The UCD B.E. degree in Biomedical Engineering enables students to apply fundamental engineering skills to address problems in medicine and health. The degree prepares students for a career as a professional engineer in areas such as medical devices and technologies, engineering consultancy, biomedical manufacturing, and research and development within Ireland and globally. Students build a strong foundation in both Electronic and Mechanical Engineering principles, with a choice to specialize in either discipline for more advanced modules. The are also introduced to the fundamentals of physiology and anatomy before combining the knowledge and skills gained in specialised interdisciplinary biomedical engineering modules. Students learn through a combination of lectures, laboratories, group discussion and research and applied clinical projects, delivered by internationally recognised faculty with active research programmes in Biomedical Engineering. Student assessment comprises a mix of examination, continuous assessment incorporating homework and practical laboratory work, and a major project in the final year of the degree.
- School
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Level
- Undergraduate
- NFQ Level
- 8
- Award
- Bachelor of Engineering
- Mode of Delivery
- On Campus
- Programme Director
- Dr Stephen Redmond
- Overall Programme Credits:
- 240
- Programme Credits:
- Stage 1
Core/Option: 55 Electives: 5
Stage 2
Core/Option: 55 Electives: 5
Stage 3
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 4
Core/Option: 60 Electives: 0 - Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
- Stage 2: 55
Stage 3: 50
Stage 4: 60
Curricular information is subject to change.
Biomedical Engineering involves the application of traditional engineering principles to healthcare and medicine. We can think of the brain and nervous system as a large communication system, which coordinates and transmits signals around the body, and the organs and limbs as sophisticated engineering systems that control functions such as movement, respiration and blood flow. UCD Biomedical Engineers are educated with a strong foundation in electrical, electronic and mechanical engineering, which is complemented by an understanding of physiology and anatomy.
1 - PO1. Knowledge and Understanding
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of contemporary biomedical engineering topics and the mathematics, human biology, engineering sciences and technologies underpinning biomedical engineering
2 - PO2. Problem Analysis Identify, formulate, analyse and solve engineering problems, including problems at the interface of biology and medicine
3 - PO3. Design Design a system, component or process to meet specified needs, including needs in the area of healthcare and medicine.
4 - PO4. Investigation Design and conduct guided research to investigate, analyse and interpret data from living and non-living systems
5 - PO5. Professional and Ethical Responsibilities Understand the need for, and demonstrate a commitment to, high ethical standards in the practice of engineering, including the responsibilities of the engineering profession towards people and the environment
6 - PO6. Teamwork and Lifelong Learning Work effectively as an individual, in teams and in multidisciplinary settings, together with the capacity to undertake lifelong learning
7 - PO7. Communication Communicate effectively on specialised engineering activities with the engineering and clinical communities, and with society at large
8 - PO8. Engineering Management Knowledge and understanding of engineering management and decision-making relevant to biomedical engineering and an ability to apply these to projects
9 - Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of contemporary biomedical engineering issues and the mathematics, human biology, engineering sciences and technologies underpinning biomedical engineering
10 - Identify, formulate, analyse and solve engineering problems, including problems at the interface of biology and medicine
11 - Design a system, component or process to meet specified needs, including needs in the area of healthcare and medicine.
12 - Design and conduct experiments and analyse and interpret data from living and non-living systems
13 - Understand the need for high ethical standards in the practice of engineering, including the responsibilities of the engineering profession towards people and the environment
14 - Work effectively as an individual, in teams and in multidisciplinary settings, together with the capacity to undertake lifelong learning
15 - Communicate effectively on specialised engineering activities with the engineering and clinical communities, and with society at large
16 - Recognise the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
17 -
2 - PO2. Problem Analysis Identify, formulate, analyse and solve engineering problems, including problems at the interface of biology and medicine
3 - PO3. Design Design a system, component or process to meet specified needs, including needs in the area of healthcare and medicine.
4 - PO4. Investigation Design and conduct guided research to investigate, analyse and interpret data from living and non-living systems
5 - PO5. Professional and Ethical Responsibilities Understand the need for, and demonstrate a commitment to, high ethical standards in the practice of engineering, including the responsibilities of the engineering profession towards people and the environment
6 - PO6. Teamwork and Lifelong Learning Work effectively as an individual, in teams and in multidisciplinary settings, together with the capacity to undertake lifelong learning
7 - PO7. Communication Communicate effectively on specialised engineering activities with the engineering and clinical communities, and with society at large
8 - PO8. Engineering Management Knowledge and understanding of engineering management and decision-making relevant to biomedical engineering and an ability to apply these to projects
9 - Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of contemporary biomedical engineering issues and the mathematics, human biology, engineering sciences and technologies underpinning biomedical engineering
10 - Identify, formulate, analyse and solve engineering problems, including problems at the interface of biology and medicine
11 - Design a system, component or process to meet specified needs, including needs in the area of healthcare and medicine.
