Biomedical Engineering at Trinity College Dublin

Biomedical engineering is at the intersection of engineering, the life sciences and healthcare. Biomedical engineers take principles from applied science (including mechanical, electrical, chemical and computer engineering) and physical sciences (including physics, chemistry and mathematics) and apply them to biology and medicine. Although the human body is a more complex system than even the most sophisticated machine, many of the same concepts that go into building and programming a machine can be applied to biological structures and diagnostic and therapeutic tools. The goal is to better understand, replace or fix a target system to ultimately improve the quality of healthcare.

Biomedical engineers become involved in research and development, spanning a broad array of subfields: biomechanics, biomaterials, tissue engineering, neural engineering, medical devices, clinical engineering, medical imaging. Prominent biomedical engineering applications include the development of biocompatible prostheses, various diagnostic and therapeutic medical devices ranging from clinical equipment to micro-implants, advanced imaging methods such as MRIs and EEGs as well as development of regenerative tissue and artificial organs.

Biomedical engineering is a challenging professional discipline, requiring knowledge of biology and medicine, as well as understanding of a range of engineering subjects. It is also a very exciting field in which new methods and products are constantly being developed, using the latest technology in materials, mechanics, electronics, mathematical analytical methods and manufacturing processes.

Graduate skills and career opportunities

Biomedical engineering is the fastest growing career and this trend is expected to continue over the next decade. Ireland’s medical technology sector has evolved into a global leader for medical device and diagnostic products, with exports annually exceeding €12bn. Ireland has over 450 companies involved in developing, manufacturing and marketing medical devices. These include Abbott, Bayer, Becton Dickinson, Boston Scientific, Johnson & Johnson, Guidant, Medtronic and Stryker. These companies have a strong demand for high quality graduates at the Master's and Ph.D. level because of the high technical level of their products.

Biomedical engineers also find employment in clinics and hospitals where they work as clinical engineers, responsible for complex, expensive diagnostic equipment and laboratories.