Academic year 2023/2024

INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA Degree Programme Profile

Basic Information

Qualification awarded

Master Degree in INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA

Qualification Type/Level

EHEA Second cycle, EQF level 7

Number of Years/credits

2 years; 120 ECTS

Mode of Study

Full-Time/Part-Time*

*All Degree Programmes are planned and organised for full-time students. It is possible, however (without special arrangements), to proceed through the course of study at one's own pace. This makes it possible, if necessary, to accommodate employment or other non-university activities or obligations.

Name of the Course Director and other contact information

President of the Degree Course Council:
Prof. ALESSANDRO TOGNETTI
Email alessandro.tognetti@unipi.it

Department of DIPARTIMENTO DI INGEGNERIA DELL'INFORMAZIONE

Internationalization Coordinator (CAI):
Prof. Luca Sanguinetti
Email luca.sanguinetti@unipi.it

Language of Teaching

Italian

Admission Requirements

Formal Requirements

Italian First cycle qualification (Laurea) or an equivalent foreign qualification in the same or related subject area, with possible extra work if required competences are lacking.

Possible assessment prior knowledge and competences

Assessment of competences acquired in First Cycle studies in related or un-related subject areas to determine admission by the Degree Programme Council with the possible assignment of extra work to be completed before admission.

Required knowledge and competences support programmes

Students whose curricula show lacuna may need to take extra first cycle course units before admission.

General Information

Programme Profile

The Master’s Degree Programme in Biomedical Engineering provides students with a multidisciplinary preparation in Biomedical Engineering.
It includes a profile based on biomechanical and biomaterial skills, which allows students to pursue several professional carriers in the fields of bioinspired systems, technologies for minimally invasive cardiosurgery and neurorehabilitation, bioartificial organs and tissue engineering.
A second profile is based on medical imaging, bioelectronics and bioinformatics knowledge, which allows students to approach professions that are aimed at developing biomedical instrumentation such as pacemakers and defibrillators, biosensors, medical imaging apparatus such as RX, TC, MRI, PET, etc., and model based simulators such as in insulin control and delivery.

Key Learning Outcomes

Master Graduate students in Biomedical Engineering will be able to demonstrate the following skills:
- Basic knowledge on ionizing and non-ionizing principles underlying medical imaging techniques.
- Advanced knowledge on bio mechatronics and biorobotic systems.
- Advanced knowledge on medical imaging, medical image processing and medical informatics fields.
- Advanced knowledge on bioelectronics and bioinstrumentation.
- Advanced knowledge on tissue engineering.
- Advanced knowledge on biomolecular and cellular engineering.
- Ability in the construction of bioreactors for tissue engineering.
- Ability on using finite element software tools for computer modelling and analysis.

Occupational Profile/s of Graduates

The Master Graduate student in Biomedical Engineering has an interdisciplinary preparation in two important areas of biomedical engineering. One Biomedical Engineering profile ranges from biomechanical to tissue engineering, while the other ranges from medical imaging to bioelectronics. Both profiles are supported by a basic knowledge on physiology and biochemistry. Such wide preparation allows Biomedical Engineers to exploit important and innovative occupational profiles in the fields of private or public health services as well as in the manufactural companies that produce biomedical products.

Access to further study

The Master’s degree in BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING allows the graduate to compete for entry into a Third Cycle programme/doctoral school.

Assessment methods, examination regulations, and grading

Assessment is normally by means of an oral or written examination; in some cases there are intermediate exams during the course; other elements (participation in discussion, written or oral reports, commentary of texts etc. ) are foreseen in specific course units and are described in the Course Unit Profiles.
The grading system for the course units consists of 30 possible points, plus 'lode' (cum laude) in case of excellence. Marks are given by the lecturer based on the performance as ascertained in a public examination by a board of at least two teachers. The main exam sessions are held in June/July; September; and January; students may resit exams**. Actual grading curves differ in different degree programmes. The University of Pisa provides an ECTS Grading Table, which shows the actual distribution, of the examination and final grades among students for each degree programme, in order to facilitate the comparison with other grading systems. ---> Link to ECTS Grading Table
An overall mark is given on the occasion of the 'Final Exam', when a written research text is presented and discussed. The final overall mark is calculated based on the results of the marks obtained in the single course units and the final exam, and is based on 110 possible points, with the possible further mention of honours ("lode" or cum laude).

**The exam sessions are organised into sessions (the dates vary according to the Department and are published in the Department's academic calendar). In each session there are a certain number of 'appelli' [calls], or dates on which the examination for each course unit may be taken. The 'appelli' are fixed by the teacher. The students choose which of the appelli they wish to respond to. In most cases, it is obligatory to sign up before the specified date.

Requirements (regulations) to obtain the qualification

The final dissertation, to which 15 ECTS are allocated, must demonstrate the knowledge of the above-mentioned professional skills.

Course structure diagram

Available courses, 2023/2024