12 - Design and conduct experiments and analyse and interpret data from living and non-living systems
13 - Understand the need for high ethical standards in the practice of engineering, including the responsibilities of the engineering profession towards people and the environment
14 - Work effectively as an individual, in teams and in multidisciplinary settings, together with the capacity to undertake lifelong learning
15 - Communicate effectively on specialised engineering activities with the engineering and clinical communities, and with society at large
16 - Recognise the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
17 -
Students have the opportunity in their third year to spend either one or two trimesters studying abroad in a partner University. There are options to study in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA.
UCD is Ireland’s Global University and its largest university with a track record in empowering students to enter a diverse range of careers that reflects the most diverse curriculum on the Island of Ireland. Consistently, over 90% of graduates are employed or in further study or training 9 months following course completion. The QS World Ranking on Graduate Employability has placed UCD at number 1 in Ireland for Graduate Employability since 2018. On the global stage UCD leads the Irish higher education sector and is the only Irish university to be ranked inside the world’s top 80 for Graduate Employability.
At University College Dublin we are aware that for many students, programme outcomes in terms of graduate jobs and career options is important. The purpose of this statement is to help you understand and appreciate the range of skills you may develop during your time at UCD and how you may develop your employability. Visit the UCD Careers Networks website and MyCareer, the UCD Career management Platform, to access career information, internships and graduate roles as well as information about the range of initiatives, supports and events available to you.
This programme provides opportunities for students to develop in areas such as:
- Information & Communication Technology
- Numeracy
- Writing
- Researching
- Oral Communication
- Written Communication
- Presentations
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Networking
- Project management
- Creativity
- Professionalism, e.g. internships, work experience
- Global awareness
- Social responsibility
- Critical thinking
- Self-awareness
This programme supports students’ career development and employability through:
- Career development initiatives with UCD Careers Network
- Career and professional development e.g. internships and work placements
- Professional accreditations
- Cultural awareness, resilience and self-confidence e.g. Study Abroad/ERASMUS
- Social responsibility e.g. UCD In the Community and UCD Volunteers Overseas
- Enhancing digital literacy skills
- Development of critical thinking, problem solving skills and decision-making e.g. through individual and group projects and assignments
- Development of self-reflection skills
- Creativity and entrepreneurship e.g. elective modules at UCD Innovation Academy
Graduates can find employment in:
Medical Technologies Industries • Medical Device Design • Rehabilitation Engineering • Device Manufacturing • Regulation • Engineering Consultancy • Pharmaceutical Industries
Graduates can also pursue a taught or research Master of Biomedical Engineering. You can study for a PhD and work with some of the world’s leading experts on groundbreaking research.
Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.
Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.
| Trimester | Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 2 Core Modules |
EEEN20010 | Computer Engineering | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
EEEN20020 | Electrical and Electronic Circuits | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
MATH20290 | Multivariable Calculus for Eng | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
MEEN20010 | Mechanics of Fluids I | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
PHYS20040 | An introduction to Physiology: Human cells and tissues | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
EEEN20030 | Electromagnetic Fields | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
MEEN20030 | Applied Dynamics I | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
MEEN20040 | Mechanics of Solids I | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
MEEN20070 | Materials Science and Eng. I | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
STAT20060 | Statistics & Probability | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A)1 of: Students intending to pursue the Mechanical Engineering stream of Biomedical Engineering MUST select MEEN20060 Mechanical Engineering Design I as their Stage 2 Option. Students intending to pursue the Electronic Engineering stream of Biomedical Engineering MUST select EEEN20040 Electronic Circuits as their Stage 2 Option. |
EEEN20040 | Electronic Circuits | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A)1 of: Students intending to pursue the Mechanical Engineering stream of Biomedical Engineering MUST select MEEN20060 Mechanical Engineering Design I as their Stage 2 Option. Students intending to pursue the Electronic Engineering stream of Biomedical Engineering MUST select EEEN20040 Electronic Circuits as their Stage 2 Option. |
MEEN20060 | Mechanical Engineering Design I | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of: In the Autumn Trimester, students may may select one Elective Module. The Elective can be from anywhere in UCD. However, if preferred, students may select another Module related to Engineering by choosing one of the following ADDITIONAL OPTIONS:Students are strongly advised to choose an Autumn Trimester Elective to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. |
MEEN20020 | Manufacturing Engineering I | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of: In the Autumn Trimester, students may may select one Elective Module. The Elective can be from anywhere in UCD. However, if preferred, students may select another Module related to Engineering by choosing one of the following ADDITIONAL OPTIONS:Students are strongly advised to choose an Autumn Trimester Elective to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. |
