Education

The role of technology in contemporary medicine has evolved considerably over the past decades. Computers and other high-tech devices are essential in hospitals, rehabilitation centres and private medical practices. Moreover, fundamental insights into the functioning of the human body have increased through the application of engineering in understanding tissue generation and regeneration, physiological processes and locomotion.

The Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering is an initial Master's programme that provides students with a state-of-the-art overview of all areas in biomedical engineering: biomechanics, biomaterials, medical sensors and signal processing, medical imaging and tissue engineering. The teaching curriculum builds upon the top-class research conducted by the staff, most of whom are members of the Leuven Medical Technology Centre. This network facilitates industrial fellowships for our students and design projects and Master's theses completed in industry and in internationally recognised research labs. This programme can also be taken part-time.

Biomedical engineers are educated to integrate engineering and basic medical knowledge. This competence is honed through coursework, practical exercises, interactive sessions, a design project and a Master's thesis project. Upon graduating, biomedical engineers are employed in the medical device industry, in hospitals, research centres and in government. The broad technological education also makes biomedical engineers attractive to various classical industrial sectors.

The Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering is an initial Master's programme. You can follow this programme on a full-time or part-time basis.

Profile

The ideal candidate has a broad technological background combining basic elements from mechanical and electrical engineering. The student has an interest in medicine and in the contributions of technology to medical treatments and to healthcare in general. By the end of the curriculum, the graduate will have acquired:

• a basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology and biochemistry;
• the competence to translate engineering knowledge into the design and production of medical devices and processes;
• the competence to apply engineering knowledge for the advancement of science and technology, both in an academic context and in an industrial context;
• management skills and skills to act as an integrator between engineering science and medical/clinical science and practice.

In Belgium, graduates of the Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering programme obtain the degree of "Burgerlijk ingenieur".

For specific admission requirements, click on the desired programme in the 'Choose your courses of study' section.

Objectives

The programme aims to educate engineers that are specialized in current design and production activities in biomedical technology.

At the end of the programme, the student will command:
- a medical basic knowledge in anatomy, physiology and biochemistry and a general basic knowledge of biomedical information technology and biomechanics;
- a skill to convert this knowledge into designing and producing biomedical equipment and prostheses;
- advanced knowledge of designing methods;
- wide analytical, synthetical problem-solving thinking capacities;
- sufficient scientific education in order to participate in scientific research;
- leading and controlling capacities based on skills in knowledge transition, social capacities and insight in the ethical, social and economic frame; special attention goes to the skill to translate propositions to clicians and non-technical people;
- the skill to independently process new insights, methods and results within the discipline and to apply these in research or in a professional context;
- critically following up the skill and social role of the engineer

After graduation

The Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering was created to respond to increased needs for healthcare in our society. These needs stems from an ageing population, the challenge to provide more and better care with less people and in a cost-effective way. Industry, government, hospitals and social insurance companies require engineers with specialised training in the multidisciplinary domain of biomedical engineering.

A biomedical engineer acts as an integrator between medical specialists and technological specialists. He/she is able to understand medical needs and to translate them into engineering requirements. Conversely, biomedical engineers are able to design medical devices and procedures that can effectively solve problems through their integration in clinical practice. The broad technological background that is essential in biomedical engineering also makes biomedical engineers attractive to conventional industrial sectors.

Information sessions

KU Leuven organises a Verderstudeerbeurs each spring. In addition, faculties also organise information sessions for many of their bridging and graduate programmes.

All information sessions for (future) Master's students.

(Inter)national

The Faculty of Engineering at K.U.Leuven is involved in several Erasmus exchange programmes. For the Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering, this means that the student can complete one or two semesters of the first or second phase abroad, at a number of selected universities. An industrial fellowship is possible for three or six credits either between the Bachelor's and the Master's programme, or between the two phases of the Master's programme. Students are also encouraged to consider the fellowships and short courses offered by BEST (Board of European Students of Technology) or through ATHENS. K.U.Leuven organises a joint biomedical engineering programme with the Université Catholique de Louvain that leads to a dual degree from both universities. Interested students should contact the programme director for more information.

Contact

Faculty of Engineering Science
Programme director
Prof. dr. ir. H. van Lenthe
Contact
Prof. H. van Lenthe
Prof. S. VanHuffel

Administrative office
Kasteelpark Arenberg 1 bus 2200
3001 HEVERLEE
tel. + 32 16 32 13 50
fax + 32 16 32 19 82
info@eng.kuleuven.be
www.eng.kuleuven.be

General information
Study Advice Service
Naamsestraat 80 box 5415
3000 LEUVEN, Belgium
To contact us please complete the contact form on our website.

Useful links

Visit this programme's website.

Download this brochure

Download this Master's brochure.

Order this Master's brochure.