Bioengineering MRes

About the Course

Bioengineering MRes provides an example of research-led teaching, utilising the expertise of one of Brunel’s internationally recognised Specialist Research Institutes and includes an extended dissertation research period. Bioengineering is a multi-disciplinary area which involves knowledge of engineering, biology, human physiology, and medicine. It is always difficult for a graduate to possess sufficient knowledge in these disciplines to perform research in the field. Therefore, the course

• provides taught modules for the students to fill knowledge gaps within the specific bioengineering disciplines;
• provides substantial training on performing research in their chosen area;
• exposes students to the day-to-day research activities of our leading research groups and provide them with the opportunity to carry out their dissertation research on a chosen project for most of their study period.

The course is primarily taught by Brunel Institute for Bioengineering (BIB). BIB is a multidisciplinary innovative research and development organisation. In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, submitted as one of the major parts of General Engineering group in Brunel University, we were ranked 5th in the country by research power. BIB now has about 15 principal investigators working on the areas such as: artificial organs, biomechanics, biofluid mechanics, biosensor design, surgical robot design, tissue engineering, bioprocessing, advanced separation and more.

Aims

The MRes in Bioengineering provides students with an advanced, multi-disciplinary and current understanding of bioengineering research and practical skills via the taught modules and extended dissertation studies. Students have the opportunity to join our research teams from the beginning of the academic year and remain affiliated throughout their study period.

Enquiries

Course enquiries
Email bibadmin@brunel.ac.uk
Tel +44 (0)1895 266972

For applications already submitted
Contact Admissions online
Tel +44 (0)1895 265265

Course director: Dr Quan Long, quan.long@brunel.ac.uk

View the Brunel Institute for Bioengineering (BIB) website

Related Courses

• Biomedical Engineering MSc

Special Features

• Bioengineering MRes utilises Brunel Institute for Bioengineering (BIB)’s expertise in multi-disciplinary research into teaching.
• The programme provides four streams under the same course to suit students with a background of either: biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, electronic engineering, chemical engineering, medicine, and biology.
• A supervisor panel is assigned for each student at the beginning of the first term which guides them during their course studies and provide tailored supervision on their research knowledge attainment and skill development.
• Students have a longer time than usual to work on their dissertations. The list of available dissertation topics are issued early in the first term. Students start their intensive research from the beginning of the second term for about 9 months. Publishable results may be generated from this extended research work.
• Students are integrated within BIB’s academic and social activities during their study period.
• Students are encouraged to participate in the research student poster competition organised by the Graduate School in the third term.

Course Content

Core modules

Compulsory modules on research methodology and research practice

• Innovation, Management and Research Methods (15 credits)
• Bioengineering Research Method (15 credits)
• Biomedical Engineering Principles (15 credits)
• Biomedical Statistics (15 credits)
• Dissertation (90 credits)

Optional modules

The two optional modules for each of the four offered streams are designed to suit students of different backgrounds. The optional modules are all designed to enhance the students’ knowledge or fill the student knowledge gaps on specific disciplines of bioengineering so that students are enabled to perform high quality research.

Stream A

• Biomedical Imaging and Image Processing (15 credits)
• Control Theory for Bioengineering (15 credits)

Stream B

• Biofluid Mechanics (15 credits)
• Advanced Biofluid Mechanical Research (15 credits)

Stream C

• Biomechanics and Biomaterials (15 credits)
• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (15 credits)

Stream D

• Advanced Separation Science and Industrial Case Studies (15 credits)
• Process Instrumentation and Practice (15 credits)

The dissertation module starts early in the first year and last through the entire year. Students may not decide the specific dissertation title at the beginning of the year, but the desired research area (stream). The students can decide on the specific dissertation title at mid-term when they have gained further knowledge about the stream subject area. However, the intensive research activities only start from the second term once the exam period for the first term modules has finished.

Teaching and Learning

Students primarily learn taught core modules in the first term (four modules with a total of 60 credits). The examination of these modules take place by the end of the first term. The main teaching method for taught modules is standard lectures supplemented by seminar and tuition sessions. For modules of more practical content small group teaching is adapted.

Assessment

Conventional assessment methods such as assignments and written exams are used for most modules to gauge the development of subject knowledge and understanding. Since the course has a heavy weight on the development of research skills, other assessment methods such as laboratory reports (suitable for one of the optional modules), computer simulations, project reports and oral presentations with or without peer judgement are also used for the assessment of certain elements of modules. A short version of a viva voice examination is  used for the final dissertation assessment (carrying 15% of the dissertation mark) to make the whole student experience complete.

Careers

The MRes programme aims to provide students with a detailed insight into the nature of bioengineering research and equips them with a range of research skills to enable successful completion of research of this kind. It most likely produces two kinds of graduates: those students who only intend to complete the MRes programme and those who may want to pursue a PhD after completion of the MRes. The formalisation of research methods training should significantly contribute to the subsequent successful completion of a PhD. The broad range of research strategies taught also makes it an excellent basis for professional development and add value to those intending to pursue an industrial career.

The relatively long period of dissertation work enables the supervisors to put more challenging projects to the students which may not be possible for a regular dissertation period of 4 months of an MSc course. Results generated from the dissertation may reach publishable standard for conference or even journal submissions. This significantly enhances students’ self-esteem on pursuing a research future career and enhance the employability of graduates.

The industrial partners associated with BIB's research group is to provide or advise on topics for user-driven projects with industrial relevance. This allows students to appreciate current industrial challenges and gain an insight on what approaches can be taken for their solutions. These links also enable visits of industrial partners’ sites of UK based companies and may be helpful in refining students' employability in general.

Fees for 2013/14 entry

UK/EU students: £5,800 full-time

International students: £15,000 full-time

Read about funding opportunities available to postgraduate students

Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.

Entry Requirements

A minimum of a 2.2 Honours degree from a UK institution; an equivalent overseas qualification; or an equivalent professional qualification in Engineering, biology or medically related discipline.

English Language Requirements

Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.