Welcome to the Department of Biomedical Technology
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The term ‘biomedical’ implies a greater emphasis on problems related to human health and diseases. Biomedical Technology is the synergy of Biotechnology and Medical Technology which consists of the applications of biological and medical engineering in solving problems related to man. It is concerned with the theory, design and production of biomedical systems, components and devices used in the basic levels of health care: Preventive, Therapeutic and Rehabilitative. Therefore, Biomedical Technology (BMT) broadly means the application of engineering principles and concepts to the area of living systems with the main emphasis on problems related to human health and diseases. It is often loosely called Biomedical Engineering which is primarily for health care purposes.

Man can be said to be a living machine performing according to the grand design of nature and therefore is amenable to various analytical considerations – a good number of which require engineering principles and practice. Thus, it became pragmatic for professionals in engineering and medicine to cooperate in the emerging and potentially lucrative and exciting field of biomedical technology.

Biomedical Technology is the modern application of biomedical engineering which involves the design, analysis and synthesis of healthy human systems or its components. The Design component is the general planning of a system; Analysis is the study of a system by examining its parts and their relationship; while Synthesis is the combination of separate things or subsystems to form a system or complete whole. It is based on the understanding of pure sciences like mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology. However, Biology and Medicine form the major basis for Biomedical Engineering Technology.

Biomedical Engineering Technology, which is the focus of the Departmental programme, is the melting pot of all engineering disciplines applicable to biology and medicine. The programme is mainly concerned with the synthesis of appropriately relevant aspects of all engineering disciplines in tackling preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative challenges in Medicine. For instance, the students are trained on how to basically employ the principles and practice of Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical and Nuclear Engineering in the scientific study and resolution of practical problems in Medicine.

Clinical Engineering, an aspect of Biomedical Technology, involves medical measurements, developments of devices and interaction with relevant aspects of clinical practice. A graduate Clinical Engineer /Technologist naturally becomes an interface between the various medical equipment and the patient under the management and supervision of the Clinician. The programme, therefore, inculcates in her students the applications of the fundamentals of mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology to solve medically-relevant problems.

The functional activities of graduates of biomedical engineering / technology include medical device design, fabrication, and testing, prosthetics fabrication, ergonomics and human factors monitoring, physiological functions monitoring, home healthcare technology development, biomedical informatics, functional imaging and tomography, biomaterial development with biocompatibility, artificial tissue and organ fabrication, cell and biomolecule-based sensors, therapeutics, gene therapy development, biomedical microsystems and management.

Despite the current diversity of Biomedical Technology, its scope continues to change, and grow rapidly with advances in biology, materials science, medicine and technology. The Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) Biomedical Technology programme is primarily concerned with Health Care Equipment Research, Development, Installation, Use and Maintenance; Healthcare Data-Processing; Tissue and Regenerative Engineering; Rehabilitative Technology and Bioenergetics; Biomaterial and Pharmaceutical Technology for optimal healthcare delivery in the developing world.

 

Brief History

In line with the FUTO mandate for health technology, the curriculum for Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) in Biomedical Technology was developed by a team of experts drawn from the School of Health Technology; School of Engineering and Engineering Technology; School of Science; Nigeria Institute of Biomedical Engineering and other stakeholders.

FUTO pioneered the Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) degree programme in Biomedical Engineering/Technology in Nigeria, perhaps in sub-Saharan Africa. This programme was named Physiotherapeutic Technology in 2003/2004. It changed to Physiokinetics and Biomedical Technology in 2007/2008 and to the current Biomedical Technology in 2009/2010, as recommended by the National Universities Commission following an accreditation visit.

The Department had her first batch of relevant academic staff in 2005 with a Medical Biochemist, Dr C.G. Osuagwu as the pioneer Ag. Head of Department. Dr S.C. Iwuji was the first Examination/ Time Table Officer for about 6 years before Engr. K.O. Ejeta took over.

Professor G.C. Okoye, a Professor of Bioengineering and Rehabilitation Medicine, on sabbatical from University of Nigeria Enugu Campus became the Head of Department from 2008 to 2010 academic session.

Dr G.I.N. Ndubuka, a Senior Pathologist headed the Department from 2011 to July 2017 when the 4th Head of Department was appointed.

Dr S.C. Iwuji is a Physiologist & Safety Pharmacologist was returned from the Department of Human and Applied Physiology where he pioneered HOD until June 30, 2017. He successfully led the Department during the December 4-7, 2017 NUC re-accreditation exercise.

