15 Things You Must Know About Biomedical Engineering in Nepal
1. Introduction to Biomedical Engineering:
Biomedical Engineering is an emerging field in the engineering and technology sector. Many people in developed countries, developing countries, and underdeveloped countries have emphasized the broader application of Biomedical Engineering. This field has been helping the world for the overall development and it has been creating wage and self-employment opportunities both in the public and private sectors. This curriculum is designed to produce well-equipped high-level technical manpower in the field related to the areas of Biomedical Engineering to meet the demand for such workforce in the country to contribute to the national economic development of Nepal. The knowledge and skills incorporated in this curriculum will be helpful to deliver the individual needs as well national needs in the field of Biomedical Engineering.
To talk about a bachelor in biomedical engineering, it’s an introductory course. Not just in Nepal, it is a completely new course all over the world. In Nepal, Purbanchal University holds the affiliation to run Bachelor in Biomedical engineering. It consists of the study of human anatomy, physiology, and diseases in addition to various engineering disciplines like computer engineering, electrical and electronics engineering, and mechanical engineering. It can be compared to a tricky subject as it requires mathematics as well as biological science.
2. Origin of Biomedical Engineering
If we look at history, biomedical engineering originated during World War II. A biologist from all over the world was struggling and was researching to do work involving advancement in radar technology. This attachment towards research makes them for electronic developments in medicine in the war years. German biologists become successful to produce a chemical gas which is thrown at the American soldiers. Many doctors and biologists with an understanding of the vast term engineering along with electrical who have an interest in biology, become the first bioengineers. Those engineers who were concerned with medicine became the first biomedical engineers. Development of x-ray, audiometers, ventilators, patient monitoring systems, physiotherapy and electrotherapy, electrocardiogram, hemodialysis machine, etc are some great achievements in the biomedical engineering field up to now.
3. Program Objectives of Biomedical Engineering study:
This curriculum has many objectives. It helps to prepare engineers who can work as biomedical engineers in different levels of hospitals and nursing homes. Its emphasis is on the production of middle-level competent technical workforce/human resources that could provide maintenance services for medical equipment. This course helps to prepare a technical workforce who will demonstrate a positive attitude and respect for the profession and socio-cultural norms and values. Biomedical engineering helps in meeting the demand for biomedical technicians required for the public and private hospitals of Nepal. It has reduced the dependence on employing such technicians and engineers from foreign countries and leads the way to create self-employment opportunities.
4. Program Description of Biomedical Engineering:
This course is based on the job required to perform by Biomedical Engineers at different levels of hospitals and nursing homes in Nepal. Therefore, this curriculum is designed to provide knowledge and skills focusing on Biomedical Engineering related to the occupation. There are eight semesters in total within four years. The first-year courses contain most of the foundational and core subjects of engineering like Physics, Chemistry, etc. The second-year courses are under the circle on basic disciplinary subjects of Biomedical Engineering. Similarly, the third year comprises the subjects of economics and probabilities. The final year disciplinary subjects include the provision of elective subjects. Moreover, the fourth year insists on the application of learned skills and knowledge through the project I and Project II as an infusion model of subjects.
The foundational subjects of engineering like Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics are included in the curriculum of Biomedical Engineering and are applicable in the field of Biomedical Engineering. To make the student able to compete with the demand for developing technology and science and tradition. To make them able to cope with the community it has included language subjects like Nepali and English in the local area.
The disciplinary subjects being offered in this program are included in all semesters. The syllabus of Bio-Medical Engineering makes provision for projects and also some elective subjects in the specific areas of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering. In brief, this curriculum will guide its implementers to produce highly experienced technical manpower in the field of biomedical engineering. The content of individual subjects prescribed in the curriculum is incorporated in the light of the “must know and must do” principle of knowledge and skills for this level.
5. Duration of Biomedical Engineering:
The total time taken for the curricular program is about four years and each of the years consists of two semesters. This means a total of eight semesters a student should have to be read. Each semester has a final exam. This means to be a biomedical engineer, the student must have to pass eight final exams. One semester consists of 19.5 academic weeks with its evaluation period and which must not be less than 15 weeks in each of the semesters.
