UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD

School of Engineering and Informatics

School of Engineering
Programme title: MEng (Hons) Medical Engineering

Awarding and teaching institution: / University of Bradford
Final and interim awards: / MEng (Honours) [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications Level 7]
BEng (Honours) ] [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications level 6]
Diploma of Higher Education [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications level 5]
Certificate of Higher Education [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications level 4]
Programme title: / Medical Engineering
Programme accredited by: / IMechE
Duration: / 4 years full time; 5 years sandwich
UCAS code: / HB11 (4 year programme)
HB1C (5 year programme)
Subject benchmark statement: / Engineering
Date produced:
Last updated: / March 2002
October 2013

Introduction

Medical Engineering focuses on the support of life and quality of life through the transfer of engineering knowledge to the understanding, modification, and control of human biological systems. Your studies at Bradford will be a foundation for your future aimed at developing a deep understanding of fundamental and advanced technical principles, analytical tools, and competence in their application together with a wide range of management, personal and professional skills. An excellent way to develop these skills is to undertake an industrial placement as an integral part of your degree studies. The MEng programme sets out (i) to give technical depth across the discipline and in relevant specialist applications of technology, (ii) to provide breadth to encourage innovation and (iii) facilitate exposure to other engineering disciplines. Upon graduation you will have the capacity for meaningful interdisciplinary interaction, leadership roles, and professional growth, which may include seeking Chartered Engineer (CEng) status and becoming accredited to work as a Medical Engineer within the Health Service. IMechE accreditation aims to ensure that the MEng degree meets the highest national/international standards.

The School places emphasis on both teaching and research. We have particular research strengths in medical engineering (design of implants, scaffolding for tissue replacement, and prosthetics); biomaterials (including the creation of complex components from powders, composites, and polymers); computer modelling and design (human movement, virtual testing, and rapid prototyping). We conduct this research jointly with many companies including Johnson & Johnson, Smith & Nephew, Siemens Medical and others and this work shapes and informs our undergraduate programmes. During the later years of your MEng studies you can expect to interact with the School’s research activity.

Programme Aims

The programme is intended to:

  • help students to develop the engineering, medical, design, management and personal skills required to become professional Medical Engineers and in doing so, also equip them for careers in other professions.
  • produce MEng graduates who are imaginative, innovative, versatile and competitive within healthcare and the medical device industry, who will be able to progress rapidly to professional positions of responsibility with minimal additional training, and who can provide technical, managerial and entrepreneurial leadership in specialist/interdisciplinary projects.
  • provide the educational requirements (in compliance with UK-SPEC) to permit progression to Chartered Membership of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and registration with ECUK as a Chartered Engineer.

Programme Learning outcomes

When you have completed the programme you should be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

  • Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the engineering principles underpinning Medical Engineering: appropriate numerical methods to solve technical problems; principles and practice of engineering design and manufacture; business and management practices for engineering; biological and medical systems as they relate to engineering in healthcare.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of ethics and the regulation of the manufacture and use of medical devices; key concepts and theories required for successful innovation; roles and responsibilities of professional engineers.
  • Demonstrate mastery of a specialist body of knowledge.

Intellectual Abilities

  • Apply engineering principles to the critical analysis of problems in order to create innovative design solutions.
  • Critically review an existing body of knowledge, plan an original study and utilise research skills to critically evaluate and interpret newly developed data via exposure to research activities.
  • Work as a specialist within in a multidisciplinary group towards a shared objective.

Practical Skills

  • Apply standard laboratory methods to obtain accurate data.
  • Use software packages in the analysis, modelling, simulation, and design of engineering systems.

General Transferable Skills

  • Work in groups to meet shared objectives.
  • Communicate with a variety of audiences using a range of techniques.
  • Use problem solving strategies to develop innovative solutions.
  • Reflect on the need for further personal and professional development to improve your own performance.
  • Lead others in achieving group objectives.

