Biomedical engineering is recognised around the world as one of the fastest growing areas of innovation. Examples of its inventions include the sensors and instrumentation systems that are used by health professionals in their diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative practice; the implants that are placed in patients for their health maintenance; the prostheses, orthoses and assistive devices that are used by people with special needs to facilitate their daily activities; and exercise equipment and healthcare products for general health promotion.

This developing global field requires professionals who understand both the health issues that motivate these technologies and the engineering solutions that they offer. It needs individuals with a solid foundation in both health sciences and engineering technology.

Our BSc(Hons) programme in Biomedical Engineering prepares students for such a challenging career. They have opportunities to take subjects in both life sciences and engineering, and to integrate these concepts in interdisciplinary applications to improve human health.

Biomedical engineering is a discipline that advances knowledge in engineering, biology and medicine, and improves human health through cross-disciplinary activities that integrate engineering sciences with biomedical sciences and clinical practice (http://www.bmenet.org/BMEnet/). By combining biology and medicine with engineering, biomedical engineers develop medical devices and technologies that solve medical and health-related problems.

Biomedical engineering is on a spectacular fast-track development path around the world. It encompasses both engineering principles and human life science with the aim of advancing and developing knowledge in bioinstrumentation, biomaterials, medical devices and bioinformatics for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, for patient rehabilitation and to improve health. As the geriatric population in Hong Kong and around the world will increase steadily in the coming decades, there will be a high level of demand for biomedical engineers. HKSAR Government officially started in 2004 have established a Medical Device Control Office in the Department of Health (http://www.mdco.gov.hk) to raise public awareness on the safe use of medical devices and enable traders to familiarise themselves with the future mandatory requirements.

On another front, biotechnology is defined as the application of scientific engineering principles regarding the use of living organisms to improve the quality of life of all mankind. In this post-genomic era, a significant portion of the genetic information that is collected from various model organisms including humans, in the biopharmaceutical context has yet to be used. There will be great demand for biotechnologists who can help to decipher this enormous pool of information.
This programme also offers optional study pathways that lead to double degrees. The double-degree programme aims to equip students with interdisciplinary expertise in both biomedical engineering and biotechnology to meet growing demand both locally and internationally. The unique combination of these two disciplines will enable graduates to apply engineering principles and biopharmaceutical techniques competently to understand life phenomena and solve relevant problems in healthcare and related industries.

In addition to building upon foundation knowledge through classes on campus, students also obtain 420 hours of actionlearning through industrial and clinical attachments. These attachments offer a good opportunity for students to put what they have learned into practice and accumulate work experiences for their future career. Attachments take place in hospitals and industries and some of our students can have overseas placements in Australia, Canada, Chinese Mainland, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States.

Exchange opportunities for one to two semesters are available with our overseas partner institutes.

• Washington University in St. Louis, USA (bme.wustl.edu); 
• University of Pennsylvania, USA (www.seas.upenn.edu/be/);
• Jonkoping University, Sweden (www.hhj.hj.se/doc/5222); and 
• Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland (www.metropolia.fi/en/studies/). 

• The programme includes both academic studies and practical training in biomedical engineering.
• Year One subjects such as anatomy and basic biomedical engineering subjects provide students with foundation knowledge in both health science and engineering technology.
• Year Two subjects further strengthen students’ knowledge of biomedical engineering and develop their ability in critical inquiry and thinking.
• Year Three subjects include advanced and applied biomedical engineering subjects and an independent project.
• Biomedical engineering attachments are arranged during the summer terms to broaden students’ experience in the field.

Professional engineering practice.

Professional clinical practice.

Basic and applied research in engineering, biology, or medicine.

The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) as the statuary professional body in engineering has formalized Biomedical Engineering as one of its engineering disciplines in 2004. Our programme is accredited by HKIE. Graduates from this programme or from the double-degree programme are eligible to join the HKIE as Graduate Members.* Graduates from the double-degree programme are also accepted by the Institute of Biology (IOB) as Graduate Members.*
Students who complete the prosthetics or orthotics subjects offered in the programme are eligible to sit the certification examination of the Hong Kong Society of Certified Prosthetist-Orthotists (HKSCPO).  This programme has been accredited by the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) as a Category I professional programme.

* Subject to approval

There are no preferred subjects in the selection process. All subjects will be considered.

Applicant must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements of the University, and the following specific subject requirement(s) of this programme:

• E in two of the following HKALE/HKALE(AS-Level) subjects: Physics (or Engineering Science), Chemistry, Biology, Pure Mathematics or Applied Mathematics, at least one of which should be at HKALE Level;

  PLUS

• E in HKCEE Physics (or Engineering Science);

  AND

• E in HKCEE Additional Mathematics or C in HKCEE Mathematics.

• A Diploma (with Credit), Higher Certificate, Associate Degree or the equivalent in a relevant discipline from a recognized Institution.

• Whilst all bands are considered, the programme gives priority to Band A JUPAS applicants.