Key Info
Bachelor/ Masters of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering
Entry route(s):
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What is Biomedical Engineering?
Biomedical engineering uses problem-solving techniques and engineering mechanics to solve biology and medicine-based problems. Modern medicine has given rise to a wide range of novel engineering solutions to these clinical problems – and a Biomedical Engineering degree is your way to help address current clinical problems and diseases. Biomedical Engineering is a relatively new area of Engineering, but it is the fastest growing area due to increased demand for biology-based engineers from the MedTech Sector.
What you will study
The Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) and Masters of Engineering (M.E.) programme in Biomedical Engineering are 4 years and 5 years in duration, respectively.
Both include an eight-month period of Cooperative Education spent in an appropriate industrial environment. The course provides a broad and practical programme of study, which gives you a good understanding of anatomy, physiological fluid mechanics, medical devices, medical imaging, tissue mechanics, cell mechanobiology, biomicrofluidics, and computational modelling.
The first two years provide you with a foundation in the fundamental engineering disciplines, and subjects taught include:
- Introductory Anatomy and Physiology,
- Cell & Tissue Behaviour for Engineers,
- Physiological Fluid Mechanics 1
- Chemistry
- Engineering Mechanics
- Computing for Engineering
- Mathematics for Engineering
- Materials
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). This will take place directly after your Year 2 exams (Summer semester) and continue to start of your second semester of Year 3 (i.e. June to following January).
During your final two years you will undertake modules that again specific to biomedical engineering field. These modules will now focus on novel and cutting-edge topics in biomedical engineering. You experience more challenging and group based projects in interesting topics within the Biomedical Engineering field. Modules include:
- Biocompatibility
- Tissue Engineering
- Orthopaedic Biomechanics
- Biomaterials
- In Vitro Models for Bio Engineers
The ME Programme have modules designed around the Research and Development of medical devices as well as commercialising such devices. The ME students will get the opportunity to apply their knowledge of medical devices, anatomy, materials and mechanics in the ‘Medical Device Design’ project. This is run over two semesters where students design a medical device and build a business plan around it. In conjunction with the ‘Entrepreneurship and Innovation’ module you will follow a path to realise such a medical device and how to get it to market.
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| MA4001 | Engineering Maths 1 | MA4002 | Engineering Maths 2 |
| ME4121 | Engineering Science 1 | ME4111 | Engineering Mechanics 1 |
| CH4701 | Chemistry for Engineers | ME4412 | Fluid Mechanics 1 |
| EE4011 | Engineering Computing | ME4042 | Introduction to Design for Manufacture |
| EE4001 | Electrical Engineering 1 | MT4002 | Materials 1 |
| ME4001 | Introduction to Engineering 1 | CE4043 | Structural Engineering Design 2 |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 | ||
| MA4003 | Engineering Mathematics 3 | MA4004 | Engineering Maths 4 |
| ME4213 | Mechanics of Solids 1 | ME4736 | Physiological Fluids 1 |
| ME4523 | Thermodymanics 1 | IE4214 | Industrial Organisation |
| LS4003 | Introductory Anatomy and Physiology | ME4052 | Cell and Tissue Behaviour for Engineers |
| ME4112 | Engineering Mechanics 2 | ME4114 | Engineering Design and Communication |
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 | ||
| CO4310 | Cooperative Education | MA4006 | Engineering Mathematics 5 |
| ME4226 | Mechanics of Solids 2 | ||
| ME4526 | Introduction to Heat Transfer | ||
| ME4306 | Biocompatibility | ||
| MT4006 | Tissue Engineering |
| Semester 7 | Semester 8 | ||
| ME4017 | Project 1 | ME4018 | Project 2 |
| ME4746 | Physiological Fluid Mechanics 2 | ME4028 | Project 3 |
| ME4178 | In Vitro Models for Bio Engineers | ME4029 | Orthopaedic Biomechanics |
| ME4427 | Medical Device Design and Placement 1 | IE4248 | Project Planning & Control |
| ME4307 | Biomaterials 1 | ME6008 | Microfluidics |
| Semester 7 | Semester 8 | ||