On completion of this award at Certificate of Higher Education level, you should be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the underlying concepts and principles associated with medical engineering study and be able to evaluate and interpret the knowledge within the context of medical engineering study.
  • Describe basic concepts of medical engineering theory (engineering mathematics, fluid mechanics, cell and microbiology for engineers, anatomy and physiology, fundamentals of electrical/electronic engineering, mechatronics, mechanics of machines, manufacturing and materials processing) and appreciate application of these theories to medical engineering systems.
  • Undertake quantitative measurement and manipulate information obtained to solve straightforward problems.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the basic manufacturing process and understand the use of various materials for the medical engineering applications.
  • Collect, organise interpret and present data using appropriate quantitative techniques

On completion of this award at Diploma of Higher Education level, you should be able to:

  • Apply knowledge of the medical /mechanical design concepts and principles through project work.
  • Begin to develop own criteria and judgment on the design, construction and performance of construction elements.
  • Demonstrate analytical competence in terms both of problem identification and resolution, and to develop their skill sets as required.
  • Apply numerical methods in the in the analysis of linear and non-linear mechanical systems.
  • Demonstrate theoretical knowledge of core medical engineering through forms of expression which go beyond the merely descriptive or imitative.
  • Competently apply statistical analysis to experimental data and have the ability to interpret the confidence of the results statistically.
  • Show an appreciation of the limits of your knowledge, and how this influences analysis and interpretations based on that knowledge.

On completion of this award at BEng (Honours) level, you should be able to:

  • Demonstrate systematic knowledge and understanding of key concepts, underpinning Medical Engineering with core knowledge in: biomaterials, implant design & technology, medical ethics and regulations, medical instrumentation and imaging, rehabilitation engineering, materials failure analysis and reliability engineering.
  • Critically review an existing body of knowledge, plan an original study and utilise research skills to critically evaluate and interpret newly developed data.
  • Critically evaluate professional practices within technical professional and ethical frameworks
  • Apply engineering principles to the critical analysis of problems in order to create innovative design solutions.
  • Evaluate designs, process and product, and make improvements.
  • Organise and manage projects from inception to completion
  • Address complex , open-ended, problems and case situations in an unpredictable context, taking positive initiatives to solve or identify a range of solutions to civil engineering problems
  • Reflect on the need for further personal and professional development to improve performance.

Curriculum

The map of the curriculum that you will study is detailed on the next page showing core (C) and optional (O) modules. Each year, or stage, of an MEng course comprises 2 semesters with 60 credits being studied in each semester. For 10 credit modules all of the teaching and assessment is undertaken in the same semester. Some of the 20 credit modules have teaching and assessment that occurs in both semesters.

We strongly encourage you to undertake a year of industrial placement between stages 2 and 3. The School has many contacts with relevant organisations and arranges for interviews with those in which you have an interest. It is then your task to impress them sufficiently to gain an offer of employment. The work undertaken during the placement is monitored by the University and counts towards the industrial training requirements of the IMechE.

Stage 1 [Level 4]

Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study period
ENG1053M / Cell and Microbiology for Engineers / C / 10 / 4 / 1
ENG1056M / Engineering Computation / C / 10 / 4 / 1
ENG1074L / Engineering Analysis (Mechanical) / C / 20 / 4 / 1, 2
ENG1004M / Manufacturing Systems / C / 10 / 4 / 1
ENG1033M / Introductory Mechatronics / C / 10 / 4 / 1
ENG1064M / Materials Technology & Processing / C / 10 / 4 / 1
ENG1031M / Mechanical Technology / C / 10 / 4 / 2
ENG1032M / Fluid Mechanics 1 / C / 10 / 4 / 2
ENG1057M / Functional Anatomy and Physiology / C / 10 / 4 / 2
ENG1070M / Anatomy and Medical Terminology / C / 10 / 4 / 2
ENG1052M / Introduction to Solid Modelling / C / 10 / 4 / 2

Students who have achieved at least 120 credit points at Level 4 may exit the programme and are eligible for the award of Certificate of Higher Education.