6. Target Group for Biomedical Engineering:
An interested individual who has passed the intermediate level in any college can apply for the course. However, they must pass the entrance exam held by their respective universities. Students from all over Nepal can apply for this course.
7. Examination and Marking Scheme for Biomedical Engineering:
The examination is writing type. The subject teacher will internally assess the student’s achievement in each subject during the course followed by a final examination at the end of each semester. A total of 100 marks is divided into two parts. There is a provision for an internal assessment and final examination. The internal examination is weighted 20% whereas the other 80% is from the final examination which is allocated for theoretical examination. The final semester examinations of all theory components will be administrated through written test exams.
Generally, the method of continuous assessment will be adopted for practical components. But if needed the practical components are also conducted by final examinations. The students who fail the internal assessment exam would declare as not qualified and will not be allowed to sit in the semester final examination and will not be allowed to continue the following semester. There is a provision of a back paper if s/he fails in the semester but a student must pass all the subjects of all eight semesters within eight years from the enrollment.
8. Pass Marks in Biomedical Engineering study :
To pass each semester, you have to secure a minimum of 40% marks both in theoretical and practical (Lab). Also, you must book a minimum of 40% marks in the internal assessment and 40% in the final semester examination of each subject to pass all subjects in each semester.
9. Grading System for Biomedical Engineering:
The overall achievement of each student will be measured by the final aggregate percentage of all final semester examinations. Students securing more than or equal to 80% fall under the category of distinction. The student can get a first-division securing percentage between 65% to 80%. The second division is under 50% to 65%. Others between 40% to 50% are categorized as passing students. Students who can pass all the components of all subjects of all six semesters are considered to have completed the course. Students who have completed the course will be awarded a degree of Bachelor in Biomedical Engineering.
10. Provision of Specialization in Biomedical Engineering
There will be no provision for specializing but some subjects are offered here with the provision of the elective; viz Data Communication, Embedded System Design, Cardiovascular and ICU Equipment, Medical Laboratory and Ophthalmic Equipment, and Medical Imaging Equipment.
The above are some of the aspects of studies for biomedical engineering which are should be learned. Now let’s have a glance at the colleges and universities of the course.
11. College of Biomedical Engineering and Applied Science
The college of Biomedical Engineering and Applied Science (CBEAS) is affiliated with Purbanchal University. It is located in Kathmandu valley. It lies at Hadigaun, Kathmandu. Â Bachelor in Biomedical Engineering is a four-year program that provides students with a quality education. It produces qualified employed in biomedical sectors and provides students with the knowledge of basics and fundamental science. It makes students a broad understanding of engineering, life science, and medical science.
The course of biomedical is designed in such a way that those students who passed out from college will not be able to work independently in Nepal but also will be received well in other developed countries as well. The syllabus of Biomedical has been prepared after much research and study of the curriculum of the same course provided in different national and foreign universities. The curriculum mostly focuses on the immediate absorption of the students by Nepalese and Foreign industries after being passed out from college. It will be very beneficial to students who want further studies in the field.
Biomedical Engineering includes molecular and cellular engineering, plasma engineering, rehabilitation engineering, tissue engineering, intracellular physiological control mechanism, drug delivery, and drug regulation system and aids for the feeble and the disabled. This engineering is exciting, with everyone’s deep tongue and fast-moving field with many challenging boundaries. At this college, it is trying to push those boundaries in different types of overlapping and interrelated areas.
12. Eligibility for Biomedical Engineering
Students who are from both the Math and Biology sections of +2 or I.Sc. can apply for the Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering. To get engaged one must have to pass the entrance exam scheduled by the paranuchal university.
13. Where to Study Biomedical Engineering
Now the problem arises where to study? In Nepal, the only college for Biomedical Engineering is the ‘College of Biomedical Engineering and Applied Science (CBEAS)’ which is located in Handigaun. It is the only college in Nepal and is inside of Kathmandu valley. If we look outside of Nepal we can find many colleges that were giving education related to Biomedical Engineering. In our neighboring country in India, there is some private colleges and institution that were given education about this course.
