MSc Medical Engineering

Medical engineering graduates will be well-placed to gain employment and build successful careers in: healthcare (including hospitals, NHS), medical device industry, pharmaceutics, medical research, medicine, start-ups, teaching, consultancy and finance. Medical engineers can work as (Bio)medical Engineers, Clinical Engineers/Scientists, Medical Research Scientists, Rehabilitation Engineers, Prosthetic Design Engineers, Application Engineers in Medical Devices, Bioinstrumentation Engineers and Robotic Surgical Instruments Engineers. 

• Year 1

• Our MSc Medical Engineering degree provides all the technical knowledge, expertise and transferable skills you need to follow a successful career in one of the fastest growing disciplines in engineering and healthcare. The programme involves 180 credits of study at Level 7 with flexibility to meet your individual development needs.

  Students can choose one of the two research-aligned pathways: Nanotechnology and Biomedical Diagnostics. Each pathway offers two specialty modules. 

  Nanotechnology pathway

  • Medical Engineering and Biomechanics (MECH549) – 20 credits
    This module will develop specialised knowledge and understanding required for designing medical devices and implants used in medical engineering applications and biomechanical systems; evaluate the selection of appropriate materials and appraise material-tissue interactions; develop computer aided analytical techniques to evaluate behaviour and performance of medical devices and biomechanical systems.
  • Health Data and Medical Statistics (MATH515) – 20 credits
    This module provides an introduction to health data and medical statistics, and related ethical considerations. It discusses statistical techniques for the design, analysis and interpretation of medical studies. Up-to-date professional software for analysing health data is studied. Experience in preparing a professional statistical analysis plan is provided.
  • Engineering Research Methods and Professional Development (ENGR501) – 20 credits
    This modules provides a methodical approach to engineering research that helps identifying and defining projects that are practically realistic and academically worthwhile. You will plan your research project and select ethically suitable quantitative and qualitative research methods. Your progression towards professional registration will be appraised and plans made for your personal development.
  • Advanced Engineering Design Project (MECH553) – 20 credits
    This module will further advance your knowledge and understanding of contemporary strategies, tactics, and tools of engineering design practice. Working in a team, you will develop environmentally sustainable solutions to a complex design challenge. You will demonstrate innovation and creativity in the use of technology and present your proposed solutions using industrial standard CAD tools.
  • Nanotechnology and Nanoelectronics (ELEC512) – 20 credits (Specialty module)
    This module is designed to provide interdisciplinary training in all aspects of the emerging Nanotechnology field. It introduces techniques for developing nano-scale devices and sensor technology as well as the nano-fabrication techniques required to construct them.
  • Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology (MECH551) – 20 credits (Specialty module)
    This module develops an enhanced knowledge and understanding of contemporary engineering materials (metals and alloys, polymers, composites, rubbers and ceramics) with a focus on nanomaterials, including their applications in medical engineering and the advanced analytical technics required for their characterisation.
  • MSc Dissertation (PROJ517) – 60 credits
    You will demonstrate practical skills and knowledge of research methods to plan and implement high quality research. You will carry out a substantial research investigation on a topic of your choice and report upon the aims, methodology, data analysis, interpretation, synthesis, and conclusions through a high quality, scholarly and professional write-up of the project, either as a formal dissertation or journal paper.

   

  Biomedical Diagnostics pathway

  • Medical Engineering and Biomechanics (MECH549) – 20 credits
    This module will develop specialised knowledge and understanding required for designing medical devices and implants used in medical engineering applications and biomechanical systems; evaluate the selection of appropriate materials and appraise material-tissue interactions; develop computer aided analytical techniques to evaluate behaviour and performance of medical devices and biomechanical systems.
  • Engineering Research Methods and Professional Development (ENGR501) – 20 credits
    This modules provides a methodical approach to engineering research that helps identifying and defining projects that are practically realistic and academically worthwhile. You will plan your research project and select ethically suitable quantitative and qualitative research methods. Your progression towards professional registration will be appraised and plans made for your personal development.

   
  Students will select one optional module from below:

  • Health Data and Medical Statistics (MATH515) – 20 credits
    This module provides an introduction to health data and medical statistics, and related ethical considerations. It discusses statistical techniques for the design, analysis and interpretation of medical studies. Up-to-date professional software for analysing health data is studied. Experience in preparing a professional statistical analysis plan is provided.
  • Nanotechnology and Nanoelectronics (ELEC512) – 20 credits
    This module is designed to provide interdisciplinary training in all aspects of the emerging Nanotechnology field. It introduces techniques for developing nano-scale devices and sensor technology as well as the nano-fabrication techniques required to construct them.

