Introduction to topics comprising the field of Biomedical Engineering, including their ethical impacts. Familiarization with resources and basic skills necessary to succeed in this major and field.

Communication in the field of biomedical engineering, including technical writing and oral presentations with emphasis on professional development, articulation of a critical position, and productive intellectual exchange. Careers in the field of biomedical engineering. Planning and managing group projects. Ethical issues associated with biomedical engineering.

Introduction to modern computational modeling tools used in biomedical engineering. Analysis and visualization using engineering software as applied to problems of interest in biomedical engineering. Material balance modeling of biomedical systems.

Fundamentals of static equilibrium, free body diagrams, force and momentum balances; viscoelastic mechanical behavior and models of viscoelasticity; introduction to linear circuit analysis, filters, and amplifiers.

Introduction to molecular, cellular, and physical biology principles and concepts and application of engineering principles to further the understanding of biological systems. Protein and nucleic acid structure and function; DNA replication, mutations, and repair; transcription, translation, and post-translational processing; cellular organization; molecular transport and trafficking; and cellular models.

Introduction to continuum mechanics including statics, dynamics, and deformable bodies using integrated laboratory experiences on biomaterials. Laws of motion. Free body diagrams. Stress and strain. Materials behavior, focusing on models relevant to biomaterials. Mechanical properties of biomaterials. Basic modes of biomaterial deformation.

Mathematical and theoretical analysis of the mechanical properties and functions of materials, including those of biological origin and clinical relevance. Stress, strain, mechanical properties of materials, axial loading, torsion, bending, and stress/strain transformations. Application of the categories and methodology of solid mechanics to study biological tissues and events.

Properties of metals, ceramics, polymers, natural materials and composites; methods to modify surface and bulk properties of biomaterials; mechanisms of degradation in physiological environments; cell- and tissue-biomaterial interactions; host response to implanted biomaterials; blood-biomaterial interactions; rational design of biomaterials for specific biomedical applications.

First, second, and third law of thermodynamics; free energy and chemical equilibrium in biological processes; phase equilibrium for biomedical systems; energy and metabolism; membrane potentials and depolarization.

Analysis and discussion of biomedical industries, standards, regulations, products, and patents. Ethical issues associated with research, introduction of new products, animal subjects, and human subjects.

Analysis and discussion of industries, products, patents, industrial inventiveness, and biomedical research. Ethical issues associated with research, introduction of new products, animal subjects, and human subjects.

Basic electric circuits and equivalent cell model circuits used in biomonitoring and electrophysiology. Ohm’s and Kirchoff’s Laws. Applications of electrical components, such as operations amplifiers, filter, and Wheastone bridge, in biomonitoring and electrophysiology. Origins of bioelectricity. Biopotential and electrochemistry including Nernst and Goldman-Hudgkin-Katz equations for describing membrane potential of nerve and muscle cells. Ion transport involved in maintaining cell pH, action potential, muscle contraction, sensory perception.

Qualitative and quantitative aspects of infectious diseases; principles of diagnosis and control. Elements of human immunological response and immune disorders; influence on biomedical engineering of explants and implants.

Foundations for biomedical engineering with a focus on human anatomy and physiology. Introduction to the inter-relationships between tissue/organ structure and function; demonstration of how an engineering approach can promote understanding of these relationships. Recent biomedical engineering advances and their relations to underlying anatomy and physiology.

Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Professional and Civic Engagement Internships, GLD: Research

Qualitative and quantitative aspects of human system based medical microbiology; principles of diagnosis and control of representative human diseases. Elements of human immunological response and immune disorders.

Basics of convective and diffusive transport applied to biological and biomedical systems. The effect of fluid flow and mass transport upon biochemical interactions. Scaling and design of biotransport systems.

Principles of and experimental measurements using bioinstrumentation. Data acquisition, processing, and statistical analysis. Lab and electrical safety. Analytical methods including hematology, human fluids analysis, biosensors, chromatographic techniques, electrophoresis, dialysis, spectrophotometry, fluorometry, and microscopy. Applications of bioinstrumentation in disease diagnosis.

