KTH Royal Institute of Technology

MSc Medical Engineering

The master's programme in Medical Engineering covers the broad and interdisciplinary field of Medical Engineering, exploring the merits and limitations of the technology used in clinical and preclinical applications. Students choose a specialisation in Computer Science, Electronics or Physics, and further specialise in Biomechanics, Health Systems or Imaging. Professionals with experience in both technology and medicine face vast career opportunities.

Medical Engineering at KTH

This is a two-year programme (120 ECTS credits) given in English. Graduates are awarded the degree of Master of Science. The programme is offered at KTH Campus and KTH Flemingsberg in Stockholm by the School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health (at KTH). The school has many relevant research collaborations with the globally recognised Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset. Students are strongly encouraged to spend at least a term at another university (in Sweden or abroad) through an exchange programme.

The master’s programme in Medical Engineering will give you expertise in the merits and limitations of the technology currently used in clinical and preclinical applications. You will also acquire the necessary knowledge to improve and develop medical technologies of the future.

Medical Engineering is a broad and interdisciplinary field. The programme is divided into three tracks to help you choose a coherent study plan that fits your background knowledge and aspirations. The tracks are Computer Science, Electronics, and Physics. In addition to the track, you will choose one of three specialisations in different Medical Engineering application areas. These are Biomechanics, Health Systems, and Imaging.

The Computer Science track helps students with a strong interest in computer science to train their ability to use state-of-the-art computer-science tools in Biomechanics, Imaging or Logistics and management of Health care. Computer simulations of brain damage occurring in car crashes, automatic segmentation of lesions in medical images with neural-network-based algorithms or optimised workflow design in a hospital ward through computer simulations are a few examples of applications in this track for the different specialisations.

The Electronics track help students with a strong interest in Electronics to train their ability to use state-of-the-art electronics tools in Biomechanics, Imaging or Logistics and management of Health care. Designing and producing sensors that track and measure human movement, efficiently reading out and processing signals from an imaging detector or studying the behaviour of staff and patients using electronic devices can be typical applications in this track for the different specialisations.

The Physics track help students with a strong interest in Physics or Mathematics to train their ability to use state-of-the-art tools from Physics or Mathematics in Biomechanics or Imaging. Modelling of human movement, optimisation of imaging protocols or design of new imaging systems are some examples of applications in this track for the different specialisations.

During the first year of the programme, students from all tracks and specialisations take mandatory courses in Statistics, Simulations, Signal Processing and Theory and Methodology of Science. Also, all students take a Project Carrier course where the theory and practice from the four mandatory courses is applied in projects specific to the chosen track and specialisation. Please note that the Project Carrier course constitutes 50% of the first year, showing that the programme focuses on applying advanced engineering tools in real practice.

The second year of the master's is devoted to elective courses within the track and specialisation and the final degree project. Students are also required to take one course from a list of conditionally elective courses selected by our faculty.