Bioengineering – (M.Sc.)

The M.Sc. in Bioengineering is a unique venture between five Institutions: Trinity College Dublin (TCD), the University of Limerick (UL), University College Dublin (UCD), the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and the University of Ulster, Jordanstown (UUJ). As such, the course represents an "All-Ireland" perspective on bioengineering and is the only course of its type in the country.

Bioengineering may be defined as the application of the principles of engineering to advancements in healthcare and medicine. It is an interdisciplinary field requiring knowledge of both medicine and engineering. The primary aim of this course is to give engineers the knowledge to apply science and technology to the solution of healthcare problems, particularly through the design, development and manufacture of medical devices. Regulatory issues in medical device technology are also addressed.

This programme aims to give engineers and scientists the education needed to practice bioengineering in the medical devices industry in Ireland. Specifically the aims are:

* To give students a broad understanding of the key subjects of bioengineering, viz., biomechanics, biomaterials, bioinstrumentation, cell and tissue engineering and healthcare informatics.

* By way of case studies and assignments, to give students a familiarity with bioengineering applied in the main surgical disciplines; e.g. orthopaedics, cardiology, gastroenterology, ENT Surgery.

* To give students a sound understanding of how to apply the scientific method to research in an industrial context.

* To give students the ability to exploit information technology for monitoring the performance of medical devices and related issues.

* To give students a knowledge of how the medical device industry is regulated and of how to obtain acceptance of new products onto the market.

The course is primarily aimed at graduates in mechanical and electrical engineering, and graduates with suitable degrees in technology and applied scientific disciplines who intend to pursue a career in the Bioengineering industry. The intake will include both recent graduates and working engineers released from their employment to complete the course. The minimum number of students is proposed as 6 and a maximum of 15.