The delivery of health care and the conduct of biomedical research are increasingly reliant on advances in technology. Biomedical Engineering bridges the gap between technology, medicine and biology. It integrates physical, chemical, mathematical and computational sciences and engineering principles with the ultimate aim of improving health care. This major builds on the first three years of the BE (Electrical & Biomedical) which progresses through a broad foundation of preparatory courses in engineering, mathematics, biology and physics, followed by more advanced coursework and laboratory training, where engineering analysis and design techniques are applied to biological systems and clinical problems.

The UQ degree is focussed principally on medical imaging technologies, physiological measurement and biosignal analysis. The program is project-focussed including a project in fifth year to develop individual design and research skills, an approach valued by employers. Graduates of biomedical engineering may be involved in the design, construction and management of health and monitoring systems as well as diagnostic and therapeutic systems.

Roles for biomedical engineers are found in government regulatory bodies, private medical device industries and academic teaching and research institutions.