Medical Technology (180 credits)

Job opportunities and the future

Graduates of this programme generally work in the technical/engineering departments of hospitals with training, purchasing, development and maintenance, or at a company that produces and develops medical care equipment and apparatus. Jobs available include Product Specialist, Project Manager/Product Developer of technical medical products or Medical Engineer.

The programme

Medical Technology starts up in the spring term of 2011. Last application date is 15 October 2010. This programme provides a unique opportunity to study technical subjects as well as supplying an orientation within the medical field. The programme is implemented jointly with Karolinska Institutet. Students will primarily study on the KTH Flemingsberg campus although some courses may be located at KTH Haninge. After graduation there will be many options available – employment or further studies on a Master programme in Sweden or abroad. For applicants with no natural science/engineering qualifications there is a special basic preparation term, 35 credits. This begins in the autumn term of 2010. Last date of application for the basic preparation term is 15 April 2010. In this term students study the mathematics, physics and chemistry that is necessary to qualify for this programme. Students must pass the qualification courses before they are qualified to begin on this programme.

Year 1

This programme starts in the spring term of 2011. Consequently, academic years consist of first a spring and then an autumn term. In Year 1 there are courses within both the medical and engineering fields. The programme begins with a course in Biological Chemistry in order to introduce students to the importance of chemical binding for the characteristics of the different compounds from a biological perspective. Students study the structures and biological functions of carbohydrates and proteins. Term 1 also includes IT and Engineering Methods that will help students to gain an overall view of the field, what it means to work as an engineer and knowledge concerning engineering working methods. Students also study group dynamics, presentation techniques and how to work in a project-oriented manner.
In order to acquire basic knowledge of the human body and its functions there is a course in Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology, on the normal structure of the human body and on function at tissue and organ level, plus how the various organ systems work.
In Year 1 students are also introduced to technology. The Digital Engineering course provides a good level of knowledge on fundamental digital construction blocks and systematic methods for the analysis and construction of digital systems, as well as basic knowledge on how digital construction blocks are described in a hardware descriptive language.

Mathematics I course provides knowledge of mathematical analysis and algebra which is essential for the other courses on the programme as well as broadening student's insights into the usefulness of mathematics in general and its value for creating the preconditions for the mathematical processing of technical problems.

In Basic Programming the basics of procedure-based programming are studied. Problem analysis and structuring is emphasised as are methods for error searching and testing. In order to prepare students for their future professional role they study Economics and Organisation in which they learn to understand a company's financial situation, organisation and context. Business concepts, company culture, marketing and accounting are some concepts covered.

Year 2

In Year 2 technical courses in Applied Electronics, Microcomputer Engineering and Automatic Control are studied. The Analogue Technology course provides knowledge on the connection between electronic networks and analysis methods for calculation of circuits’ time and frequency dependence. This course also provides knowledge on common, passive components such as resistors, capacitors, inductors and transformers. In addition students gain knowledge on measurement methods and instruments and training in the use of computerised aids for the simulation and measurement of electrical circuits.

In the Environmental and Work Science course, issues within these areas are studied together with the relevant legislation. Students will acquire a holistic approach to environmental activities, environmental impact and environmental techniques. Students will also be able to work preventatively with occupational injuries and actively participate in the working environment activities in their future workplaces. The Microcomputer Engineering course provides good levels of knowledge on the structure, function, programming and applications of embedded computer systems.

In Year 2 students take more mathematics in the Applied Mathematics course. They learn to transform simpler dynamics problems into differential equations and solve these either manually or by using a mathematics program. Within the medical engineering field students study Intensive Care Engineering and Medical Measurement Techniques. This describes how technology is used within the medical field, on equipment for life support systems, the regulation of bodily functions and in operations. In the Measurement Techniques course students learn about both technical and biological measurement methods. Students will also carry out an independent task to acquire more in-depth knowledge.

In the Applied Electronics course students are trained in the use of computerised instruments for simulation and measurement of electrical circuits. Students also gain basic knowledge of analogue electronic components, their use in electronic networks and knowledge on the analysis and construction of analogue systems.

The course in Data and Telecommunications deals with signals in time and frequency domains, transmission systems (cables, antennae, fibre optics) and applications for fixed and wireless communications systems. Students also learn the basics of data communications with the emphasis on understanding layered protocols, local networks and TCP/IP-based communications.

Year 3

During the final year more is learned about the medical engineering field in courses such as Medical Imaging and Clinical Engineering. The course in Medical Technology Operations prepares students for work with technical products in both private and public sector operations, and describes how a hospital works, the conditions applying, resource needs, competence requirements, routines etc. Students study the body of regulations concerning technical medical products, EU directives and division of responsibility.

There will be several interesting study visits to hospitals and companies within the business area.

In the Medical Imaging course students acquire basic knowledge in the area including reconstruction, analysis and communication. Students become very familiar with clinical uses and learn to communicate with experts in the field. Students look more closely at methods of, for example, reconstruction, X ray diagnostics, ultrasound and much more.
The course entitled Competence and Development prepares students for their future professional life with studies on social and emotional competence, teambuilding, conflict management and the engineer’s role in society.

Automatic Systems provides basic knowledge on how processes and control systems can be interpreted with the help of differential equations. Students also learn to manage software that simulates these systems.
The EMC Electronics course is designed to provide an orientation concerning current EU regulations for CE marking, electromagnetic interference and on methods to ensure that electronic constructions are protected from interference. There is also an Electronics Project which will provide practical skills within the areas previously covered in the programme. Focus lies on practical knowledge of electronic components in electrical systems and interfaces between different systems. An assignment is to result in a finished, functioning prototype.

The programme is concluded with a degree project of 15 credits (10 weeks of study).

Degree project

The programme is concluded with a degree project of 15 credits (equivalent of approximately 10 weeks of study). Normally students carry out their degree projects in pairs. The aim is for students to use and demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have acquired during their studies. This requires the students to be able to use good engineering practices and also to be able to report on their work in a professional manner. Students are themselves responsible for identifying suitable degree projects. The aim is that they carry out this project within business/industry or in the public sector. Students are afforded the opportunity to make valuable contacts and build up a network to use in their future professional careers. The degree project is generally experienced as fun as well as stimulating and brings many challenges and high level quality requirements from both the School and the employer. A good degree project provides the preconditions for success as an engineer.

Continued studies

Graduates enjoy several opportunities for continued studies. They may choose to continue their studies on a one or two-year Master programme (60-120 credits) – there are many to choose from at KTH. These are taught through the medium of English and are open to international students which enables exciting international contacts. Students may also choose to apply to join the final two years of a Master of Science in Engineering programme within the same or a closely-related engineering field (often this requires additional courses in order to qualify). Contact a student counsellor for more information. These courses normally cover 120-150 credits (2-2.5 years of study).