Demographic change and current trends in medical technology are leading to great industrial demand for specialists with corresponding qualifications. The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) has a broad range of relevant expertise and an international research network, which provide the foundation for its new medical engineering bachelor’s program. Pending approval by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research, and the Arts, the program should start in the winter semester 22/23. Plans also call for a joint master’s program in medical engineering in cooperation with Heidelberg University.
Automation and digitalization have long since found their way into medicine. Examples include the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in imaging, robots in microsurgery, or “digital twins” in personalized health care. The increasing use of these modern technologies is leading to growing demand for specialists with relevant training. The medical engineering degree program at KIT provides the technical expertise needed to play a role in this transformation. The medical engineers trained at KIT perform basic research on innovative processes, develop the corresponding systems and components, and look into ways to increase their efficiency. They design control systems, components or software. Process management, quality management, sales and consulting are also part of their professional profile.
New medical engineering degree program combines digitalization, electrical engineering and information technology
“By focusing on digitalization, electrical engineering and information technology, and on a combination of research and practice, the medical engineering degree program at KIT provides students with ideal preparation for new technology trends and challenges in the industrial and clinical development of medical products,” says Werner Nahm from the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at KIT. This expertise is combined with broad knowledge about applications in medicine and medical technology and with knowledge about regulations and standards. “With a bachelor’s degree in medical engineering, students will have the skills needed to translate medical challenges into engineering tasks and to responsibly work out solutions within a technical, regulatory, economic and social framework,” says Nahm.
Strong practical focus and opportunity for a semester abroad
In the six-semester, limited-admission program, students will acquire universally applicable technical skills that open doors to attractive career opportunities in many industries. The program includes supporting tutorials and direct practical applications from the first semester, a choice of internships in industry, research or clinics, and on-site instruction in hospitals and university clinics. Moreover, plans also include the opportunity for an international exchange with other universities during the fifth semester, for example as part of the ERASMUS program.
Joint master's program planned by KIT and Heidelberg University
The bachelor’s program is to be followed by a joint master’s degree program with Heidelberg University in which both universities will issue a joint transcript and award a joint diploma. Plans call for the program to begin in the winter semester 24/25. The master’s students will be closely involved in clinical practice and have a choice of different specializations.
More information (in German):
https://www.etit.kit.edu/bachelor_medizintechnik.php
https://www.sle.kit.edu/vorstudium/bachelor-medizintechnik.php
Being “The Research University in the Helmholtz Association”, KIT creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is the objective to make significant contributions to the global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, about 10,000 employees cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 22,800 students for responsible tasks in society, industry, and science by offering research-based study programs. Innovation efforts at KIT build a bridge between important scientific findings and their application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our natural basis of life. KIT is one of the German universities of excellence.