This curriculum defines and governs the scientific master’s program Biomedical Engineering at the Technical University of Vienna. It is based on the 2002 University Act – UG (Federal Law Gazette I No. 120/2002) and the study legal provisions of the Articles of Association of the Technical University of Vienna in the current version. The structure and design of this mainly English study are based on qualifications in accordance with §2.
§2 Qualifications
The Master’s program in Biomedical Engineering provides an in-depth, scientifically and methodologically high-quality, focused on sustainable knowledge education which enables the graduates both for further qualification, especially in the context of a relevant doctoral program as well as for internationally competitivity in, for example, the following professional fields:
- Basic and applied research at universities, in hospitals, at non-university research institutions and industry
- Development of new biomaterials, tools, methods, processes, sensors, simulation and imaging method
- Modeling of organs, implants and physiological processes
- Implementation of new technical solutions in Biology and Medicine
- Operative use of technological systems in medicine (clinical engineering)
- Consulting in biological, medical and engineering
The transverse integration of Life Sciences in the traditional engineering sciences in the term “Biomedical Engineering” is one of the most important challenges of European science and technology field of the 21st century. The health care system is continuously making greater and technically more fascinating demands on Biomedical Engineering under increasing demographic, ethical, ecological and cost pressures. The scientific and economic growth potential of Biomedical Engineering is, especially in the U.S., very highly appreciated. In accordance with its motto “Technology for People” and its excellence in engineering, the Technical University of Vienna focuses its activities in order to face the challenges in the field of biomedical engineering both in research and in the research-led teaching.
This international and research-oriented Master’s program Biomedical Engineering also has the ambition to increase the proportion of women in the engineering sciences, to improve the communication of engineering with the society and especially to attract international students from Central Europe. Given the international nature of this studya nd of the internationality of Biomedical Engineering, all compulsory courses of this master’s program are offered in English.
The Master’s program in Biomedical Engineering one of the focuses Biomaterials & Biomechanics, Biomedical Signals & Instrumentation, Mathematical & Computational Biology, and Medical Physics & Imaging can be chosen.
Graduates of this Master’s program in Biomedical Engineering have extensive knowledge in the chosen focus and sufficient basic knowledge in all areas of biomedical engineering.
Due to the professional requirements, qualifications are obtained in terms of the following categories in the Master’s program in Biomedical Engineering:
- Professional and methodological knowledge
- Cognitive and practical skills
- Social skills, innovative skills and creativity
Professional and methodological knowledge
You know the structure of Biomedical Engineering and the relationships between its subareas, as well as underlying prerequisites for relevant theoretical foundations,methodological tools and conceptual models.
You know how experimental studies and model calculations can be used to determine required data in various areas of biomedical engineering and how to assess the reliability of such data. You have broad knowledge and basic scientific research experience.
Cognitive and practical skills
You are able to formulate, analyze and develop appropriate solutions for biomedical engineering problems.
You can carry out developments and drive applications and assess and consider the implications of such developments for health care, society and the environment. You possess solving skills for interdisciplinary problems.
Social skills, innovative skills and creativity
You have analytical, methodical, solution- and design oriented thinking, are able to critically reflect your own actions and biomedical developments and thus contribute to social responsibility. Furthermore, you are able to work independently and scientifically,have mediation and team skills, coupled with solid skills in communication and presentation. You are capable to keep your education on the current state of knowledge.You are also prepared to expand your professional profile by further studies in other disciplines. You have good knowledge of the English language in order to act internationally.
§3 Duration and Effort
A total of 120 ECTS points has to be completed in order to finish the Master’s degree Biomedical Engineering. This corresponds to a full-time study duration of 4 semesters.
ECTS credits are a measure of the student workload. An academic year consists of 60 ECTS points.
§4 Entry Requirements
Admission to a master’s degree program shall require the completion of a technically eligible bachelor’s degree or Fachhochschule bachelor’s degree at a university of applied sciences or of any other equivalent study at an accredited domestic or foreign post-secondary educational institution.
