About this course

We've changed some parts of this course for the 2020 to 2021 academic year due to coronavirus (COVID-19). These changes may affect how we'll teach you and which modules you'll take.

Join the next generation of digital health technology engineers and design the health and wellbeing devices of the future on this biomedical electronic engineering degree. You’ll study key aspects of electronic engineering such as digital systems, solid state devices and computer engineering, and combine this with life sciences.

Life sciences modules introduce you to cell biology, the body’s essential systems, and neuroscience. The 2 disciplines come together in specialist biomedical electronic engineering modules.

On this course you’ll learn to design, build and test new health and wellbeing devices and systems. This includes wearable monitors to intelligent medical diagnostic tools.

Our biomedical electronics engineering programme will equip you for a career in a thriving sector, where your innovations could, one day, change the world.

As part of your degree course you can:

combine electronic engineering training biomedicine studies, giving you the skills to create sensors, apps and digital systems
use our outstanding research facilities including a modern electronics lab, a specialist biodevice lab and clean room
develop your enterprise skills with support from our on-campus startup platform
benefit from our strong relationships with ground-breaking organisations in this emerging industry

This degree is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of:

fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer
partly meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer

Accreditations

Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

Changes due to COVID-19

Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2022 to 2023. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.

Find out more on our COVID advice page.

ODT

Download 2022-23 Course Description Document

Entry requirements

Entry requirements filter options

Other requirements

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Course structure

First-year modules are similar across our electronics degree courses, making it easy to switch between courses. In year 3 you’ll have the freedom to shape your degree to suit your interests.

Year 1 overview

You'll study compulsory modules in mathematics, physics, electronics and programming. You’ll also study digital systems and electrical materials and fields, both in theory and practice. You'll build your knowledge in key areas of life sciences. This includes looking at the types of macromolecules found in cells. You'll also look at electronics systems used in biomedicine.

Year 2 overview

You'll deepen your knowledge and understanding of biomedical and electronic engineering. Areas covered include signal processing, computer engineering and electronic system controls used for biomedical purposes.

As part of a group project, you'll work in teams to design, build and test a health and wellness monitoring platform. The system will collect data from a number of wearable sensors and provide feedback.

Year 3 overview

An individual project will give you experience of developing a new biomedical electronic system – supervised by an academic conducting cutting-edge research in that area.

You’ll have the freedom to choose from a selection of electronics, computer science and mathematics modules. The options range from machine learning and robotics systems to computational biology and operational research.

You could also study a language, take modules from other disciplines such as biology, or choose from a range of innovative interdisciplinary modules.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

For entry in Academic Year 2022-23

You must study the following modules in year 1:

Biomedical Engineering Design

This module teaches the applications of biomedical signal analysis and control systems for biomedicine. The module emphasises developing an understanding through lab-based system design exercises by applying theoretical knowledge taught in the module. The...

Biomolecular Systems

This module describes the types of macromolecules found in cells with a particular emphasis on DNA and proteins. The module will describe how proteins are synthesised and the role they play in cells. The structure and function of the various forms of nucl...

Digital Systems and Microprocessors

To introduce digital system design, the principles of programmable logic devices, the implementation of combinational and sequential circuits, and the principles of hardware design using SystemVerilog, a state-of-the-art hardware description language.

Electrical Materials and Fields

Mathematics for Electronic and Electrical Engineering

This course lays the mathematical foundation for all engineering degrees. Its structure allows students with different levels of previous knowledge to work at their own pace. One of the pre-requisites for MATH3081 and MATH3082

Mechanics

This module equips students with a comprehensive understanding of how mechanical systems move and deform when subjected to external forces. It first introduces the fundamental laws covering particle dynamics, before progressing to rigid body dynamics in b...

Programming

To introduce the student to the concepts of programming using the C programming language, with an emphasis on programming for embedded systems.

Sensor Interfaces

This module will introduce you to the mathematical techniques needed to describe and analyse linear and simple non-linear electronic circuits. The module explains the properties of ideal circuit elements and the tools & techniques required to analyse a wi...

You must study the following modules in year 2:

Advanced Electronic Systems

This module focuses on how to create real electronic systems. It covers 'building block' circuits using bipolar transistors and FETs, and looks at the use and operation of op-amps. It also covers how to deliver timing in circuits, interfacing in mixed-sig...

Biomedical Control

This module introduces powerful tools for analysis and control of linear continuous-time systems. It then shows students how they can be applied to a wide range of physiological processes, providing a full understanding of the human body and the internal ...

Digital Systems and Signal Processing

This module is taught by a combination of lectures, laboratory exercises and a design assignment. You will gain practical knowledge of digital system design and of digital signal processing in the context of modern systems. The design exercise is inten...

Fundamentals of Cell Biology and Physiology

This module develops understanding of the components important for cell function and looks at how cells function in organs and whole organisms.

Healthcare Technology Design

In this module you will work as a team to develop a home-based platform for non-invasive health and wellness monitoring that could be deployed for rehabilitation purpose, particularly for Stroke patients. This module includes design assignments that have ...