Some graduates of the Department are undergoing higher degree studies in renowned Universities within and outside Africa. Some are employed in the healthcare sector because of the dearth of Biomedical Engineers/ Technologists in Nigeria. Some graduates are into teaching, research and development. Some are into marketing and supply of biomedical equipment/installations. Others are utilizing their acquired skills in related private enterprises.

Vision & Mission

 

To produce a new kind of technological manpower which possesses planning, adaptive, technical, maintenance, development, and productive skills in bioengineering and medical technology; capable of understanding, using and adapting to existing modern technology, improve indigenous technology and develop new ones, and would be immediately productive in any biomedical technological enterprise or be gainful employed.

Our Philosophy

 
The programme provides excellence in knowledge acquisition, management and usage of health diagnostic and therapeutic tools and explores the frontiers of technology and provides solutions to various problems in biomedical science and engineering. It provides intuitively relevant scientific and innovative focus on the application of engineering principles, methodologies and techniques to the medical field and combines the design and problem-solving skills of engineering with medical and biological sciences to improve overall healthcare diagnosis and treatment.

Aim and Objectives

The main aim of the B. Tech. programme in Biomedical Technology is to produce graduates equipped with fundamental knowledge of relevant sciences, medicine and engineering principles and skills in order to carry out a basic design, fabrication and management of biomedical devices or therapeutics to solve problems in medicine, healthcare and safety through service, entrepreneurship, research and development.
 

The Objectives of the Programme include:

  • To provide students with a broad and balanced scientific and practical foundation to be able to function as professional Biomedical Engineering /Technology practitioners.
  • To inculcate in students a sense of enthusiasm in the profession in order to enhance their capacity to apply skills in biomedical technology in the solution of theoretical and practical problems in healthcare.
  • To involve the students in an intellectually stimulating and satisfying experience of learning, studying and research.
  • The application of engineering principles and techniques to the medical field, to combine the design and problem-solving skills of engineering with medical and biological sciences to improve healthcare diagnosis and treatment.
  • To develop in students, through education in biomedical technology, a range of transferable skills of value in medical equipment design, research and development.
  • To provide students with a knowledge and skills base from which they can proceed to further studies in specialized areas involving medical sciences and ever-changing technological innovation to enhance healthcare delivery.
  • To empower graduates of Biomedical Technology with skills that will enable them to engage in income yielding ventures as well as increasing their entrepreneurial capacity.

Meet our Team

S/NNAMEDESIGNATION
1Mrs Chioma C. Okey-MbataLecturer II
2Dr Ir. Samuel C. UzoechiLecturer II
3Miss Ibemusu M. OteleAssistant Lecturer
4Toochukwu E. ChibuikeGraduate Assistant
5Dr Samuel C. IwujiReader (Associate Dean)
6Dr Ndubuka G. I. NnantaReader
7Mr Chimaobi W. OkaforLecturer I
8Engr. Kennedy O. EjetaLecturer I
9Eno AjuoguLecturer I
10Banigo A. TamunonengioforiLecturer II
11Emmanuel C. NwosuGraduate Assistant
12Afoma L. OkaforGraduate Assistant
13Engr. Dr Azeez O. TaofikSenior Lecturer (HOD)

100 Level Courses

Year One: Harmattan Semester

Course NoCourse TitleLTPUnits
GST 101Use of English I1102
GST 103Humanities1001
MTH 101Elementary Mathematics I3104
PHY 101General Physics I2114
CHM 101General Chemistry I3014
BIO 103Biology for Agric & Biological Science I2013
ENG 101Workshop Practice I0011
ENG 103Engineering Drawing I0011
FRN101/IGB101Introduction to French / Igbo1001
Total133521

 

Year One: Rain Semester

 

Course NoTitleLTPUnits
GST 102Use of English II1102
GST 108Social Sciences1001
GST 110Science, Technology, Society1001
MTH 102Elementary Mathematics II3104
PHY 102General Physics II2114
CHM 102General Chemistry II3014
BIO 104Biology for Agric & Biological Science II2013
ENG 102Workshop Practice II0011
ENG 104Engineering Drawing II0011
FRN102/IGB102Introduction to French / Igbo1001
Total133521

200 Level Courses

Year Two: Harmattan Semester

Course NoTitleLTPUnits
GST 211Nigerian and African Culture1001
CSC 201Computer and Applications1113
ENG 213Engineering Mechanics I (Statics)1012
ENG 221Electrical and Electronic Engineering I2002
ENG 219Bioengineering Materials I2002
HST 201Human Anatomy I1012
BCH 201General Biochemistry2013
STA 211Introduction to Statistics and Probability1102
MCB 201General Microbiology1012
BMT 241Biomedical Mathematics I1102
BMT 203Human Physiology I1012
BMT 201Introduction to Biomedical Technology1001
Total153624