Technically eligible bachelor studies at the technical university of Vienna include Civil Engineering and Management of Infrastructure, Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Media Informatics and Visual Computing, Medical Informatics, Software and Information Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Technical Chemistry, Technical Mathematics, Statistics and Mathematics in Economics, Financial and Actuarial Mathematics, Technical Physics, Chemical and Process Engineering, Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering, Business Informatics, Mechanical Engineering – Management.
Other completed studies can also be considered technically eligible if their scientific depth is comparable to the before mentioned bachelor studies. A study is in particular technically eligible, if knowledge, skills and competences in natural sciences, especially Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and/or Mechanics in total of at least 30 ETCS were taught in a balanced way.
In the event that equivalence has been established in principle and only certain supplementary qualifications are required for full equivalence, additional courses and exams of at most 30 ECTS credits may be imposed and have to be completed during the master study.
Students, whose first language is not English, have to verify their knowledge of the English language. To successfully complete the study, English knowledge of a reference level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Language is recommended.
Some optional course as well as supplementary courses to acquire full equivalences of the completed study will be provided only in German. Therefore knowledge of the German language of a reference level B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Language is recommended.
§ 5 Structure of the program
The contents and qualifications of this program are being structured in “modules”. One module is an entity of teaching and learning, which is characterised by start- and end-qualifications, content, teaching and learning methods, the standard workload as well as the grading settings. The completion of modules happens via completion of individual or several content related courses. Modules with similar topics are summed up into one examination subject, the name and extent of which are stated on the graduation diploma.
The master program Biomedical Engineering consists of the following examinaion subjects.
From the list of the asterisk-marked subjects, the student has to choose a major for his master Biomedical Engineering. There are four majors:Biomaterials & Biomechanics, Biomedical Signals & Instrumentation, Mathematical & Computational Biology, Medical Physics & Imaging.
• Life Sciences 15 ECTS
• Core Biomedical Engineering 24 ECTS
• *Biomaterials & Biomechanics
• *Biomedical Signals & Instrumentation
• *Mathematical & Computational Biology
• *Medical Physics & Imaging
• Free electives and soft skills 9 ECTS
• Master Thesis 30 ECTS
The master program Biomedical Engineering is built from the following modules (sorted by examination subjects). The modules marked with an asterisk are elective modules, whereas the others are mandatory modules. The mandatory modules have to be completed in all cases. From the list of elective modules for the examination subject “Core Biomedical Engineering” four modules have to be chosen.
In the chosen major, the basic module weighting 15 ECTS, at least 9 ECTS from advanced modules, where 4 ECTS must not be a lecture marked as VO, and the project module weighting 6 ECTS have to be chosen. Furthermore at least 12 ECTS have to be chosen from any basic module and/or advanced module of any specialisation, including yours, and/or project module out of an other specialisation. Thus in total at least 42 ECTS have to be chosen from the examaniation subjects marked with an asterisk.
Together with the “Interdisciplinary Qualifications”, the “Free Electives” have to sum up to 9 ECTS, whereas the “Free Electives” may not exceed 4.5 of those ECTS.
• Life Sciences 15 ECTS
Module Basics of Biology 6 ECTS
Module Basics of Physiology 9 ECTS
• Core Biomedical Engineering 24 ECTS
*Module Biophysics and Biomechanics 6 ECTS
*Module Biosignals and Bioinstrumentation 6 ECTS
*Module Biochemistry 6 ECTS
*Module Biomedical Signal Processing 6 ECTS
*Module Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering 6 ECTS Masterstudium BME Seite 5
*Module Cell Biology 6 ECTS
• *Biomaterials & Biomechanics
Module Basics of Biomaterials & Biomechanics
Module Advances in Biomaterials & Biomechanics
Module Project Biomedical Engineering
• *Biomedical Signals & Instrumentation
Module Basics of Biomedical Signals & Instrumentation
Module Advances in Biomedical Signals & Instrumentation
Module Project Biomedical Engineering
• *Mathematical & Computational Biology
Module Basics of Mathematical & Computational Biology
Module Advances in Mathematical & Computational Biology
Module Project Biomedical Engineering
• *Medical Physics & Imaging
Module Basics of Medical Physics & Imaging
Module Advances in Medical Physics & Imaging
Module Project Biomedical Engineering
• Free electives and soft skills 9 ECTS
Module Free Electives max. 4.5 ECTS
Module Interdisciplinary Qualifications 4.5 ECTS
• Masters Thesis 30 ECTS
See § 9
In the modules of the master Biomedical Engineering, the following contents (areas) are being covered:
Module Basics of Biology 6 ECTS
The module Basics of Biology gives an introduction into selected areas of the general Biology. The areas range from the Biomolecules and their interactions and the cell itself to the structured and differentiated organism. Additionally, an overview over genetics, biotechnology and toxicology is given, as well as an introduction into Philosophy of Science. The application of microscopy in biology is covered in theory and practically.
