BioMaterials and BioDevices

The BioMAT track provides scientists, engineers, and medical students with the wherewithal to face the numerous challenges of biomaterials and biodevices R&D; how to carry out innovative and fruitful research with the appropriate methods and ethical considerations, how to collaborate and interact in projects at the interface among materials and biomedical sciences, and medicine. It is accessible to engineering and life-science students (materials science, physics, chemistry, medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and biology) preparing for career paths in academic research or industrial R&D environments.

The program relies on a rich combination of high-level lectures, conferences and exchanges with invited experts and interdisciplinary group projects. From all these experiences, the students will learn how to apply their skills on health-related applications ranging from implant and tissue engineering through the modelling and characterization of biological materials to the design of devices for diagnosis.

Course Selection

For Semester 3: Besides the BME conferences and interdisciplinary week, the BioMAT program starts with a set of four core teaching units providing a broad overview of state-of-the-art knowledge of biomaterials science, as well as anatomy and research methodology. These units are completed by upgrade courses in biology or mechanics to be chosen depending on the initial background. In-depth focus on biomaterials research is developed in a syllabus of ten teaching units. Each student selects a set of at least four teaching units: two from the set “General concepts for biomaterials and biodevices design” and two from one of the subtracks “Tissue reconstruction and regenerative medicine” and “Nano- and micro-systems medicine”.

For Semester 4: Two units put the training in a broader perspective with a business plan workshop and a lecture on ethics. Most of the semester is then devoted to the research internship which lasts between 5 to 6 months.   

Additional courses can be chosen. A pedagogical commission of lecturers and researchers assists students and helps them to devise a personalized program consistent with their individual backgrounds and professional objectives.