M.Sc. pathway
Build the skills behind better medical devices.
The M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering – Medical Device Innovation combines engineering, clinical needs-finding and the wider decisions involved in developing a medical device.
Programme structure
What the programme commits you to.
- Award
- M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering – Medical Device Innovation
- Duration
- 18 months
- Study mode
- Full-time, in person
- Location
- Kenyatta University
You will work on design projects, learn from healthcare and industry professionals, and use the CDIE studio to turn ideas into prototypes. Alongside making, you will study business, quality systems and regulatory strategy.
What you will learn
Five things you practise.
Find meaningful problems.
Use observation, interviews and clinical immersion to identify unmet needs.
Design and prototype.
Develop concepts, select materials and build models that help you assess your ideas.
Understand the path beyond a prototype.
Explore business planning, quality management and regulatory considerations.
Work across disciplines.
Learn with people who bring different technical backgrounds and perspectives.
Communicate your work.
Practise presenting ideas, explaining evidence and building professional relationships.
Course outline
Three semesters, full-time.
Semester 16 units
- BME 810
Clinical Immersion & Needs Finding
The clinical and industry immersion course provides students with hands-on experience in diverse clinical settings including hospitals and operating rooms, where they systematically identify unmet medical device needs. Through interdisciplinary collaboration with healthcare professionals, students will learn to prioritize observations, ensuring that proposed medical device solutions have both significant clinical impact and commercial viability.
- BME 812
Business & Entrepreneurship for Healthcare Innovation
Equips students with the skills to develop comprehensive business plans, evaluate financial models and perform market analysis for new medical devices. Students will learn about the entrepreneurial landscape, including funding sources and intellectual property protection, to determine the commercial viability and strategic path for bringing innovations to market.
- BME 814
Biomedical Device Design 1
Equips students with a comprehensive understanding of the biomedical device process, from concept development to design validation. Through case study analysis and hands-on application of design techniques, students will learn to navigate design challenges specific to healthcare needs, particularly in the context of the Kenyan and African markets.
- BME 816
Prototyping & Fabrication 1
Provides hands-on experience in creating functional biomedical prototypes using techniques such as 3D printing, CNC machining and laser cutting. Students will also learn CAD design and material selection, and explore emerging healthcare technologies such as A.I., telemedicine and wearables, applying them to biomedical innovations.
- BME 818
Professional Development & Communication
Equips students with the skills to build strong professional networks, optimize their resumes and navigate the job search process. Students will enhance their communication and presentation abilities, preparing them to present their ideas and research effectively in diverse professional settings.
- Elective
Technical Elective
An opportunity for non-engineering students to ramp up on any engineering class, and for engineering students to ramp up on their physiology and anatomy knowledge.
Semester 26 units
- BME 811
Biomedical Device Design II
Guides students through the full design process of biomedical devices. An advanced course building on Biomedical Device Design I, it emphasizes human-centered design, regulatory compliance and interdisciplinary collaboration. Students will develop a project that meets the needs of patients, healthcare providers and industry standards, and will select their final project in this class.
- BME 813
Global Regulatory Strategies for Medical Technologies
Provides a comprehensive understanding of global regulatory bodies and their historical evolution. Students will critically analyze global regulatory frameworks and develop knowledge of the Kenyan context, understanding how to navigate local compliance processes and the role of government agencies in medical device approval.
- BME 815
Project Management in Healthcare
Equips students with the skills to plan, execute and manage healthcare projects, focusing on scope, timeline and risk management. Students will also learn to lead interdisciplinary teams, manage budgets and ensure compliance with quality and regulatory standards throughout the project lifecycle.
- BME 817
Quality Management Systems
Provides a thorough understanding of essential quality standards such as ISO 13485 and ASTM standards, and their application in the medical device industry. Students will learn to develop quality manuals, implement risk management strategies and conduct audits, ensuring ongoing compliance and continuous improvement.
- BME 819
Physiology for Engineers
Provides a comprehensive understanding of human body systems and their importance to biomedical engineering. Through engineering principles and real-world case studies, students will learn to design medical devices and innovations compatible with the complex physiological environment of the human body.
- ECU 801
Quantitative Methods for Engineering & Technology
Descriptive statistics; probability theory and distributions; estimation of parameters; extreme value analysis; distribution classes; return period; analysis at different time scales and aggregation levels; regression and correlation; model calibration; validation; sensitivity and uncertainty analysis; residual analysis; variance decomposition; uncertainty sources in mathematical modelling; time series analysis; numerical techniques for interpolation, differentiation and integration, least squares fitting and optimization techniques.
Semester 35 units
- BME 820
Advanced Biomaterials
Provides an in-depth understanding of biomaterials principles, focusing on structure-property relationships of materials used in medical applications. Students will analyze and select biomaterials for specific uses, applying their knowledge to develop medical devices, implants and tissue engineering solutions while critically assessing current research.
- BME 822
Industry Seminar
Exposes students to a range of topics through talks by entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and industry leaders, integrating real-world insights with academic learning in biomedical innovation. Students will also enhance their networking skills, building professional relationships and exploring career opportunities in the field.
- BME 830
M.Sc. Project
The student demonstrates mastery of the curriculum by developing a prototype that integrates the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the programme. They will create a business plan outlining market analysis and commercialization strategies, and a quality and regulatory plan for bringing a medical device to market. From an engineering perspective they will design a validated mid-to-high fidelity prototype that addresses an identified problem, selected through rigorous needs finding and screening.
- ECU 802
Philosophy of Engineering, Technology and Innovation
Explores the historical evolution of engineering and technology and their impact on society and culture, covering philosophical foundations, ethical considerations and the relationship between innovation and societal change, while developing critical thinking and applying these principles to real-world challenges.
- Elective
General Elective
An opportunity to take a class of the student's choosing to enhance their knowledge.
Applying
Who should consider applying?
We are looking for candidates who meet the following criteria.
- B.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering, or another engineering and technology related field including mechanical, electrical, mechatronics, chemical, computer science or physics, with at least an upper second class division.
- B.Sc. in a health or applied science related field with at least an upper second class division.
- Lower second class graduates in the above areas will be considered with an additional two years of relevant work experience.
Ideal candidates have experience in industry, preferably in design, development or roles involving medical technology and healthcare innovation. We look for a demonstrated interest in healthcare, shown through coursework, lab work, work experience or volunteering.
Take the next step with a clear picture of the programme.
Ask the admissions team about the next intake, eligibility and the documents you will need before submitting your application.
The existing application process asks for a CV, motivation letter, recommendation letters and undergraduate transcripts, followed by interviews for shortlisted applicants.
Talk to us
Ask us about the programme.
Ask the admissions team about the next intake, eligibility and the documents you will need before submitting your application.