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This cross-disciplinary programme is designed for students with a strong interest in engineering and biomedicine. Drawing from our established expertise in developing medical-electronic systems and from the research synergies with the School of Biosciences (eg systems biology), the programme produces engineers with a solid knowledge in biology and medical science.
Overview
Nowadays, business and research environments, such as biotechnology, increasingly require engineers who can design complete solutions involving complex integrated systems. Our programme goes beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries and educates engineers that can develop systems used in medical practice and research in biology.
You undertake laboratory practicals in both electronics and biology. Throughout the programme, you carry out projects where you build bioscience-related electronic devices under the supervision of academics from engineering and biosciences.
Our modules provide a solid knowledge in mathematics, electronics, programming, mechanics, physiology and biology.
You also attend seminars delivered by experts in bioengineering working in private companies, research centres or NHS institutions.
Student profiles
We are sure you will find your time at Kent enjoyable and rewarding.
See what our students have to say.
Example projects
View examples of student projects.
Independent rankings
Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Kent was ranked 1st for course satisfaction in The Guardian University Guide 2017 and 2nd for student satisfaction in The Complete University Guide 2017. In the National Student Survey 2016, 90% of students in Electronic and Electrical Engineering were satisfied with the overall quality of their course.
For graduate prospects, Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Kent was ranked 6th in The Guardian University Guide 2017.
Course structure
The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules.
Stage 1
Possible modules may include:
BI300 - Introduction to Biochemistry
BI302 - Molecular and Cellular Biology I
BI308 - Skills for Bioscientists
EL305 - Introduction to Electronics
EL318 - Engineering Mathematics
Stage 2
Possible modules may include:
EL515 - Physiological Measurement
EL561 - Image Analysis & Applications
EL313 - Introduction to Programming
BI532 - Skills for Bioscientists 2
BI307 - Human Physiology and Disease
Year in industry
You spend a year working in industry between Stages 2 and 3. We have a dedicated Employability Officer who will help you apply for placements; but please note that it is your responsibility to secure a placement, which cannot always be guaranteed. The School has excellent industrial links, providing students with many placement opportunities.
You can also apply for a placement offered through the School's exchange agreement with Hong Kong City University.
Please note that progression thresholds apply. In particular, in order to be considered for an industrial placement, you are required to achieve an overall mark at Stage 1 of at least 60%.
There are many benefits to taking the Year in Industry. Information specific to this programme can be found in the Year in industry Engineering and Digital Arts leaflet.
Possible modules may include:
Stage 3
Possible modules may include:
BI513 - Human Physiology and Disease 2
EL600 - Project EL614 - Biomaterials
EL676 - Digital Signal Processing and Control
BI638 - Bioinformatics and Genomics PH513 - Medical Physics
Year in industry
You spend a year working in industry between Stages 2 and 3. We have a dedicated Employability Officer who will help you apply for placements; but please note that it is your responsibility to secure a placement, which cannot always be guaranteed. The School has excellent industrial links, providing students with many placement opportunities.
You can also apply for a placement offered through the School's exchange agreement with Hong Kong City University.
Please note that progression thresholds apply. In particular, in order to be considered for an industrial placement, you are required to achieve an overall mark at Stage 1 of at least 60%.
There are many benefits to taking the Year in Industry. Information specific to this programme can be found in the Year in industry Engineering and Digital Arts leaflet.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching/learning
Teaching is delivered through lectures, tutorial lectures, demonstrator-led examples classes, tutor-led small group supervisions; project work; laboratory experiments and computer-based assignments. Case studies on industry hot topics and emerging technologies. In particular the first, second and third-year projects give hands-on experience of electronic design and project management.
Problem-solving workshops allow you to develop skills in applying biomedical knowledge to the solution of problems. Practical classes teach specific laboratory skills and demonstrate how they can be used to investigate biomedical systems.
Assessment
Written unseen examinations; assessed coursework in the form of examples class assignments, laboratory write-ups, assessed project work, assignments and essays and class tests.
Programme aims
The programme aims to:
- Educate students to become engineers who are well equipped for professional careers in development, research and production in industry and universities, and who are well adapted to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing subject.
- Produce professional engineers skilled in Biomedical engineering with a well-balanced knowledge of Electronic System Engineering.
- Provide proper academic guidance and welfare support for all students.
- Create an atmosphere of co-operation and partnership between staff and students, and offer the students an environment where they can develop their potential.
- Give an opportunity to gain experience as an engineer working in a professional environment. To develop employment-related skills, including an understanding of how you relate to the structure and function in an organisation, via a year in industry.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- Mathematical principles relevant to bioengineering
- Scientific principles and methodology relevant to bioengineering
- Advanced concepts of instrumentation and systems engineering.
- The value of intellectual property and contractual issues
- Business and management techniques which may be used to achieve engineering objectives
- The need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct in engineering
- Current manufacturing practice with particular emphasis on product safety and EMC standards and directives
- Characteristics of materials, equipment, processes and products
- Appropriate codes of practice, industry standards and quality issues
- Contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied
- The structure, function and control of the human body
- The main metabolic pathways used in biological systems in catabolism and anabolism, understanding biological reactions in chemical terms
- The variety of mechanisms by which metabolic pathways can be controlled and the way that they can be co-ordinated with changes in the physiological environment
- The main principles of cell and m
- The main methods for communicating information on biomedical sciences
- Aspects of the core subject areas from the perspective of a commercial or industrial organisation.
