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Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Sciences)/Bachelor of Engineering (Electronics and Computer Systems) 

S040     


Campus Availability Study Mode Study Level Duration
Hawthorn Full-time, Part-time (day) Undergraduate Five years full-time. An optional and additional year of Industry-Based Learning (IBL) may also be available or a minumum of 12 weeks professional engineering practice.

This double degree combines a solid grounding in the physical aspects of human physiology and the related technologies for clinical care and biomedical monitoring of Biomedical Sciences, with expertise in studies in computer hardware and software, telecommunications and electronics provided by computer systems engineering.

The program covers specialist theoretical and practical study of functional aspects of the human body and the study of modern instrumentation and technology required in clinical care and monitoring environments. Additionally, it is strengthened by the applied nature of the engineering, to bring the added skills and expertise in the computing, electronics and telecommunications.

This program offers career choices both in the specialised hospital and healthcare industry as well as instrumentation and computing.

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The course has the following objectives:
  • give students a sound knowledge of anatomy, physiology, the application of physics to biomedical systems, and the appropriate application of monitoring technology in the clinical environment
  • develop in students a mastery of the application of physics and mathematical principles to the interpretation and study of human physiological processes
  • develop an understanding of human pathophysiology and associated clinical techniques for identifying them
  • develop in students a thorough understanding of the appropriate technology, instrumentation and techniques, and competence in their application, so that students are able to comprehend and analyse problems and obtain satisfactory design solutions which, where appropriate, show originality and resourcefulness
  • introduce students to the skills necessary for working in a clinical environment as an effective team member
  • develop in students an understanding of clinical evaluation and monitoring to assist the medical process
  • develop students’ problem-solving skills in complex human-machine systems
  • develop in students the communication and management skills required to successfully manage medical technology projects
  • develop students’ communication skills so that they can present their ideas clearly by verbal, written and graphical means
  • give students an understanding of safety, social, legal and ethical issues confronting the paramedical professional, and knowledge and experience in human factors, knowledge-based systems, database systems and data communications
  • to develop in students a mastery of a wide spectrum of basic engineering principles underlying electronics and computer systems engineering
  • to develop in students a thorough understanding of a broad range of engineering methods and techniques, and competence in their application, so that students are able to comprehend and analyse problems and obtain satisfactory design solutions which, where appropriate, show originality and resourcefulness
  • to develop students' communication skills so that they can present their ideas clearly by verbal, written and graphical means
  • to give students an appropriate introduction to the role of the professional engineer in the community and to explore the social effects of engineering decisions
  • to prepare students for the changing workplace and changing societal context of engineering by developing their life-long learning skills and flexibility of mind
  • to integrate the formal course of study with an optional one year period of Industry-Based Learning*
  • to deliver a professionally recognised course of study which will enable graduates to join the Institution of Engineers Australia as graduate members
* Please note that Industry-Based Learning is not available to international students.

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This course will operate under a student workload model based on 100 credit points for a full-time academic year. One credit point is deemed to be equivalent to one hour of student work per week over a semester, whether in contact with staff or in private study. Four units of study, each worth 12.5 credit points, will generally be taken each semester. The typical student's average weekly workload during semester is therefore expected to be 50 hours. Total student contact hours, including lectures, classes, tutorials, flexible learning and laboratory and field sessions will vary in different semesters.

 
Students choose units of study from five Study Groups:  
  • Engineering & Science (BMS) Core studies
  • Software Engineering studies
  • Technical (BMS) studies
  • Specialist Technical (BMS) studies
  • Management and Business studies
 According to the following rules, students complete at least 500 credit points made up of: 
  • Engineering & Science (BMS) Core studies (350 credit points)
  • 25 credit points chosen from Software Engineering studies
  • 25 credit points chosen from Technical (BMS) studies
  • 50 credit points chosen from Specialist Technical (BMS) studies
  • 37.5 credit points chosen from Management and Business studies, and a further
  • 12.5 credit points chosen from Software Engineering or Specialist Technical (BMS) studies
Careers in the Curriculum (CIC)
In addition to the above, students must complete a compulsory unit of study HAC0001 Careers in the Curriculum to be awarded the degree. Careers in the Curriculum (CIC) is an innovative unit designed to assist Swinburne students to enhance their employability and career prospects. It is usually undertaken in the second year of your course and is compulsory for all undergraduate students who commence their course from 2007 onwards. Students studying CIC will not incur a HECS or fee debt for the unit as the cost will be met by the university as part of an initiative to enhance students' career skills.
 