MEEN20050 | Heat Transfer | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of: In the Autumn Trimester, students may may select one Elective Module. The Elective can be from anywhere in UCD. However, if preferred, students may select another Module related to Engineering by choosing one of the following ADDITIONAL OPTIONS:Students are strongly advised to choose an Autumn Trimester Elective to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. |
BSEN20190 | Intro to Carbon and Energy Footprinting | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
ACM30030 | Multivariable Calculus Eng II | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
ANAT20090 | Med. Sciences for Biomed.Engin | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
EEEN30160 | Biomedical Signal Processing | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
EEEN30150 | Modelling and Simulation | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
EEEN30180 | Bioinstrumentation | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
MEEN30160 | Biofluids | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: Students following the Electronic Engineering stream of Biomedical Engineering MUST select all modules from Option List 1: Electronic Engineering. |
EEEN30020 | Circuit Theory | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: Students following the Electronic Engineering stream of Biomedical Engineering MUST select all modules from Option List 1: Electronic Engineering. |
EEEN30110 | Signals and Systems | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: Students following the Electronic Engineering stream of Biomedical Engineering MUST select all modules from Option List 1: Electronic Engineering. |
EEEN30030 | Electromagnetic Waves | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: Students following the Electronic Engineering stream of Biomedical Engineering MUST select all modules from Option List 1: Electronic Engineering. |
EEEN30050 | Signal Processing: Theory and Applications | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0 of: Students following the Mechanical Engineering stream of Biomedical Engineering MUST select all modules from Option List 2: Mechanical Engineering. |
MEEN20020 | Manufacturing Engineering I | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0 of: Students following the Mechanical Engineering stream of Biomedical Engineering MUST select all modules from Option List 2: Mechanical Engineering. |
MEEN30090 | Materials Science and Engineering II | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0 of: Students following the Mechanical Engineering stream of Biomedical Engineering MUST select all modules from Option List 2: Mechanical Engineering. |
MEEN30010 | Applied Dynamics II | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0 of: Students following the Mechanical Engineering stream of Biomedical Engineering MUST select all modules from Option List 2: Mechanical Engineering. |
MEEN30020 | Mechanics of Solids II | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - C) Min 0 of: All Stage 3 Biomedical Engineering students may select two Elective Modules, one in each Trimester to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester.The Elective Modules can be from anywhere in UCD. However, if preferred, students may select another Modules related to Engineering by choosing one or two of the following ADDITIONAL OPTION Modules. |
EEEN30020 | Circuit Theory | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - C) Min 0 of: All Stage 3 Biomedical Engineering students may select two Elective Modules, one in each Trimester to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester.The Elective Modules can be from anywhere in UCD. However, if preferred, students may select another Modules related to Engineering by choosing one or two of the following ADDITIONAL OPTION Modules. |
EEEN30110 | Signals and Systems | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - C) Min 0 of: All Stage 3 Biomedical Engineering students may select two Elective Modules, one in each Trimester to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester.The Elective Modules can be from anywhere in UCD. However, if preferred, students may select another Modules related to Engineering by choosing one or two of the following ADDITIONAL OPTION Modules. |
MEEN20020 | Manufacturing Engineering I | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - C) Min 0 of: All Stage 3 Biomedical Engineering students may select two Elective Modules, one in each Trimester to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester.The Elective Modules can be from anywhere in UCD. However, if preferred, students may select another Modules related to Engineering by choosing one or two of the following ADDITIONAL OPTION Modules. |
MEEN30030 | Mechanical Engineering Design II | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - C) Min 0 of: All Stage 3 Biomedical Engineering students may select two Elective Modules, one in each Trimester to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester.The Elective Modules can be from anywhere in UCD. However, if preferred, students may select another Modules related to Engineering by choosing one or two of the following ADDITIONAL OPTION Modules. |
MEEN30090 | Materials Science and Engineering II | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - C) Min 0 of: All Stage 3 Biomedical Engineering students may select two Elective Modules, one in each Trimester to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester.The Elective Modules can be from anywhere in UCD. However, if preferred, students may select another Modules related to Engineering by choosing one or two of the following ADDITIONAL OPTION Modules. |
MEEN30100 | Engineering Thermodynamics II | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - C) Min 0 of: All Stage 3 Biomedical Engineering students may select two Elective Modules, one in each Trimester to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester.The Elective Modules can be from anywhere in UCD. However, if preferred, students may select another Modules related to Engineering by choosing one or two of the following ADDITIONAL OPTION Modules. |
EEEN30030 | Electromagnetic Waves | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - C) Min 0 of: All Stage 3 Biomedical Engineering students may select two Elective Modules, one in each Trimester to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester.The Elective Modules can be from anywhere in UCD. However, if preferred, students may select another Modules related to Engineering by choosing one or two of the following ADDITIONAL OPTION Modules. |
