Healthcare Science (Medical Engineering)

Our BSc Healthcare Science in Medical Engineering will give you the expert training you need to begin a rewarding and highly skilled career working in the healthcare profession as a medical engineer. As a practitioner you’ll be undertaking a hands-on role with medical devices, working with a wide range of equipment commonly encountered in the hospital environment. For example, you may specialise in certain types of equipment such as that used in renal or radiotherapy treatment.

Over three years you will learn about the medical equipment lifecycle, including acceptance testing of new equipment, introduction of equipment and devices into service, advising on the correct use of equipment, addressing patient safety issues and safely disposing of old devices. You will combine in-depth academic work with practical clinical and technological skills in a range of specialised healthcare settings.

Medical engineering is an exciting and varied role where you’ll use your expertise in electronic or mechanical engineering to undertake these activities and perhaps become involved in modifying or constructing equipment as well. It is an exciting, continually developing field that requires a high level of responsibility and technical skill. As your career progresses, you will have excellent opportunities for advanced practice and further study to Masters and doctoral level.

Our state-of-the-art facilities allow you to learn and practice your clinical and technical skills in our simulated clinical practice rooms. Equipped with the latest technology and equipment, each room offers a unique environment that replicates a wide range of realistic clinical settings. The rooms provide an excellent opportunity for you to put theory into practice and gain confidence and experience in clinical environments.

You will spend around half of your course on clinical placements giving you greater insight into the skills you have learnt with our expert clinical teaching team. Clinical Placements will teach you how to present to patients and will embed your learning into your practise.

The course is accredited by all the major regulatory bodies including the National School of Healthcare and Science. You will also benefit from our strong links with the NHS and local health boards, with our nearest hospital being next to our Singleton Park campus. Many of our academic staff in Health Sciences are also practising clinicians, providing invaluable professional insight and expertise.

Course Modules

In Year 1, you will typically study areas including:
• Scientific Basis of Engineering
• Professional Practice 1
• Anatomy and Physiology Healthcare Science
• Pathophysiology for Healthcare Science
• Basics of Mathematics and Physics for Healthcare Science
• Informatics and Statistics
In Year 2, you will typically study areas including:
• Professional Practice 2
• Research Methods and Statistics
• Instrumentation Signal Processing and Imaging
• Healthcare Science Work Based Placement 1 (Medical Engineering)
• Medical Equipment Lifecycle
• Fluid Mechanics, Biomechanics and Materials
• Innovation and Medical Devices
In Year 3, you will typically study areas including:
• Professional Practice 3
• Healthcare Science Work Based Placement 2 (Medical Engineering)
• Medical Engineering in the Clinical Environment
• Science and Principles supporting Medical Engineering
• Healthcare Science Research Project

You will be assessed via a variety of methods throughout the three years of study. You will complete written examinations, written assignments, presentations, case-based discussions and assessments of clinical competency. In year three, you will have the chance to complete a research project. The results of this will be presented as part of your dissertation and you will be involved in a peer-assessment scientific poster presentation.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• Physics and Engineering in Medicine, Institute of