MTE-40040 Advanced Engineering Applications (30 credits, Semester 1)
The aim of this module is to provide underpinning principles of engineering manufacturing, materials and communications within the context of medical devices and healthcare technologies. You will be introduced to standard and advanced manufacturing and joining processes, and communicating designs between industries. As it is virtually impossible to develop modern medical devices without the use of electronics, electronic components and software, these will also be explored within a manufacturing context. You’ll also become familiar with the expectations placed on professional engineering designers, as stipulated within the Engineering Council’s UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence and Commitment (UK-SPEC). This includes the requirements to become registered as an Engineering Technician (EngTech), Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). Particular attention is paid to internal auditing skills and the ability to operate in accordance with safe systems of work.
MTE-40041 Creative Engineering Design (30 credits, Semester 1)
Preparing you to work on projects individually or as part of a design team, you will develop the advanced engineering design skills required to design medical components, products and healthcare technology. You will learn to evaluate models and tools used in creative engineering design, including Design for X(D4X), Quality in Design tools, risk analysis and Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA): 2. Particular emphasis is placed on design within a highly regulated environment, developing your understanding of existing regulatory frameworks, including the CE marking required for goods sold in the European Economic Area (EEA) and obtaining United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance.
MTE-30003 Engineering for Medical Applications (15 credits, Semester 1)*
You will cover the fundamentals of mechanics, electronics and electromagnetism necessary to understand the application of relevant physical and engineering principles to medicine and biology. Ideal if you are transitioning from a non-physics, maths or engineering background, you’ll learn to apply mathematical concepts to engineering and numerical modelling, including differential calculus, indices, exponentials and logarithms. Applying the theory you learn to practical measurement, you’ll take part in a workshop-based project, for example to conduct an experiment to measure grip strength.
* Please note that if your first degree was in a strong STEM subject, such as Product Design or Biomedical Engineering, you may be able to replace this module with another option module.
MTE-40039 Experimental Research Methodology (15 credits, studied throughout the course)*
Developing the academic skillset required for your master’s research and future scientific career, you’ll gain a strong grounding in appropriate level literature search, academic writing, statistical evaluation and manipulation of data. From learning how to take notes in research seminars, to managing your time efficiently in written examinations and writing a comprehensive literature review, this module addresses your personal and professional development. Research seminars provide direct access to innovative research, with students introduced to trending research topics in areas of cancer, neuroscience, heart, lung, drug development, nanomaterials, medical device and biomedical engineering, by national and international speakers. The module also includes a statistics workshop and sessions to improve soft skills to support the theoretical and practical aspects of the course.
MTE-40015 Project (Dissertation) (60 credits, Semester 3)
Representing the culmination of your studies, the Project provides an exciting opportunity to undertake laboratory-based research under the supervision of an expert in an agreed field of interest, based here in the Research Institute, a local hospital or within a collaborating industrial partner or clinical team. Applying the skills and knowledge gained throughout the course, you will design, conduct research and produce a 15,000-20,000-word dissertation. Past projects have ranged from investigating blood flow in blood vessels using CFD, through to the design and development of a hospital tap sensor for legionella testing, and building and developing wearable sensors for ankle injury patients.
You will choose four optional modules from the following, studying two in each of the first two semesters.
MTE-40023 Biomechanics (15 credits, Semester 1 or 2)
Biomechanics involves studying the structure, materials, function and motion of biological systems at a cellular level, identifying favourable properties, such as load-bearing capacity, and changes that occur naturally or as a result of chemical and other reactions. Discovering how and why organisms behave the way they do can inform new synthetic and engineered designs, for example, when treating cancer. This module offers an applied perspective on biomechanics at an advanced level, for example, analysing forces transmitted to cells at skeletal joints or bone. In an experimental workshop, you'll gain hands-on experience mechanically testing bone.
MTE-40024 Human Physiology and Anatomy (15 credits, Semester 1 or 2)
Setting the foundation in a biological context in preparation for the study of more advanced topics, this module provides you with a broad knowledge of human physiology and anatomy. You’ll develop your understanding of the structure and function of major tissue types, organs and systems, how their physiology is assessed and what happens in the context of disease.
