The focus of Life Sciences is on the understanding and discovery of fundamentals in biological and biomedical sciences. In contrast, the focus of Biomedical Engineering is in providing solutions to problems related to human health. As a result, biomedical engineer relies on not only biology and medicine, but also engineering, physics, computer science, and other disciplines to develop, deliver, and innovate new tools, methods, devices, or treatments that advance human health.

The Biomedical Engineering Department of the Faculty of Engineering, NUS, was founded in 2001, with a mission to contribute to manpower development in the Biomedical Sciences through the establishment of a world-class educational and research programme. Our department offers a major and a minor programme to students interested in combining biomedicine-based research with cutting-edge engineering technology, entrepreneurial activities, or clinical applications.

A Biomedical Engineering education aims to train engineers who can analyze problems from an engineering and biomedical sciences perspectives, with a key focus on delivering solutions that address the needs of the stake holders, and that are practical and effective. Our curriculum therefore seeks to educate students with fundamentals and methodologies from electrical, mechanical, chemical, and materials engineering, as applicable to biomedical problems. The study of Biomedical Engineering gives students a solid foundation and the versatility to solve complex problems related to human health.

Our graduates have been well-placed in many organizations, from R&D positions in biotechnology, biomedical device, pharmaceutical companies, to business and management positions in MNCs or start-ups, to hospitals or government agencies, and academic research positions in research institutes and universities. Our biomedical engineering graduates have also entered graduate program in medicine such as at Duke-NUS.

No, biology is not required.

Yes, Physics is not a requirement for admissions. Applicants without Physics and/or Chemistry should read the Physics and/or Chemistry bridging courses if admitted.

The Singapore government has already invested significantly to grow the biomedical sector in our economy. As our society ages and the burden on healthcare increases, relevant industries such as medical technology (MedTech), pharmaceutical and biotech industries become increasingly important and relevant. Your multidisciplinary training as a biomedical engineer allows you to solve complex engineering problems and manage systems integration in these biomedical industries in a manner where skills set from a traditional single discipline may not be as effective. Our curriculum also trains you in the regulatory of medical devices for roles in regulatory affairs in MedTech industry. This is an expertise unique to BME. Furthermore, we are also constantly updating our curriculum to equip you in new emerging areas like Machine Learning, AI in Healthcare, Digital Health and Gerontechnology. These new areas are not commonly found in BME degree programmes globally and certainly not other BME programmes in Singapore. Our commitment to future-proof our graduates for emerging economies like digital health and silver economy would ensure that our BME graduates remain in high demand in the future, not just in Singapore but also globally.

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