Stage 2 [Level 5]

Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study period
ENG2100L / Materials Engineering and Design / C / 10+10 / 5 / 1
ENG2087M / Further Engineering Analysis (Mechanical) / C / 10 / 5 / 1
CY-0205M / Sensors and Actuators / C / 10 / 5 / 1, 2
ENG2085M / Healthcare Technology Project / C / 10 / 5 / 1
ENG2024M / Biomechanics / C / 10 / 5 / 1
ENG2034M / Thermodynamics / C / 10 / 5 / 1
ENG1010M / Circuits & Systems / C / 10 / 4 / 2
ENG2013M / Financial Management / C / 10 / 5 / 2
ENG2035M / Human Biodynamics / C / 10 / 5 / 2
ENG2028M / Computer Modelling Techniques / C / 10 / 5 / 2
ENG2030M / Engineering Statistics / C / 10 / 5 / 2

Students who have achieved at least 120 credit points at Level 5 may exit the programme and are eligible for the award of Diploma of Higher Education.

Stage 3 [Level 6]

Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study period
ENG3042J / Project / C / 10+20 / 6 / 1, 2
ENG3027M / Biomaterials / C / 10 / 6 / 1
ENG3077M / Medical Ethics & Regulations / C / 10 / 6 / 1
ENG3076M / Materials Failure Analysis / C / 10 / 6 / 1
ENG3048M / Six Sigma for Business Excellence / O / 10 / 6 / 1
ENG4068M / Tissue Engineering and Wound Repair / O / 10 / 7 / 1
ENG4037M / Computer Applications of Numerical Methods / O / 10 / 7 / 1
ENG4093M / Rehabilitation Engineering / C / 10 / 7 / 2
ENG3052M / Implant Design & Technology / C / 10 / 6 / 2
ENG3020M / Medical Instrumentation & Imaging / C / 10 / 6 / 2
ENG3018M / Real Time Computing & Instrumentation / O / 10 / 6 / 2
ENG3049M / Reliability Engineering / O / 10 / 6 / 2

Students who have achieved at least 120 credit points at Level 6 may exit the programme and are eligible for the award of Bachelors (honours).

Stage 4 [Level 7]

Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study period
ENG4010J / Advanced MEng Project / C / 10+20 / 7 / 1, 2
ENG4050L / Interdisciplinary Competitive Design / C / 10+10 / 7 / 1, 2
ENG4031M / Advanced Numerical Methods / C / 10 / 7 / 1
ENG4029M / Design Optimisation / C / 10 / 7 / 1
ENG4094M / Genomic Coding / C / 10 / 7 / 1
ENG4037M / Computer Application of Numerical Methods / O / 10 / 7 / 1
ENG4078M / Coaching Development / O / 10 / 7 / 1
ENG4092M / Clinical Signals / C / 10 / 7 / 2
ENG4076M / Infection Control / C / 10 / 7 / 2
ENG4064M / Sustainable Energy / O / 10 / 7 / 2
ENG4096M / Clinical Biomechanics / O / 10 / 7 / 2

The curriculum may change, subject to the University's programme approval, monitoring and review procedures.

Teaching and Assessment Strategies

The teaching and learning strategy takes into consideration the learning outcomes, progression through the levels of study, the nature of the subject and the student intake, and the need for you to take greater responsibility for your own learning as you progress through the course. The strategies and methods implemented are:

  • Formal lectures (including those from Visiting Lecturers), case studies, tutorial exercises, practical demonstrations, directed learning and individual work to engage you in developing your knowledge and understanding of the course. The method of assessment is by written examination and both analytical and experimental coursework.
  • Engaging with you during tutorial exercises, case studies, practical demonstration and supervised research or project work to develop your intellectual skills. You will develop skills of working with other engineering disciplines particularly in the Interdisciplinary Competitive Design module. In Stage 4 you will also learn the skills associated with designing and executing your own research project. The methods of assessment of intellectual skills are implicit in the written examinations, analytical and experimental coursework and more particularly in your Final Year Project work.
  • Demonstrations and practicals linked with the taught modules to develop your practical skills. You will also design and operate equipment and/or procedures and use control and measuring instruments under supervision during your project work. The methods of assessment of practical skills include feedback on laboratory work linked with the taught modules. Also a large part of the mark of the Project report will be attributed to the Experimental Method and Equipment and the Presentation & Discussion of Results.
  • The methods implemented in developing transferable skills are implicit in the programme. The University of Bradford is well known for attracting students from a wide variety of background, experiences and countries. This and the learning facilities available to all students provide the conditions for students to develop and manage their learning. The University of Bradford modus operandi, Making Knowledge Work, is imbedded in the philosophy of this course, particularly in the area of Engineering, Design and Technology, which is well equipped with practical and computational facilities. In particular, you will learn skills of mentoring colleagues in the Coaching Development module in which you will work with Stage 1 students to support their introduction to their course of study. The methods of assessment of transferable skills are built in the structure of the examinations, case studies, laboratory demonstrations and research or project work.