 

Year Two: Rain Semester

Course NoTitleLTPUnits
ENG 224Engineering Mechanics II (Dynamics)1012
ENG 226Electrical & Electronic Engineering II1012
ENG 228Bioengineering Materials II1012
BMT 204Human Physiology II1012
BCH 202Medical Biochemistry1012
BMT 222Excitable Tissues and Electrophysiology1113
CHM 204Organic Chemistry for Health Professionals2013
BMT 212Human Anatomy II1012
BMT 242Biomedical Mathematics II1102
MGT 206Health Psychology1102
Total113822
Long Vacation Following Year Two
Course NoTitleLTPUnits
SIWES 200SIWES0022

 

300 Level Courses

Year Three: Harmattan Semester

Course NoTitleLTPUnits
ENS 301Introduction to Entrepreneurship & Innovation1012
ENG 319Thermo-fluids for Health Professionals2013
PTE  301Polymer Chemistry2002
HST  301General Pathology2002
HST  303Introduction to Pharmacology2002
BMT 391Biomedical Technology Practicum I0011
BMT 331Biomedical Electronics I2002
BMT 333Biomedical Instrumentation I2002
BMT 301Professionalism, Ethics and Code of conduct1001
BMT 315Medical Genetics I1102
BMT 311Healthcare Technology Planning1001
BMT 371Introduction To Biomedical Physics1001
TOTAL171321

 

Year Three: Rain Semester

Course NoTitleL TP Units 
HST 304Statistics for Health Technology1102
ENS 302Business creation growth and corporate governance1012
BMT 302Biomedical System Analysis1102
BMT 322Introduction to Sports Medical Technology2013
BMT 312Introduction to Clinical studies1012
BMT 334Biomedical Instrumentation II (Signal Processing)1012
BMT 332Biomedical Electronics II1012
BMT 352Introduction to Human Biotechnology1012
BMT 372Biomedical Radiation Technology1102
BMT 310Medical Genetics II1102
BMT 392Biomedical Technology Practicum II0011
Total114722

 

400 Level Courses

Year Four: Harmattan Semester

Course NoTitleLTPUnits
ENG 407Biomedical Devices and Mechanisms1012
ENG 409Human Biomechanics1012
HST 401Health Management Information Systems2002
BMT 493Research Methods in Biomedical Technology1102
BMT 421Ergonomics, Environmental Hazards and Laboratory Safety3014
BMT 461Introduction to Clinical & Rehabilitation Engineering2002
BMT 491Industrial Visits and Seminars0011
BMT 441Ambulatory Technology and e-Health1012
BMT 495Biomedical Technology Practicum III0011
Total111618

 

Year Four: Rain Semester

Course NoTitleLTPUnits
SIW 400Biomedical Engineering Internship/Industrial Training (Long Vacation Internship/SIWES programme in relevant industries/hospitals)0066
Total0066

 

Year Five: Harmattan Semester

Course NoTitleL T PUnits
ENG 501Biomedical Devices Design1012
ENG 503 Manufacturing Processes1012
ENG 521Biomedical Equipment Maintenance Management I1012
BMT 523BMT Seminars0011
BMT 551Genetic and Tissue Engineering1012
BMT 541Biomedical Informatics1012
BMT 591 Project Proposal Writing and Presentation0011
BMT 593Biomedical Laboratory Practicum IV0011
BMT 581Disabilities and Assistive Technologies1012
Electives (minimum of 2)2024
Total (minimum)801119
Elective Courses (select a minimum of 4 units)
Course NoTitleLTPUnits
BMT 531Biomedical Telemetry1012
BMT 553Bioprocess Technology1012
BMT 555Pharmaceutical Technology1102
BMT 561Clinical Deformities and Management1012
BMT 511Introduction to Forensic Science and Mortuary Technology1012
BMT 533Intensive Care and Clinical Instrumentation1012

 

