Engineering with a Second Major in Medical Biology


Biomedical and biological materials science is a new and emerging field at the interface of materials science and biology. The emergence of the discipline is due in part to the advent of regenerative medicine, which requires biomaterials that interact with the body in a specific and predictable manner. In today’s world, materials designed for usage with biological systems as well as materials derived from biological systems for medical and other applications are rising in importance. To fully participate in the exciting new sphere, a strong foundation in both materials science and medical biology is essential.

Designed for students with special interest in biomaterials and biomedical devices, the Bachelor of Materials Engineering with a Second Major in Medical Biology programme will arm candidates with the fundamentals of medical biology, with special emphasis on the principles of biological science. Graduates from this programme can look forward to engaging in research and development work in this dynamic and rapidly-evolving field.


PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

The structure of the Bachelor of Materials Engineering with a Second Major in Medical Biology programme integrates the requirements of both majors within the typical candidature of 4 years. Students must meet all requirements of the principal Bachelor of Materials Engineering programme and fulfill the following conditions:

(1)   Complete a Biomaterials-related Final Year Project, and   
(2)   [For cohorts before AY2021-22 only] Choose at least 2 major prescribed electives from the following list^:

          -   Advanced Analysis of Materials
          -   Advanced Biomaterials 
          -   Biomedical Devices 
          -   Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering

^  List of courses is subject to changes 

In addition, students will read the following courses for the Second Major in Medical Biology:

Table 1: Courses for the Second Major in Medical Biology
Course Title​​AU

​Foundation Courses (Compulsory)

1.   BS1001 Introductory Biology
2.   BS1002 Biophysical Chemistry1 (AY21-22 cohort) 
       BS1012 Foundations of Chemistry I (AY22-23 cohort onwards)
3.   BS1005 Biochemistry I
4.   BS1007 Molecular and Cell Biology I
5.   BS1016 Physiology
6.   BS2004 Molecular and Cell Biology II
7.   BS3109 Fundamentals of Immunology2 

​21

​Choose 3 courses from the following list:

•   BS2003 Biochemistry II
•   BS2010 Bioimaging
•   BS3006 Bioentrepreneurship
•   BS3013 Drug Discovery and Development, Biotechnology
•   BS3332 Undergraduate Advanced Experimental Biology (UAEB) Workshop (Series I): Methods in Histology
•   BS3335 Undergraduate Advanced Experimental Biology (UAEB) Workshop (Series I): Protein Behaviour in Health and Disease - Biophysical Tools 
•   BS4010 Synthetic Biology 
•   MS4610 Advanced Biomaterials3 (AY2021-22 cohort onwards)
•   MS4611 Biomedical Devices3 (AY2021-22 cohort onwards)
•   MS4612 Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering3 (AY2021-22 cohort onwards)
•   MS4640 Advanced Analysis of Materials3 (AY2021-22 cohort onwards)

​9
​Total    ​30


1   Students from U21 cohort and before who have not cleared BS1002 will take BS1012.
2   U17 and earlier cohorts will read Experimental Molecular and Cell Biology instead of BS3109. 
3   Can be taken as MPE and eligible for double-counting, see Options for Double-Counting below.

Academic Unit Requirements
 

Integrating the Academic Unit (AU) requirements for the principal Bachelor of Materials Engineering programme and second major, please see Table 2 below for the total AU requirement for the Bachelor of Materials Engineering with a Second Major in Medical Biology:

Table 2: AU Requirement for Materials Engineering with a Second Major in Medical Biology (MTMB)
Course CategoryPIPA
Engineering Major84*84*
Interdisciplinary Collaborative Core  -  Common Core (CC)1717
Interdisciplinary Collaborative Core  -  Foundational Core (FC)1510
Second Major in Medical Biology (MB)21-30#21-30#
Total137-146#*132-141#*


Note:
#  Students can double-count up to 9AU of selected MB electives as MPE, see Options for Double-Counting below.
*  Students without H2 Level Physics will take PH1012 Physics A (4AU) instead of PH1011 Physics (3AU). Total AU will increase by 1AU.
PI - Professional Internship (20 weeks)
PA - Professional Attachment (10 weeks)

Options for Double-Counting:

