Faculty of Engineering

Biomedical engineering

Where medicine and human biology meets engineering innovation

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What is it?

Biomedical engineering applies engineering principles to human biology and advancing healthcare. Cochlear implants, heart pacemakers, MRI scanners, hip and knee replacement, laser surgery and bionic organs – these almost-everyday innovations are made possible through this field.

What do biomedical engineers do?

Biomedical engineers design and manufacture implantable medical devices, including orthopaedic, cardiovascular and drug delivery systems. Bionic organs, robotic limbs, heart assist pumps and heart valves delivered in non-invasive day-surgery procedures are just some of the latest innovations they have brought to the world in recent years.

Some biomedical engineers work on future technologies such as tissue-engineered tissues and organs, or improve the designs of therapeutic devices such as bionic limbs for the injured and people with disabilities. External medical devices such as medical imaging equipment and augmented reality technology, as well as data-oriented solutions such as e-medicine, help doctors diagnose and treat patients.

Examples of biomedical engineering innovations you’re likely familiar with include prosthetics, pacemakers, and ultrasounds. Newer biomedical advancements include 3D printed organs, the use of AI in health monitoring tools, and regenerative medicine.

What careers could you have?

  • Work with surgeons and technical staff in the public or private hospital systems, or for organisations that design and manufacture medical devices, or as a part of a research team looking to solve medical problems.
  • Combine your aptitude for engineering with a passion to help and people with illnesses or disabilities.
  • Become a design engineer, prosthetist, chief technical officer, tissue engineer, medical device assessor, forensic engineer or patent examiner, among many other career options.
  • Perfect for people who like problem solving and investigating how things work in detail.
  • A career with growing demand. Emerging technologies can be applied to meet the health challenges of the future.
  • A recession-proof career. While people may spend less on cars, appliances, infrastructure and construction in hard times, healthcare is an essential service.

The Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Biomedical Engineering), the Master of Professional Engineering (Biomedical Engineering) and Master of Professional Engineering (Biomedical Engineering)  is accredited by Engineers Australia.

Our graduates are also recognised internationally through the Washington Accord of the International Engineering Alliance. Your degree can take you anywhere in the world.

Why study biomedical engineering with us?

There are many reasons for choosing our Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Biomedical Engineering) as your first preference.

  • Our biomedical engineering program is the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. You will learn from and collaborate with world-renowned educators and researchers across many disciplines. The course combines mechanical, mechatronic, electronic, chemical and materials engineering, allowing you to specialise in the areas that best suit your interests and aspirations.
  • The knowledge you gain will allow you to contribute to innovative discoveries within fields such as biomedical technology, orthopaedic or tissue engineering, bioelectronics and the computational simulation of biomedical systems.
  • With the University of Sydney home to world-leading research centres, including the Charles Perkins Centre for chronic disease and Sydney Nano for nanoscience research, you’ll learn from and collaborate with leading researchers from multiple disciplines.
  • Discover our dedicated biomedical laboratories, and the new teaching and research spaces in our Biomedical Engineering Building, such as the plasma lab and a dark room for single-molecule biomechanics.
  • The University of Sydney’s $478m investment into the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator is its largest-ever commitment, with over 1200 biomedical researchers and clinician scientists to be located onsite by 2027.
  • As part of your degree you will undertake the award-winning Professional Engagement Program enabling you to change your approach to learning through self-reflection, and undertake a six-week internship to gain valuable firsthand experience.

I was able to spend the summer researching and developing a novel abdomen-powered 3D printed prosthetic hand with industry partners and the University. The project was rewarding as I had the freedom to be creative and it gave me insight into the challenges of translating academia into a commercially-viable product.

Kristina Mahony

Engineering Honours (Biomedical)

In our first year we worked alongside medicine students in state-of-the-art laboratories in the Charles Perkins Centre. It really gave me a great taste for biotechnology and I learnt a lot.

Kevin Ge

Engineering Honours (Biomedical)