iBSc Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering

About the course

As technology plays an increasingly dominant role in medicine, doctors are finding that an understanding of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering is becoming essential. 

This course provides an understanding of the physical principle, benefits and limitations of equipment doctors encounter daily in hospitals, and in medical research where improvements in patient care often depend on the development of new equipment or computer software. Because medical imaging forms a large part of the course, our degree may be particularly relevant for medical students considering careers in radiology, interventional radiology or surgery.

* Note that this course is officially called an Integrated BSc for UCL medical school students and an Intercalated BSc for external students from other medical schools. We will refer to the course as the iBSc and may informally use intercalated and integrated interchangeably. 

Learning objectives

The aim of this iBSc course is to fill a void in the majority of MBBS degrees which typically contain little or no medical physics or biomedical engineering material. Elsewhere in Europe, where Medicine courses are longer, Medical Physics is considered to be an essential part of the curriculum. For example, in Italy, 100 hours of Medical Physics is taught during their six-year course.

Although most module options are the same as those offered to final-year Medical Physics MSci/BSc and Biomedical Engineering MEng/BEng students, no significant background knowledge beyond A-Level Physics and Mathematics (or equivalent standard) is essential. It is strongly recommended, but not required, that students have already studied physics and mathematics up to A-level (or equivalent standard). Students without A-Level physics (or equivalent) can still take the course, although some additional background reading will be required.

Our students are supported with informal tutorials every week which enable them to discuss matters arising from the course material and to supplement their background knowledge of physics and mathematics. They also meet alumni and clinicians to discuss how they use Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering in their careers. Having completed integrated degrees, several of our past students have elected to pursue PhD degrees within our department before returning to medical school.

Course structure

Students typically have around 9 hours of lectures per week, allowing time for independent study, problem-solving, and a research project. Most modules are shared with students from Biomedical Engineering, Medical Physics, Physics, and Electrical Engineering, creating a diverse and stimulating learning environment.

Class sizes are often small (30-50 students) so the course offers a friendly, supportive atmosphere and close interaction with teaching staff.

Students take six lecture modules and a research project offered by research groups in Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering and UCL Hospitals. Two medical imaging modules and an introductory mathematics module are compulsory. There are no prerequisites for individual modules.

Core modules

• Research Project in Medical Physics (30 credits)
• Medical Imaging with Ionising Radiation (15 credits)
• Mathematical Methods in Medical Physics (15 credits)
• On of the following: Biomedical Ultrasound (15 credits) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging & Biomedical Optics (15 credits) 

Optional modules

Students can choose three additional modules from the following, each optional module is worth 15 credits:

• Introduction to Biophysics
• Physiological Monitoring
• Biomedical Ultrasound
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging & Biomedical Optics
• Computing in Medicine
• Medical Electronics and Neural Engineering
• Treatment using Ionising Radiation
• Applications of Bioengineering

Student achievements

iBSc students are regularly featured in our annual Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering Student Awards, which recognise the highest-achieving students in the department each year and celebrate their success.

In 2021 and 2023, the Sidney Russ Prize for Best Finalist Undergraduate Student was awarded to iBSc students Gabriel Ide and Talha Atcha respectively. iBSc students are also prominent on the Dean’s List each year, a record of the highest marks in the graduating cohort across UCL Engineering.   

Essential course information

This course is delivered by the Faculty of Engineering.

Location: London, Bloomsbury

Contact hours: Typical timetabled contact hours for the Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering iBSc are approximately 20 hours per week, consisting of lectures, seminars, lab sessions and tutorials.

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