Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Biomedical Micro- and Nanodevices
Biomedical Sciences and Engineering combines engineering with life sciences
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 familar 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 foster close collaboration between engineering professionals, life scientists and clinicians, and therefore provide optimal exposure for the students taking part in the degree programme. Our excellent basic and translational (from laboratory to clinic) research is recognised worldwide. While applying to the programme, you may choose one of the following options: Health Technology and Informatics, Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, or Biomedical Micro- and Nanodevices.
Type
Degree earned
Planned duration
Extent of studies
City
Campus
Tuition fee for non-EU/EEA citizens
Link to scholarship programme
The Master’s Degree Programme in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering offers you an international and multidisciplinary environment to learn from the extensive expertise of worldwide recognised 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 programme is closely organized with BioMediTech. BioMediTech is an institute that combines the unique engineering skills and the strong life sciences expertise. The aim of the institute is to create new platforms for discovery and innovations. This close collaboration with the BioMediTech institute also optimises 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 MSc Degree Programme in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering. The excellent basic and translational (from laboratory to clinic) research performed at Tampere University is recognised worldwide. This reputation has been strengthen along 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 http://healthtech.teknologiateollisuus.fi/). 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, the education interacts closely with research, which provides excellent basis to continue towards a PhD.
The major Biomedical Micro- and Nanodevices focuses on micro- and nanoscale devices and systems such as microsensors, microactuators, microrobotics, microfluidics, micro-optics as well as wireless signal and power transfer technologies. Organ-on-chip type in vitro devices provide a novel approach for developing new medicines, understanding disease mechanisms and studying toxicological effects of chemical compounds. These can only be achieved with advanced technologies such as microfluidics, micro- and biosensors, microscopy, actuators and advanced biomaterials.
Miniaturisation has been one of the important technological megatrends in the past decades. As a result, not only microprocessors but also sensors and actuators have become a part of our everyday life. This major provides you a strong background for working on these novel fields of technology and particularly utilising them in biomedical applications. The major will cover micro- and nanoscale devices and systems such as microsensors, microactuators, microrobotics, microfluidics, micro-optics as well as wireless signal and power transfer technologies.
The official language of the programme is English, meaning that all the courses, exams and student services are arranged in English. Consequently, proficiency in both written and spoken English is an absolute prerequisite. Students are required to submit an approved certificate of their language proficiency when applying for admission. In addition, a Finnish course is compulsory part of the degree. It provides a basic knowledge of Finnish for everyday use and a brief introduction to Finnish culture.
Education in the Degree Programme in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering is based on freedom coupled with personal responsibility. The programme is organised into modules, which partly include optional components so the degree can be customised to suit your needs. The programme is organised in this way to bring out the best of each individual. The courses include, but are not limited to, traditional lectures, group work, presentation, laboratory practice, and a small research project.
Students joining the programme will first undertake common core studies. The courses of the common core studies ensure that you will possess an 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 Finnish language.
When applying to the programme, 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 Biomedical Micro- and Nanodevices, the study option to be chosen is called: Biomedical Micro- and Nanodevices, Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Master of Science (Technology).
Through the courses in the major Biomedical Micro- and Nanodevices you will learn to design, model, simulate, test and apply microsensors, microactuators, microfluidic and soft-robotic structures and understands their physical principles and the specifications of corresponding commercial products. You will also learn how to combine microfabrication techniques with biomedical engineering for biomedical applications such as cell technologies.
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 their 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 to work in industry or in hospitals.
Students who begin their studies in the Degree 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 of the major subjects may be required. In general, the complementary studies are included in the master's degree.
The tuition fee of the programme is 12 000 euros per academic year for non-EU/EEA students with a scholarship system for fee-paying students. For more information, please see Tuition Fees and Scholarships.
The Degree Programme in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering is a two-year programme, and it requires full-time studies. For more information, please see the Curriculum.
Students graduating from the Master’s Degree Programme in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering will have versatile career opportunities in multidisciplinary tasks. The programme will educate experts for the future with the ability of lifelong learning.
