Biomedical Engineering, BEng

Biomedical Engineering is one of the fastest-growing industries with some of the highest starting salaries. Currently, there are many opportunities to practice as a biomedical engineer, such as:

• Creating, implementing, and maintaining reliable and user-friendly bioinstruments that are pathogen-resistant to aid non-invasive baby monitoring in a neonatal unit.
• Designing and developing materials for implantation in the human body while keeping it clinically safe and reliable.
• Designing and developing mechatronics or mechanical products that work with and aid the human body, for example, artificial organs to replace organ failure or support a failing organ, hence increasing the lifespan of patients.
• Working as an innovator with medics and computing professionals to develop new smart technology gadgets to provide alternative medical interventions for supporting patients.
• Designing and developing surgical instruments that assist in highly accurate, precise, and timely surgery.

The course has been designed and developed in collaboration with Kent and Medway Engineering, Design, Growth and Enterprise (EDGE) Hub for delivering innovative engineering solutions to biomedical problems and contributing to improving our health and saving lives through the CDIO pedagogy approach. In 2023, CCCU ranked first in the UK for graduates in employment, with biomedical graduate roles in NHS, Osteotec, BAE, ICU Medical etc. 

Most biomedical engineers are employed by the NHS, pharmaceutical firms, and manufacturers of medical equipment suppliers. The IMechE has identified biomedical engineers within the NHS as making a valuable contribution and is calling for a Chief Biomedical Engineer in every NHS Acute Trust.

We can proudly say that CCCU is a very student-friendly place to study, so I believe you will have an enjoyable and productive time with us. Our motto within the School of Engineering, Technology and Design is “Don’t be afraid to ask questions and always do ask questions”, we are here to support your personal and professional development in engineering, and employability skills and enable you to graduate as an engineer. We have aligned our course to make you adaptive with concurrent technology and relevant job scenarios.

You can enhance your knowledge in biomechanics, ergonomics, electromechanical systems, human anatomy, and robotics while pursuing the course. We have one of the best engineering facilities in the southeast region equipped with a metal 3D printer, tensile tester, hardness tester, impact tester, metal laser cutter, sawyer robot, vitralograph, CPET, gait analysis, biomechanics along with the traditional mechanical workshop to enhance your hands-on skills. During the last two academic years, biomedical engineering students have completed several industry-outsoured projects such as electrotherapy for haemorrhoids treatment, automatic insulin pump for diabetic patients, prosthetic foot, Artificial Kidney project and Artificial liver transportation box etc. We have projects with the local hospitals on teleneurorehabilitation, wearable sensors and monitoring set-up. You can get the opportunity to work on paid internship projects funded by biomedical industries. Alongside several technical skills in biomedical engineering, you will also get the opportunity to enhance your soft skills at CCCU to become a professional biomedical engineer in future. We are currently working towards IMechE and IET accreditation.

You can stay up to date with what's happening in our Faculty with the Faculty Instagram!

Your course has a duration of three academic years. You must pass each year to successfully complete your degree. The academic year at Canterbury Christ Church University is split into two semesters – one running from September to January and a second one from late January to May. Each Semester you will study three different modules covering different areas of the course.

The course integrates the CDIO approach and focuses on practical and applied projects that, where possible, will be adopted from the industry.

The Biomedical Engineering courses at Canterbury Christ Church University are committed to developing you to be a graduate who is intellectually curious, skilled and ethically engaged with the world and its future.

The course of study aims to provide you with a transformative experience and an opportunity to develop your critical and imaginative thinking and compassionate responsibility. This course aims to develop your knowledge, understanding and skills in biomedical engineering so that upon successful completion, you will be ready for employment in a variety of industries that provide technology for allied health industries, developing, supporting, implementing, and maintaining biomedical technology.

Year 1 Core modules:

Semester 1

• Introduction to Electro-Mechanical Systems and Practice
• Introduction to Engineering Design
• Mathematics & Computing for Engineers

Semester 2

• Professional Practical Engineering (with Mechatronics Project)
• Introduction to Material Engineering Characteristics & Manufacture

Before you begin your studies, we recommend you look at the relevant pages of various online news sources (e.g. BBC News, The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Engineer) to see the common areas that are being talked about in the field.

You might find it useful to read these resources before starting your course:

• Read an Introduction to Biomedical Engineering
• Discover more about what Biomedical Engineers do
• Learn why Biomedical Engineering is part of a bigger picture in Kent and Medway EDGE Hub
• Watch the CCCU Welcome Video

Additional learning support is available from the academic sessional and skills development team for math, report writing, project dissertations etc. You will get continuous support from the academic team for any academic, learning or other student-related issues such as accommodation, well-being and financial hardship. Besides, CCCU career enterprise team can guide you with professional CV and personal statement letter when applying for internships, graduate roles and higher study.

For more information about the course, please visit the UG course page or the Foundation Year course page.

Community

On the social side, the Student Union (CCSU) has a huge range of clubs and societies – all of which have unique social calendars of their own and offer endless opportunities to make lifelong friends and discover new hobbies. And you can always create your own society and cultivate your own community!

CCSU will be hosting their Welcome Fayre on Wednesday 18th September 2024. Make sure you keep checking the CCSU website for further details and how to get involved.

We understand that you may be nervous about your first few weeks on campus but rest assured - you'll be joining a nurturing and supportive environment where diversity, equality and individuality are part of everything we do.

You can find out more about our welcoming community and making friend.

If you are an International Student joining us then please see our International Student Support pages for further information and guidance.

Introduction to Electro-/Mechanical Systems and Practice

• Hughes, E., Hiley, J., Smith, I. M., & Brown, K. (2005). Hughes electrical and electronic technology. Pearson education.
• Jones, D. R., & Ashby, M. F. (2018). Engineering materials 1: An introduction to properties, applications and design. Butterworth-Heinemann.

Mathematics and Computing for Engineers

• James, G. (2020) Modern Engineering Mathematics, Glyn James, 4th Ed., Pearson Prentice Hall Publication. ISBN: 978-0-13-239144-3

Additional indicative resources

• MATLAB working manual
• Microsoft Excel working manual
• Minitab working manual

Introduction to Material Engineering Characteristics and Manufacture

• M.F Ashby, Hugh Shercliff, David Cebon. (2018) Materials Engineering, Science, Processing and Design, Fourth Edition, BH
• William D. Callister, David G. Rethwisch. (2020) Materials Science and Engineering, Tenth Edition, Wiley

Introduction to Engineering Design

• Haik, Sivaloganathan, & Shahin (2018). Engineering design process, International Edition, Cengage
• Dym (2013), Engineering Design: A Project-Based Introduction, 4th Edition, Wiley

Online resources

• Autodesk - Integrated CAD, CAM and CAE Software
• Inclusive Design Toolkit (accessed October 2018)

Professional Practical Engineering (With Mechatronics Project)

• BOLTON, W. (20015). Engineering Science 5th edition. Newnes. Oxford. ISBN-10 0080477615, ISBN-13 9780080477619
• BOLTON, W. (2018) Mechatronics Electronic control systems in mechanical and Electrical Engineering 6th edition, ISBN: 978-1-292-07668-3 (print), 978-1-292-08159-5 (PDF) Pearson Education Limited