Mathematics for Electronics & Electrical Engineering Part II

The aims of this module are to: - Give students a solid grounding in mathematical methods and ideas in areas relevant to applications in engineering: Fourier series, Fourier transforms, eigenvalues, eigenvectors and eigenfunctions, linear ordinary differ...

Semiconductor Devices, Materials and Sensors

This module will introduce the concepts of semiconductor materials, devices and sensors. You will develop a detailed understanding of the design, operating mechanisms and fabrication technology of semiconductor, electronic and optoelectronic devices and ...

You must study the following modules in year 3:

Engineering Management and Law

This module will provide students with an introduction to management and law – knowledge and skills which can be applied to the operations of an engineering-based organisation. The learning outcomes address: managerial decisions, commercial aspects of eng...

Part III Individual Project

The individual project gives students the opportunity to gain both detailed knowledge and practical experience in a more focussed area than generally possible elsewhere in their degree programme. Most projects are in the nature of a challenging enginee...

You must also choose from the following modules in year 3:

Bioinformatics and Systems Biology

Large-scale approaches at the molecular, cellular, organismal and ecological level are revolutionizing biology by enabling systems-level questions to be addressed. In many cases, these approaches are driven by technologies that allow the components of bio...

Biomaterials

A biomaterial can be described as a material used in a biomedical device intended to interact with biological systems. The selection of an appropriate biomaterial is critical to the performance of an implant. For a hip replacement, properties such as good...

Biosensors and Diagnostics

A biosensor is a device that translates a biomolecular binding event into an electrical or optical signal that can be quantified and recorded. Biosensors come in many different formats, from complicated nanofabricated mechanical transducers to simple but...

Cloud Application Development

During the first two years of the degree students gain experience in a variety of 'traditional' programming languages in procedural, functional and object-oriented flavours. This module addresses the design and use of scripting languages for a contemporar...

Computational Biology

Modern biology poses many challenging problems for the computer scientists. Rapid growth in instrumentation, and our ability to archive and distribute vast amounts of data, has significantly changed the way we attempt to understand cellular function, and ...

Engineering Replacement Body Parts

Do you want to find out how stem cells are being used to help treat disease and allow us to live better, for longer? And are you interested in the controversy surrounding them? Do you want to find out what tissue engineering is, and how scientists are ...

Global Health

The global health module is an exciting opportunity to examine the factors associated with emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases such as the recent outbreak of Ebola and Swine Flu that quickly spread around the world, and non-communicable diseases ...

Machine Learning Technologies

Machine Learning is about extracting useful information from large and complex datasets. The module will cover the practical basis of how learning algorithms are can be applied. You will gain hands-on experience in laboratory-bases sessions. Exclusions...

Manufacturing and Materials

This module manufacturing and materials is intended to develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between design, manufacturing processing and materials properties. This module discusses various manufacturing methods including casting, forming, we...

Orthopaedic Biomechanics

This module will provide an insight into the engineering based problems faced in orthopaedic biomechanics, through a detailed study of intact lower limb and the lower limb pre- and post- total joint replacement. You will gain an understanding of the struc...

Principles of Neuroscience

This module conveys the concept of neuroscience as an integrative discipline by providing a description of mammalian nervous system function from molecular aspects of synaptic signalling to information integration and system level processing.

Robotic Systems

Robots are becoming more widely used in society, with applications ranging from agriculture through to manufacturing, with increasing interest in autonomous systems. This module will introduce students to the fundamentals of robotic systems including k...

Signal and Image Processing

Signal processing is an essential part of human life and of modern industrial systems. As humans we see and hear and process signals. This is the same in electronic systems: we sense and then process signals. We need to be able to understand these signals...

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

lectures
classes and tutorials
coursework
individual and group projects
independent learning (studying on your own)

How you'll spend your course time:

Study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:

33%

Scheduled learning & teaching

67%

Independent learning

How we'll assess you

coursework, laboratory reports and essays
design and problem-solving exercises
individual and group projects
oral presentations
written and practical exams

Your assessment breakdown

Year 1:

45%

Written exam

33%

Coursework

22%

Practical exam

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Course leader

Daniel Spencer is the course leader.

Careers

The medical technology sector in the UK employs over 100,000 people, with employment in digital health growing every year. Roles include design engineer or product developer in large electronics companies with a healthcare division or in smaller, specialist companies.

Our students are in high demand and are eligible to apply for industrial scholarships and paid work placements through the UK Electronics Skills Foundation.

Your biomedical electronics degree will also be a great foundation for work in other sectors or to continue studying at PhD level. Many of our graduates go on to work in fields such as bioinstrumentation, biomechanics, and cellular tissue and genetic engineering.

Career destinations include:

Sharp
Philips
Sphere Medical
Boston Scientific
Renishaw
Cambridge Design Partnership

You’ll have access to specialist careers support from our Careers Hub, which coordinates many opportunities to connect with employers. These include an Electronics and Computer Science careers fair attended by major electronics companies, an online jobs and placements portal, paid summer internships, and support with job applications and interview preparation.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

UK students pay £9,250.
EU and international students pay £23,720.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.

Find out how to:

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

Biomedical Engineering (Electronics) (BEng)