Option Core MPE CC FC BDE Total
A)  Maximum Double Counting
       Student takes all 3 electives as MPE. 		 
75 		 
9 [9] 		 
17 		 
15 		 
21 		 
137
B)  Minimum Double Counting
       Student takes 1 elective as MPE,
       2 remaining electives as BDE. 		 
75 		 
9 [3] 		 
17 		 
15 		 
27 		 
143
C)  No Double Counting
       Student takes all 3 electives as BDE. 		75 9 [0]17 15 30 146


[   ]  indicates double-counted AU


Academic Unit Requirements
 

Integrating the Academic Unit (AU) requirements for the principal Bachelor of Materials Engineering programme and second major, the total AU requirement for the Bachelor of Materials Engineering with a Second Major in Medical Biology programme is 152/153* AU, including 33 AU for the second major.

Table 2: AU Requirement for Materials Engineering with a Second Major in Medical Biology (MTMB)
Category​​MTMB with PIMTMB with PA​
​Core & Major Prescribed Elective​102/103*​97/98*
​GER-Core1414
​GER-PE (BM / LA)​3​3
​Unrestricted Elective​05
​Second Major in Medical Biology​33​33
​Total    152/153*
* Students without H2 Level Physics will take PH1012 Physics A (4 AU).

Note:
PI - Professional Internship (20 weeks)
PA - Professional Attachment (10 weeks)
GER - General Education Requirement
PE - Prescribed Elective
BM - Business and Management
LA - Liberal Arts

Academic Unit Requirements
 

Integrating the Academic Unit (AU) requirements for the principal Bachelor of Materials Engineering programme and second major, the total AU requirement for the Bachelor of Materials Engineering with a Second Major in Medical Biology programme is 150/151* AU, including 33 AU for the second major.

Table 2: AU Requirement for Materials Engineering with a Second Major in Medical Biology (MTMB)
Category​​MTMB with PIMTMB with PA​
​Core & Major Prescribed Elective​102/103*​97/98*
​GER-Core1212
​GER-PE (BM / LA)​3​3
​Unrestricted Elective​05
​Second Major in Medical Biology​33​33
​Total    150/151*
* Students without H2 Level Physics will take PH1012 Physics A (4 AU).

Note:
PI - Professional Internship (20 weeks)
PA - Professional Attachment (10 weeks)
GER - General Education Requirement
PE - Prescribed Elective
BM - Business and Management
LA - Liberal Arts

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
 

Candidates must meet the minimum entry requirements of the Bachelor of Materials Engineering programme, including the minimum subject requirements. Please refer to the Office of Admissions for more information.  


TUITION FEES AND SCHOLARSHIPS

The tuition fees for the Bachelor of Materials Engineering with a Second Major in Medical Biology will be pegged to the fees of Bachelor of Engineering programmes. Eligible students may be considered for scholarships that include fully-paid subsidised tuition fees and living allowance. Scholarship terms and conditions apply. For more information on tuition fees and scholarships, please visit Office of Admissions.


CAREERS

Graduates will enjoy the flexibility of choosing from a wide range of career options and roles in diverse industries, in addition to biomedical industries, both locally and abroad.

Sectors/Industries
•   Biotechnology

•   Consumer Goods
•   Food and Nutrition
•   Healthcare
•   Pharmaceutical
•   Research and Development

Possible Career Paths
•   Biomedical Engineer
•   Medtech Analyst
•   R&D Professional
•   Regulatory Scientist
•   Scientist
•   Technical Specialist
•   Technopreneur / Innovator


ACCREDITATION

All Bachelor of Engineering programmes offered by the College of Engineering are accredited by   The Institution of Engineers Singapore, the Singapore signatory to the Washington Accord, through its Engineering Accreditation Board. The Washington Accord is an international agreement for mutual recognition of substantial equivalence of engineering academic programmes worldwide, in satisfying the academic requirements for the practice of engineering at a professional level.  
     

INFORMATION AND ENQUIRIES
 
For more programme information or enquiries, please refer to our contact list here.


Information is accurate at the time of publication. The programme option, curriculum and courses offered above are for students admitted from Academic Year 2021-2022. Students admitted earlier should check with their respective schools for the applicable curricula and courses. The University reserves the right to update any of the programme options and curricula without prior notice and obligation.