We drive research and education in medical technologies, health informatics and healthcare delivery. Combining the expertise of engineers, biomedical researchers, clinical practitioners and industry partners, we create innovative medical solutions that have societal and economic impact.
Research themes
-
Biomaterials and tissue engineering
Interdisciplinary research into biomaterials synthesis, fabrication and characterisation, stem cell culture, tissue regeneration and medical device design.
-
Biomechanics and mechanobiology
Biomechanics employs the principles of mechanics to investigate the effects of energy and forces in biological systems. Our research specialisations focus on musculoskeletal modelling, injury, orthopaedics, cell biomechanics and biomaterials.
-
Biomedical imaging
Our research includes the development of techniques for image acquisition and analysis, with application to the understanding of biological structure and function.
-
Neural engineering
Using scientific methods to understand and model the nervous system, and applying this knowledge to engineer systems that interact with, augment, or mimic nervous system functionality.
-
Systems and synthetic biology
Systems Biology aims to understand the properties and behaviour of biological systems from knowledge of the constituent parts and their interactions.
-
Biomicrosystems
BioMicrosystems comprise techniques and technologies for actuation and manipulation of biological systems, characterisation of biomaterials and probe interactions between biomaterials and tissue. It has applications in wound healing, cellular interactions and developing neural and tissue interfaces.
Research centers and institutes
-
ACMD
Australia’s first collaborative, hospital-based biomedical engineering research centre, which brings together leading universities, research institutes and a tertiary hospital to take on today’s toughest healthcare challenges.
-
ARC Training Centre in Cognitive Computing for Medical Technologies
This Centre is aimed at creating a workforce that is expert in developing, applying and interrogating artificial intelligence (“AI”) applications in data-intensive medical contexts, to facilitate the next generation of data-driven and machine learning-based medical technologies.
-
ARC Training Centre for Medical Implant Technologies
The Centre specialises in personalised 3D printed orthopaedic and maxillofacial implants.
-
Graeme Clark Institute for Biomedical Engineering
This Institute promotes and coordinates the extensive bioengineering activities that exist across the University of Melbourne, drawing on emerging scientific and engineering approaches to drive transformative clinical solutions.
Industry and healthcare engagement
Working with government and industry is a pivotal part of what we do. Our industry partners provide platforms for translational research, they inform our teaching and they provide employment pathways for our students.
Featured content
-
Our industry engagement
Our advisory group and industrial and clinical partners that we have worked with ensure that our teaching and research is relevant to the needs of industry and the healthcare sector.
-
Equipment and services
We offer a wide range of sophisticated analytical equipment and instrumentation; as well as analytical services; that can be accessed by external users.
-
Student projects and internships
Host a student within your organisation, to assist with a specific project or to preview potential future graduate employees.
Study biomedical engineering
-
Undergraduate study
Our undergraduate major is offered with either the Bachelor of Biomedicine or the Bachelor of Science. The Bioengineering Systems major provides a pathway to the Master of Engineering.
-
Graduate study
The Master of Engineering (Biomedical) and the Master of Engineering (Biomedical with Business) can be studied by graduates of any degree with suitable maths and science. Both courses provide professional accreditation as an engineer.
-
Graduate research
Our graduate research programs — the MPhil and the PhD — are built on world-leading projects and are led by staff with international recognition for their research contributions.
-
Melbourne University Biomedical Engineering Society
A student club that aims to connect students with alumni, faculty, industry, and each other.
Study guide for current students
Biomedical Engineering study guide 2023 (PDF 5.3 MB)
Summer Research Experience Program
A 10–12 week summer research program offered to current students who will be commencing the final year of their Bachelor or Masters degree.
Leadership
- Prof Leigh Johnston
Head of Department
l.johnston@unimelb.edu.au - A/Prof Sam John
Deputy Head of Department (Academic)
sam.john@unimelb.edu.au
Prof David Ackland
Deputy Head of Department (Research)
dackland@unimelb.edu.au
Alumni
Join our alumni community
We encourage our graduates to join the University’s alumni community to take advantage of the services and networking opportunities we offer.
Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology: Alumni
This group provides an opportunity for graduates and staff from the Department of Biomedical Engineering to stay informed and in contact with each other.
Contribute to our curriculum
We invite our graduates to contribute to the ongoing refinement of our curriculum; through hosting student internships, or contributing projects for students to work on.