Contents

Course Structure:

The Masters course consists of three modules of 10 credits each, four modules of 5 credits each, a research methodology module worth 15 credits together with a dissertation worth 30 credits. The course modules over the following subject areas:

1. Biomechanics (10 credits)

2. Biomaterials (10 credits)

3. Bioinstrumentation (10 credits)

4. Basic Medical Sciences (5 credits)

5. Cell & Tissue Engineering optional module (5 credits)

6. Neural Engineering optional module (5 credits)

7. Rehabilitation Engineering optional module (5 credits)

8. Research Methodoogy (15 credits)

9. Dissertation (30 credits)

These will be delivered by a combination of intensive teaching weeks and distance learning. Students who complete the examination requirements and the Research methodology module only, may, on the recommendation of the examiners, be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Bioengineering (60 credits).

Two full and one half module will be delivered in the first term and two full and three half modules in the second term, two of the three optional modules must be taken.
A full module consists of an intensive week of 27 contact hours, followed by a period of up to eight weeks during which the equivalent of a further 40 hours of lectures, tutorials and case studies will be presented by distance learning. The exception to this is the Medical Sciences module whereby lectures takes place during the first term on Friday afternoons.

Full-time or part-time options

Students can take the course full-time over one calendar year or part-time over two calendar years. Part-time students take modules and projects by agreement with the course coordinator.

Those wishing to take one module may be awarded a Certificate.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Basic Medical Sciences (Course Coordinator: Dr. Veronica Campbell, TCD). This half module will be taught at TCD by the Faculty of Health Sciences. UL students do a course taught at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

Biomechanics (Course Coordinatior: Prof. David Taylor, TCD). This full module will be taught at TCD by one intensive week of 27 contact hours followed by eight weeks of distance learning using self-learning assignments. The distance learning will be used to deliver lecture material, tutorial assignments, design exercises, and case studies. These will amount to 40 hours in total. Therefore the course will comprise 67 hours of formal teaching.

Biomaterials (Course Coordinator: Dr Eamonn De Barra, UL). This full module will be taught at UL but will also have input from UCD. It consists of 27 contact hours followed by eight weeks of distance learning using self-learning assignments. The distance learning will be used to deliver lecture material, tutorial assignments, design exercises, and case studies. These will amount to 40 hours in total. Therefore the course will comprise 67 hours of formal teaching.

Bioinstrumentation (Course Coordinator: Prof. Khalil Arshak, UL). This full module will be taught at UL over one intensive week of 30 contact hours followed by eight weeks of distance learning using self-learning assignments. The distance learning will be used to deliver tutorial assignments, design exercises, and case studies. These will amount to 40 hours in total. Therefore the course will comprise of 70 hours of formal teaching.

Cell & Tissue Engineering - optional module (Course Coordinator: Dr Daniel Kelly, TCD). This course is taught partly by distance learning and partly by 2½ days of lectures. There will be a total of 15 hours formal teaching plus a 3-hour laboratory which will take place in the Parsons Building, Trinity College for this period.

Neural Engineering- optional module (Course Coordinator: Prof Richard Reilly, TCD). The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the field of neural engineering from a neuroscience perspective. Students will apply engineering principles to understand the excitation of nerve and muscle, the generation of bioelectric signals and artificial stimulation of biological tissues. Common methods of stimulating, recording and analysing neural systems will be examined. The basic principles and methods studies will then be applied to examine specific neuroscience applications of neural engineering, such as biomarkers for neurological and neuromuscular disorders. This module will be based in Trinity College Dublin.

Rehabilitation Engineering - optional module (Course Coordinator: Dr David FitzPatrick, UCD). This course consists of 2½ days of lectures and lab activity, amounting to 17 hours of contact time, in addition to distance learning. Students will be based in UCD, Belfield and the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) for this period.

Research Methodology with industrial design option (Course Coordinator: Dr. Ciaran Simms, TCD). This will comprise a literature review, oral presentation of the literature review and participation in research methods seminars. Where there is a substantial element of engineering design involved in the dissertation, candidates should choose the industrial design option, if it is available. In addition, in those cases, candidates will work collaboratively on the design portion of their dissertation together with an NCAD student, if this is feasible.

Project (Project Coordinator: Dr. Ciaran Simms, TCD). Projects will be allocated at the end of November 2009. The project will be carried out during the third term and the summer term finishing at the end of September. A wide range of projects is possible in consultation with the course committee.