Biomedical Engineering in Sri Lanka.

Introduction:

Biomedical Engineering is a field that has gained much attention over the last few years. Although technically, the field is several centuries old, the formal recognition of biomedical engineering as an engineering discipline is substantially novel. Biomedical Engineering is the application of engineering knowledge to solve challenges in medicine and biology. Since the scope of the field is fairly application oriented, the theoretical knowledge requirement is considerably vast. A biomedical engineer is required to possess a thorough working knowledge in fields such as electronic, computer and telecommunication engineering, signal processing, image processing and systems design among many others. Besides engineering, a substantial knowledge in biology and medicine is also crucial for the success of a biomedical engineer’s career.

Biomedical engineers are globally in very high demand and the working environments vary across a large spectrum. Engineers who are employed by hospitals will have the responsibility of managing complicated equipment, ensuring patient as well as staff safety. The fact that most biomedical equipment, if used incorrectly can result in dire consequences makes this task crucial in many aspects. The budding industry of biomedical engineering in Sri Lanka currently has limited potential for product development. The industry, at present, mainly focuses on installation and maintenance of biomedical equipment. However, it is expected that within a few years Sri-Lanka will catch up with the global trend in improved healthcare facilities, leading to a greater demand for related for goods and services, thus opening the opportunities for biomedical engineers and the enhancement of the local biomedical manufacturing industry.

In Sri Lanka, currently there are three institutes provide this multi-disciplinary engineering course.

1) University of Moratuwa:

Logo of University of Moratuwa.

It is one of the state universities in Sri Lanka, offering 4 academic years to complete the bachelor’s degree in this field.

The course is delivered in seven academic semesters and six months of industrial training. The academic semesters are designed to impart a strong theoretical foundation in the principles of Electronic and Telecommunication focusing on the science of engineering. As a graduation requirement, the students must complete a total of 150 credits within the time duration. These credits include 135 credits for GPA modules and 15 credits for Non GPA modules. Along with the experience gained during the industrial training time, the graduates carry out diverse engineering and management tasks in the industry with minimal further training.

Prerequisites:

In order to be eligible for admission to a course of study in engineering a candidate should have obtained at least ‘S’ Grades in each of the three subjects set out below

·         Chemistry

·         Combined Mathematics

·         Physics

The curriculum for this 4 year course can be obtained via this link:

http://www.ent.mrt.ac.lk/docs/curricula/BME_New_Curriculum_from_2013_Intake.pdf

Research is the corner stone of the sublime field of biomedical engineering. University of Moratuwa stepped into the research area of biomedical engineering decades before the introduction of the formal degree program. Many collaborative research partnerships were established with leading medical research bodies of Sri Lanka, resulting in the completion of important research, leading towards the development of novel or modified products. With the introduction of the degree program, students can expect such collaborations to thrive and product design and development to be taken to the next level.

2) General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU):

Logo of KDU.

It is a joint services academy where cadets of the three wings Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force are trained before they go for their pre-commission training to their academies. KDU is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (United Kingdom) and maintains necessary standards for educating and grooming Officer Cadets to meet the challenges of modern defence management.

KDU is open for civil students as well who wish to continue their higher studies in the fields of Engineering, Law, Management, Social Sciences and IT.

Officers with exceptional performance in reputed universities/institutions can pursue postgraduate studies in accordance with the requirements of the Service to which they belong. Civil professionals are also offered a place at postgraduate studies to excel in and study a post graduate degree in their related field of expertise.

The Faculty of Engineering, is the only national military educational Engineering Institution in Sri Lanka which was established in 2009. The faculty offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes in nine disciplines under six Departments

The Electrical Electronic & Telecommunication Engineering Department presently conducts three undergraduate degree programmers of BSc Engineering in Electrical & Electronic Engineering, BSc Engineering in Electronic & Telecommunication Engineering and BSc Engineering in Biomedical Engineering. All three programs have the same duration of four and half years.

The Kotelawala Defense University takes in approx 80 students each year for the Department of Electrical Electronic and Telecommunication, from students offering Physics, Chemistry and Combined Mathematics at the GCE (Advanced Level) Examination. These students follow a common intensive training programme of 04 months along with the students of all streams which consists of initial military training, computer orientation course and a comprehensive English course. Thereafter in the 1st semester students follow a common Engineering programme along with students of all Engineering disciplines. Apart from this, the students also follow subjects which are common to all undergraduate degree programmes offered by the university.

3) International College of Business and Technology (ICBT): 

ICBT Logo.

This is a private institute which offers this course at two levels.

a.   Higher National Diploma (HND) in Biomedical Engineering; which is a two year course for those who are fresher from school.

b.   BEng (Hons) in Biomedical Engineering; which can be done continuously as the 3^rd year (Final Year of the complete degree program), to those who 
      successfully pass the HND and this is collaborated 
      with Birmingham City University - UK.

The complete program structure for the HND course is given below:

First Semester

·         Engineering Mathematics

·         Information Technology and Programming Concepts

·         Project- Oriented Design Based Learning

·         Engineering Science

·         Introduction to Biomedical Engineering

·         Analog Electronics

Second Semester

·         Human Anatomy and Physiology

·         Engineering Drawing

·         Digital Electronics

·         Advanced Engineering Mathematics

·         Medical Instrumentation

Third Semester

·         Principles and Application of Microcontrollers

·         Signals and Systems

·         Medical Biochemistry

·         Microbiology and Immunology

·         Medical Physics

Fourth Semester

·         Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering

·         Pathology and Hematology

·         Hospital Management

·         Physics of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiology

·         Biomedical Signal Processing

Industrial Training (optional)

Entry Criteria:

G.C.E. Advanced Level Math, Technology, Bio Science

OR

O/L’s + ICBT Engineering Foundation

           

            Duration:

            2 Years

The Curriculum for the Final Year (3^rd Year) which provides the Bachelor’s Degree with Honors is Given Below:

·         Digital Signal and Image Processing (30 Credits)

·         Medical Devices (15 Credits)

·         Medical Science and Neuromechanics (15 Credits)

·         Biomechanics (15 Credits)

·         Biomaterials (15 Credits)

·         Final Biomedical Engineering Project (30 Credits)

Duration:

1 Year.

                             
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References:

• University of Moratuwa. 2017. Biomedical Engineering Group. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.ent.mrt.ac.lk/bme/index.php. [Accessed 10 September 2017]. 
• ICBT Campus. 2016. ICBT HND in Biomedical Engineering. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.icbt.lk/icbt/undergraduate. [Accessed 10 September 2017].
• ICBT Campus. 2016. BEng (Hons) Biomedical Engineering- Birmingham City University. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.icbt.lk/icbt/undergraduate. [Accessed 10 September 2017].