MTE-40026 Physiological Measurements (15 credits, Semester 1 or 2)*
Learning why and how physiological processes of humans are measured and monitored, this module aims to improve your analytical skills in different physiological measurement, diagnostics and therapy techniques. Studying the basic principles of biological sensing within research and clinical environments, you’ll be given demonstrations and hands-on use of devices commonly used for physiological measurement, such as the use of biomedical transducers, biosensors, devices for oscillometry, ECG (electrocardiogram) and EOG (electrooculography). To help you better understand how to select appropriate biological tests and devices, you will discuss and evaluate the different instrumentation used to assess specific anatomical structures, such as the heart and lungs, to measure their physiological properties by medics and in biomedical research.
*Please note that if you have no prior experience of anatomy-based study, you will be requested to take this option.
MTE-40036 Biomaterials (15 credits, Semester 1 or 2)
Taking a multidisciplinary approach, this module provides an overview of all types of materials, natural and synthetic, used in biological environments to support, enhance, or replace damaged tissue or a biological function. It explains the fundamental aspects of biomaterials from a materials perspective, but with particular focus on their use and potential wear within a biological ‘host’. You will develop a systematic knowledge, ranging from the physical structure and chemical properties of biomaterials, to how they interact with biological tissues during implantation, for example, in the case of skin grafts, heart valves and hip replacements. This will help you learn how materials are assessed within the clinic and how material properties can be altered/engineered to produce biomaterials with enhanced abilities and properties.
ESC-40031 Clean and Green Technologies I: Power from above the Earth (15 credits, Semester 1)
You’ll be introduced to the key concepts, debates and processes around renewable technologies, including bio, wind, wave, solar thermal and photovoltaic, hydro and marine energy. The module aims to support your professional skills development in technical information processing, feasibility assessment and specifying suitable technology for sites around the world, taking into account economic, social and technical factors. With an emphasis on how we can minimise carbon footprint and assess the contribution each might make to energy needs, you’ll be provided a framework to understand and evaluate key drivers and barrier to energy development.
ESC-40030 Case Studies in Sustainability (15 credits, Semester 1 or 2)
The ability to assimilate data, work as a team and solve problems is fundamental to any career development. In this module, you will work as a member of a team to analyse and consider scientific, political, management and ethical issues relating to problems in the environmental sustainability and green technology sectors. Reviewing several case studies and scenarios, you will increase your awareness of issues relevant to the sustainability agenda, such as waste products from standard procedures. You will also build your confidence in assessing and evaluating complex and often conflicting information.
ESC-40047 Green IT (15 credits, Semester 1 or 2)
You will gain an understanding of the sustainability challenges facing the IT industry and of the strategies and techniques that are available to address these challenges, such as tablets and mobile telephones. The module also covers ways in which IT can enhance sustainability in other sectors, for example, through the use of simulation and modelling software and IT tools such as video conferencing, and how to identify opportunities to extend their use.
ESC-40032 Clean and Green Technologies II: Power from beneath the Earth (15 credits, Semester 2)
You will be given an overview of key concepts, debates, processes and discourses in relation to technologies which derive energy from below the ground, including fossil fuels, geothermal and ground source heat, focusing on how to minimise carbon footprint. You will develop your understanding of the implications of meeting global energy budgets using current fossil-fuel energy resources and lower impact ‘cleaner-coal’, unconventional fossil fuels and nuclear energy. You will also consider how different national climatic scenarios drive the development of technologies, for example, fossil based hydrocarbon fuels.
Learn a language
On this course, you can additionally choose to study a modern foreign language at no extra cost, something we strongly recommend. While this will not count towards your degree, it will add a much sought-after skillset to your CV. In the past, students have studied Spanish, German and Russian. You can select to study these, French or Mandarin, amongst many others. Those wishing to improve their spoken and written English may take part in Use of English lessons.