Module Basics of Physiology 9 ECTS
The module Basics of Physiology covers basic understanding of anatomy, histology, physiology and pathology. An introduction in general pathology and medical terminology is provided.
Module Biophysics and Biomechanics 6 ECTS
The module Biophysics and Biomechanics covers the fundamentals of biophysics and biomechanics, using systematic introductions and application of concerning living cells, as well as the musculo-sceletal, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. The main focus lies on equilibrium and energy principles, on constituent behaviour, on buildup, function and information processing of biological cells, microscopic, electrophoretic and spectroscopic methods, as well as on electromagnetical-biological interactions.
Module Biosignals and Bioinstrumentation 6 ECTS
The module Biosignals and Biominstrumentation covers the introduction in creation, reproduction, recording and analysis of the medically relevant biosignals of the human body. The physiological, physical and biochemical processes and the respective biosignals on electrical, chemical, acoustic, magnetic, mechanic and optic basis are being dealt with. The theory, practice and limitations of the conventional biomedical instrumentations, including diagnostical, therapeutical and longterm monitoring techniques are being discussed.
Module Biochemistry 6 ECTS
The module biochemistry covers the basics of chemistry and, built on this basis, the basics of biochemistry as well as the basics of instrumental bioanalytics. The basic principles of these areas are taught. The basics for the characterisation of the performance of analytical-biochemical measuring devices and the terms and basic operational modes of bioanalytics are being covered. Basic concepts of separation processes, bioactivity analytics, immuno-analytic methods and mass spectrometric techniques are presented.
Module Biomedical Signal Processing 6 ETCS
The module Biomedical Signal Processing conveys the basics of processing of medical data from the perspective of statistics and image processing. Alongside the most important basic skills of statistic interpretation and assessment of those data, also multivariate techniques for processing and automatic analysis of imaging modalities are taught.
Module Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering 6 ECTS
The module Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering deals with basic knowledge of the interface between material sciences/chemistry/biology/medicine and builds understanding of method development in tissue engineering.
Module Cell Biology 6 ECTS
The module Cell Biology deepens the basic knowledge about cell-biological components and processes. Cell-biological phaenomenas are being described quantitatively using selected examples, which are chosen from the areas from stimulus transmission as well as immunology. Modern cell-biological measuring methods – especially imaging modalities – are presented.
Module Basics of Biomaterials & Biomechanics 15 ECTS
The module Basics of Biomaterials & Biomechanics deals with design and optimisation criteria for biomaterials and biologically inspired materials, as well as helpful modern analytic and numeric methods of biomechanics
Module Advances in Biomaterials & Biomechanics 9 ECTS
The module Advances in Biomaterials & Biomechanics deals with specific and deepened topics covering hierarchic materials, micromechanics, poromechanics, chemomechanics, fracture mechanics, tissue mechanics, characterisation of materials and prosthetics.
Module Basics of Biomedical Signals & Instrumentation 15 ECTS
The module Basics of Biomedical Signals & Instrumentation gives an introduction into the theory and application of bio-sensor technology and microsystem technology, including the bioanalytical instrumentation, biomedical mass spectrometry and laser spectroscopy. This module conveys the basic knowledge about microstructured biocompatible components and functional groups used for the acquisition of biomedical signals.
Module Advances in Biomedical Signals & Instrumentation 9 ECTS
The module Advances in Biomedical Signals & Instrumentation discusses deepening and specific topics in the area of biomedical signals and instruments for biomedical engineering as well as bioanalytical methods.