| ME4746 | Physiological Fluid Mechanics 2 | ME4188 |
Bio-Imaging |
| ME4167 | Medical Device Evaluation | IE4248 | Project Planning & Control |
| ME4427 | Medical Device Design and Placement 1 | ME4029 | Orthopaedic Biomechanics |
| ME4307 | Biomaterials 1 | ME4009 | Medical Device Design and Placement 2 |
| EP4005 | Enterprise Creation | ME4308 | Biomaterials 2 |
| Semester 9 | Semester 10 | ||
| ME6241 | Project 1 | ME6242 | Project 2 |
| ME6051 | Advanced Technical Communication for Engineers | ||
| Choose 3 | Choose 3 | ||
| ME4616 | Finite Element Analysis | ME6071 | Non-Linear FEA |
| PH6071 | Adv. Analysis of Materials 1 | PH6072 | Adv. Analysis of Materials 2 |
| ME4438 | Computational Fluid Dynamics | ME6062 | Advanced CFD |
| MT6061 | Polymers for Biomed Devices | MT6062 | Polymer Therapeutics |
| ME6008 | Microfluidics | ME6252 | Biomicrofluidics |
| ME6251 | Cellular Mechanobiology | ME6262 | Cell Derived Therapies |
Entry requirements
| Minimum grades |
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. |
|---|---|
| Subject requirements |
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. |
| Additional considerations |
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. |
| Non-EU Entry Requirements |
|
How to apply
| Where are you applying from? | How to Apply |
|---|---|
| Ireland | Irish students must apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found here. |
| The UK | Students who have completed their A-Levels can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. |
| The EU | EU Students can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. |
| Non-EU country | If you are outside of the EU, you can apply for this degree here. |
Fees and funding
Student course fees are broken into three components - Student contribution, Student Levy and Tuition Fees.
A number of illustrative examples of fees for this course based on the current fee levels have been set out in the tables below.
An explanation of the components, how to determine status and the criteria involved is provided below the examples as is a list of possible scholarships and funding available.
EU Students with Free fees status in receipt of a SUSI grant
| HEA pays | Tuition Fees | €4,262 |
| SUSI pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €7,362 |
EU Students with Free fees status not in receipt of a grant
| HEA pays | Tuition Fees | €4,262 |
| Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €7,362 |
Students with EU fee status not in receipt of a grant
| Student pays | Tuition Fees | €4,262 |
| Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €7,362 |
Non-EU Students
| Student pays | Tuition Fees | €20,900 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €21,000 |
Student course fees are comprised of the following components:
Student Contribution
Annual charge set by the government for all full-time third level students. All students are liable unless they have been approved for a grant by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please refer to https://www.studentfinance.ie to determine your eligibility for a grant and for instructions on how to apply. The current student contribution is set at €3000.
Student Levy
All students are liable to pay the Student Levy of €100. Please note the Student Levy is not covered by the SUSI Grant.
Tuition Fees
These are based on Residency, Citizenship, Course requirements.
Review the three groups of criteria to determine your fee status as follows
-
Residency
- You must have been living in an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course
-
Citizenship
- You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status
-
Course Requirements
(all must be met)
- You must be a first time full-time undergraduate (Exceptions are provided for students who hold a Level 6 or Level 7 qualification and are progressing to a Level 8 course in the same general area of study).
- You must be undertaking a full-time undergraduate course of at least 2 year’s duration
- You cannot be undertaking a repeat year of study at the same level unless evidence of exceptional circumstances eg serious illness is provided (in which case this condition may be waived)
Depending on how you meet these criteria your status will be one of the following -
- Free Fee Status: You satisfy all three categories (1, 2 and 3) and therefore are eligible for the Higher Education Authority’s Free Fees scheme.