Graduates will find employment opportunities in the Finnish, European and global health tech companies (Finnish health tech: http://healthtech.teknologiateollisuus.fi/en/members). 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 towards a PhD. The possibilities for PhD studies are not only applicable in Finland, but also worldwide, thanks to the extensive network of collaborators at the faculty. The health care service industry from university hospitals to private clinics is one significant employer. There is also an increasing need of 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.?
The major in Biomedical Micro- and Nanodevices gives competitive skills to work in both academy and industry on biomedical and life science areas, but also on fields focused on micromanufacturing. This major provides a good background for postgraduate studies aiming at a doctoral degree, which is highly valued in technology industries nowadays.
In addition to studies in one’s own degree programme, students may take full advantage of the teaching offered by the Tampere higher education community ranging from technical to vocational studies in various fields.
Carefully read through the general eligibility criteria and the programme-specific eligibility criteria and see whether you meet them. For additional questions on applying, application documents and application process, please contact our Admissions office. For questions regarding the content of the programme, please contact masters_bmse@tut.fi.
Eligibility criteria in the Master's degree programmes consist of two parts: Tampere University's general eligibility criteria, and programme-specific eligibility criteria, which specify and/or add information to the general criteria. You must meet both to be considered eligible. Applicants who do not meet both the general eligibility and the programme-specific admission criteria will not be selected.
General eligibility criteria:
To be eligible to apply for a Master’s degree programme at Tampere University, you must have
• a completed university level Bachelor's degree or equivalent in the field of the desired Master's degree programme or in a closely related subject AND
• a good command of English for academic purposes. For more information, please see Language requirements.
A Bachelor’s degree completed in a university outside Finland must provide eligibility to university-level master’s degree studies in the country in question.
It is not possible to apply to a Master’s programme based on a Master’s degree. The only exceptions are the one-tier degree programmes where the first cycle degree is not compulsory and the so-called long cycle degrees.
Applicants who are in the final year of their Bachelor's degree
You are eligible to apply in the final year of your Bachelor’s degree if the degree will be completed and you are able to send an officially certified copy of the degree certificate and final transcript of records by post by the given deadline (around end of July, exact date to be given later). In this case, you can be admitted to a Master's programme conditionally. If you do not submit an officially certified copy of your degree certificate to Tampere University by the given deadline, your conditional admission will expire.
Programme-specific eligibility criteria:
Each Master's degree programme can define more detailed eligibility criteria including, for example, more specific requirements of the applicant's previous education. These criteria will be decided and published yearly for the following application round.
The previous degree should be from a field closely related to the Master's programme you are applying to. In the Master’s programme in Biomedical Micro- and Nanodevices the previous degree has to be in one of the following (or highly related) fields: biomedical engineering, microtechnology, electrical engineering, physics, mechatronics or other discipline related to the major. It would be beneficial (but not mandatory) for students with physics, electrical engineering, mechatronics or microtechnology background to have undertaken some studies in biological sciences/biomedical engineering during their bachelor's studies. All student must have sufficient skill on mathematics and physics, and basic understanding of engineering and material sciences.
For applicants who have completed their degree in a University of Applied Sciences (AMK) or a University in Finland the required minimum CGPA is the same as in the admission to the Master’s degree programmes offered in Finnish:
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Minimum GPA for bachelor's degree completed in a Finnish University of Applied Sciences (AMK) |
Minimum GPA for bachelor's degrees completed in a Finnish university (yliopisto) |
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3,5/5 |
3,0/5 |
You must submit evidence on a good command of English for academic purposes. There are two ways of indicating English language proficiency: language tests and previous studies.
English language tests
The minimum English language test result requirements:
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IELTS Academic |
TOEFL |
PTE Academic |
CAE/CPE |
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6,5 |
iBT: 92 paper-based: 580 |
62 |
C1 Advanced/CAE: C |
Previous studies
In the Tampere University Master’s programmes it is possible to be exempted from submitting a language test score if you completed your secondary education and/or have taken a higher education degree in English in Finland or other EU/EEA country, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom, or the United States. You must have resided in the country while studying.
