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Master's Programme in Health Technology and Informatics, Biomedical Sciences and Engineering Tampere University
Introduction
Biomedical Sciences and Engineering combine 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 program 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, or 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 foster close collaboration between engineering professionals, life scientists, and clinicians, and therefore provide optimal exposure for the students taking part in the degree program. Our excellent basic and translational (from laboratory to clinic) research is recognized worldwide. When applying to the program, you may choose from the following options: Health Technology and Informatics, Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, or Biomedical Micro- and Nanodevices.
Admissions
Curriculum
Study contents
Education in the Master’s Programme in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering is based on freedom coupled with personal responsibility. The program is organized into modules, which partly include optional components so the degree can be customized to suit your needs. The program is organized in this way to bring out the best in each individual. The courses include but are not limited to, traditional lectures, group work, presentations, laboratory practice, and a small research project.
Students joining the program will first undertake common core studies. The courses of the common core studies ensure that you will possess adequate basic knowledge of biomedical sciences and biomedical engineering before starting your major studies. The common core studies will also include an introduction to graduate studies in Finland and the Finnish language.
When applying to the program, you will need to choose the major, and apply directly to the study option corresponding to the chosen major. You have the possibility to choose one of the following majors:
- Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
- Biomedical Micro- and Nanodevices
- Health Technology and Informatics
If you choose Health Technology and Informatics, the study option to be chosen is called: Health Technology and Informatics, Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Master of Science (Technology).
Through the courses in the major Health Technology and Informatics, you will be able to apply engineering expertise to the design of devices, systems, algorithms, software, models, methods, or processes for health technology and informatics solutions applied to health and wellness. You will also develop an understanding of the biological and biophysical principles of human physiology and be able to apply engineering skills to the measurement, imaging, or information processing of physiological systems.
No minor subject studies are required since the major subject studies count for at least 50 credits. Instead, you will have the freedom to either choose elective courses of your choice or any offered minor. You can freely choose your elective studies or minor from Tampere University or other universities. 30 credits are granted upon completion of the Master’s thesis. The Master’s thesis research project is tailored according to your career plan. It can either pave the road to an academic career or prepare me to work in industry or in hospitals.
Students who begin their studies in the Master’s Programme in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering may be required to complete complementary studies depending on their BSc degree. With the complementary studies, students will update 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 in the major subjects may be required. In general, complementary studies are included in the master's degree.
Structure of studies
The Master’s Programme in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering is a two-year program, and it requires full-time studies.
Program Outcome
The Master’s Programme in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering offers you an international and multidisciplinary environment to learn from the extensive expertise of worldwide recognized scientists at the faculty. This will ensure you an up-to-date transfer of knowledge – from the fundamental to the applied and from core biomedical engineering to modern biology – on a broad range of topics pertaining to applications of engineering in health and well-being.
The program is closely organized with BioMediTech. BioMediTech is an institute that combines unique engineering skills and strong life sciences expertise. The aim of the institute is to create new platforms for discovery and innovation. This close collaboration with the BioMediTech institute also optimizes the connection with the Tampere University Hospital. This ensures active interaction between engineers, life scientists as well as clinicians, and thus provides optimal exposure for you taking part in the Master’s Programme in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering. The excellent basic and translational (from laboratory to clinic) research performed at Tampere University is recognized worldwide. This reputation has been strengthened along with the Body-on-Chip Center of Excellence by the Academy of Finland.
Today, people are in need of more efficient and cost-effective implants, devices as well as health informatics solutions. The biomedical engineering industry is an increasingly important high-technology area worldwide. In Finland, the health tech sector of the industry is especially strong (see Healthtech Finland). With the emergence of numerous small enterprises, the Biomedical Sciences and Engineering fields are rapidly expanding. This gives broad career perspectives for graduating students, including great possibilities for the entrepreneurs at heart to initiate start-ups. Additionally, education interacts closely with research, which provides an excellent basis to continue toward a Ph.D.
The major Health Technology and Informatics focus on the core area of the present-day biomedical engineering industry. It covers the areas of well-being and medical solutions from consumer health products such as heart rate monitors and other wearable sensors to clinical applications such as anesthesia monitors, imaging, and treatment delivery systems. In addition, information systems for personal health monitoring, hospital management, and patient health records are important application areas. The major provides expertise in the design of complex biomedical instrumentation and informatics systems. The major has two specialization paths: health technology, focusing more on design and the development of instrumentation, and imaging systems and health informatics, focusing on the development of information systems for medical data applications from electronic health record systems to personalized health solutions.
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.
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Career Opportunities
Students graduating from the Master’s Programme in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering will have versatile career opportunities in multidisciplinary tasks. The program will educate experts for the future with the ability of lifelong learning.
Graduates will find employment opportunities in Finnish, European, and global health tech companies. In general, the health tech industry is one of the most export-driven industries. Thus, there is also a need for international graduates. Alternatively, graduates can also embark on a career in academia and continue toward a Ph.D. The possibilities for Ph.D. studies are not only applicable in Finland but also worldwide, thanks to the extensive network of collaborators at the faculty. The healthcare service industry from university hospitals to private clinics is one significant employer. There is also an increasing need for new talented engineers and researchers to work in the public sector or in 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 possibilities for those interested in becoming entrepreneurs.
Students graduating with a major in Health Technology and Informatics are employed by companies making medical and health promotion devices and information technology solutions. In addition, employment opportunities are provided by various healthcare providers from the public and private sectors as well as national and EU shareholders working on regulations regarding medical devices and applications.