University of Bradford
School of Engineering, Design and Technology
Awarding and teaching
institution:
Final award:
Programme title:
Programme accredited by:
Duration:
UCAS code:
Subject benchmark statement:
Date produced:
University of Bradford
BEng (Honours) [National Qualifications Framework Level H]
Medical Engineering
IMechE
3 years full time; 4 years sandwich
Engineering
original: 12 March 2002; updated: 26 March 2007
Transitional Arrangements 2007/8
Medical Engineering focuses on the support of life and quality of life through the transfer of engineering knowledge to
the understanding, modification, and control of human biological systems. Your studies at Bradford will be a
foundation for your future aimed at developing an understanding of technical principles and competence in their
application and a wide range of personal and professional skills. An excellent way to develop these skills is to
undertake a work placement as an integral part of your degree studies. Upon graduation you will have the capacity
for professional growth, which may include seeking Chartered Engineer (CEng) status and becoming accredited to
work as a Clinical Engineer within the Health Service. The ability of an engineer to think clearly and logically is widely
appreciated by many other professions and your studies may well be a stepping-stone to an alternative career in
accountancy, teaching, law etc – a real foundation for life.
The School places emphasis on both teaching and research. We have particular research strengths in medical
engineering (design of implants, scaffolding for tissue replacement, and prosthetics); biomaterials (including the
creation of complex components from powders, composites, and polymers); computer modelling and design (creation,
virtual testing, and rapid prototyping). We conduct this research jointly with many companies including Johnson &
Johnson, Smith & Nephew, Siemens Medical and others and this work shapes and informs our undergraduate
programmes.
Aims of the course
 To help students to develop the engineering, medical, design, management and personal skills required to become
professional Medical Engineers and in doing so, also equip them for careers in other professions.
 To provide the educational requirements (in compliance with UK-SPEC) when combined with a period of further
learning to permit progression to Chartered Membership of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and registration
with ECUK as a Chartered Engineer.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
 Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the engineering principles underpinning Medical Engineering:
appropriate numerical methods to solve technical problems; principles and practice of engineering design and
manufacture; business and management practices for engineering; biological and medical systems as they relate
to engineering in healthcare.
 Demonstrate a knowledge of the basic principles of ethics and the regulation of the manufacture and use of
medical devices; key concepts and theories required for successful innovation; roles and responsibilities of
professional engineers.
Intellectual Abilities
 Apply engineering principles to the critical analysis of problems in order to create innovative design solutions.
 Critically review an existing body of knowledge, plan an original study and utilise research skills to critically
evaluate and interpret newly developed data.
Practical Skills
 Apply standard laboratory methods to obtain accurate data.
 Use software packages in the analysis, modelling, simulation, and design of engineering systems.
General Transferable Skills
 Work in groups to meet shared objectives.
 Communicate with a variety of audiences using a range of techniques.
 Use problem solving strategies to develop innovative solutions.
 Reflect on the need for further personal and professional development to improve your own performance.
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The curriculum
The map of the curriculum that you will study on either course is detailed on the next page showing core (C) and
optional (O) modules. Each year, or stage, of an Honours course comprises 2 semesters with 60 credits being
studied in each semester. For 10 credit modules all of the teaching and assessment is undertaken in the same
semester. Some of the 20 credit modules have teaching and assessment which occurs in both semesters.
In Stage 3, in each semester, you are required to take at least 20 credits from the O1 units.
We strongly encourage you to undertake a year of industrial placement between stages 2 and 3. The School has
many contacts with relevant organisations and arranges for interviews with those in which you have an interest. It is
then your task to impress them sufficiently to gain an offer of employment. The work undertaken during the
placement is monitored by the University and counts towards the training requirements of the IMechE. Successful
completion of the placement (50%) is recognised by the award of a Diploma of Industrial Studies.
Assessment regulations: a summary (the text of the progression regulations is maintained on the web at;
http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/acsec/QA_Hbk/Undergrad_Regs_.html
If you perform at an enhanced level you may be invited to transfer your registration to MEng Medical Engineering after
either stage 1 or stage 2. To be considered for transfer to the MEng you must achieve, at the first attempt, either at
least 55% in 100 Credits and 40% in the other 20 credits or an average of at least 60% over all of the 120 credits with
at least 40% in 100 credits and 35% in the other 20 credits.
