Programme content
WHAT IS BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING?
A new and expanding discipline, biomedical engineering applies the methods and techniques of engineering to the life sciences, specifically for therapeutic purposes. Above all, it involves research and development in fields such as:
- medical imaging;
- biomechanics;
- biomaterials;
- image processing and physiological signals;
- bioinformatics;
- bioinstrumentation;
- systems and synthetic biology.
There are many varied examples of application: manufacturing biocompatible prosthetics, medical devices, developing medical instruments for diagnosing and treating patients (electroencephalography, magnetic resonance imagery - MRI, mammography, etc.).
Biomedical engineering draws on many technical and scientific disciplines. The programme therefore includes specific training in biomedical engineering, organised in conjunction with the Faculties of Science and of Medicine, as well as technical training delivered by the other engineering programmes.
THE PROGRAMME
From the 2nd part of the Bachelor's Degree onwards, the biomedical engineering option offers an introduction to the life sciences:
- systems physiology;
- general and cell biology;
- biophysics and biochemistry;
- bioinformatics and genetics;
- modelling biological systems;
- transport phenomena;
- introduction to the neurosciences;
- laboratory project.
A MASTER'S DEGREE IN ENGLISH
The Master's Degree is taught completely in English.
1ST PART OF THE MASTER'S
15 credits are devoted to the interdisciplinary courses specific to biomedical engineering: medical imaging, biomechanics and bioelectronics. There is also a technical course (30 credits) in one of the following 4 options: "Electronics", "Informatics", "Mechanics" or "Chemistry/Materials", aimed at providing a solid technical foundation.
All these subjects must be put into practice through completing an integrated biomedical project, worth up to 10 credits, co-supervised by both IDCampus and FABLAB. The project includes 3 days of seminars delivered by partners in the biomedical industry in Wallonia, a Management course worth 5 credits and a Quality Management course also worth 5 credits. This technical course will prepare you for the professional focus chosen for the 2nd part of the Master's Degree.
2ND PART: TIME TO SPECIALISE
In the last part, in addition to completing an internship in a company, a clinical placement and a Master's thesis in collaboration with a company or a research team working in the biomedical field, you will begin to specialise. The elective courses are divided into 3 areas, supplemented by advanced courses in emerging fields such as biomimetics, tissue engineering and synthetic biology.
Imaging and instrumentation
Applying electronic disciplines, signal processing, image processing and embedded IT to life science technologies, in particular measuring physiological dimensions and the scientific exploration of the brain.
Modelling and bioinformatics
Introduction to IT, statistical and algorithmic tools which help to decode and better understand physiological mechanisms and the enormous databases emanating from molecular biology.
Mechanics, chemistry and material sciences
Applying the disciplines of physics, mechanics and digital simulation to the living world, from exploring the mechanical properties of living organisms to producing artificial or living prosthetics.
Characterising and synthesising materials and their interaction with the living world.
Biomedical engineering and modelling
Advanced courses in emerging fields such as biomimetics, tissue engineering and synthetic biology.
STUDYING BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING AT ULiège
The University of Liège has the unique opportunity of hosting, on the same campus, a university hospital and cutting-edge research centres in both life sciences and in other sciences and technologies. This proximity enables truly interdisciplinary spaces to exist such as the Liège Science Park, which is home to the Interdisciplinary Cluster for Applied Genoproteomics (GIGA), and the Cyclotron Research Centre. Through centres of excellence such as these, the University of Liège intends to offer a first-class education in biomedical engineering, with an international dimension and in close collaboration with the research world.
Furthermore, this training programme has been accredited by the French Engineering Accreditation Council (Commission des titres d'ingénieur - CTI) and has obtained the EUR-ACE label, which certifies the highest quality in engineer training in Europe.
Learning outcomes
Profile
At the end of the Master's programme, ULiège biomedical engineers will have mastered the polytechnical skills of an engineer and will have learnt to put them to use in technological applications relating to life sciences and medicine. They will know how to model a technological problem and analyse it diligently in order to bring innovative solutions to the issue, with a critical approach and an understanding of its ins and outs.
Learning outcomes
ULiège's biomedica engineers will have acquired all the polytechnical skills of an engineer based on solid foundations in mathematics and physics. Furthermore, they will have acquired:
- a basic understanding of biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, genetics, physiology and neuroscience, which will enable them to communicate with biologists and physicists, and to understand the challenges in their disciplines;
- a cross-sectoral training in engineering technologies applied to life sciences in the fields of biomechanics, bioinstrumentation, bioinformatics, imaging and biomedical signals, and modelling life at a molecular, cellular and systems level;
- a technical training which gives them access to specialised training in one of the following fields: imaging, signals and bioinstrumentation, bioinformatics and modelling, biomechanics, engineering and the material sciences;
- an ability to implement their skills via the Master's thesis (and potentially an internship at a company) in a concrete biomedical application.
Biomedical engineers are capable of evaluating the limits of a theory. They know how to carry out experimental work and interpret the results of an experiment with a critical eye. During the different projects and their Master's thesis, they will have learnt how to work independently and in a team, and to present the results of their work in writing and orally, in French and English. They will be capable of researching, evaluating and using information from technical and scientific literature appropriately. Their training will have opened them up to research issues and they will be capable of interacting with specialists from different disciplines.