The first year, common to both programmes, develops engineering knowledge in mechanics, materials, computing, electronics and robotics. This knowledge is complemented by the following disciplines:

• Medical biology, such as physiology, medical pathology, medical statistics, regenerative and constructive medicine;
• Biomedical engineering, such as data chain, electronics and sensors, imaging and modelling; advanced prosthetics, additive manufacturing and biofabrication, tissue engineering;
• in product innovation, experimental research, clinical research, regulation, quality, safety.

In the second year, the integration of STEM skills with those of medicine and biology is further promoted and you will be able to choose between two specialisations:

• Digital Healthcare, focusing on telemedicine, robotics, data management and processing, advanced biosignal and bioimaging analysis, artificial intelligence and process modelling. These aspects constitute the set of enabling technologies for the development of Healthcare 4.0 and its evolution towards patient-centred healthcare.
• Emerging and sustainable medical technologies, focusing on intelligent biomaterials, tissue engineering, biofabrication and advanced prosthetics, for the development of innovative and sustainable technologies for prevention, diagnosis and therapy towards personalised and precision medicine.

As a biomedical engineer, you will play a leading role in the process of method and product innovation and will be able to

• Understand the functioning of complex biological systems under physiological and pathological conditions.
• Design new devices and solutions for prevention, diagnosis, therapy and rehabilitation, ensuring that they meet quality, safety and sustainability criteria.
• Develop advanced materials for prostheses, artificial organs and tools for precision medicine.

You will be highly skilled in methods for

• Design
• Development
• Characterisation and analysis
• Quality control 
• the Management of medical devices, systems and services in support of personalised and precision medicine, with a focus on sustainability issues.

In addition to traditional didactic methods, which are maintained for the consolidation of engineering fundamentals and the introduction of concepts from medicine, physiology and biology, alternative and innovative teaching methods are used, such as

• Interactive lectures with active participation and discussion of case studies;
• specially designed Laboratory activities
• Group work on research projects to discuss, design, analyse and present the results obtained;
• Visits to local companies
• Interdisciplinary and international advanced seminars.

Career Opportunities

The medical device industry and the health and social services sector are constantly growing in Italy and worldwide.

It is a very diverse, highly innovative and specialised sector, made up of small companies and large groups, with a great need for people able to combine solid engineering skills with medical and biological knowledge.

In Italy, once you have passed the state exam, you can also apply to join the engineering order in your province. 

You will be able to work in pharmaceutical development companies, medical device manufacturers, health and social services, and public and private organisations in the following areas

• Designing biomedical products
• Quality, safety and organisational services manager and/or coordinator in the healthcare sector
• Manufacturing operations manager
• Product Manager
• Clinical engineer
• Health information systems manager
• Complex process and systems manager
• Healthcare, pharmaceutical and biotechnology technology park manager

Further studies

If you wish to continue your studies in Italy or abroad, you can do so at national and international schools:

• PhDin science and engineering in biomedical subjects, health technologies, industrial innovation.
• Specialisation and second-level master's degrees in technology park management, medical innovation, health technology assessment, risk analysis and management.
• Master's degrees specifically for the profession of Clinical Engineer and for Health Technology Management (HTM).