© University of Bradford 1

Faculty of Engineering and Informatics

School of Engineering

Programme Title: BEng (Hons) Medical Engineering

Academic Year: 2015-16

Awarding and teaching

institution:

University of Bradford

Final and interim awards:

BEng (Honours)

BEng

[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: Institute of Mechanical Engineering

(IMechE)

Duration: 3 years full time; 4 years including

placement of study abroad

UCAS code:

H1B1 (3 year programme)

H1BC (4 year programme)

Subject benchmark statement: Engineering

Date produced: 31 May 2015

© University of Bradford 2

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 an understanding of technical principles and

competence in their application and a wide range of personal and professional

skills. An excellent way to develop these skills is to undertake a work placement as

an integral part of your degree studies. Upon graduation you will have the capacity

for professional growth, which may include seeking Chartered Engineer (CEng)

status and becoming accredited to work as a Clinical Engineer within the Health

Service. The ability of an engineer to think clearly and logically is widely

appreciated by many other professions and your studies may well be a stepping-

stone to an alternative career in accountancy, teaching, and law etc. – a real

foundation for life.

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 (creation, virtual testing, and rapid prototyping). We conduct this research

jointly with many companies including Johnson & Johnson, Smith & Nephew,

Siemens Medical, Smiths Medical, Biomet Healthcare UK Ltd and others and this

work shapes and informs our undergraduate programmes.

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.

provide the educational requirements (in compliance with UK-SPEC) when

combined with a period of further learning to permit progression to Chartered

Membership of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and registration with ECUK

as

a Chartered Engineer.

Programme Learning Outcomes

To be eligible for the award of Certificate of Higher Education at FHEQ level 4,

students will be able to:

LO1 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.

LO2 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.

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LO3 Undertake quantitative measurement and manipulate information obtained

to solve straightforward problems.

LO4 Demonstrate knowledge of the basic manufacturing process and

understand the use of various materials for the medical engineering

applications.

LO5 Collect, organise interpret and present data using appropriate quantitative

techniques.

Additionally, to be eligible for the award of Diploma of Higher Education at FHEQ

level 5, students will be able to:

LO6 Apply knowledge of the medical/mechanical design concepts and principles

through project work.

LO7 Begin to develop own criteria and judgment on the design, construction

and performance of construction elements.

LO8 Demonstrate analytical competence in terms both of problem identification

and resolution, and to develop their skill sets as required.

LO9 Apply numerical methods in the in the analysis of linear and non-linear

mechanical systems.

LO10 Demonstrate theoretical knowledge of core medical engineering through

forms of expression which go beyond the merely descriptive or imitative.

LO11 Competently apply statistical analysis to experimental data and have the

ability to interpret the confidence of the results statistically.

LO12 Show an appreciation of the limits of your knowledge, and how this

influences analysis and interpretations based on that knowledge.

Additionally, to be eligible for the award of Honours Bachelor’s Degree at FHEQ level

6, students will be able to:

LO13 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.

LO14 Critically review an existing body of knowledge, plan an original study and

utilise research skills to critically evaluate and interpret newly developed

data.

LO15 Critically evaluate professional practices within technical professional and

ethical frameworks

LO16 Apply engineering principles to the critical analysis of problems in order to

create innovative design solutions.

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A Bachelor’s Ordinary Degree is awarded to students who have demonstrated:

a systematic understanding of their field of study, including acquisition of

coherent and detailed knowledge informed by aspects of medical and clinical

engineering and related technologies.

an ability to deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry

within medical and clinical engineering and related technologies.

conceptual understanding that enables the student:

o to devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using

ideas and techniques.

o to describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research,

or equivalent scholarship, or practice in medical and clinical

engineering and related technologies.

an appreciation of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge.

the ability to manage their own learning, and to make use of primary

sources.

Typically, holders of the qualification will be able to:

apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review,

consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding.

communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist

and non-specialist audiences.

And holders will have:

the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring:

o the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility

o the learning ability needed to undertake appropriate further training

of a professional or equivalent nature.

Curriculum

The map of the curriculum that you will study on either programme is detailed

below showing core (C) and optional (O) modules. Each year, or stage, of an

Honours programme 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 which occurs in both semesters.

In Stage 3, in each semester, you are required to take at least 20 credits from the

O1 units.

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

training requirements of the IMechE.