   

  Students also select two specialty modules from one of the following three options:

  1) Cancer Biology theme

  • Cancer Biology and Therapeutics (BHCS5009) – 30 credits
    This module will provide an overview of current developments in cancer biology focusing on current research and understanding of the molecular, cellular and physiological basis of cancer, diagnostic and screening developments. Treatment and areas for future therapies will also be critically examined.
  • Contemporary Applications in Cancer Biology and Therapeutics (BHCS5010) – 30 credits
    This module provides knowledge of a wide range of techniques used in modern cell biology from basic to advanced cell culture, diagnostic histopathology, cytotoxic and genotoxic investigations, flow cytometry, bioinformatics. Contemporary applications of cell biology will be explored in an in-depth critical manner.

  2) Clinical Neuroscience theme

  • Basis & Clinical Neuroscience (BHCS5011) – 30 credits
    This module will provide an overview of current developments in Neuroscience focusing on current research and understanding of the molecular, cellular and physiological basis of neurological diseases, progression, diagnostic and screening developments. Treatment and areas for future therapies will also be critically discussed.
  • Contemporary Applications in Neurobiology (BHCS5012) – 30 credits
    This module provides knowledge of a wide range of techniques used in modern neurobiology from basic to advanced cell culture, diagnostic histopathology, expression studies, imaging, disease model development, behavioural analysis, biostatistics. Contemporary applications of neurobiology will be explored in an in-depth critical manner.

  3) Infection and Immunity theme

  • Infection and Immunity (BHCS5008) – 30 credits
    This module will provide knowledge of, and explore current areas of molecular and cellular biology of microbial diseases, and the mechanisms of pathogenesis. It will also explore the cellular and molecular processes, which will promote a critical understanding of immune defence in the context of immunology with respect to normal immune responsiveness and immunopathology.
  • Contemporary Science of Infection and Immunity (BIOM5003) – 30 credits
    This module provides knowledge of the cellular and molecular basis of the microbial pathogenesis and immunity for a range of bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Current methods and techniques for investigative microbiology and immunology will also be explored in an in-depth critical manner.

  Students will select one of the following themes for their research project:

  • MSc Dissertation (PROJ517) – Medical Engineering theme – 60 credits
    You will demonstrate practical skills and knowledge of research methods to plan and implement high quality research. You will carry out a substantial research investigation on a topic of your choice and report upon the aims, methodology, data analysis, interpretation, synthesis, and conclusions through a high quality, scholarly and professional write-up of the project, either as a formal dissertation or journal paper.
  • MSc Dissertation (BIOM5006) – Biomedical Science theme – 60 credits
    You will develop the ability to design and execute original scientific investigation within Biomedical Science. The module enables students to carry out self-directed study and evaluation of current issues and concepts within Biomedical Science, as well as the larger scientific community. Students are introduced to the ethos of the vibrant interdisciplinary and collaborative environment of modern science.

  Core modules

  • Engineering Research Methods and Professional Development (ENGR501)

    You will use a methodical approach to engineering research that helps identify and define projects that are practically realistic and academically worthwhile. You will plan your research project and select ethically suitable quantitative and qualitative research methods. Your progression towards professional registration will be appraised and plans made for your personal development.

  • Medical Engineering and Biomechanics (MECH549)

    This module will develop specialised knowledge and understanding required for designing medical devices and implants used in medical engineering applications and biomechanical systems; evaluate the selection of appropriate materials and appraise material-tissue interactions; develop computer aided analytical techniques to evaluate behaviour and performance of medical devices and biomechanical systems.

  Optional modules

  • Infection and Immunity (BHCS5008)

    This module will provide knowledge of, and explore current areas of molecular and cellular biology of microbial diseases, and the mechanisms of pathogenesis. It will also explore the cellular and molecular processes, which will promote a critical understanding of immune defence in the context of immunology with respect to normal immune responsiveness and immunopathology.

  • Cancer Biology and Therapeutics (BHCS5009)

    This module will provide an overview of current developments in cancer biology focusing on current research and understanding of the molecular, cellular and physiological basis of cancer, diagnostic and screening developments. Treatment and areas for future therapies will also be critically examined.

  • Contemporary Applications in Cancer Biology and Therapeutics (BHCS5010)

    This module provides knowledge of a wide range of techniques used in modern cell biology from basic to advanced cell culture, diagnostic histopathology, cytotoxic and genotoxic investigations, flow cytometry, bioinformatics. Contemporary applications of cell biology will be explored in an in-depth critical manner.