Final Year Experience - Major Projects
As part of the Swinburne Model for Professional Learning, all incoming undergraduates from 2007 will undertake 25 credit points of
professionally focused final year major projects within their programs of study. Entry with advanced standing may require alternate study sequences to be undertaken.

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HET378 Integrated Circuit Design
HET408 Biomedical Imaging and Emerging Technologies
HET416 Computer Systems Engineering
HET417 Photonics and Fibre Optics
HET419 Physiological Modelling  
HET550 Design and Development Project 1
HET556 Design & Development Project 2
HMS111 Engineering Mathematics 1
HMS112 Engineering Mathematics 2
HMS213 Engineering Mathematics 3B
HMS214 Engineering Mathematics 4B

Technical (BMS) Studies (all 12.5 credit points)
HET308 Circuits and Electronics 2
HET315 Communications Information Theory
HET316 Electromagnetic Waves
HET489 Robotic Control
HET513 Design of DSP Architectures
HET515 Advanced Embedded Systems
HIT3138 Intelligent Systems

Software Engineering Studies (all 12.5 credit points)
HIT2080 Introduction to Programming
HIT3181 Technical Software Development
HIT3172 Object-Oriented Programming in C++

Specialist Technical (BMS) Studies (all 12.5 credit points)
HES1510 Chemistry 1
HES1525 Chemistry 2
HET103 Photonics 1
HET219 Neurological Monitoring
HET227 Neurophysiology

HET527 Sleep and Attention
HET528 Higher Cortical Functions
HMA103 Statistics and Research Methods A
HMA278 Design and Measurement 2

Management and Business Studies (all 12.5 credit points)
HBSG200 New Venture Development and Management
HES3380 Engineering Management 1
HES5380 Engineering Management 2


Recommended Study Sequence

Semester 1
HEF1000 Professional Engineering
HET102 Introductory Physiology
HET124 Energy and Motion
HMS111 Engineering Mathematics 1

Semester 2
HET133 Human Physiology
HET182 Electronic Systems
HIT2080 Introduction to Programming
HMS112 Engineering Mathematics 2

Semester 3
HET202 Digital Electronics Design
HET240 Cellular Biophysics
HIT3181 Technical Software Development
HMS213 Engineering Mathematics 3B

Optional IBL year
HSW050   Industry-Based Learning*
HSW055   Industry-Based Learning*

Semester 5
HET128 Physics 2
HET314 Communications Principles
Choose one of:
HET219 Neurological Monitoring
HET227 Neurophysiology

Management and Business Studies (choose one)

Semester 6
HET214 Circuits and Electronics 1
HET226 Sensory Systems
HET232 Embedded Microcontrollers
HET419 Physiological Modelling

Semester 7
HET312 Control and Automation
HET408 Biomedical Imaging and Emerging Technologies
HET550 Design and Development Project 1
Management and Business Studies (choose one)

Semester 8
HET329 Digital Signal and Image Processing
HET556 Design & Development Project 2
Management and Business Studies (choose one)
Specialist Technical (BMS) Studies (choose one)

Semester 9
HET378 Integrated Circuit Design
HET417 Photonics and Fibre Optics
HET515 Advanced Embedded Systems
Specialist Technical (BMS) Studies (choose one)

Semester 10
HET416 Computer Systems Engineering
Specialist Technical (BMS) Studies (choose two)
Choose one of:
HET315 Communications Information Theory
HIT3138 Intelligent Systems
HET489 Robotic Control
 
Note:
  • Not all units of study are offered all semesters. Electives will be offered subject to a sufficient number of enrolments.  
  • In addition to the above sequence, the successful completion of HED400 Professional Experience in Engineering is required for the award of the above degree and can be taken at any stage in the course.
  • In addition to the above, students must complete compulsory unit of study HAC0001 Careers in the Curriculum to be awarded the degree.   
  • *The optional Industry-Based Learning Program (IBL) is not available to international students.

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Industry-Based Learning is an optional program in which students are placed in paid, supervised employment relevant to their studies as part of their degree. Industry-Based Learning gives students practical experience to add to their academic studies, and is a proven advantage in the graduate job market. All Industry-Based Learning placements are subject to availability of places. For further information visit: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/spl/ibl/  

The optional year of Industry-Based Learning in Australia is not available to international students who hold a student visa.

