Biomedical Engineering
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Engineering with Honours
Overview
Biomedical Engineering involves designing and creating medical and healthcare technology. As a priority industry in the 21st century, there is a growing need for life-changing engineering solutions that restore function and aid in diagnosis, monitoring, rehabilitation, and delivery of care. This field of study builds awareness and addresses challenges encompassing global health issues, for example our increasingly aging population, and a rise in illnesses from sedentary lifestyles. Biomedical Engineers will develop current and emerging devices, such as prosthetics, implants, heart-rate monitors, mobility equipment, medical imaging scanners, and assistive technologies.
Students will carry out practical work in biomechanics, ergonomics, usability, concept design, prototyping, and testing. The programme also examines bioethics and medical regulatory compliance, and includes an introduction to intellectual property.
Students study towards the Biomedical Engineering minor alongside Mechanical Engineering in the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours.
Note: This new minor is subject to Universities New Zealand CUAP approval, due September 2019.
- Students take advantage of the Centre for Bioengineering on campus, as well as equipment from UC’s Biomechanics Lab, which includes motion capture software, thermal cameras, performance monitors, and more.
- There are a variety of summer work experience opportunities in industry, hospitals and clinics, both locally and overseas, to help design, repair, maintain, and implement medical equipment.
- See the Engineering subject page for many other reasons why UC's College of Engineering | Te Rāngai Pūkaha is a world-class destination for engineering studies.
BE(Hons) Mechanical Engineering With Minor in Biomedical Engineering -2023
Students will take the Biomedical Engineering Stream of:
- ENME 351 Biomedical Design and Product Management
- ENME 401 Mechanical Systems Design (Biomedical Stream)
- ENME 408 Engineering Honours Research & Development Project (Biomedical Engineering Research Topic)
- MDPH 401 Anatomy & Physiology
Plus 15 points (one course) from the following:
- DATA 430 Data Science in Medicine (not offered 2023)
- ENME 409 Physiological Modelling (not offered 2023)
- ENME 419 Biological Fluid Dynamics (not offered 2023)
- ENME 451 Biomechanics (S2)
- ENME 487 Special Topic: Biomaterials (S2)
- MDPH 406 Medical Imaging
Note: Students must also meet the requirements for the Mechanical Engineering specialisation.
Biomedical engineers have the opportunity to improve the health and well-being of the world’s population. Their cross-disciplinary knowledge in science and engineering fulfils a growing need in the medical industry which relies on innovative technologies.
Graduates will find work in not-for-profits, industry, government, research institutes, iwi and indigenous health services, and research and development (R&D) departments. They may also carry out rewarding careers in developing countries in need of better healthcare systems.
Other examples include equipment technicians, data information scientists, product designers, quality assurance (QA) testers, advisors, researchers, and biostatisticians.
The Aotearoa New Zealand government has identified health research and innovation as a national priority and area of investment, which will lead to more career opportunities in the medical industry in the near future.
Would you like to combine your engineering skills with making a difference in a developing country this summer for ten weeks? Click here to learn about repairing hospital equipment in the Pacific Islands.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Contact us
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Phone: +64 3 369 2229
Email: engdegreeadvice@canterbury.ac.nz
Location: See the Department's website for up-to-date location details.
Postal address:
College of Engineering | Te Rāngai Pūkaha
University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand