NEWS A new Master's Programme in Biomedical Engineering will start at Umeå University starting this Autumn term 2023. This means that Medical Technology will become a new main subject area. The programme is provided by the Faculty of Medicine and strengthens the clinical link to technical competence.
The studies take place at NUS, with a clear clinical link.
ImageSara QvarlanderThe discussion about starting a Master's programme in Umeå with a profile in Biomedical Engineering has been going on for a long time. A curriculum has now been developed, with both compulsory courses and several elective courses to give students the opportunity to tailor their education.
The programme accepts students both nationally and internationally, and will share some courses with master's students in engineering (medical physicists). The programme intake is 10 students, with the aim increasing to a group of 20-30 students in total in a few years. As a Master's programme, it is more focused on research, and will contribute to increased internationalisation with applicants from other countries, mainly within the EU.
– The programme is unique, as it is given at the Faculty of Medicine. It strengthens the clinical connection that exists in the programme, as the courses are conducted at the University Hospital of Umeå and the students analyse medical data, explains Helena Grip, who is the programme manager.
Helena Grip, Programme Director at Master's Programme in Biomedical Engineering
ImageKlas Sjöberg Region VästerbottenHowever, there is a requirement for a technical background, which means that the requirements for physics and math are slightly higher than in other master's programmes in Sweden.
The development of the Master's programme comes from the need to not only have individual courses, but to be able to offer an entire programme in Biomedical Engineering. The first semester contains compulsory courses, where everyone studies together to get to know the group. The first course gives participants a medical orientation as many come from a physics background.
– The autumn term consists of a basic package in medical technology, with courses on sensors, safety and analysis, and CE marking. This provides a good introduction to medical technology, explains Helena Grip.
During the second semester there are opportunities for both elective and free courses, where students have the opportunity to travel to another country on exchange. The programme is currently looking into cooperation with a university in Rome, and how an Erasmus agreement can be established. It is through Paolo Soda, a visiting professor at the Department of Radiation Sciences, that this international cooperation is being developed, where students in Sweden and Rome can study across borders.
– We think it will be an added value, says Helena Grip.
The second year includes two compulsory courses, one in biofluid mechanics and one in advanced image processing, and some optional courses. The last semester of the programme involves a degree project in Biomedical Engineering.
You can work on something where you can really feel that you are making an impact
– It is an exciting programme to study, especially if you have studied maths and physics and want an interesting application in technology and medicine. You can work with something where you can really feel that you are making a difference, says Helena Grip.
One strength is that the University Hospital and campus are close to each other, and the programme is also unique in that it is given at the hospital. This means that it will be a good environment for the students to study in.
– The profile of the programme is based on the research areas where we are strong, it is truly research-based where education and research go hand in hand, concludes Helena Grip.
ImageMattias Pettersson
Want to know more about the programme? Click on the programme page Master's Programme in Biomedical Engineering