An exchange study period or degree studies at a Finnish university (yliopisto) with course studies taught in English (a minimum of 15 credits) with a weighted GPA of at least 3/5. The courses must be completed by the application deadline. Please note that the exemption is not automatic, and therefore the only certain way of making sure you pass the language requirements is to take one of the official language tests.
A maximum of 30 students are admitted into the Biomedical Sciences and Engineering programme. The programme includes the following tracks:
- Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
- Biomedical Micro- and Nanodevices
- Health Technology and Informatics
Students are selected to the programme from those applicants who fulfil the official eligibility criteria. Candidates for admission should be well qualified and capable of benefiting from the study programme in question.
The student selection is made by an admissions committee based on the academic qualifications and merits shown in the application documents. Please note that not all applicants fulfilling the requirements can be admitted.
Applicants for a second Master’s degree may be admitted only under special provision and only if they are able to show that the courses that count towards a degree at Tampere University provide the applicant with genuinely new knowledge and skills.
Students admitted to a Master’s degree programme may be required to complement their earlier degree with complementary studies. All students with a Finnish University of Applied Sciences (AMK) degree are required to complete a study package which generally includes courses in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry depending on the student's background. For more information on the complementary studies, please contact the academic coordinator of the degree programme.
Applicants are ranked based on the admission points they receive for previous qualifications, English language skills and other relevant factors that support the application.
Admission points (maximum 100 points) are given in the following categories:
- Previous qualifications maximum 60 points
- English language skills maximum 10 points:
- 5 points: e.g. TOEFL 92 / IELTS 6,5
- 10 points: e.g. TOEFL 103 or higher / IELTS 7,5 or higher
- Other relevant factors that support the application maximum 30 points
- CV/Résumé and the motivation letter submitted with the application constitute the basis of admission points given in this category.
Application step-by-step
- Check the admission criteria
- Start preparing your application documents as early as possible!
- If required book a time for the language test
- Fill in the online application at Studyinfo.fi during the application period and upload required enclosures for the application
- Send the officially certified copies of your educational documents by post to Tampere University Admissions Office by 30 January 2019. The documents must reach the University by the given deadline.
- Wait for the admission results
- Accept the offer of admission by the given deadline
- Pay the tuition fee, if required
- Register as a student and join the Tampere University community!
Application process in detail
Select the Master's degree programme you wish to apply to. Carefully read the general eligibility criteria and programme-specific eligibility criteria and see whether you meet them. Applicants who do not meet the general and programme-specific eligibility criteria will not be selected.
Check which application documents you are required to submit and make sure to obtain them in time. Remember to check if there are any country-specific requirements for your documents. Please note that some documents may be required to be sent separately by a third party. Make sure these documents are also delivered in time.
When applying to the Master’s programmes you usually must demonstrate your proficiency in English with an internationally recognised academic language test report. We advise all 2019 applicants needing an international language test score to book for a test date well in advance, as test dates are filling up fast in the autumn and it may take several weeks for the test result to reach Tampere University.
Application documents
Online application form
The online application form will be available during the application period only at Studyinfo.fi. The application period starts 4 December 2018 at 8:00 am and ends 23 January 2019 at 3:00 pm (GMT +2).
Required enclosures
Some application enclosures are the same in all Tampere University Master’s programmes while some include programme-specific enclosures.
You will need to upload all application documents online at Studyinfo.fi. In addition to uploading the application documents on the application, you must submit the officially certified copies of your educational documents to Tampere University Admissions Office by post by 30 January 2019.
You can find the list of the required enclosures and further instructions on the Application documents webpage.
Country-specific requirements for application documents
Applicants whose degrees have been awarded in certain countries need to pay special attention to the documentation before submitting it. In addition to the standard document requirements, educational documents from certain countries must be submitted in a particular way. Note that the degree awarding country may be a different one from the country where the studies are taken. These country-specific requirements must always be followed first and foremost, prior to any regular requirements for attesting documents.
More information on the country-specific requirement for educational documents.
Admissions results will be announced by early April 2019. All applicants will be informed of the admissions results.
Please see Tampere University's general instructions concerning rectification procedure.