BioMechanics

BioMechanics (BioMECH)

The BioMECHANICS (BioMECH) track offers in-depth expertise and essential tools to understand and tackle biomedical challenges using principles of mechanics. This program integrates recent and upcoming advancements in biomechanics, designed to offer innovative solutions to pressing health issues and respond to industry needs. Through a combination of lectures, team projects, case studies, and invited talks by both academic and industry experts, students gain knowledge in a stimulating, multidisciplinary environment. The BioMECH program emphasizes translational learning, guiding students from foundational science and modeling to clinical application, in close collaboration with clinicians.

BioMECH equips engineers and healthcare professionals with the skills to engage in research and development (R&D) in biomechanics. Students learn to: Address specific biomedical challenges, Conduct innovative, ethical, and rigorous research, Collaborate across fields at the intersection of mechanics, materials, and biomedicine. 

Program Structure

A core curriculum provides a comprehensive overview of biomechanics fundamentals and methods. Additionally, students choose one of two specialized tracks: Engineering Science (EngSci) or Health Science (HealthSci). 

The HealthSci track offers a part-time, flexible program for clinicians, which can be completed over one or two years. Courses are held in person at ENSAM every Thursday from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, beginning in early November. The format is compatible with part-time professional activities, provided students attend classes on Thursdays and allocate sufficient time for experimental research.

Program Overview for Both Tracks

The first semester starts with an integration week composed of:

  • A general kickoff meeting that gives a condensed overview of the Master program.
  • An individual meeting with one member of the BioMECH pedagogic team.
  • 3 orientation days (team building, student organization, outdoor walking rally, Skills workshop, Pitch workshop, Mock interviews)
The courses will then take place on a weekly basis. The students undertake a scientific thinking module and courses to the value of 30 ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer Scale). Student choices need to be approved by their academic tutor.

Engineering Science Track

Semester 3

Common core:

Interdisciplinary Seminar (3 ECTS)
Research Methodology (3 ECTS)
Functional Anatomy of the Musculo-skeletal System (3 ECTS)
Medical Imaging and geometrical modeling (3 ECTS)
Linear finite element modeling (3 ECTS)

 

Two optional courses among the following:

Experimental methods in Biomechanics (3 ECTS)
Mechanical behaviour of biological tissues (3 ECTS)
Clinical Aspects of Cardiovascular Biomechanics (3 ECTS)
Osteoarticular Repair (3 ECTS)
Basics in Tissue Biology (3 ECTS)

 

One subtrack among the following:

Subtrack “modeling”:

Dynamics, Impacts & Mechanical Waves (3 ECTS)
Advanced constitutive modeling (3 ECTS)
Non-linear finite element modeling (3 ECTS)

Subtrack “movement”:

Movement analysis and locomotion (3 ECTS)
Muscular system modeling (3 ECTS)
Wearables and robotics for health (3 ECTS)

Subtrack “materials”:

Fundamentals in Biomaterial Science (3 ECTS)
Non-elastic behavior of materials (3 ECTS)
Advanced constitutive modeling (3 ECTS)

Semester 4

Ethical, Industrial and Environmental aspects in biomedical enginnering (3 ECTS)
Research Internship (27 ECTS)

Additional courses can be added to the cursus, either from the BioMECH track or from the other parallel tracks (if the overlap between courses allows it).

Health Science Track

Semester 3

Common core:

Interdisciplinary Seminar (3 ECTS)
Mathematics : Basic principles (3 ECTS)
Statistics (3 ECTS)
Mechanical behaviour of biological tissues (3 ECTS)
Static Equilibrium (3 ECTS)
Strength of Materials (3 ECTS)
Kinematics (3 ECTS)
English (3 ECTS)
Gait Analysis (3 ECTS)

 

Two optional courses among the following:

Experimental Methods in Biomechanics (available for 1-year completion) (3 ECTS)
Linear Finite Element Analysis (required for 2-year completion) (3 ECTS)

Semester 4

Ethical, Industrial and Environmental aspects in biomedical enginnering (3 ECTS)
Research Internship (27 ECTS)
800
graduate students since 2010
90
nationalities represented since 2010
50%
bme graduates continue their education with a phd
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