MSc in
Master's Programme in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Biomedical Sciences and Engineering Tampere University
Introduction
Biomedical Sciences and Engineering combines engineering with life sciences
People's need for more tailored and cost-efficient implants, devices and health informatics solutions is growing.
The biomedical engineering industry is an increasingly important, global high-tech sector. In Finland, the HealthTech industry is especially strong. With the emergence of numerous small enterprises, the fields of biomedical sciences and engineering are rapidly expanding and offer diverse career options. This programme provides you with a solid understanding of the challenges related to biomedical and health sciences. You will become familiar with advanced technologies at the interface between engineering and health sciences and have the ability to develop innovative solutions to solve these challenges. You will be able to demonstrate critical thinking and professionalism and pursue a career in industry, a hospital or continue your studies towards a doctoral degree. You may also be a natural-born entrepreneur and launch your own start-up.
We maintain close ties with engineering professionals, life scientists and clinicians, and therefore provide optimal exposure for our students. We enjoy an international reputation for our excellent fundamental and translational (from laboratory to the clinic) research. When applying to the programme, you may choose from the following options: Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Health Technology and Informatics, or Biomedical Micro- and Nanodevices.
Admissions
Curriculum
Study contents
The Master's Programme in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering is based on freedom coupled with personal responsibility. The programme is organised into modules, which also include optional components that allow you to customise your degree to suit your needs. This is to bring out the best in each student. The studies include, for example, conventional lectures, group work, presentations, laboratory assignments, and a small research project.
Students who join the programme will first undertake common basic studies to ensure that they possess adequate basic knowledge of biomedical sciences and biomedical engineering before starting their major studies. The basic studies also include an introduction to graduate studies in Finland and the Finnish language.
When applying for admission to the programme, you need to choose a major and apply directly to the study option corresponding to your chosen major. You can choose one of the following majors:
- Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
- Biomedical Micro- and Nanodevices
- Health Technology and Informatics
If you choose Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, the study option to be chosen is called: Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Master of Science (Technology).
The courses are available in the major Biomaterials and Tissue Engineeringshed light on the roles of cells, biomaterials, biophysical and chemical signals and growth factors in tissue engineering. You will also develop an understanding of the ethical and legal considerations of tissue-engineered products in clinical use.
No minor subject studies are required, as the major subject studies carry at least 50 credits. Instead, you have the freedom to either choose elective courses or any of the available minors. You can freely choose your elective studies or minor from the options offered by Tampere University or other universities. The master's thesis carries 30 credits. Your master’s thesis project is tailored according to your career plan. It can either pave your way to an academic career or prepare you to work in an industry or a hospital.
Students who enrol in the Master's Programme in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering may be required to take complementary studies depending on their BSc degree. With the complementary studies, students deepen their knowledge of mathematics, physics, economics, computer science and languages, so that their knowledge is at the level of a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. In addition, prerequisite courses may be required before starting your major studies. In general, complementary studies are counted towards your master's degree.
Structure of studies
The Master's Programme in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering may be completed in two years of full-time study.
Program Outcome
The Master’s Programme in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering offers you an international and multidisciplinary environment where you are taught by our faculty's internationally recognized scientists. This ensures you access to the latest knowledge – from fundamental to applied and from core biomedical engineering to modern biology – on a broad range of topics pertaining to the health and wellbeing applications of engineering.
The Master’s Programme is implemented in collaboration with BioMediTech. BioMediTech is an institute that combines a unique set of engineering skills with strong expertise in life sciences. The aim of the institute is to create new platforms for discovery and innovation. Our connection with BioMediTech also means close collaboration with Tampere University Hospital. This ensures active interaction between engineers, life scientists, and clinicians, and thus provides optimal exposure for students enrolled in the program. The excellent fundamental and translational (from laboratory to clinic) research performed at Tampere University is recognized worldwide. This reputation has been further strengthened by the Centre of Excellence in Body-on-Chip Research appointed by the Academy of Finland.
The need for more efficient and cost-effective implants, devices, and health informatics solutions is growing. The biomedical engineering industry is an increasingly important high-tech sector worldwide. In Finland, the health tech sector of the industry is especially strong. With the emergence of numerous small enterprises, the fields of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering are rapidly expanding. This ensures broad career options for our graduates and excellent opportunities for those who are keen to pursue entrepreneurship. In addition, our research is closely integrated with teaching, which provides an excellent foundation for our graduates who continue toward a Ph.D.
Students who select Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering as a major acquire a broad knowledge of biomaterials and tissue engineering and related fields, such as cell technologies, biophysics, and regenerative medicine. This expertise is essential for the development of several medical applications, such as implant design, disease modeling, and novel transplantation therapies aiming for tissue replacement or repair. The major explores different aspects of stem cell technology, scaffold design, and tissue functionality as well as clinical outcomes and regulations. Our students develop the expertise to become independent experts in industry or academia.
Scholarships and Funding
Tampere University tuition fee scholarships
Tampere University tuition fee scholarships awarded at admission cover 100% of the tuition fees for the program duration. The program duration is
- three years for Bachelor’s degrees
- two years for Master’s degrees
- five years if the study right is granted for both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree.
Finland Scholarship
Finland scholarships awarded by Tampere University are part of the national Finland Scholarship program. Applicants to Master's programs are eligible to apply. Finland scholarships are awarded at Tampere University to the most merited applicant in each Master's program.
Finland scholarships cover the program tuition fee for the first year of studies and include a 5000 € relocation grant, paid to the student's Finnish bank account after the student has arrived in Tampere and started studies at Tampere University.
In addition, Tampere University awards a Tampere University tuition fee scholarship for the second year of studies to all recipients of the Finland scholarship. The scholarship covers 100 % of tuition fees in the second year of studies.
Early bird offer
In addition to scholarships, an early bird offer is available at admission to all fee-paying students, excluding students who have been awarded a Tampere University tuition fee scholarship or a Finland scholarship at admission. The early bird offer gives a 50 % reduction on the program tuition fee during the first year of studies.
Students may take advantage of the early bird offer by accepting the offered study place and paying 50% of the first-year tuition fee within two weeks after receiving information on admission.
This offer is valid only for the first year of studies. During consecutive years of study, all fee-paying students are eligible to apply for Tampere University Scholarships awarded during studies.
Gallery
Career Opportunities
Students graduating from the Master’s Programme in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering have versatile and multidisciplinary career opportunities. The program educates experts for the future with the ability to pursue lifelong learning.
Our graduates have employment opportunities in Finnish, European, and global health tech companies. The health tech industry is one of the most export-driven industries and therefore needs international graduates. Alternatively, graduates can also embark on a career in academia and continue toward a Ph.D. Opportunities to pursue a Ph.D. are not only available in Finland but also worldwide, thanks to our faculty's extensive network of international collaborators. The healthcare service industry ranging from university hospitals to private clinics is one significant employer. There is also a growing need for new talented engineers and researchers to work in the public sector or governmental institutions (patent office, regulations of medical devices, for example). Lastly, in the past decade, a growing number of small companies and spin-offs have emerged, opening up ample opportunities to those interested in entrepreneurship.
Our students who major in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering go on to find employment in companies and research institutions or launch startups that produce biomaterials, for example, for orthopedic and dental use or develop solutions for regenerative medicine with the help of stem cell technology.