Module Basics of Mathematical & Computational Biology 15 ECTS
The module Basics of Mathematical & Computational Biology introduces into bioinformatics and deals with the mathematics of control systems and numerical mechanics, for use in simulation of physiological processes, neurons, organs, biomaterials and implants.
Module Advances in Mathematical & Computational Biology 9 ECTS
The module Advances in Mathematical & Computational Biology deals with deepened and specific topics concerning computer simulation in biology and medicince. Specifically the management of biological data, brain modelling, theory of auditory perception, computer graphics and stochastical mathematics are covered.
Module Basics of Medical Physics & Imaging 15 ECTS
The module Basics of Medical Physics & Imaging conveys basic knowledge about physical phaenomena used in imaging modalities. Particularly light microscopy, x-ray microscopy and computed tomography are covered. The effects of those technologies on biomedical samples (organs, tissue, cells) as well as the possibility of mathematical image processing and quantitative analysis are discussed.
Module Advances in Medical Physics & Imaging 9 ECTS
The module Advances in Medical Physics & Imaging provides topics for the enlargement of ones knowledge in regard to physical fundamentals, state-of-the-art technologies, as well as methods for image processing. Specialised knowledge is deepened via internships and exercises.
Module Project Biomedical Engineering 6 ECTS
The module Project Biomedical Engineering conveys practical experiences in the application of the acquired knowledge via an relevant research project in the field of biomedical engineering.
Module Free Electives max. 4.5 ECTS
The courses of free electives within this module serve to deepen the individual subject as well as to acquire skills and competences beyond their subject
Module Interdisciplinary Qualifications 4.5 ECTS
The courses of this module serve to acquire interdisciplinary qualifications such as: negotiation, presentation and communication technology, systematic research and planning, conflict management, teamwork and leadership, organization and management, business establishment and financing, understanding the legal environment, improvement of language skills.
§6 Courses
Courses provide a topic of each module.
A detailed specification of the courses for each module is included in the appendix. As laid down in the university law, courses will be assessed through examinations. Types of the Course evaluations are based on examination regulations (§ 7).
Each change of the courses of the modules will be documented as (appendix|evidence) in the modules and in the interim regulations. Each change will be published in the official bulletin of the technical university of vienna. (https://tiss.tuwien.ac.at/mbl/main/uebersicht?locale=en)
The currently valid evidence of the modules is available in our legal department.
§7 Examination Regulations
The diploma examination is the completion of the master program. It consists of:
a. the successfull completion of all the modules scheduled in the curriculum, whereas a module counts as successfully completed if the ascribed courses themselves are completed successfully according to the module description.
b. the writing of a diploma thesis that is graded positively
c. a diploma examination in front of the commission board. It is held orally in front of an examination senate in accordance with §12 and §19 of the part of the statute studyact regulations (“Studienrechtliche Bestimmungen”) of the Technical University Vienna and serves to present and defend the diploma work as well as to proof the mastery of the scientific environment. Hereby, the attention is put on comprehension and general overview knowledge. The advisor of the diploma thesis is part of the examination senate. The proof of mastery of the scientific environment is made in connection with two other subjects, which differ from the subject of the diploma work, but are related to it. These two subjects are determined by the governing body responsible for study matters following a suggestion from the student. The examination senate has to decide on a grade for the final examination. The criteria for applying to the examination before the commission board in accordance with §18 Par. 1 of the part of the statute studyact regulations (“Studienrechtliche Bestimmungen”) of the Technical University of Vienna are fullfilled, if requirement a. and b. are fullfilled.
The diploma certificate contains
a. the examination subjects, including their extent in ECTS and the grades,
b. the topic of the diploma work,
c. the grade of the subject “diploma work”
d. an general grade basing on the grade stated in a) and c) in accordance with § 73 par. 3 UG 2002, as well as an overall grade.
e. the chosen emphasis corresponding to on of the four emphases: Biomaterials & Biomechanics, Biomedical Signals &
Instrumentation, Mathematical & Computational Biology, Medical Physics & Imaging, and
f. the text “part of the subjects have been attended and graded in course of a (two, …) semester abroad”, in case one or more semesters have been spent abroad and attended subjects have been recognized by the Technical University of Vienna.