Year Five: Rain Semester

Course NoTitleLTP Units 
BMT 522Equipment Reliability and Safety Technology1102
ENG 524Biomedical Equipment Maintenance Management II1012
BMT 542Computer-Aided Design of Biomedical Equipment1012
BMT 572Clinical Imaging Technology1012
BMT 598 Final Year Project & Oral Examination0066
Electives (minimum of)2024
Total (minimum)611118
Elective Courses (Select a minimum of 4 units)
Course NoTitleLTPUnits
BMT 552Introduction to Nanotechnology1102
BMT 562Issues in Clinical Engineering Technology1102
BMT 584Design of Artificial Organs & Assistive Technologies1012
BMT 582Indigenous Biomedical Technologies1012
BMT 546Medical Robotics and Computer Assisted Surgery1102

 

Career Opportunity

According to WHO (2017), trained and qualified Biomedical Engineering/ Technology professionals are required within health-care systems to design, evaluate, regulate, acquire, maintain, manage and train on safe health technologies. WHO and ILO highly valued the BME/BMT professionals and their salaries are tops.

The graduates of this programme will reasonably fill in the gaps existing in all biomedical establishments/markets, even as self-employed. Career opportunities exist in the following areas:

  1. Health-care providers:  Their roles can include asset management, equipment selection, installation, training and maintenance, planning of clinical areas for health-care delivery, supporting other healthcare professionals to define appropriate technologies for patient diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation as well as development of specialized instruments or devices for research or treatment and customized, patient-specific devices.
    • As Clinical Engineers in hospitals, health and fitness centres, ICUs, etc.
    • As Biomedical Informatics in hospitals, information and health management agencies, etc.
    • As Medical Rehabilitation Engineers in hospitals, homes, research institutions, etc.
    • As Biomedical Equipment Managers in health establishments, agencies or centres, etc.
  2. Research and development:  They bring together their broad engineering knowledge, coupled with their knowledge of medical practice, the human physiology and body structures to ensure the end result of their collective work is a product that is safe, effective and performs as intended for the benefit of the patient.
    • Biogenetics used for teaching and research institutions, regenerative medicine.
    • Bioengineering / Tissue Engineering used in prosthetics, plastic surgery, etc
    • Biomedical Engineering (BME)/ Technology Education and Research used in tertiary institutions, research centres, etc.
  3. Government:  They are also engaged by government such as ministries of health, working on central or regional level health-care technology management, or governmental organizations such as health technology assessment or regulatory agencies, where their skills are applied to the evaluation for selection of public procurement, reimbursement schemes or examination or testing of medical devices to ensure those to be placed on the market are safe and in compliance with international standards and regulatory requirements.
  4. Industry:  They are involved in Research and Development (R&D); sales and service and providing after-sales service, like training, maintenance and repair.
    • Pharmaceutical Technology is useful for biopharmaceutical companies, etc.
    • BME is useful in medical equipment manufacturing industries.
  5. Academic and Training Institutions:  BMT graduates may also acquire further education to teach/train in higher institutions. They can also work as technologists.
    • Biomedical Instrumentation is useful in education and training institutions, etc.

Entry Requirement

The prerequisites for admission into the five (5)-year B. Tech. degree programme in Biomedical Technology are as follows:

Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) Entry Requirements

In addition to the departmentally approved minimum cut-off score in UTME (with combination subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and English only), the candidate must have WAEC WASC or SSCE or NECO results with at least credit passes in five (5) relevant subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and English, at not more than two (2) sittings in the West African School Certificate or in the Senior Secondary Certificate or National Examination Council examinations.

Direct Entry Requirements

  1. Joint University Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) requirements as approved by FUTO.
  2. Advanced General Certificate of Examination (A’ Level) with HSC/GCE/A/Level credit passes in two relevant subjects, with SC/GCE O/Level Credit passes in Mathematics and three other subjects listed above is not more than two sittings.
  3. First degrees with at least second class lower division in medical science or engineering are eligible for admission as determined by the University Senate.
  4. Holders of the accredited Ordinary National Diploma (OND) BME certificate at Upper Credit level pass are eligible for admission into the 2nd year (200level) programme of the Department.
  5. Holders of accredited Higher National Diploma (HND) (electrical and electronics engineering, chemical engineering, and mechanical engineering) at Upper Credit level pass are eligible for direct entry admission
  6. In addition to fulfilling the requirements stated in above 4.2, the candidates must hold five relevant credit passes in O’ level subjects, including Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and English, at not more than two sittings; and met with prevailing JAMB Direct entry requirements.

Inter-University Transfer

Applicants should possess a minimum of CGPA of 3.5 on a 5-point scale in Biomedical Engineering or Technology from reputable Universities.

N.B: All candidates before any admission must satisfy all the conditions as approved by the National Universities Commission and Senate of the University.

Engr. Dr. Azeez, T. Oladimeji

HOD, Biomedical Technology