Health-care environments have become more dependent on electronic medical diagnostic and therapeutic equipment which must be operated and maintained with great accuracy. Graduates of this program are part of an integrated health care team who install and maintain this equipment as well as their supporting computer systems. Graduates also assist other health care professionals in the optimization of equipment usage. The coordinated use and maintenance of this equipment has to be done in accordance with applicable codes, statutes and associated regulations.
The Electronics Engineering Technology (Biomedical) Program is a biomedical engineering technology program with a strong foundation in electronics. Students enrolled in this program also receive training in the areas of biomedical instrumentation, microprocessor applications in the health care setting, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, biochemistry, health care and safety. This comprehensive program concludes with a practicum where students are provided with the opportunity to work in hospital-based biomedical departments or with medical equipment sales and service companies.
ACCREDITATION
The Graduates completing this program are automatically eligible for membership in the Association of Engineering Technicians and Technologists of Newfoundland and Labrador (AETTNL), as well as any similar association in Canada.
Upon completion of this program graduates may choose to further their education by completing a bachelor degree in technology or engineering at one of several institutions that have articulation agreements with College of the North Atlantic.
Note: This program may not be suitable for applicants who do not have normal colour perception.
OBJECTIVES
As engineering technologists, graduates of this program will have the knowledge and skill that will allow him/her to:
- Employ specialized biomedical test instrumentation including patient parameter simulators and analysers, pressure and flow measurement devices, electrosurgical analysers and electrical safety analysers.
- Troubleshoot, maintain, and calibrate complex, electro-medical equipment utilizing industry recognized techniques and protocols.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the safe operation of electro-medical devices including patient care monitoring systems, defibrillators, electro-surgery units, diagnostic medical imaging systems, clinical laboratory instrumentation, dialysis delivery systems, respiratory care devices and other diagnostic, therapeutic and patient care instruments.
- Modify, design, and construct medical electronic devices through the application of electronic and patient data acquisition principles.
- Apply an engineering based approach to problem solving with respect to medical equipment systems, to enable the graduate to readily upgrade their knowledge and skills.
- Demonstrate an awareness of and concern for patient and staff safety in the health care environment.
- Maintain and operate Linux-based instrumentation within a wireless networking environment.
CURRICULUM
General education consisting of Communication Skills (oral and written), Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Electrotechnology, Engineering Graphics, Technology Awareness and Student Success.
Specific education in the theory and application of analog and digital electronics with a specialized emphasis on biomedical instruments, equipment and techniques and the interconnected computer systems associated with a modern healthcare environment.
Practical education in a Health Care environment through curriculum integrated labs.
Work exposure consisting of field experience, gained from the biomedical practicum.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
The graduates of this program may enter the work force in the employment of hospital biomedical engineering departments, with manufacturers and distributors of biomedical instrumentation, as well as independent sales and service organizations. Employment may include design and development of medical instrumentation, as well as purchase evaluation, acceptance testing, preventive and demand maintenance and operator training.
Graduates with two years of progressive work experience may be eligible to receive the designation of Professional Technologist (P. Tech) upon completion of a Professional Practice and Ethics Exam.
Upon recognition as a P.Tech and supplemental relevant experience in the field of biomedical engineering technology the graduate may be eligible to write certification examinations to be recognized as a Certified Biomedical Engineering Technologist (CBET). In many jurisdictions of Canada this certification is a requirement for advanced practice of the profession.
CERTIFICATIONS
In addition to the formal semester courses listed in the program of studies, students in the Electronics Engineering Technology (Biomedical) program are required to obtain a certificate of completion of Standard First Aid/Heart Start and WHMIS over their three-year period of studies.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility for admission to an Engineering Technology program requires the applicant to meet one of the following four academic criteria:
1. High School
High School Graduation Certificate with a 60% overall average in the following (or equivalent):
i. English (2 credits) (minimum 60%) from: 3201 or 3202
ii. Mathematics (4 credits) chosen from:
Advanced: 2200, 3200 (50% minimum in each course)
Academic: 2201 (50% minimum), 3201 (60% minimum)
iii. Science (4 credits) two of which must be selected from:
Biology: 3201
Physics: 3204
Chemistry: 3202
Earth Systems: 3209
Note: The remaining two Science credits to be chosen from the highest Science mark in level 1, 2 or 3.
2. Comprehensive Arts and Science (CAS) Transition
Comprehensive Arts and Science (Transition) Certificate with the following courses:
i. Math (60% MINIMUM) MA1040, MA1041
ii. Two Science courses chosen from one of the following three combinations:
a. Introductory Biology: BL1020, BL1021
b. Introductory Chemistry: CH1030, CH1031
c. Introductory Physics: PH1050, PH1051
Note: It is strongly recommended that CAS students who intend to enroll in Engineering Technology programs complete both of the Chemistry courses and both of the Physics courses.
3. Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with Degree and Technical Profile including the following courses (or equivalent):
i. English (60% minimum) 3101A, 3101B, 3101C or 3102A, 3102B, 3102C
ii. Mathematics (60% minimum) 1101A, 1101B, 1101C, 2101A, 2101B, 2101C, 3101A, 3101B, 3101C
iii. Science from one of the following sections:
a. Biology 1101, 2101A, 2101B, 2101C, 3101A, 3101B, 3101C
b. Chemistry 1102, 2102A, 2102B, 2102C, 3102A, 3102B, 3102C
c. Physics 1104, 2104A, 2104B, 2104C, 3104A, 3104B, 3104C
Applicants with Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with a different Profile may be eligible for admission to the program provided the appropriate selection of courses including those outlined above have been completed.
4. Mature Student Requirements
Applicants who do not meet the education prerequisites for this program, are 19 years of age or older, and have been out of school for at least one year may be considered on an individual basis under the Mature Student Requirements; for more information regarding the Mature Student Requirements please refer to Procedure AC-102-PR Admission.
Students should be aware that additional fees and expenses may apply to external certifications and vaccinations required throughout the program.