The class and division of the Honours degree that you are awarded is based on the overall weighted marks that you
receive for each stage; Stage 2 contributes 30% and Stage 3, 70%. The classes and divisions of the Honours degree
are awarded on the basis of the following final overall weighted average marks (the Board of Examiners has a
discretion of ± 2%):
70.0% or above:
First Class Honours
60.0% or above:
Second Class Honours – First Division
50.0% or above:
Second Class Honours – Second Division
otherwise:
Third Class Honours
If you complete Stage 1 successfully, you are eligible for a Certificate of Higher Education; if you complete Stage 2
successfully, you are eligible for a Diploma of Higher Education. The learning outcomes for these awards and the final
award are consistent with those of the National Qualifications Framework for England.
Although the University does not recruit directly to Ordinary degrees, this route is available to students for whom a
less intense course of study is appropriate. These courses comprise 100 credits at stage 1 and 80 credits at stages 2
and 3. The progression and award regulations are similar to those for the Honours courses except 40% must be
achieved in 80 credits at stage 1 and 60 credits at subsequent stages.
In order to graduate with a degree which is accredited by (the relevant PEI) you are permitted to undertake
supplementary assessment in no more than 30 Credits at Stage 3, with the exception of the Project which must be
passed at first attempt. Should you require more than 30 Credits of supplementary assessment at Stage 3, or need to
re-submit your Project, in order to graduate you must make a personal application to any Professional Institution to
which you are seeking membership.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies
The teaching and learning strategy takes into consideration the learning outcomes, progression through the levels of
study, the nature of the subject and the student intake, and the need for you to take greater responsibility for your own
learning as you progress through the course. The strategies and methods implemented are:
 Formal lectures (including those from Visiting Lecturers), case studies, tutorial exercises, practical
demonstrations, directed learning and individual work to engage you in developing your knowledge and
understanding of the course. The method of assessment is by written examination and both analytical and
experimental coursework.
 Engaging with you during tutorial exercises, case studies, practical demonstration and supervised research or
project work to develop your intellectual skills. The methods of assessment of intellectual skills are implicit in the
written examinations, analytical and experimental coursework and more particularly in your Final Year Project
work.
 Demonstrations and practicals linked with the taught modules to develop your practical skills. You will also design
and operate equipment and/or procedures and use control and measuring instruments under supervision during
your project work. The methods of assessment of practical skills include feedback on laboratory work linked with
the taught modules. Also a large part of the mark of the Project report will be attributed to the experimental
method and the presentation and discussion of results.
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
The methods implemented in developing the students’ transferable skills are implicit in the programme. The
University of Bradford is well known for attracting students from a wide variety of background, experiences and
countries. This and the learning facilities available to all students provide the conditions for students to develop
and manage their learning. The University of Bradford modus operandi, Making Knowledge Work, is imbedded in
the philosophy of this course, particularly in the area of Engineering, Design and Technology, which is well
equipped with practical and computational facilities. The methods of assessment of transferable skills are built in
the structure of the examinations, case studies, laboratory demonstrations and research or project work.
unit code
ENG1053M
ENG1063L
ENG1056M
ENG1052M
ENG1033M
ENG1003M
ENG1062M
ENG1032M
ENG1057M
ENG1004M
ENG1002M
ENG2015M
ENG2027M
CY-0205M
ENG1053M
ENG2026M
ENG2034M
ENG2024M
ENG2023M
ENG2013M
ENG2035M
ENG2028M
ENG2030M
ENG3042J
ENG3008M
ENG3027M
ENG3077M
ENG3013M
ENG3076M
ENG3025M
ENG3048M
ENG4035M
ENG3080M
ENG4068M
ENG3011M
ENG3000M
ENG3052M
ENG3020M
ENG3078M
ENG4076M
ENG3081M
ENG4025M
ENG3014M
ENG3018M
ENG3049M
credit stage
10
1
10
1
10
1
10
1
10
1
10
1
10
1
10
1
10
1
10
1
10
1
10
2
10
2
10
2
10
1
10
2
10
2
10
2
10
2
10
2
10
2
10
2
10
2
10+20
3
10
3
10
3
10
3
10
3
10
3
10
3
10
3
10
3
10
3
10
3
10
3
10
3
10
3
10
3
10
3
10
3
10
3
10
3
10
3
10
3
10
3
sem
1
1, 2
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1, 2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
level
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
M
M
M
3
3
3
3
M
M
M
M
3
3
3
Credit rating of options to be selected
unit title
Cell and Microbiology for Engineers
Engineering Mathematics
Engineering Computation
Introduction to Solid Modelling
Introductory Mechatronics
Materials Technology 1
Structural Mechanics
Fluid Mechanics 1
Functional Anatomy and Physiology
Manufacturing Systems
Mechanics of Machines 1
Design for Manufacture & Assembly
Further Engineering Mathematics