The grade of a subject is determined via averaging of the grades of those subjects assigned to this examination subject by the contained modules, whereas the grades are weighted according to their ECTS-extent. If the decimal place is lower than 0,5 it is being rounded down, otherwise up. The overall grade is determined analogous to the examination subjects via weighted averaging of the grades of all subjects assigned to this program, as well as the grades of the diploma thesis and the final examination.
Courses of the type VO (lectures) are being assessed based on a final oral and/or written exam. Other courses have immanent examination character, meaning that the grading bases on a continuous control of success and optionally an additional final partial examination.
The positive completion of an exam is to be asses with “very good” (1), “good” (2), “satisfactory” (3) or “adequate” (4), fails shall be graded as “inadequate” (5). To obtain a positive grade, not less than half of the attainable points have to be achieved, respectively at least half of the given questions sorted by degree of difficulty have to be answered correctly.
§9 Diploma thesis
The diploma thesis is a scientific dissertation which serves to prove the students ability to independently work on a scientific topic in a reasonable manner concerning content and methods. The examination subject “Diploma Thesis” consists of the scientific dissertation and the general examination in front of the commission and is equivalent to 30 ECTS, whereas the examination is worth 3 ECTS.
The topic of the diploma thesis can be choosen freely by the student, but has to be consistent with the qualification profile.
The diploma work integrates both project management and corresponding documentation. The documentation can be held in English or, in agreement with the advisor and the governing body responsible for study matters, in another foreign language.
§ 10 Akademic Degree
The graduates of the master program Biomedical Engineering are awarded the academic degree “„Diplom-Ingenieur“/“Diplom-Ingenieurin“ – short „Dipl.-Ing.“ or „DI“ (internationally comparable with “Master of Science”)
§ 11 Integrated Quality Management
The integrated quality management ensures that the curriculum of the Master’s program in Biomedical Engineering is designed consistently, efficiently handled and regularly reviewed and monitored. To assure the relevance and actuality of the curriculum and of the individual courses over time, appropriate measures are provided. The governing body responsible for study law and the study commission are responsible for the definition and monitoring of these measures.
The course evaluation on basis of each semester, as well as individual feedback on the academic program to the governing body responsible for study law, provides an overall picture of the progress of the curriculum, at least for the required courses, for all involved people. In particular, critical courses can thus be identified and in coordination between governing body responsible for study law, study commission and lecturer adequate adaptation measures can be derived and implemented.
The curriculum undergoes a monitoring of the study commission in a three year cycle, including scientific aspects, taking into account external factors and reviewing the amount of work to identify potential improvements and to ensure the actuality of the curriculum.
The governing body responsible for study law concludes a service level agreement with all lecturers of compulsory courses, in which the content of the course units, the timing, the composition of the ECTS-Credits load and the mode of examination are determined.
There is an own module coordinator for each module, who is responsible for the substantive consistency and quality of the courses assigned to the module. This is ensured in particular by cyclic controls, content fine tuning with preceding and subsequent modules as well as by comparison with analogous courses or modules from other universities at home and abroad.
Students who have declared themselves as working, can make a special arrangement with the lecturer for courses with continuous assessment (EX, UE, LU, PR, VU, SE), concerning the attendance of the course and the mode of examination, before the start of the course.
On a proposal of a student / the students and in agreement with the governing body responsible for study law, the competent Study Commission(s) can (together can) install one or two ombudspersons. In case of problems (e.g. insufficient number of examination dates), students can apply these ombudspersons, who then will act as a mediator between the students and the affected lecturer. If no amicable solution can be found, the governing body responsible for study law will take appropriate actions.
§ 12 Coming into Effect
The study plan comes into effect on October 1st 2013.
§ 13 Transfer Terms
The transfer terms are accounced separately in the “Mitteilungsblatt” and can be looked at in the dean’s office of the faculties of Civil engineering, electrical engineering and information technology, computer science, Mechanical and Industrial Sciences, Mathematics and Geoinformation, Physics, and Technical Chemistry.