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Stage 1 [Level 4]

Module

Code

Module Title Type Credits Level Study

period

ENG1312L Engineering Analysis C 10, 10 4 1, 2

ENG1300L Computer Aided

Engineering

C 10, 10 4 1, 2

ENG1301L Materials Technology &

Structural Mechanics

C 10, 10 4 1, 2

ENG1302L Skills for Engineering C 10, 10 4 1, 2

CM-0134D Practical Electronics C 20 4 1,2

ENG1303M Fluid Mechanics 1 C 10 4 1

ENG1310M Anatomy & Physiology 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

ENG2307L Further Engineering

Mathematics & Statistics

C 10, 10 5 1, 2

ENG2100L Material Engineering &

Design

C 10, 10 5 1, 2

ENG2308L Biomechanics & Human

Biodynamics

C 10, 10 5 1, 2

ENG2305L Healthcare Technology

Project

C 10, 10 5 1, 2

CM-0133L Digital & Analogue

Electronics

C 10, 10 5 1, 2

ENG2309L Cell and Tissue Biology C 10, 10 5 1, 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 &

Wound Repair

O 10 7 1

ENG4037M Computer Applications of

Numerical Methods

O 10 7 1

ENG3052M Implant Design &

Technology

C 10 6 2

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Stage 3 Cont’d

Module

Code

Module Title Type Credits Level Study

period

ENG3020M Medical Instrumentation

& Imaging

C 10 6 2

ENG3319M Rehabilitation

Engineering

C 10 6 2

ENG3018M Real Time Computing &

Instrumentation

O 10 6 2

ENG3049M Reliability Engineering O 10 6 2

Students will be eligible to exit with the award of Ordinary Degree of Bachelor if

they have successfully completed at least 300 credits and achieved the award

learning outcomes.

Students will be eligible for the award of Honours Degree of Bachelor if they have

successfully completed at least 360 credits and achieved the award learning

outcomes.

For students wishing to undertake a year of placement or study abroad between

stages 2 and 3 rather than progressing directly to stage 3 (students will be

registered on the 4 year programme):

FHEQ

Level

Module Title Core/

Option

(Approved

Ordinary

route)

Core/

Option

(Honours)

Credits Semester

(s)

Module

Code

5 Placement C# C# 0 1,2,3 ENG5000P

5 Study Abroad Experience C# C# 0 1,2,3 INF5000P

# students opt to do either year in industry placement (ENG5000P) or study abroad

(INF5000P) as appropriate

On completion of the placement or study aboard, students return to stage 3 of the

4 year programme.

Stage 3 (for students who will be starting stage 3 in 2016/17)

Module

Code

Module Title Type Credits Level Study

period

ENG3042J Project C 10, 20 6 1, 2

ENG3048M Six Sigma for Business

Excellence

C 10 6 1

ENG3077M Medical Ethics &

Regulations

C 10 6 1

ENG3303D Materials failure analysis C 20 6 1

ENG3309L Biomaterials with Implant

Design & Technology

C 10, 10 6 1, 2

ENG2304L Financial & Project

Management

C 20 5 1, 2

ENG3319M Rehabilitation

Engineering

C 10 6 2

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Students will be eligible to exit with the award of Ordinary Degree of Bachelor if

they have successfully completed at least 300 credits and achieved the award

learning outcomes.

Students will be eligible for the award of Honours Degree of Bachelor if they have

successfully completed at least 360 credits and achieved the award learning

outcomes.

Placement and/or Study Abroad

This programme provides the option for students to undertake a work placement or

period of study abroad between Stages 2 and 3. Students wishing to take this

option will be registered for the 5 year programme.

For further information about study abroad opportunities please refer to:

http://www.bradford.ac.uk/international/erasmus-and-international-exchanges/

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,

http://www.bradford.ac.uk/aqpo/ordinances-and-regulations/ 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

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 BEng will be awarded.

Students on a BEng programme obtaining a 2:1, will be offered an opportunity to

transfer to MEng and enter stage 4.

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 programme. 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

programme. 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. 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.

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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 the

presentation and discussion of results.

The methods implemented in developing the students’ 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 programme, particularly in the area of Engineering, Design

and Technology, which is well equipped with practical and computational

facilities. The methods of assessment of transferable skills are built in the

structure of the examinations, case studies, laboratory demonstrations and

research or project work.

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.

In addition to a degree, successful completion of the programme will give

candidates a recognised professional qualification. Therefore the entry

requirements for the accredited programme are those stipulated by the professional

institutions of 260 UCAS points with 280 points from 3 A levels to include A–level

Mathematics (minimum Grade C). Nevertheless, offers are only made after detailed

consideration of each individual application and the precise requirements we ask of

candidates will vary. Most important in this decision is our assessment of a

candidate’s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability to succeed on

this particular programme.

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We also pay considerable attention to an applicant’s academic background and

achievements, to other non-standard qualifications and any significant relevant

experience.

Where it is not possible to offer an applicant entry to this professionally recognised

programme, we can often provide an alternative programme which, though not

professionally recognised, will not require such high levels of qualification on entry.

In certain circumstances, and depending upon a student’s performance, it may be

possible to transfer to the professionally recognised programme at a later date.

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 http://www.brad.ac.uk/international/english-prepare.php. 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.

Recognition of Prior Learning

If applicants have prior certificated learning or professional experience which may

be equivalent to parts of this programme, the University has procedures to evaluate

and recognise this learning in order to provide applicants with exemptions from

specified modules or parts of the programme.

Minor Modification Schedule

Version

Number

Brief description of Modification Date of Approval

(Faculty Board)