Sensors and Actuators
Cell and Microbiology for Engineers
Structural & Solid Mechanics
Thermodynamics
Biomechanics
Engineering Materials
Financial Management
Human Biodynamics
Computer Modelling Techniques
Engineering Statistics
Project
Advanced Design Applications
Biomaterials
Medical Ethics & Regulations
Manufacturing, Planning & Control
Materials Failure Analysis
Physiological Measurement
Six Sigma for Business Excellence
Biotribology
Genomic Coding
Tissue Engineering and Wound Repair
Corporate Strategy & Eng. Management
Environmental Noise Control
Implant Design & Technology
Medical Instrumentation & Imaging
Clinical Signals
Infection Control
Rehabilitation Engineering
Finite Element Methods
Product Design & Innovation
Real Time Computing & Instrumentation
Reliability Engineering
Stage 3 Semester 1
Stage 3 Semester 2
hon
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
O1
O1
O1
O1
O1
O1
O1
C
O1
C
O1
O1
O1
O1
O2
O2
O2
O2
20
20
ord
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O1
O2
O1
C
O2
O2
O1
O2
O1
O1
O1
O2
O1
O1
O1
O1
O1
O1
O2
O2
O2
O2
30
40
C = Core, plus at least 20 credits from O1 in each semester at stage 3, with the remainder from O2 as necessary.
Please note that no more than 20 credits can be taken at level M in stage 3.
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Admissions policy
In addition to a degree, successful completion of the course will give candidates a recognised professional
qualification. Therefore the entry requirements for the accredited course are those stipulated by the professional
institutions of 240 UCAS points. Nevertheless, offers are only made after detailed consideration of each individual
application and the precise requirements we ask of candidates will vary. Most important in this decision is our
assessment of a candidate’s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability to succeed on this particular
course. We also pay considerable attention to an applicant’s academic background and achievements, to other nonstandard qualifications and any significant relevant experience.
Where it is not possible to offer an applicant entry to this professionally recognised course, we can often provide an
alternative programme which, though not professionally recognised, will not require such high levels of qualification on
entry. In certain circumstances, and depending upon a student’s performance, it may be possible to transfer to the
professionally recognised course at a later date.
Upon completion of a UCAS form you will be invited to the School for an Open Day and interview when you will have
the opportunity to meet staff, view the facilities and discuss “the Bradford experience” with current students.
English Language Requirements
All students must satisfy the English language requirements for admission as described at
http://www.brad.ac.uk/international/english-prepare.php. If your native language is not English, you will have to pass
a test in English approved by the University before you can be admitted. The following qualifications are acceptable
as satisfying this requirement. Both are available internationally.
 The International English Language Testing Service Test (IELTS) administered by the British Council is the test
which is preferred by the University. You will need to achieve an Overall Band of at least 6, with at least 5 in each
of the four sub-tests. Testing facilities are available at most British Council overseas offices. When you take your
test, you should ask for a copy of your Test Report Form to be sent to the University.
 The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Service, Princeton,
New Jersey, 08540, USA. You will need to score at least 550 (220 on the computer-based test). If you take this
test, you should enter the University’s code 0828 on your answer sheet.
Should you not be able to offer these grades then you should contact the Admissions Tutor for further advice.
Student support and guidance
This is provided both by the University and the Course Team. You will be allocated a personal tutor who is someone
with whom you will be able to talk about any academic or personal concerns. However, all members of staff are
equally approachable so you will always be able to find a “friendly face” with whom you feel comfortable. The School
has a system of handbooks, year tutors and formal staff-student liaison committees so that issues are rapidly dealt
with. The University provides important facilities such as extended access to Library and Computing facilities,
counselling and welfare services, careers advice and a Disabilities Office. The latter routinely arranges dyslexia
assessments and appropriate additional time allocation for sitting examinations.
The School has a women’s engineering society named FAIRER (Females Actively Involved in Rewarding Engineering
Roles). It provides a social support network to students in Engineering, Design and Technology from Foundation
Year to Postgraduate.
For further information, please check the University prospectus or contact the Admissions tutor.
The Admissions Office
School of Engineering, Design & Technology
University of Bradford
Bradford
BD7 1DP
+44 (0)1274 234567
http://www.eng.brad.ac.uk/
The contents of this Programme Specification may change, subject to the University's course and regulatory approval,
monitoring and review procedures.
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