Engineering Biomedical Systems

Course Description

Have you ever wondered how scientists make pacemakers or grow cartilage for joint repair? In this course, you will learn how these scientists, called biomedical engineers, develop devices and tissue-engineered technologies that saves lives!

The aim of this course is to provide an introduction to biomedical engineering analysis, specifically relating to device design and tissue engineering approaches. It takes a healthy balance of biology and engineering to accurately mimic living systems, a challenge the field still faces today. In order to understand how professionals approach this challenge, a brief overview of human physiological systems will be provided from an engineering perspective, focusing on the physical principles underlying the basic functionality of these systems, and a look at why engineered replacements are sometimes necessary. Students will be taught using examples of popular biomedical technologies, including artificial joints and hearts, prosthetics, and insulin pumps. Additionally, we will cover differences in current approaches, such as tissue-engineered organs versus synthetic organ analogs. The course will incorporate a group design project in which students will be asked to improve upon current biomedical technologies. The designs will be based upon student readings, and will build upon hands-on activities and demonstrations presented in class. The course will integrate references to technologies that are often represented in popular media, to enable an appreciation of the various ways in which biomedical technologies are integrated into everyday life.

By the end of the course, students will have an understanding of human systems physiology, disease pathology, and basic engineering principles, including device design and testing. Students will have also proposed a design that improves upon a current medical technology. This project will result in a deeper understanding of the engineering design process and how to test the efficacy and safety of a new biomedical product.

Prerequisites: High school biology is required. Other science courses (physics and chemistry) may be helpful but are not required.

*For 1 week course sections scheduled for June 29 - July 2, 2020: Classes will not meet on Friday, July 3rd due to the observed Independence Day holiday. Due to the brevity of the course, meeting times have been adjusted accordingly Monday - Thursday to preserve in-class hours. We encourage students to remain on campus through Friday as our Campus Life team will be fully engaged with our students, offering a variety of activities.