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Bachelor of Engineering (Biomedical Engineering) 

Z029     


Study Mode Study Level Duration Campus and Intake Show intake calendar
Full-time
Part-time (day) 		Undergraduate 4 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) plus an optional year of Industry-Based Learning or a minimum of 12 weeks Professional Engineering Experience Hawthorn (Semester 1, Semester 2)

Biomedical engineering is a rapidly emerging discipline designed to improve human health through interdisciplinary activities that integrate engineering with biomedical science and clinical practice. This course emphasises the application of electronics, electrical and systems engineering in medicine and biology, allowing you to explore the applications and challenges associated with biomedical engineering. You will become capable of creating new devices, instrumentation software and other technologies to advance biology and improve healthcare and the quality of life within communities.

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This program information is provided for prospective students. Current students, please refer to your program planner and Unit Search. Program planners are available on the faculty website under Information for Current Students.

This degree maximises a student's career choices through a combination of the study of the physical aspects of human physiology and the related technologies for clinical care and biomedical monitoring.
 
Biomedical engineering is a discipline that advances knowledge in engineering, biology and medicine, and improves human health through cross-disciplinary activities that integrate the engineering sciences with the biomedical sciences and clinical practice. As such, the learning outcomes of the degree have been designed to integrate knowledge, understanding, intellectual, practical and transferable skills across both engineering and its interface with the life sciences.

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Program Objectives

The following eight objectives are the typical skills and abilities that Swinburne graduates will have a few years after graduation, as they develop their professional engineering careers.
 
1. Manage complex biomedical engineering projects that are motivational, entrepreneurial, research and/or industry linked.
2. Take leadership and mentoring roles during the design and implementation phases of biomedical engineering projects.
3. Work in local and/or international organisations demonstrating an understanding of global engineering issues.
4. Apply electrical and biomedical technical expertise to industry-related fields in engineering, biomedical sciences and medical environments.
5. Work autonomously and in teams within organisations or as a consultant.
6. Apply ethical standards, principles of design for sustainable development, and environmental consideration to conceptualising and implementing industry related projects.
7. Apply physics and mathematical principles to the interpretation and study of human physiological processes and instrumentation.
8. Apply problem-solving skills in complex human-machine systems.
 
Program Outcomes

At the completion of their engineering program at Swinburne, graduates should be able to:
 
a) Apply fundamental knowledge of engineering, mathematics and science;
b) Use the techniques, skills and modern tools in electrical and biomedical engineering to practice as a biomedical engineer;
c) Identify, formulate, solve and evaluate engineering problems;
d) Design and conduct experiments as well as to analyse and interpret data;
e) Identify and practice professional and ethical responsibility;
f) Design and develop engineering solutions to meet desired needs within realistic economic, environmental, social, ethical, health and safety, manufacturing, and sustainability constraints;
g) Apply knowledge and skills that are demonstrably in demand by the industry;
h) Recognise the need for and to engage in lifelong learning;
i) Function and communicate effectively in multi-disciplinary teams.

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This course operates 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. The normal full-time load is four units of study per semester, each worth 12.5 credit points. 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 complete 400 credit points made up of:
  • 300 credit points from Biomedical Engineering Core units
  • 37.5 credit points from Technical units
  • 25 credit points from Management and Business units
  • 50 credit points from Specialist units, an Electives Plus minor, or a Minor sequence from any other faculty (subject to approval by the Program Coordinator)
Professional Experience in Engineering (HED400) (0 credit points, no unit fee)
In addition to the above, all engineering students must complete a minimum of 12 weeks relevant industry experience. Where students complete Industry-Based Learning, an exemption will be granted for HED400. Please note that due to government regulation international students holding a student visa are not able to undertake IBL.

Careers in the Curriculum (HES0000) (0 credit points, no unit fee)
Students must also complete Careers in the Curriculum. Careers in the Curriculum is an innovative unit designed to assist Swinburne students to enhance their employability and career prospects. 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.

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Specialist studies units
Student(s) select 4 units from any one of the following options: A, B or C

Option A

Option B. Electives Plus Minor
Information about Electives Plus minors is available on the Electives Plus website.

Option C. Minor sequence from any other Faculty (subject to approval by the Program Coordinator)
Information about Minors available from other Faculties is available on the Flexible Degrees Structure website, Minors 2010. 

Technical studies units 
Student(s) select 3 units from one theme:

Electronics
and one from:

Control and Automation
and one from:
  
Recommended Study Sequence

Stage 1
Semester 1
HET102 Introductory Physiology
Technical studies unit 1
Technical studies unit 2
Specialist studies unit 1
Management and Business studies unit

Semester 2
HET556 Design & Development Project 2
Specialist studies unit 2
Specialist studies unit 3
Specialist studies unit 4
 
# Industry Experience
Students studying on an international student visa must complete Professional Experience in Engineering (HED400). All other students may complete an Industry-Based Learning placement instead (exemption will be granted for HED400 on completion of IBL).
HED400 Professional Experience in EngineeringProfessional Experience in Engineering (HED400): Equivalent of 12 full-time weeks of approved relevant engineering practical experience (0 credit points, 0 fees).  To be taken at any stage during the degree. HEW050 Industry-Based Learning (Placement 1)Industry-Based Learning (Placement 1) (HEW050), Industry-Based Learning (Placement 2) (HEW055): Full-time paid placement in industry for 6 (HEW050) or 12 months (HEW050 & HEW055) in an area relevant to your studies (0 academic credit points, unit fees apply). Students should attend an information session one semester prior to the scheduled IBL entry point. Further information:  http://www.swinburne.edu.au/spl/ibl/

 

Students are recommended to complete Careers in the Curriculum (HES0000) prior to their Industry Experience.
 