EEEN30050 | Signal Processing: Theory and Applications | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - C) Min 0 of: All Stage 3 Biomedical Engineering students may select two Elective Modules, one in each Trimester to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester.The Elective Modules can be from anywhere in UCD. However, if preferred, students may select another Modules related to Engineering by choosing one or two of the following ADDITIONAL OPTION Modules. |
EEEN30120 | Analogue Electronics | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - C) Min 0 of: All Stage 3 Biomedical Engineering students may select two Elective Modules, one in each Trimester to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester.The Elective Modules can be from anywhere in UCD. However, if preferred, students may select another Modules related to Engineering by choosing one or two of the following ADDITIONAL OPTION Modules. |
MEEN30010 | Applied Dynamics II | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - C) Min 0 of: All Stage 3 Biomedical Engineering students may select two Elective Modules, one in each Trimester to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester.The Elective Modules can be from anywhere in UCD. However, if preferred, students may select another Modules related to Engineering by choosing one or two of the following ADDITIONAL OPTION Modules. |
MEEN30020 | Mechanics of Solids II | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - C) Min 0 of: All Stage 3 Biomedical Engineering students may select two Elective Modules, one in each Trimester to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester.The Elective Modules can be from anywhere in UCD. However, if preferred, students may select another Modules related to Engineering by choosing one or two of the following ADDITIONAL OPTION Modules. |
MEEN30140 | Professional Engineering (Finance) | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
EEEN30240 | Professional Biomed Project | 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) | 15 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
MEEN40600 | Medical Device Design | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
MEEN40620 | Biomechanics | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
MEEN40630 | Biomaterials | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
EEEN40070 | Neural Engineering | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
EEEN40350 | Rehabilitation Engineering | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
MEEN41410 | Tissue Engineering | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students are recommended to select TWO Option Modules in the Autumn Trimester to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. |
COMP20080 | Computer Science for Engineers II | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students are recommended to select TWO Option Modules in the Autumn Trimester to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. |
EEEN40010 | Control Theory | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students are recommended to select TWO Option Modules in the Autumn Trimester to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. |
EEEN40300 | Entrepreneurship in Engineering | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students are recommended to select TWO Option Modules in the Autumn Trimester to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. |
MEEN30030 | Mechanical Engineering Design II | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students are recommended to select TWO Option Modules in the Autumn Trimester to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. |
MEEN40020 | Mechanics of Fluids II | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 1 of: Students are recommended to select ONE Option in the Spring Trimester to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. |
EEEN30030 | Electromagnetic Waves | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 1 of: Students are recommended to select ONE Option in the Spring Trimester to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. |
EEEN30050 | Signal Processing: Theory and Applications | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 1 of: Students are recommended to select ONE Option in the Spring Trimester to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. |
EEEN30120 | Analogue Electronics | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 1 of: Students are recommended to select ONE Option in the Spring Trimester to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. |
MEEN30010 | Applied Dynamics II | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 1 of: Students are recommended to select ONE Option in the Spring Trimester to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. |
MEEN30020 | Mechanics of Solids II | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 1 of: Students are recommended to select ONE Option in the Spring Trimester to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. |
MEEN30140 | Professional Engineering (Finance) | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 1 of: Students are recommended to select ONE Option in the Spring Trimester to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. |
MEEN40430 | Professional Engineering (Management) | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 1 of: Students are recommended to select ONE Option in the Spring Trimester to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. |
MEEN40670 | Technical Communication | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 1 of: Students are recommended to select ONE Option in the Spring Trimester to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. |
MEEN41160 | Musculoskeletal Biomechanics and Mechanobiology | Spring | 5 |
See the UCD Assessment website for further details, including worked examples of how degree award GPAs are calculated
Module Weighting Info
Module Weighting Info
| Award | GPA | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Programme | Module Weightings | Rule Description | Description | ||
| BHENG001 | Stage 4 - 70.00% Stage 3 - 30.00% |
Standard Honours Award | First Class Honours | 3.68 |
4.20 |
| Second Class Honours, Grade 1 | 3.08 |
3.67 |
|||
| Second Class Honours, Grade 2 | 2.48 |
3.07 |
|||
| Pass | 2.00 |
2.47 |
|||