5th Jan 2017
Why study Biomedical Engineering?
Advantages of a highly technical education in the
21st century
Prof. James Wolffsohn | Dr. Thomas Drew | Dr. Antonio Fratini
Definition of Science and Engineering
• Science (Noun) (from Latin scientia, meaning "knowledge") is a
systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the
form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe
• Engineering (Noun) is the science, skill, and profession of
acquiring and applying scientific, economic, social, and practical
knowledge, in order to design and also build structures, machines,
devices, systems, materials and processes.
Professional Problem Solver!
We live in an age of great scientific discovery and
world is changing at a rapidly increasing rate …..
…this is know as exponential growth and it will
change everything about who we are and what
we do…
…you need to be prepared for this word, understand
more of it …
Engineers will be needed more than ever…….
…. to solve problems…..
…. We don’t even know exist …..
…. With tools we haven't designed yet!
Years to reach 50 million people…
Radio 38 Years…………
TV 13 Years…………
Internet 4 Years…………
iPod 3 Years…………
Facebook 2 Years…………
Not just technology….
100,000 Words in the
English Language!
Over 500,000 Now!
Healthcare spending is massive
8% of all the
money in the UK
10% of all the money
in the world
Or $8,500,000,000….
(yes trillions)
Billion $
Investing in healthcare extends lives
People are not going to stop investing in healthcare because its
an investment in your own heath and wellbeing…
Biomedical engineers, what do we do?
• Undertake the design and development of all aspects of
medical devices such as…..
•
•
•
•
•
•
Electronic circuits
Computer software
Simulation and research
Mechanical structure and design
Testing and evaluation
Even purchasing and installation
What do we make? Implantable devices
• Go inside the body to correct problems or replace worn parts
and include;
Hip Implant Prosthesis
(passive mechanical devices)
Pacemaker and Ventricle
Assist Device
Electrical / Electromechanical
(active devices)
What do we make?: Diagnostic devices
• Help find/visualise the problem without cutting open the
patient open and causing further harm, these devices include,
Magnetic Resonance
Imaging (MRI)
Optical Conference
Tomography (OCT)
How about a Computed Tomography (CT) scanner?
• Looks peaceful and
serine, maybe a little
boring? but one the
inside it is extreme
engineering!
Take a look at this…..
The body our the perfect machine…
• Biomedical engineers also look the functions of the human
body to determine its operational characteristics such as…
• Mathematical modelling of (organs, structures and cells for
physiological responses to specific stimuli/environment)
Heart Operation
Lung Function
Hip replacement
an femur
(strength)
Biomedical engineering gives second chances
• Support doctors to better deliver healthcare services
providing better outcomes for injured or sick people…
Renewal of function
Rehabilitation
Replacement of parts
Biomedical engineers, what skills do we need?
• Combination of many engineering disciplines…
25%
Mechanical Engineer
25%
25%
Electrical Engineer
Computer Scientist
25%
Medical Doctor
What does it all mean for the future?
•
Without more scientists and engineers civilization will struggle to maintain
both population and economic growth.
•
There is no such thing as stability in nature, you're either growing or
declining (stability = stagnation = death)
•
More technology and more complex, precise, efficient technology will be
needed, not less, hence more engineers. Many more engineers!
•
Your skills will be respected and valued, even envied!
•
You will have globally marketable skills, great job prospects and
respectable salaries
•
It’s a whole lot of fun! (play with technology for a living)
Corporate collaborators (small selection)
It pays to be in the Medical Industry
£65 per hour!
Work any place in
the world
Biomedical Engineering
• BEng in Biomedical Engineering (3 year course)
• MEng in Biomedical Engineering (4 year course)
• Unique paid/voluntary placement opportunity in MEng 4th year,
achieving a Masters Degree and work experience in 4 not the
usual 5 years
BEng/MEng Biomedical Engineering
YEAR 1
(120 credits)
Software Engineering
Human Anatomy and Physiology
for Engineers
Mathematics for Engineers
Engineering Science
Fundamentals
Electronic Engineering
Fundamentals
Biomedical Engineering Project 1
YEAR 2
(120 credits)
Mathematical Applications
BEng
FINAL YEAR (120 credits)
MEng
4 th Year (120 credits)
Biomechanics
CFD/FEA for Biomedical Science
Research Methods and Statistics
Biomaterials
Kinematics and Prosthetics
Biotechnology and Regenerative
Medicine
Leadership Skills
Clinical trials and Medical
regulations
Medical Imaging
MEng Master’s Research Project
Biomedical Engineering Project 2
Biomedical Engineering Project 3
Biomedical Engineering Research
Elective
Software
Hardware
New for 2015-16
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