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An honours program at Swinburne provides students who have a demonstrated academic ability with an opportunity to pursue their undergraduate studies to an advanced level to deepen their intellectual understanding in their major area of study; and to develop their research skills. For further information, contact the Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences.

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Swinburne offers International Exchange Programs as well as other Education Abroad Programs to help internationalise your degree. International Exchange is an academic program allowing you to study at a Swinburne Partner Institution for one or two semesters during your degree. Swinburne's Partner Institutions offer many relevant subjects as well as a secure base to explore a different culture. Your studies while on exchange can be credited towards your Swinburne degree, provided they are relevant and approved by Swinburne. For further information visit the Swinburne Abroad website.

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This course equips graduates for careers in either hospital departments as hospital scientists, research officers, technologists and technicians (including cardiology, neurology, thoracic medicine, anaesthetics, intensive care, and medical electronics), or biological and medical research laboratories and industry. Graduates can also find employment in the industrial and scientific fields.

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Graduates are eligible for membership of the Institution of Engineers, Australia. Graduates are eligible to apply for graduate membership of the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine Engineering.

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Successful completion of an appropriate Victorian Year 12 or its equivalent.

2009 VCE Prerequisites: Units 3 & 4 - a study score of at least 20 in English (any), and at study score of at least 25 in Mathematical Methods (either).
 
Selection mode: CY12: ENTER and two-stage process with a middle-band of approximately 20%.
 
Middle Band: Re-ranking based on study scores in chemistry, physics and specialist mathematics.

All Non-Year 12 students (NONY12) should refer to the VTAC website at: http://www.vtac.edu.au  for further infomation.

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2008 Round 1 Clearly-In ENTER: 75.25 (CSP)

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Applicants with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be granted ‘credit’ and/or entry into the course with ‘advanced standing’. University policies apply and applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. For further information refer to ‘Swinburne Pathways: Credit Transfer Guide’ at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/corporate/marketing/pathways//

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An advanced credit transfer system, known as the Pathways program, is in place at Swinburne. Through Pathways, students with one or more of a wide range of post-secondary qualifications (both local and international) can gain entry into a course with advanced standing. Certain subject requirements must be met and an acceptable standard of results achieved in order to gain admission and for maximum credit to be granted. For further information refer to 'Swinburne Pathways: Credit Transfer Guide at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/corporate/marketing/pathways//

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Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Further details for students considering Higher Education courses: http://www.swin.edu.au/corporate/registrar/ppd/files/stuinf.htm

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Swinburne offers domestic undergraduate studentsCommonwealth Supported Places (CSP). Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or holders of an Australian permanent resident visa are classified as domestic students. All other students are considered international students.

HELP

The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is a suite of income contingent loans for Australian citizens and holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas. HELP consists of:

  • HECS-HELP (previously HECS) – is available to eligible Commonwealth supported students. It provides students with a loan to cover their student contribution amount. Students are eligible for a 20% discount if they choose to pay all, or at least $500, of their student contribution up-front.
  • FEE-HELP (previously PELS) – is available to eligible fee paying undergraduate and postgraduate students. It provides students with a loan to cover their tuition fees (lifetime maximum $81,600 from 1 January 2008). The FEE-HELP limit is indexed on 1 January each year.
  • OS-HELP – is available to eligible Commonwealth supported students, who wish to study overseas, with a loan to cover expenses such as accommodation and travel.

Note: New Zealand citizens and holders of other Australian permanent resident visas do not have access to HELP loans. These students must pay their student contributions or tuition fees up front without a discount.

For further information on your support and study options visit the 'Going to Uni' website at: http://www.goingtouni.gov.au

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This course is offered through the Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship Program. Successful applicants are awarded HECS waiver scholarships and will be funded for the duration of their course. For further information visit the website at: http://www.swin.edu.au/scholarships

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Applications must be made through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC).

VTAC code: 34681 (CSP), 34683 (Int. Fee)

For further information, visit the VTAC website at: www.vtac.edu.au

Applicants who believe they will receive an ENTER of at least 97.00, have an opportunity to undertake this course through the Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship Program. For further information visit the website at: www.swin.edu.au/scholarships

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Tel: 1300 ASK SWIN (1300 275 794)
 

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