Electrical and biomedical engineering

Electrical and Biomedical Engineering is a diverse discipline where students learn about modern technology from power systems to medical devices.

In the Electrical and Biomedical Engineering discipline, we teach a wide range of courses including Computer and Network Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Electrical Engineering.

We teach the latest advances in:

generation, distribution, utilisation, and control of electric power and electronic systems
assistive technology and advanced medical electronics, implant engineering, biomedical signal analysis, and tissue engineering
Internet of Things (IoT) platforms, sensor networks, high-performance parallel processing, real-time embedded hardware control and data communication networks.

Our programs are industry-connected and hands-on. All engineering students will undertake a capstone project in their final year, solving a real-world problem.

We work together with many industry partners on projects, internships and program feedback such as Solve Disability Solutions, St Vincent's Hospital, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, OMX Solutions, Bionics Institute, Robert Bosch Pty Ltd., AusNet Services, Powercor and Jemena.

Our graduates find exciting careers across a range of industries such as hospitals (servicing and optimising equipment), medical device manufacturing, defence, research and development, electricity supply and energy companies, transport, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

— Professor Elena Pirogova

Associate Dean Electrical and Biomedical Engineering

What is electrical, biomedical and computer and network engineering?

Electrical engineers develop technology that exploits electrical energy. This includes the production and distribution of electricity, through to the control and automation of electrical machines and systems. Electrical engineers design and operate electrical systems to provide better and innovative ways to meet the power demands of society and industry.

Biomedical engineers develop technology and solutions to help make a difference to people suffering from a medical condition. They design systems and devices such as cardiac monitors, artificial hearts, lab-on-a-chip devices and wheelchairs.

Computer and network engineers design and integrate embedded systems, core enterprise networks and computing platforms which form the basis of our modern digital lives. Engineers in this area use both hardware and software development skills to bring products to life and drive new technologies to make businesses more productive and competitive.

Meet Vincent Makota

Hear from Vincent, who completed the Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical Engineering) (Honours), about securing a graduate position as an engineer after winning a student prize.

Meet Rahul Ratwatte

Rahul Ratwatte talks about his experience studying biomedical engineering at RMIT, including his work with Engineers Without Borders in Cambodia.

Our courses

Undertake one of our degrees and make a real difference as an engineer.

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Research

Electrical and biomedical engineering is a diverse discipline with research varying from high voltage distribution networks to microfluidic devices for analysis of biological cells, and radar systems for autonomous navigation.

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Beyond the classroom

Telstra Innovation Challenge

An RMIT student team has the opportunity to participate in the yearly Telstra Innovation Challenge, a design competition on the Internet of Things. Our RMIT team won the competition in the University Stream in 2018.

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Capstone project with Solve Disability Solutions

Every year, third year biomedical engineering students are partnered with mentors from Solve and clients who require bespoke technical solutions for disability needs. A 2019 student team developed a training program for intellectually disabled users to return to the workplace, using Hololens technology.

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Students design automatic blood clot detection device

All engineering students take part in a capstone project in their final year, where they design and develop an engineering solution to a real problem. This team developed an automatic blood clot detection device, which could save lives.

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Meet our people

Meet Professor Kate Fox

Named one of Australia’s most innovative engineers, Professor Kate Fox is passionate about outreach and supporting her students to create technologies that help people.

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Electrical and biomedical engineering contacts

Meet the academic and research staff in the electrical and biomedical engineering discipline.

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Student looking through microscope in a lab

Surface Mount Device Laboratory (SMD)

The SMD Laboratory is a newly developed facility where students can produce functional electronic and embedded-system prototypes. Towards the end of their program, students can use industry-relevant instruments and techniques and realise small volume prototype runs for both student and research projects. The laboratory houses a Pick and Place machine, seven-stage reflow oven, dedicated precision assembly workspaces, test and measurement tools as well as high-resolution optical inspection.

News

AI-powered glaucoma screening test delivers rapid results

28 Oct 2021

A new rapid screening test for glaucoma could help advance early detection of the disease, a leading cause of irreversible blindness.

From coffee to concrete: Engineering solutions to our most pressing problems

21 Oct 2019

A new project from RMIT University could see the waste from the 1.3 million cups of coffee drunk daily in Australia turned into concrete used in homes, driveways or office buildings.

Imaging tech advances chronic wound care

15 Jul 2019

Researchers are working with not-for-profit health and aged care provider Bolton Clarke on a clinical trial of imaging technology to improve chronic wound care.

Kate among engineering industry’s best and brightest

08 Jul 2019

Biomedical engineer Associate Professor Kate Fox has been named on Engineers Australia’s prestigious top 30 most innovative engineers list.

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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