. These activities support students in navigating the ethical, safety, and risk management considerations inherent in the development of medical devices. 

As the capstone experience, student independence in all aspects of the design process is emphasised. This includes taking responsibility for project direction, time management, decision-making, problem-solving, and communication while working within diverse teams. Working through uncertain and evolving design scenarios fosters resilience, reflective practice, and a deeper understanding of interdisciplinary collaboration. 

The capstone experience emphasises critical inquiry, design practice, consistency, and creativity. Students are encouraged to question assumptions, explore alternative approaches, and evaluate the broader impact of their work. The capstone project culminates in the dissemination of project outcomes, providing a platform to demonstrate the skills, knowledge, and professional identity developed throughout the degree. 

Intended learning outcomes

Upon completion of this subject students should be able to:

• Integrate and apply prior knowledge from across the bioengineering curriculum to address complex, open-ended biomedical design challenges.
• Demonstrate awareness of the integrative and systematic nature of engineering design, including ethical, safety, and regulatory considerations.
• Design and test engineering systems to desired performance specifications for a biomedical or health-related application.
• Collaborate effectively within diverse teams, demonstrating inclusive practice, respect for different perspectives, and the ability to manage interpersonal and technical complexity.
• Demonstrate independence, initiative and accountability in managing project tasks, time management, making decisions under uncertainty, and reflecting on individual and team performance.
• Undertake technical computations required to justify a design solution.
• Critically analyse problems and develop creative, evidence-based solutions, incorporating iterative testing, user feedback, and reflective practice.
• Demonstrate clear technical written and oral communication skills.

Generic skills

On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:

• Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution.
• Understanding of social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities and the need to employ principles of sustainable development.
• Ability to utilise a systems approach to complex problems and to design and operational performance.
• Proficiency in engineering design.
• Ability to conduct an engineering project.
• Understanding of the business environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively, with the engineering team and with the community at large.
• Ability to manage information and documentation.
• Capacity for creativity and innovation.
• Understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities, and commitment to them.
• Ability to function effectively as an individual and in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, as a team leader or manager as well as an effective team member.
• Capacity for lifelong learning and professional development.