Master of Engineering Science in Biomedical Engineering

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to train specialists in biomedical engineering that will be proficient in working with both the medical and the engineering domains. The qualifying learners will be able to, with reference to complex biomedical systems, develop new systems, improve existing systems, and integrate systems using advanced engineering science expertise. The qualifying learners will be able to apply these systems to human patients, addressing healthcare needs of South Africa and of global communities.

Rationale

Biomedical engineering is a growing discipline internationally and there are significant needs to develop locally appropriate biomedical devices for South Africa and the developing world. Qualifying learners will be well placed to develop, produce and apply such technologies.

The Master of Engineering Science in Biomedical Engineering has been developed to provide interdisciplinary education, thus reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of biomedical engineering, which the current qualifications do not. It will allow learners from various undergraduate backgrounds to enter into biomedical engineering. At present, learners are required to master aspects related to engineering disciplines, but not directly to biomedical engineering, when they cross over between disciplines when transitioning from the undergraduate to the Postgraduate qualifications. In spite of these difficulties, there is a substantial number of applications from non-engineering undergraduates. The need for this qualification is thereby demonstrated.

Furthermore, the qualifying learners will be able to contribute to biomedical engineering research as part of a team that includes research specialists (typically research Master's and PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) graduates, but the graduates of the Master's Degree will focus more on adapting existing advanced technologies for new applications and maturing the new technologies developed by the researchers.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Learners that do not meet the normal admission requirements, but have demonstrated through prior learning that they have achieved a similar level of expertise, will be considered for admission through the normal RPL processes. Learners that have informal or non-formal learning of an advanced nature may, through the normal Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) processes, be exempted from certain module credits.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement is

• Bachelor of Engineering, Level 8.

Or

• Bachelor of Science Honours, Level 8.

Or

• Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering, Level 8.

This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 9 totalling 180 Credits. Learners must complete at least 120 Credits of compulsory and elective modules.

Compulsory Modules at Level 9

• Project (Biomedical Engineering) 886, 60 Credits.
• Biomedical Engineering 874, 15 Credits.
• Biomedical Regulations 874, 15 Credits.
• Physiology 874, 15 Credits.
• Kinesiology 874, 8 Credits.

Either

• Numerical Methods 876, 15 Credits.

Or

• Biostatistics 873, 12 Credits.

And

• Biostatistics 874, 12 Credits.
• Research Methodology (Biomedical Engineering) 872, 7 Credits.
• Entrepreneurship (Biomedical Engineering) 874, 15 Credits.

Elective Modules at Level 9

• Biomaterials 874, 15 Credits.
• Biomechanics 874, 15 Credits.
• Digital Image Processing 893, 15 Credits.
• Finite Element Methods 814, 15 Credits.
• Numerical Fluid Dynamics 814, 15 Credits.
• Linear Algebra B 812, 8 Credits.
• Biomedical Engineering 881, 8 Credits.
• Biomedical Engineering 882, 15 Credits.

Master the relevant field of study, including specialist knowledge that enables engagement with current research or practices in biomedical engineering.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes

• Display adequate command of the relevant research method.
• Demonstrate familiarity with the relevant research literature.
• Interpret research results.
• Systematically present the material and a logical exposition of the argument.
• Document and support the results of independent research.
• Demonstrate acceptable linguistic and stylistic presentation.

Integrated Assessment

The modules, with the exception of Project (Biomedical Engineering) 886 and Research Methodology (Biomedical Engineering) 872, will use the "Flexible assessment" method for summative assessments. This entails a combination of a mid-semester assessment, an end-of-semester assessment and assignments. In Research Methodology (Biomedical Engineering) 872, learners will be required to develop a research proposal and ethics clearance application. In Project (Biomedical Engineering) 886, the assessment will be an individual assignment in which the learner must apply the knowledge mastered in the qualification as a whole, to a major problem.

The details of each module's assessments will be explained in a module framework which will be made available to learners at the start of the module. In Postgraduate modules, Formative Assessments usually take the form of homework assignments.

All Summative Assessments in modules will be internally moderated and at least 40% of the final mark will be externally moderated, in accordance with the institution's policy and the Engineering Faculty's rules for moderation.

The 60-Credit research project will be examined by the supervisor and an independent examiner. A moderator will review the examiner and supervisor's recommendations and, if necessary will also examine the project. The moderator makes a recommendation to the departmental chair of the supervisor. Either the examiner or the moderator must be external and must be appointed by the Faculty Board of the Engineering Faculty.