Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical engineering involves the employment of technology in healthcare and medicine. Technology plays a key role in prevention, diagnosis, therapy, rehabilitation and care. The curriculum of Biomedical Engineering consists of a combination of electrical, mechanical and chemical engineering, physics and business technology, applied in health and healthcare problems. The study costs five years to students, from which the bachelor takes three years and the master two. Biomedical Engineers will work in health care, medical companies and research & development. The goal of Biomedical Engineers is to do research, translate medical problems into products, services and processes and evaluate the solutions for improvements. Biomedical Engineers are also able to work in the financial business and other management areas, because they have a multidisciplinary background and analytical way of thinking. Biomedical engineering is divided in three master tracks: Molecular, Cellular & Tissue Engineering, Human Function Technology and Health Care Technology.

Molecular, Cellular & Tissue Engineering

The master track molecular, cellular & tissue engineering concerns research and development of new materials and tissues for artificial organs, artificial blood vessels and of replacements for skin, cartilage and bone. The central issue of this track is the understanding, diagnosing and manipulation of the underlying molecular and cellular processes.

Human Function Technology

The master track human function technology is based on technology for research, development and design of diagnostics, therapy and rehabilitation. The track zooms especially on analysis of failing functions of the human body and design of medical aids for support or rehabilitation. Advanced techniques for treatment are handled by analytical and imaging techniques of signals for clinical diagnostics.

Health Care Technology

The master track health care technology intends improvement of efficiency and effectiveness of health care processes with use of technological applications. It concerns intramural, transmural and home based health care processes. At the same time the track aims at applications to conserve the quality of life.

Technical Medicine

The study Technical Medicine takes six years, from which three years bachelor and three years master. During these six years technical and medical insights are combined. The medical side of the study points at a good understanding of the clinical picture for which high quality technology has the most to offer. It concerns not infections, but, for example, the anatomy of bones, muscles, blood vessels and the nervous system. It concerns not psychological disorders, but all aspects of the blood circulation, signal transport and the motor system. On the technical side the focus is always in relation to the medical reality. The accent lies not on fabricate of the apparatus, but on which design or technology leads to an earlier or more exact diagnosis, or at least to a more effective treatment, with less side-effects for the patient. Medical technologists will understand the patient as well as the technology. They understand, for example, the pulsating heart muscle as well as the most advanced way of measuring, or influencing, the electric signals in that muscle. They also understand the anatomy of the body as well as computer programs which help to identify small tumors via MRI, PET and/or CAT scans. The medical technologists will be able to bridge the cap between the physicians and the engineers. As a technician, they understand what the medical doctor is asking and why; as a physician they know why certain options are within the technical boundaries, and others are not. The study program of technical medicine contains three different master tracks, Robotics & Imaging, Medical Signaling and Tissue Reconstruction.

Robotics & Imaging

The master track robotics & imaging is focused on the importance of imaging techniques and the application of these techniques during diagnosis and treatment. Because technical physicians understand the underlying principles of the imaging technologies as well as human anatomy and physiology, they will capable of analyze, position, segment and manipulate the resulting images.

Medical Signaling

The master track medical signaling is orientated towards processing, analyzing, and interpreting signals derived from measurements of body processes. This may result in optimal diagnosis, improved body function monitoring, evaluation of treatment of disturbances of internal and motor-sensory functions and steering of body functions. The technical physician will be competent in using various modalities for treatment of disturbed body functions, for example implants, biochips or other means of electrical and mechanical stimulation.

Tissue Reconstruction

The mastertrack Reconstructive Medicine is specialized in techniques to acquire, process and conserve cell and tissue specimens. Recovery of damaged or lost organs by artificial tissues and the application of this technique is an important part of this sub specialization. Treatment of burns, research on applications of bloodcells and bloodreplacing products, treatment of diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer disease and reconstructive oral and dental surgery with bone and tissue replacements are some examples. Technical physicians have knowledge about cellular and tissue technology, nanotechnology, application of biochips, 3D imaging and minimal invasive surgery.

Study Association Paradoks

S.V. Paradoks is the independent study association for Biomedical Engineering en Technical medicine students of the University Twente. Our main goal is to create an atmosphere in which our members can meet companies, specialist and scientists, other students and enable them to expand their horizon. Another important role is to evaluate and guard the quality of the education of both studies by regular contact with the education staff and their directors. The association has approximately 1000 members and a fulltime board of 6 persons. Although the majority of our members is known with Paradoks because of our discount book service, free coffee and excursions and workshops, we have a very active group of about 160 students who join one of our 37 committees. The most prestigious and independent committee is the study tour committee, who has their own foundation and office. S.V. Paradoks believes participating in this study tour, working on a case study and finally going to Japan is one of the best ways to broaden your horizon as a student. For that reason we deeply thank the committee who voluntarily organize this 3 week tour through Japan and put their effort and energy for almost a whole year in this project.