Electrical & Biomedical Engineering

Program
Duration
Location
Application
OP Score
Entry Requirements
International Availability
Accreditation
Fees

Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical & Biomedical)
4 Years full-time
St Lucia
QTAC code 717001
Qld OP 6 / Rank 90; ATAR 89.00 (2011 entry)
Qld Yr 12 or equivalent; English; Mathematics B; Chemistry or Physics
UQ International
Engineers Australia
What it costs

Biomedical engineering bridges the gap between technology, medicine and biology. They integrate physical, chemical, mathematical, and computational sciences with engineering principles to solve problems in medicine and life sciences. Ultimately biomedical engineers aim to improve healthcare and through advances in technology.

Typically, Biomedical Engineers are good communicators, patient and imaginative. They must pay attention to detail and are typically analytical and design orientated with advanced problem-solving skills.

UQ’s dual major in Electrical and Biomedical Engineering gives you a broad foundation of preparatory courses in engineering, mathematics, biology and physics. You then undertake more advanced coursework and laboratory training, combining engineering analysis and design techniques with biology and physiology of cells and organisms.

What are the applications?

As a biomedical engineer, you may be involved in the design, construction and development of health and monitoring devices or computers, diagnostic systems. This includes CT, MRI and ultrasounds. Biomedical engineers also work on therapeutic systems, such as surgical lasers and tissue engineering. You could also work with models of physiological function, a virtual heart for example, or with implants including cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators.

Biomedical engineers also play an important role in improving the lives of people with disabilities by design technological solutions to meet their needs. This includes developing equipment to assist people to walk, communicate or complete essential daily tasks, as well as designing artificial joints and limbs for patients.

Biomedical engineers may provide expertise by analysing and interpreting data. This can include analysing medical procedures to forecast outcomes, diagnosing and interpreting bioelectric data using signal processing techniques, and providing computer analysis of patient data.

What does the future hold?

New discoveries and developments in biology and medicine are occurring with greater frequency now than ever before. This has lead to the rapid change and growth of biotechnology research and industry.

Anticipated innovations in health services and technological advancements in medical equipment suggests that the biomedical industry is well positioned for growth in coming years. Coupled with broader social trends such as an aging population, biomedical and healthcare advancements are likely to become more important.

Employment opportunities

This dual major provides students with the career options in biomedical engineering, as well as electrical and electronics engineering.

Biomedical engineers are typically employed in the health sector working in organizations as varied as hospitals, biotechnology companies, medical equipment manufacturers, research institutes, and government health departments. They usually work in multidisciplinary teams with other health professionals and medical specialists including anaesthetists, surgeons, physiotherapists, occupational and speech therapists and other medical specialists.

Visit our Careers in Electrical Engineering page for further information.

UQ Bonus Rank Scheme

The UQ Bonus Rank Scheme offers students who complete Year 12 in Australia a chance to improve their rank to gain entry to their preferred program. For more information please click here.

Full program details and entry requirements

Credit for Previous Studies

Non-Award Enrolment

If you have the skills and background to enrol in individual courses, but you are not qualified to enter an award program, you may be eligible to enrol as a domestic non-award student on a fee-paying basis, for training purposes. This option is not available to international students.

The University's Enhanced Studies program allows students in selected high schools to enrol in first year level university courses, while completing their Year 12 studies.

Full list of BE courses

Electrical and Biomedical Engineering Plan Information

ITEE Biomedical Website