Medical Electronics and Physics – (M.Sc.)

This course was established in 1968 and has been tremendously successful in producing graduates equipped for jobs in the healthcare profession. The programme is a stand-alone MSc accredited by the Institute of Physics and Electronics in Medicine.
Graduates are able to pursue careers in the NHS, private research laboratories and also continue in education to gain a PhD. Full time students currently attend lectures on Tuesdays and Fridays for a full calendar year. Part time students attend one day of lectures per week over a two year period.Part time entry is dependent on Visa restrictions and so is normally only open to Home students. Many part time students are working full time and obtain day release from their employers and have their fees paid for by their employers.
The course covers the design of modern electronic equipment, monitoring patients, life support and surgical equipment and appropriate clinical measurement techniques for recording the variety of signals produced by the human body. The electrical safety requirements for medical equipment connected to patients are stringent and these aspects of design are thoroughly emphasised. Considerable attention is also paid to the processing of biomedical signals by computer and other means in order to enhance their useful information content for the clinician when attempting diagnosis.
The course requires previous knowledge in one of Physics, Electronics or Bio-Medical Engineering, but no previous knowledge of human anatomy or physiology is required. The intention of the course is to broaden students' knowledge to encompass the necessary electronic engineering and medical physics, as well as the anatomy, physiology and medical vocabulary you will need to communicate effectively with clinical colleagues.
The close association with world-renowned St. Bartholomew's Hospital and The London Hospitals NHS Trust is of real benefit and the proximity of the Medical Engineering Group in the Engineering Department, greatly enhances the learning experience. Graduates of the course are in a position to make contributions to the advancement of medical science and technology that genuinely benefits patients.
As a taught course, it aims to:
-Impart the basic techniques needed to be a successful researcher in the field, either in pursuit of a higher degree, within a medical institution, or within industry.
-Prepare you for professional appointments as engineers and scientists in the field of health care, including the NHS clinical engineering training scheme.
-Enable you to make your own contribution to the maintenance and improvement of the standard of care of patients.
-A clear and concise modular format allows students to gain insight into the different specialist areas of Medical Electronics and Physics and to establish which area to focus on for the future in this field.