  • Basic and Clinical Neuroscience (BHCS5011)

    This module will provide an overview of current developments in Neuroscience focusing on current research and understanding of the molecular, cellular and physiological basis of neurological diseases, progression, diagnostic and screening developments. Treatment and areas for future therapies will also be critically discussed.

  • Contemporary Applications in Neurobiology (BHCS5012)

    This module provides knowledge of a wide range of techniques used in modern neurobiology from basic to advanced cell culture, diagnostic histopathology, expression studies, imaging, disease model development, behavioural analysis, biostatistics. Contemporary applications of neurobiology will be explored in an in-depth critical manner.

  • Contemporary Science of Infection and Immunity (BIOM5003)

    This module provides knowledge of the cellular and molecular basis of the microbial pathogenesis and immunity for a range of bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Current methods and techniques for investigative microbiology and immunology will also be explored in an in-depth critical manner.

  • Research Project (BIOM5006)

    This module is comprised of independent self-directed study under the guidance of a project advisor. It includes the development of a research question and associated design and execution of a research study.

  • Nanotechnology and Nanoelectronics (ELEC512)

    This module is designed to provide interdisciplinary training in all aspects of the emerging Nanotechnology field. It introduces techniques for developing nano-scale devices and sensor technology as well as the nano-fabrication techniques required to construct them.

  • Health Data and Medical Statistics (MATH515)

    This module introduces health data and medical studies, and related ethical considerations. It discusses statistical techniques for the design, analysis and interpretation of medical studies. Up-to-date professional software for analysing medical studies is studied. Experience in preparing a professional statistical analysis plan is provided.

  • MSc Dissertation (PROJ517)

    You will demonstrate practical skills and knowledge of research methods to plan and implement high quality research. You will carry out a substantial research investigation on a topic of your choice and report upon the aims, methodology, data analysis, interpretation, synthesis, and conclusions through a high quality, scholarly and professional write-up of the project, either as a formal dissertation or journal paper.

  • Advanced Materials Engineering & Nanotechnology (MECH551)

    This module develops an enhanced knowledge and understanding of contemporary engineering materials (metals and alloys, polymers, composites, rubbers, ceramics and glass and nanomaterials). Students will investigate product failure; critically evaluate a broad range of alternative materials; and use the principles of eco-design for sustainable development to optimise material usage.

  • Advanced Engineering Design Project (MECH553)

    This module will further advance your knowledge and understanding of contemporary strategies, tactics, and tools of engineering design practice. Working in a team, you will develop environmentally sustainable solutions to a complex design challenge. You will demonstrate innovation and creativity in the use of technology and present your proposed solutions using industrial standard CAD tools.

Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest programme structure and may be subject to change:

MSc Medical Engineering Programme Specification September 2024 7396

The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry.

A 2:2 honours degree or above in engineering/computing/robotics/biomedical science/biology/medicine/dentistry/chemistry. 

The programme is also suitable for mathematics, health profession and psychology graduates with sufficient science background and/or relevant industrial experience.

We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.

If English is not your mother tongue 6.5 IELTS with a minimum of 5.5 in any element in a secure English language test.

The University of Plymouth offers pre-sessional English language courses if you do not have this.

When to apply
Most of our taught programmes begin in September. Applications can usually be made throughout the year, and are considered until programmes are full.

Before you apply
Familiarise yourself with the information required to complete your application form. You will usually be required to supply:

If you require further information take a look at our application guidance. 

Disability Inclusion Services
If you have an impairment, health condition or disability, learn about the additional support the University provides.

International students
Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office. Take a look at our how to apply information or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Submitting an application
Once you are happy that you have all of the information required you can apply using our online postgraduate application form (the blue 'Apply now' icon on this page). 

What happens after I apply?
You will normally receive a decision on your application within four weeksof us receiving your application. You may be asked to provide additional information; two academic/professional references, confirming your suitability for the course; or to take part in an interview (which in the case of overseas students may be by telephone or video conference) and you will be sent a decision by letter or email.

We aim to make the application procedure as simple and efficient as possible. Our Admissions and Course Enquiries team is on hand to offer help and can put you in touch with the appropriate faculty if you wish to discuss any programme in detail. 

If you would like any further information please contact the Admissions and Course Enquiries team:

Admissions policy
More information and advice for applicants can be referenced in our admissions policy which can be found on the student regulations, policies and procedures page. Prospective students are advised to read the policy before making an application to the University.