University of Sydney Handbooks - 2020 Archive

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Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Biomedical)

Stream Overview


The Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Biomedical) is concerned with the study of biomedical technology, biomechanics, biomaterials and orthopaedic engineering.

Biomedical engineering combines knowledge of electronic, mechanical, chemical and materials-engineering, with the life sciences of medicine, biology and molecular biology. Biomedical devices support and enhance human life, help individuals to overcome physical disabilities, aid in delivering medical procedures, and test and deliver data which improve health and safety.

Biomedical engineers work with doctors and medical scientists, researching and designing ways to improve health care and medical services. They may be involved in the development of medical products and different types of equipment used to monitor and treat patients, and in designing and improving equipment for disabled people.

The Faculty of Engineering offers a faculty wide program in Biomedical Engineering. Approximately 12 months of your studies may be dedicated to a chosen major in the following: mechanical engineering, mechatronic engineering, electrical engineering, information technology or chemical engineering.

The Biomedical program can also be taken as a combined degree with either Science (including Medical Science), Arts, Commerce, Law, or Project Management.

Candidates for combined Engineering degrees are not required to complete a major.

Course Requirements


To meet requirements for the Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Biomedical), a candidate must successfully complete 192 credit points, comprising:

  1. 36 credit points from the Engineering Core Table, including all required units
  2. The Professional Engagement Program (PEP). Details of the requirements of PEP can be found on the Faculty of Engineering Student Portal
  3. 108 credit points from the Biomedical Stream Core Table, including all required units
  4. A minimum of 48 credit points of additional units from the Biomedical Stream Specialist Table, including satisfying any additional requirements specified for the Specialist Table
  5. A maximum of 12 credit points of general electives may be taken


The completion of a major is not mandatory. If a student chooses to do a major, aligned majors can be completed within the 192 credit points described above.

The best aligned majors with the Biomedical Stream are:


For a standard enrolment plan for Biomedical Engineering visit CUSP (https://cusp.sydney.edu.au).

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the Biomedical Engineering stream students will be able to:

No. Mid-Level Learning Outcomes
1 Demonstrate mastery of the mathematical and scientific principles and methods underpinning biomedical engineering, including analytical skills that recognise the applications and limitations of tools used in, for example, imaging, biomaterials and tissue engineering, nanotechnology and medicine.
2 Demonstrate proficiency with the tools, methods, principles, technical knowledge and conceptual frameworks of biomedical engineering, including biomechanics, computational biomedical engineering and bionics.
3 Effectively address non-routine design and troubleshooting problems in biomedical engineering.
4 Apply diverse strategies to develop and implement innovative ideas in biomedical engineerings.
5 Plan, design, and review biomedical systems, services and policies.
6 Recognise and respond to the inherently inter- and multi-disciplinary context of biomedical engineering.
7 Find, interpret, evaluate and manage research to support biomedical engineering decision making.
8 Present compelling oral, written and graphic evidence to communicate biomedical engineering concepts and solutions.
9 Contribute as an individual to multidisciplinary and multicultural teams to deliver projects related to biomedical engineering.
10 Apply relevant values, standards and judgement to contribute to the economic, social and environmental sustainability of biomedical engineering systems.