Global Utilities

La Trobe University
University Handbook 2010

Coursework programs

Master of Biomedical Engineering – Melbourne (Bundoora) (SMBE)

The principal objective of this unique, two year Master of Biomedical Engineering program is to address the major aspects of biomedical technology and to produce engineers with the necessary skills and practical experience to satisfy requirements in this rapidly expanding industry. The major role of professional biomedical engineering in the workforce is to act as agents for change through the development of technically sound, economically viable, and socially acceptable solutions to complex and new technical problems, applied to the healthcare sector, both in acute hospital settings and in the wider provision of healthcare to the community. Graduates would be expected to be well prepared to find employment in biomedical entities around the world.

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission into the Master of Biomedical Engineering, prospective students must have completed a four year Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electronic Engineering, or the equivalent. Students will be expected to have some background in digital logic, analogue circuit design, mathematics at second year level and basic programming skills. Students may enter the course in either the first semester or the second semester.

Course structure

The duration of the course is two years full-time or equivalent part-time and requires the completion of 240 credit points. This fixed course is structured to include core Level 2 and 3 and core specialised subjects from principal areas of electronic engineering and computer science with an emphasis on the specific skills and knowledge base required for the professional practice of biomedical engineering. The award for the degree will require successful completion of a biomedical engineering project.

First year core subjects (90 credit points)
Teaching period Subject name Subject code Credit points
TE-SEM-1 Embedded Processors ELE3EMB 15
TE-SEM-2 Biomedical Engineering ELE3BIO** 15
TE-SEM-1 C Programming for Engineers and Scientists CSE1CES 15
TE-SEM-1 Instrumentation Electronics and Sensors ELE3IES 15
TE-SEM-2 Digital Signal Processing ELE3SIP 15
TE-SEM-2 Communication Networks ELE4NET 15

** This subject may not be offered each year and therefore must be the preferred elective in the 2nd year.

First year elective subjects (30 or 45 credit points)

Elective subjects may be chosen from approved fourth and fifth year subjects offered by the Department of Electronic Engineering or other related areas of the University.

Second year core subjects (105 credit points)
Teaching period Subject name Subject code Credit points
TE-SEM-1 Biomedical Engineering B ELE4BME 15
TE-SEM-1 Medical Engineering ELE5MEN 15
TE-SEM-1 Advanced Signal Processing ELE4ASP 15
TE-SEM-2 Clinical Engineering ELE4CLN 15
TE-SEM-2 Neuro-Engineering ELE5NUE 15
TE-SEM-1 or TE-SEM-2 Biomedical Design Exercise ELE5BDE 30

* Not offered in 2010

Second year elective subject (15 credit points)

Elective subjects may be chosen from approved fourth and fifth year subjects offered by the Department of Electronic Engineering or other related areas of the University.