Program Overview

Program Concept and Goals

The Biomedical Engineering program at RWTH Aachen University is an interdisciplinary course of study that offers in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge of natural sciences, medicine, and engineering. The program takes full advantage of the stimulating environment at RWTH Aachen University, one of the leading technological universities in Europe. Under the leadership of the Faculty of Medicine, four different institutions have joined forces to provide this interdisciplinary high-level program:

• Faculty of Medicine
• Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Sciences and Natural Sciences
• Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
• Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology

All modules are taught in English and carried out as lectures, seminars, exercises, and practical courses.

Program Details

• Degree: Biomedical Engineering (M.Sc.)
• Duration: 4 semesters (2 years) including 120 credits ECTS
• Starting Date: only October (winter semester)
• Full-time: Only full-time study of Biomedical Engineering allowed at RWTH Aachen University. No other parallel study, e.g., parallel bachelor or master programs at RWTH Aachen, is allowed.
• Language: English

Goals and Emphases

Biomedical Engineering is a dynamic multidisciplinary scientific field that combines Medicine, Engineering, and Natural Science as Biology, Physics, and Chemistry. The goal of Biomedical Engineering is to solve human health problems through advances in early detection, diagnosis, therapy, and prevention of diseases.

The goal of this research-oriented Biomedical Engineering (BME) program is to educate students in related fields of Mathematics, Engineering, Medicine, and natural sciences. Students will be trained in theoretical as well as practical knowledge and methods not only to solve technical and scientific problems but also to question critically the conception thereof and to handle and document complex problems in research and development themselves. It will enable them to work in research or development and provides the foundation for a later PhD.

Our international academic environment enables students to get hands-on international, intercultural academic work experience, giving them the opportunity to further develop their soft skills in small groups with, in most modules, not more than 30 students.

The courses of study convey professional expertise in highly sophisticated areas with four emphases that reflect the characteristic Aachen profile in medical research and development (called “Aachener Profil”).

Emphases

1. Medical Imaging:
   • Including the modules Medical Imaging, Image Guided Therapy and Theranostics, and Image Processing and Handling.
   • In this track, the students learn:
     • to visualize and understand biological processes in cells and humans
     • to impart understanding and knowledge of the basic physics of medical imaging
     • to impart relevant methods and medical imaging devices such as MRI, PET, SPECT, ultrasound, and micro-computed tomography
     • to impart relevant methods and devices of Image Guided Therapy, Navigation & Robotics
     • to address current and future R&D trends and to foster an understanding of how to implement and conduct research projects
     • to provide an estimation of current status, to train analysis and specification of further demand in engineering solutions
     • to provide a first orientation in assessing the structures and functions of the human body by using imaging methods
     • to understand principles, importance, and needs for disease-specific imaging and to know theranostic concepts.
2. Tissue Engineering:
   • Including the module Cell Culture and Tissue Engineering.
   • In this track, the students learn:
     • basics of embryology
     • origin of tissues and cells, cell and tissue harvest, growth in culture, and manipulation
     • selection, processing, testing, and performance of materials (including artificial components) used in biomedical applications with special emphasis upon tissue engineering
     • cell-material interactions and interfaces
     • examples of engineering tissues for replacing cartilage, bone, nerve tissue, and cardiac tissue
     • algorithmic aspects of systems biology as:
       • mechanistic modeling of biological systems using stochastic and deterministic methods: concepts, model development, simulation, and validation techniques.
       • methods to analyze large-scale dynamics of biological systems
     • applications of systems biology as:
       • multiple cellular processes; computation examples of existing genome-scale models; modeling of genotype-phenotype relationship.
       • modeling of cellular systems, modeling of diseases using population dynamics, modeling of organs with compartment models.
3. Materials Science:
   • Including the modules Materials Science and Processing and Advanced Biomaterials – Hard Tissue Implants and Protheses & 3D Bioprinting
   • In this track, students learn:
     • structural conditions, material properties, processing, and joining as well as test methods of metallic, ceramic, polymeric, and textile materials.
     • biocompatibility: inflammation, wound healing, cytotoxicity.
     • biomedical materials: applications and research focus of metallic, ceramic, polymeric, textile as well as functionalized materials and nanomaterials.
     • calculation for the characterization of metals, ceramics, polymers, and yarn production
     • presentation of textile machinery for the production of biomedical implants
     • applications and properties of implants for hard tissue replacement
     • bioinert vs. bioactive hard tissue implants
     • functionalization of implant surfaces
     • potential of bioactive calcium phosphates
     • biomimetic approaches for innovative hard tissue implants and prostheses.
     • hydrogel-based 3D printing techniques
     • hydrogels and hydrogel blends
     • cellular behavior of 3D printed cells
     • angiogenesis in 3D printed constructs
     • effect of printing-related shear stress on embedded cells.
4. Artificial Organs/Devices:
   • Including the module Artificial Organs with focus on Heart, Kidney, Lung, and Liver.
   • In this track, the students learn:
     • clinical physiology of kidney, liver, heart, and lung, their pathophysiological background, and clinical indication
     • the employment of heart-lung assist devices for both short and long-term therapies
     • the different types and functions of membrane lungs (oxygenators) and their membrane properties
     • various types of blood pumps
     • extracorporeal support systems for kidney and liver support including membrane-technology and mass-transfer procedures involved in extracorporeal circulations.
     • current devices of non-cell-based liver dialysis systems, as well as cell-based liver support therapeutic systems.

Each of these tracks prepares students for specific roles in research, development, and application of biomedical engineering technologies, equipping them with a broad range of skills and knowledge to tackle complex health problems and develop innovative solutions.