Assessment Regulations

Whilst this Programme conforms to the general principles set out in the standard University Assessment Regulations which are available at the link below, the following exception(s) apply to these regulations:

  1. Students must pass the final year project at 1st attempt.
  2. Where an element of assessment for a module has a weighting of 30% or more, a minimum mark of 30% must be obtained in that element, as well as an overall pass mark being obtained for a module to be deemed a pass.
  3. To progress to a following stage of a MEng programme, a stage average of 60% must be obtained.
  4. Students will be permitted a maximum of 20 credits of supplementary assessment in stages 2, 3 & 4 for the purpose of achieving a module pass mark or for improving their stage average.

For your award to be accredited by the professional body, the final award classification must be 2:2 level or above.

If the above requirements are not met, but the University’s undergraduate regulations are complied with, then a non-accredited MEng will be awarded.

Admissions Requirements

The University welcomes applications from all potential students regardless of their previous academic experience; offers are made following detailed consideration of each individual application. Most important in the decision to offer a place is our assessment of a candidate’s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability to succeed on this particular programme. Entrance requirements for each programme will vary but consideration of your application will be based on a combination of your formal academic qualifications and other relevant experience.

If you have prior certificated learning or professional experience which may be equivalent to parts of this programme, the University has procedures to evaluate this learning in order to provide you with exemptions from specified modules contained within the curriculum. Please talk to us if you do not fit the standard pattern of entry qualifications.

The University of Bradford has always welcomed applications from disabled students, and these will be considered on the same academic grounds as are applied to all applicants. We are continually reviewing and developing our practices and policies to make the University more inclusive, but if you are disabled we may need to make some adjustments to make sure that you are not disadvantaged. We would advise you to contact the programme leader before you apply to discuss these.

Entry requirements: Typical offer (UCAS tariff points): 300

  • To include A-level Mathematics minimum grade B. General Studies points will not be counted in the points requirement.
  • GCSE English and Maths minimum grade C.

In addition to a degree, successful completion of the course will give candidates a recognised professional qualification. Therefore the entry requirements for the accredited course are those stipulated by the professional institutions of 300 UCAS points. Nevertheless, offers are only made after detailed consideration of each individual application and the precise requirements we ask of candidates will vary. We also pay considerable attention to an applicant’s academic background and achievements, to other non-standard qualifications and any significant relevant experience.

Upon completion of a UCAS form you will be invited to the School for an Open Day and interview when you will have the opportunity to meet staff, view the facilities and discuss “the Bradford experience” with current students.

English Language Requirements

All students must satisfy the English language requirements for admission as described at

If your native language is not English, you will have to pass a test in English approved by the University before you can be admitted. The following qualifications are acceptable as satisfying this requirement. Both are available internationally.

  • The International English Language Testing Service Test (IELTS) administered by the British Council is the test which is preferred by the University. You will need to achieve an Overall Band of at least 6, with at least 5 in each of the four sub-tests. Testing facilities are available at most British Council overseas offices. When you take your test, you should ask for a copy of your Test Report Form to be sent to the University.
  • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey, 08540, USA. You will need to score at least 550 (220 on the computer-based test). If you take this test, you should enter the University’s code 0828 on your answer sheet.

Should you not be able to offer these grades then you should contact the Admissions Tutor for further advice.

Learning Resources

The JB Priestley Library on the city campus and our specialist library in the School of Management provide a wide range of printed and electronic resources to support your studies. We offer quiet study space if you want to work on your own, and group study areas for the times when you need to discuss work with fellow students. Subject librarians for each School provide training sessions and individual guidance in finding the information you need for your assignment, and will help you organise your references properly.