Intellectual skills
You gain the following intellectual abilities:
- Analysis and solution of problems in bioengineering using appropriate mathematical methods
- Ability to apply and integrate knowledge and understanding of other engineering and bioscience disciplines to support study of bioengineering
- Use of engineering and bioscience principles and the ability to apply them to analyse key bioengineering processes
- Ability to identify, classify and describe the performance of systems and components through the use of analytical methods and modelling techniques
- Ability to apply and understand a systems approach to bioengineering problems
- Ability to investigate and define a problem and identify constraints including cost drivers, economic, environmental, health and safety and risk assessment issues
- Ability to use creativity to establish innovative, aesthetic solutions whilst understanding customer and user needs, ensuring fitness for purpose of all aspects of the problem including production, operation, maintenance and disposal
- Ability to demonstrate the economic and environmental context of the engineering solution
- Integrate scientific evidence, to formulate and test hypotheses
- Recognise the moral and ethical issues of biomedical investigations and appreciate the need for ethical standards and professional codes of conduct
- Apply some of the intellectual skills specified for the programme from the perspective of a commercial or industrial organisation.
Subject-specific skills
You gain subject-specific skills in the following:
- Use of mathematical techniques to analyse problems in bioengineering.
- Ability to work in an engineering laboratory environment and to use a wide range of electronic equipment, workshop equipment and CAD tools for the practical realisation of electronic circuits
- Ability to work with technical uncertainty
- Ability to apply quantitative methods and computer software relevant to engineering in order to solve bioengineering problems
- Ability to design electronic circuits or systems to fulfil a product specification and devise tests to appraise performance.
- Awareness of the nature of intellectual property and contractual issues and an understanding of appropriate codes of practice and industry standards
- Ability to use technical literature and other information sources and apply it to a design
- Ability to apply management techniques to the planning, resource allocation and execution of a design project and evaluate outcomes
- Ability to prepare technical reports and presentations.
- Apply some of the subject-specific skills specified for the programme from the perspective of a commercial or industrial organisation.
Transferable skills
You gain transferable skills in the following:
- Ability to generate, analyse, present and interpret data
- Use of Information and Communications Technology
- Personal and interpersonal skills, work as a member of a team
- Communicate effectively (in writing, verbally and through drawings)
- Learn effectively for the purpose of continuing professional development
- Ability for critical thinking, reasoning and reflection
- Ability to manage time and resources within an individual project and a group project
Careers
Nowadays, health care is facing new challenges that require complex solutions. Business and research environments, such as biotechnology, increasingly require engineers who can design complete solutions involving complex integrated systems.
There is strong evidence of the need for bioengineers and of the sector’s growth: the European Alliance of Medical and Biological Engineering and Science (EAMBES) state that the sector is vital not only for the health and well-being of European citizens but also for the ‘wealth’ of the European economy; they assert the sector growth rate is about 5-7% per year. The United States Department of Labor predicts that the field of bioengineering is projected to grow by over 70% in the ten year period ending in 2018.
The new course at EDA expands the portfolio of undergraduate degree programmes at Kent, exploiting research synergies such as the Centre for Molecular Processing, Computational Biology Centre and Kent Health, working collaboratively across Schools and ensuring focus on employability in high-demand areas is maintained.
Year in industry
Employers are always keen to employ graduates with knowledge of the work environment and some students receive job offers from their placement company.
Professional recognition
Accreditation will be applied for from the Engineering Council.
Entry requirements
Home/EU students
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications. Students offering alternative qualifications should contact us for further advice.
It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.
New GCSE grades
If you’ve taken exams under the new GCSE grading system, please see our conversion table to convert your GCSE grades.
| Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| A level | ABB including Mathematics and Biology or Chemistry grade B plus Electronics/Physics/Computing AS or A level grade B |
| Access to HE Diploma | The University will not necessarily make conditional offers to all Access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If we make you an offer, you will need to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above |
| BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma) | The University will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF; OCR) on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for further advice on your individual circumstances. |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall or 16 points at HL, including Mathematics (not Mathematics Studies) 5 at HL or 6 at SL and Biology 5 at HL or 6 at SL |
International students
The University welcomes applications from international students. Our international recruitment team can guide you on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about entry requirements for your country.
If you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes.
Meet our staff in your country
For more advise about applying to Kent, you can meet our staff at a range of international events.
English Language Requirements
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of 'pre-sessional' courses in English for Academic Purposes. You attend these courses before starting your degree programme.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
The 2017/18 tuition fees for this programme are:
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
UK/EU fee paying students
The Government has announced changes to allow undergraduate tuition fees to rise in line with inflation from 2017/18.
In accordance with changes announced by the UK Government, we are increasing our 2017/18 regulated full-time tuition fees for new and returning UK/EU fee paying undergraduates from £9,000 to £9,250. The equivalent part-time fees for these courses will also rise from £4,500 to £4,625. This was subject to us satisfying the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework and the access regulator's requirements. This fee will ensure the continued provision of high-quality education.
For students continuing on this programme, fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.*
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
Fees for Year Abroad/Industry
As a guide only, UK/EU/International students on an approved year abroad for the full 2017/18 academic year pay an annual fee of £1,350 to Kent for that year. Students studying abroad for less than one academic year will pay full fees according to their fee status.
Please note that for 2017/18 entrants the University will increase the standard year in industry fee for home/EU/international students to £1,350.
Additional costs
There are no mandatory course-specific costs but please refer to our general additional costs page.
General additional costs
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Funding
University funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details.
Government funding
You may be eligible for government finance to help pay for the costs of studying. See the Government's student finance website.
The Government has confirmed that EU students applying for university places in the 2017 to 2018 academic year will still have access to student funding support for the duration of their course.
Scholarships
General scholarships
Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.
The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. The scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications (including BTEC and IB) as specified on our scholarships pages.
The scholarship is also extended to those who achieve AAB at A level (or specified equivalents) where one of the subjects is either Mathematics or a Modern Foreign Language. Please review the eligibility criteria.