MEng/BEng Materials Science and Engineering (Biomaterials) (UCAS codes JH5P/JH56)
Materials Science and Engineering (Biomaterials) aims to meet the demands encountered in maintaining the health of an ageing population and repairing the human body from disease and injury using a combination of medical devices, compatible materials and tissue biology approaches. To meet this demand, we need to understand how to choose the right material for a particular application within the body. An important part of this choice is to know how the body will react when a given material is introduced into it.
This course therefore develops an understanding of both materials engineering and of human anatomy, physiology and cell biology. This understanding is developed in the context of applications in both research and in industry. There is a clear demand for graduates skilled in the field of biomaterials science and engineering. This course provides a broad-based training for industry, which is nonetheless a suitably detailed background for students wishing to pursue research.
At Level 1:
Biology, anatomy and physiology (30 credits): Students will be introduced to the basic principles and language of human biology, anatomy and physiology. They will be able to discuss the basic function of specific regions of the body and the diseases affecting these, and how these may be investigated by bioengineers.
Engineering materials and mathematics (90 credits): Students will be introduced to a range of engineering materials topics including mechanical properties and microstructure and will be able to apply classical or standard methods to analyse relatively simple problems in these areas. They will undertake practical experiments and will be able to present, interpret and evaluate data reliably. They will be introduced to the basic concepts and language of biomaterials engineering and will understand a range of applications.
At Level 2:
Biology, anatomy and physiology (60 credits): Students will develop a more in depth understanding of applied physiology and the applications of biomaterials engineering in repairing diseased and damaged tissue. They will be able to discuss in detail the function of specific regions of the body and the diseases affecting these, and how these may be investigated by bioengineers. They will be introduced to the concepts of cell and molecular biology and the biological techniques involved in the characterisation of these systems.
Engineering materials and mathematics (60 credits): Students will have more detailed knowledge and a deeper understanding specific to engineering materials principles. They will be able to select and apply established methods of analysis to solve more difficult problems and in some instance apply these to solve specific biomaterial engineering problems.
At Level 3:
Students will develop an in-depth understanding specific to the applications of biomaterial science and engineering. They will develop a knowledge and understanding of professional issues and project management and have extensive experience of working in teams. During this year communication skills and teamwork are strongly emphasised.
BEng students will engage in an individual research project, thereby demonstrating an ability to carry out independent research and critically evaluate the results.
MEng students will engage in individual and group research and design projects requiring innovative, conceptual thinking, enterprise and the application of management skills.
At Level 4:
MEng students will develop an in-depth understanding of a specific aspect of biomaterials science and engineering through the completion of an individual research project. They will demonstrate an ability to design and carry out independent research, critically evaluate the results and discuss them in the context of current literature. Within the coursework components, students will further develop their understanding of the ethical and financial aspects of biomaterial science and engineering, project management and the transfer of research into the industrial and hospital environment.