Note: All units are 12.5 credit points unless specified otherwise.

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Industry-Based Learning (IBL) 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. All Industry-Based Learning placements are subject to availability of places. For further information visit: www.swinburne.edu.au/spl/ibl
Students electing Engineering IBL can undertake this after completing at least 2.5 years of their degree and prior to the final year of study.

Please note that due to government regulation international students holding a student visa are not able to undertake IBL.

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Swinburne Engineering degrees offer the opportunity for high-achieving students to graduate with an Honours grade.
Engineering Honours are awarded on the basis of academic achievement in twelve units nominated as representing the key values of the program. The mark for the student’s first attempt each of in the nominated units is averaged to determine the Honours grade:

H1: Greater than or equal to 80%
H2A: Greater than or equal to 75% and less than 80%
H2B: Greater than or equal to 70% and less than 75%
H3: Greater than or equal to 65% and less than 70%

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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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Career opportunities may be found in hospital engineering, clinical and para-clinical departments, industry and research involving biomedical instrumentation, physiological signal processing, medical imaging and physiological modeling. Alternatively, graduates may choose to work as an electrical engineer.

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Graduates are eligible to apply for graduate membership of Engineers Australia.

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This degree program produces graduates who have the technological skills and knowledge expected of professional engineers.

The five Swinburne graduate attributes signify that Swinburne intends that its teaching programs assist all its graduates to be:
  • Capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas;
  • Entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community;
  • Effective and ethical in work and community situations;
  • Adaptable and able to manage change;
  • Aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing (eg socio-cultural, economic, natural).
In order to assist students in developing these graduate attributes at unit of study level Swinburne assesses their mastery of discipline-based knowledge and also provides feedback on their progress in attaining key generic skills such as:
  • Teamwork skills
  • Analysis skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Communications skills
  • Ability to tackle unfamiliar problems
  • Ability to work independently
  • Ability to identify and manage risk
  • Leadership skills
  • Ability to apply knowledge
  • Ability to demonstrate ethical responsibility
  • Technical competence
  • Systems thinking skills
  • Organisational skills

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Standard Entry:

 

A. VCE or Equivalent:

Successful completion of VCE (or equivalent) in the following subjects: Units 3 & 4 of English (any) with a study score of at least 20, and Units 3 & 4 of Mathematical Methods (either) with a study score of at least 20. Passes for each of these subjects may be accumulated over more than one year.


In the absence of VCE, applicants must have a qualification deemed to be the equivalent of the VCE accredited by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA).


B. Advanced Diploma and Associate Degree holders:

Successful completion of a relevant associate degree, advanced diploma, or equivalent. Depending on the results obtained, advanced standing in the degree program is considered on an individual basis within the limits of the Engineering Board of Studies Credit Transfer Policy. These applications are judged on an individual basis by the program coordinator. Preference are given to applicants with credit grade average of at least 65% or above with no fails in their final year.


C. Applicants with partially completed tertiary qualifications:

Preference are given to applicants with credit grade average of at least 65% (VTAC calculated GPA of 5) with no fails.


Special Entry:


Entry Access Schemes (SEAS)

Special Entry Access Schemes (SEAS) is the umbrella program covering the special entry and access schemes conducted by tertiary institutions participating in the VTAC system.


There are two distinct schemes within SEAS:
  • Access and Equity
  • Year 11/12 Special Consideration

Both schemes are designed for applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage; however, each scheme has a specific focus.

 

Access and Equity

SEAS Access and Equity is for all applicants whose education has been affected by long-term disadvantage.


Year 11/12 Special Consideration

Year 11/12 Special Consideration is for current Year 12 students who have experienced adverse circumstances specifically in Years 11 and/or 12 which have impacted on their Year 12 results (ATAR). 

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74.25

2012 Round 1 Clearly-In ATAR (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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For information about Swinburne's fees visit: www.swinburne.edu.au/fees
 

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This course is also 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: 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 have not already applied through VTAC can apply direct to the university by following the step-by-step process on our How to Apply page.

Applicants who believe they will receive an ATAR 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
 
This course is available for mid-year intake. Applications are made directly to Swinburne and will be taken on a case-by-case basis. Application forms can be downloaded from our How to Apply website.

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Tel: 1300 ASK SWIN (1300 275 794)
Email: study@swinburne.edu.au
 

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