Sensing and measurement of biophysical and biochemical properties and signals in the human body for quantitative molecular, cell, and tissue analysis. Overview on the theory, design and application of common biomedical instrumentation used for diagnosis, treatment, and scientific study of physiological parameters in clinical medicine and biomedical research.

Introduction to laboratory techniques and tools used for physiological measurements in biomedical engineering, with focus on biological, physical, and biomaterial methods. Data processing and analysis, as well as effective communication of results in written and oral form.

Introduction to laboratory techniques and tools used for physiological measurements in biomedical engineering, with focus on measurement of biosignals and common analytical methods employed in biomedical research and clinical settings. Data processing and analysis, as well as effective communication of results in written and oral form.

Course content varies and will be announced in the schedule of classes by title. May be repeated as topic varies.

Kinetic theory applied to biomedical systems, including enzymatic reactions, cell growth, and kinetic models of biological systems.

Biological systems are used in chemical industries for a wide variety of applications, including the formation of important products (e.g. pharmaceuticals), sensor technology, degradation, and waste water treatment. This class will provide an overview of materials needed to investigate and model biosystems.

Introduction to modern computational modeling tools used in biomedical engineering. Analysis, visualization and image processing using engineering software as applied to problems of interest in biomedical engineering.

Integrated team work/project management, “voice of the patient,” design specifications, design functions, design concepts, economic factors, concept selection and product architecture. The initial feasibility study, selection of the final design approach, and preliminary specifications are required by the end of the semester.

Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Professional and Civic Engagement Internships, GLD: Research

Design for manufacturability, ergonomic and aesthetic considerations, prototype construction and testing, fabrication and biological testing of tissue engineered constructs, statistical methods/design of experiments, ethics/product liability and social/environmental impact. The final engineering design (specifications, drawings, bill of materials, including assessment of economics) will be completed by the end of the semester. Both written and oral reports are to be provided.

Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Professional and Civic Engagement Internships, GLD: Research

Summer internship, REU, or co-op experience in biomedical engineering. Students enroll in this course following their research experience and prepare a summary paper and research seminar on their technical accomplishments. A maximum of 3 credits may be applied toward the degree.

Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Professional and Civic Engagement Internships, GLD: Research

Basic fluid mechanics, capillary, drop and micro/nanoparticle, electrokinetics; micropump, mixer, preconcentrator, electrophoresis, microactuator and particle manipulator; sensors for pressure, velocity, concentration, temperature in environmental monitoring/biodefence, clinical diagnostics, drug discovery/delivery.

Fundamentals of nano- and microfabrication, metrology and their applications in biomedical engineering and science. The fabrication covers photolithography, nano/microfabrication for nano/microstructures, etching and additive techniques, MEMS integration and packaging, etc. Metrology focuses on characterization of nanostructures with imaging technologies.

Routes of administration; mechanisms of drug absorption and biological barriers; pharmacokinetic modeling of drug distribution; drug excretion and biotransformation; design and evaluation of controlled release systems, targeted release systems, and responsive release systems.

Engineering approaches to study and control immune reactions and their applications in therapy and diagnostics for infectious disease, cancer, allergy, autoimmunity, and transplantation.

Survey of cardiovascular development, anatomy, physiology and pathology. Recent advances in our understanding of the basic mechanisms of congenital cardiovascular defects and cardiovascular disease. Engineering principles, detection and treatment of cardiovascular defects.

Mathematical and theoretical analysis of the mechanical properties and functions of soft biological tissues to include arterial vessels.

Molecular basis of bioregenerative engineering; biomaterial design; biocompatibility assessment; cell isolation and characterization; rapid prototyping, scaffold fabrication, and biofabrication; protein and gene delivery; bioreactor design; transport in biological tissues; applications of tissue engineering in regenerative medicine.

Course content varies and will be announced in the schedule of classes by title. May be repeated as topic varies.