Master's of Science (MSc) in Biomedical Engineering
This Joint MSc in Biomedical Engineering is offered by the School of Life Sciences of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) and the Medical Faculty of the University of Basel.
Students enrolled in the program benefit from the expertise and resources of both institutions, which are embedded in the local medtech ecosystem and in close proximity to clinicians at the University Hospitals.
This degree offers world-class training for those pursuing an industrial or academic career path. Career options for our graduates include a wide range of professions in the local and growing medtech industry, or the continuation of an academic career after obtaining a PhD.
All details about the Joint Degree Master in Biomedical Engineering are available on the joint Unibas-FHNW website.
The Joint MSc in Biomedical Engineering begins each year in the Fall Semester and lasts for 4 semesters, with a total of 120 ECTS.
The subjects taught are as follows: Biomedical Basics or Engineering Basics, Biomedical Engineering Basics, Medical Systems Engineering or Biomaterials Science and Engineering, Specialisation modules, Project work and practical skills, Master’s thesis.
During their studies, students will have to choose one of the following four specializations: Computer- and Robot- Assisted Surgery, Image Acquisition and Analysis, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technologies, Implants and Regenerative Technologies.
Courses are taught exclusively in English.
This interdiciplinary program is designed for students with diverse backgrounds. Depending on their previous training, students will be offered courses dedicated to the fundamentals of engineering and/or biomedical basics.
Students with professional English language skills and the following backgrounds are eligible for the program:
- Biomedical Sciences
- Dentistry
- Forensic Sciences
- Health Sciences and Technologies
- Human Medicine
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Sport, Exercise and Health
- Veterinary Medicine
- Biochemistry, Biology, Biotechnology
- Chemistry
- Computational Sciences, Data Sciences
- Computer Sciences
- Digital Life Sciences, Life Sciences and Technologies
- Environmental sciences
- Food Sciences
- Materials Sciences
- Mathematics
- Medical Informatics
- Micro and Medical Technology
- Mobile Robotics
- Mobile Robotics
- Physics
- Photonics
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Environmental engineering and geomatics engineering sciences
- Mechanical Engineering
- Systems Engineering
Students enrolled in the Joint MSc. Biomedical Engineering must have a solid foundation in programming, mathematics, and physics.
Below are the prerequisites required to enroll in the program. We also recommend a number of resources for each field to help you catch up on before applying.
For a good start in our Joint MSc in Biomedical Engineering we expect all students to master a mathematical knowledge of a Swiss Matura examination (program for the normal level):
Calculus:
- Sets and functions.
- Monotony and inverse functions.
- Limits.
- Continuity.
- Exponential and logarithmic functions.
- Differentiation: definition and rules.
- Finding extrema and inflection points.
- Optimization using calculus.
- Integration: definition and rules.
- Riemann sums, antiderivatives, definite and indefinite integrals.
- Techniques of integration such as integration by parts, and the substitution rule.
- Improper integrals.
Basic Algebra:
- Algebraic manipulations involving fractions, powers, and roots.
- Polynomials.
- Solving linear equations and systems of linear equations.
- Solving quadratic equations.
Trigonometry:
- Triangles and the basic properties of angle functions such as sine, cosine, and tangent, and their inverse functions.
If you are well familiar with this material, you are well prepared for your studies. In case you feel that you might have some gaps we would like to encourage you to repeat these topics. These general mathematical topics can be studied using textbooks or via online webinars.
We can recommend a source of free online courses called the “Khan Academy” (https://www.khanacademy.org/math). These courses Mathematics I, II, and III, Precalculus, Differential Calculus, and Integral Calculus offered there cover all these topics very well (even a bit beyond).
For a good start in our Joint MSc in Biomedical Engineering we expect all students to master a physics knowledge of a Swiss Matura examination (program for the normal level):
Fundamentals | Quantities and Units:
- Specify fundamental quantities and their units in the SI (Système International d’Unités) system for various fields (Mechanics, Thermal Phenomena, Electricity, Geometric Optics and Waves, Atomic Nucleus).
- Handle units and dimensions.
- Correctly present numerical results with the appropriate number of significant figures.
- Distinguish between exact calculations and estimations.
- Use exponential notation (e.g., 5.2∙10^3 m) and prefixes (Milli, Micro, Mega, etc.).
Mechanics | Kinematics:
- Define position, velocity (average and instantaneous), and acceleration as scalar and vector quantities.
- Describe motion and represent it as motion diagrams (position, velocity, and acceleration as functions of time).
- Apply formulas for linear, uniform, and uniformly accelerated motion.
- Define and apply frequency (number of revolutions), period, angular velocity, and acceleration in uniform circular motion.
Mechanics | Dynamics:
- Define mass as a measure of inertia and gravity and work with density.
- Define force as a vector quantity and apply Newton's laws.
- Describe forces in the context of linear and circular motions.
- Represent and calculate gravitational, spring, normal, and frictional forces.
- Vectorially represent and name all forces acting on a body.
- Describe forces and acceleration in uniform circular motion.
- Define impulse as a vector quantity and apply the principle of conservation of momentum to one-dimensional cases.
Mechanics | Work and Energy:
- Define work generally and specifically for cases involving gravitational force, acceleration force, and frictional force.
- Define kinetic and potential energy (gravitational potential energy near the Earth's surface, potential energy of a spring).
- Present the general principle of energy conservation and apply it to simple examples.
- Define power and efficiency.
Knowledge in programming is essential for many courses of the Joint MSc in Biomedical Engineering.
Here below are a couple of introductory MATLAB webinars that would be useful to watch before the semester starts:
The Joint MSc in Biomedical Engineering is coordinated jointly by the DBE and the FHNW. You can find more information about the bodies and individuals involved on the joint Unibas-FHNW website.
Do you have specific questions about the Joint MSc in Biomedical Engineering?
Then check our FAQ or contact our coordination office at DBE!