- EU Fee Status: You satisfy both the citizenship and residency criteria but fail to satisfy the course requirements and are liable to EU fees.
- Non EU Fee Status: You do not meet either the citizenship or residency criteria and are therefore liable to Non EU fees.
More information about fees can be found on the Finance website
These scholarships are available for this course
| Title | Award | Scholarships Available |
|---|---|---|
| BD Science and Engineering Undergraduate Scholarship | €2,000 for one year | 6 |
| Innovative Student Engineer of the Year Awards | €1,500 and a trophy | 1 |
| Johnson and Johnson WiSTEM2D Programme | ||
| Stryker Scholarship | €2,500 | 3 |
| Women in Engineering Bursary Awards | €500 | 8 |
These scholarships are available for all courses
| Title | Award | Scholarships Available |
|---|---|---|
| All Ireland Scholarships - sponsored by J.P. McManus | €6,750 | 125 |
| Brad Duffy Access Scholarship | €5,000 for one year | 1 |
| Bursary for my Future Scholarship | €2,750 one off payment | 4 |
| Cooperative Education Award | 1 medal per faculty | |
| Elaine Fagan Scholarship | €1,500 | |
| Financial Aid Fund | ||
| Hegarty Family Access Scholarships | €5,000 for one year | 2 |
| Higher Education Grants & VEC Grants | ||
| Paddy Dooley Rowing Scholarship | €2,500 | |
| Plassey Campus Centre Scholarship Programme | ||
| Provincial GAA Bursaries Scheme | €750 | |
| Stuart Mangan Scholarship | ||
| The Michael Hillery and Jacinta O’Brien Athletics Scholarship | Various benefits equating to over €7,000 in value | |
| UL Sports Scholarships | Varies depending on level of Scholarship | Multiple |
Your future career
Employability skills from this degree
- Solving problems using logic, creative and innovative approaches
- Planning, prioritising, working to deadlines and under pressure
- Communicating effectively (verbally and written)
- Working in multidisciplinary teams
- Numeracy and IT skills, with excellent use of statistics
- Project management
- Awareness of cost/value
- Awareness of social, cultural, environmental, health and safety, and wider professional responsibilities
- Attention to detail
- Good judgement and acceptance of responsibility
Further Study Options
Job titles for graduates with this degree
Graduates progressing directly into employment take up a wide variety of roles. The following provides a sample of initial roles listed on the Graduate Outcomes Survey by graduates approximately one year after graduation:
- Associate Regulatory Affairs Specialist
- Design Engineer
- Graduate Manufacturing Engineer
- Graduate Process Engineer
- Graduate Programme
- Graduate Trainee
- Lab. Assistant
- Manufacturing Engineer
- Operations Graduate
- Procurement & Commercial Analyst
- Quality Engineer
- R&D Engineer
- Research Assistant
- Risk Analyst
- Technical Biomedical Engineer
- Validation Engineer
This course is accredited by Engineers Ireland.
Student Profile
Clíona McCarthy
I graduated from the University of Limerick with a First Class Honours in Biomedical Engineering (BE) in 2019. I chose to study at UL for a number of reasons, the main one being the Cooperative Education placement. The placement allowed me to apply my knowledge from the classroom to real world industry projects. Before graduating I had almost a years’ worth of industrial experience, which was a great talking point for job interviews in final year.
The BE course consisted of both classroom learning and lab work e.g. designing and making a motorised car model. My final year project looked at using porcine tissue in tissue engineering as an alternative to organ donors. I was awarded the Stryker Final Year Project award for this work in 2019 from the School of Engineering in UL.
In my final year, I began to apply for graduate engineering roles. The UL careers fair helped me decide what areas in industry I would like to work in and, upon graduating, I had secured a job as a manufacturing engineer for a medical device company in Galway. I spent a year in industry before returning to UL to begin my PhD, which focuses on the biomechanics of biological tissue.
