Biomedical Engineering Combined Five-year Degree Plan

Combined Five-year Degree Plan: Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Biology   

This is a five year curriculum to prepare students for careers in the fast growing biotechnology and biomedical engineering industries.  The curriculum also prepares students for medical school and advanced study.  Students are required to take courses from engineering, life sciences and liberal arts, culminating in a five-year Master of Science Degree in Biomedical Engineering, including a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology.  The curriculum is offered jointly by the College of Engineering and the College of Science

Description

Biomedical engineers use quantitative methods and innovation to analyze and to solve problems in biology and medicine.  Students choose the biomedical engineering field to be of service to people, to partake in the excitement of working with living systems, and to apply advanced technology to complex problems of medical care.

Through this Program, students learn the essentials of life science, engineering theory, and the analytical and practical tools that enable them to be successful in the biotechnology and biomedical engineering industries.  The Program includes coursework in the basic sciences, core engineering, biomedical engineering, and advanced biotechnology disciplines.  Both didactic classroom lectures and hand-on laboratory experience are emphasized.  Additionally, students are required to take general educational courses in literature, fine arts, history, political science, and social science. 

Career Opportunities

The Program prepares students as biomedical engineers for careers in industry, in hospitals, in research facilities of educational and medical institutions, and in government regulatory agencies.  It also provides a solid foundation for those wishing to continue for advanced degrees.  For those planning to pursue a medical degree, this cross-disciplinary curriculum offers a solid foundation in engineering, which is an advantage in preparing for a medical career.

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Requirements

Other General Educational Courses

Total (for degrees) 

163 semester hours, plus four semester hours of exercise and sport activities (EXSA) or ROTC or marching band as required.

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Suggested Course Sequence

Required hours on EXSA or ROTC or marching band

Courses on EXSA or ROTC or marching band can be taken at different semester.  A suggested sequence is one hour in the first semester of Sophomore year, one hour each in the first and second semester of Junior year, and one hour in the first semester of Senior year. 

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Biomedical Engineering Faculty

Director: Pietro Antich, Ph.D.

Click here for a complete list of Biomedical Engineering Faculty

Biomedical Engineering (BME) Courses

4325.  Introduction to Biomedical Engineering (3-0) 3 hours credit.  The various topics covered in this course are in multiple formats ranging from lectures by faculty or guest speakers to presentations by participating students. It is required for all students.

5307D.  Human Anatomy Lecture (3-0) 3 hours credit.  This course offers the lecture portion of a comprehensive study of the structure and function of human body systems and their mechanisms. Emphasis is placed on the major characteristics of each body system and on its function and relationship to other body systems.

5309D.  Human Physiology (3-0) 3 hours credit.  This course offers a comprehensive study of the basic physiological principles dealing with body systems and their interrelationships.

5361.  Biomaterials and Blood Compatibility (3-0) 3 hours credit.  This course is an introduction to polymer structure and fabrication methods. Blood and tissue interactions with materials and methods to improve biocompatibility of materials are discussed.

5390.  Research Project in Biomedical Engineering (3-0) 3 hours credit.  This course requires student to conduct a research project and write a project report under the supervision of a faculty member.

5193.  M.S. Comprehensive Examination (1-0) 1 hours credit.  This course includes instruction, directed study, and examination of course work leading to the non-thesis M.S. degree in Biomedical Engineering. 

5335.  Biological Materials, Mechanics, and Processes (3-0) 3 hours credit.  This course offers a study of typical, functional behavior of various biological materials, flow properties of blood, bioviscoelastic fluids and solids, and mass transfer in biological systems.

5344.  Biomedical Instrumentation 1A (3-0) 3 hours credit.  The fundamental principles of bioinstrumentation are presented in this course, including operational amplifiers and instrumentation amplifiers; measurement of biopotential signals; measurement of temperature, blood pressure and flow; electrical safety.

5364.  Tissue Engineering Lecture (3-0) 3 hours credit.  Fundamentals of cell/extracellular matrix interactions in terms of cell spreading, migration, proliferation and function. Soft and hard tissue wound healing.  Nerve regeneration. Polymer scaffolding materials and fabrication methods. Cell-polymer interactions, in vitro and in vivo.   Tissue culture, hybrid organ synthesis and organ replacement.

5365.  Tissue Engineering Lab (3-0) 3 hours credit.  Polymer extrusion, polymer drug loading, and polymer degradation with drug release. Each student will be given the opportunity to perform these experiments, including the culture of cells, testing for cell growth, proliferation and function under various substrate and media conditions.
5366.  Process Control in Biotechnology (3-0) 3 hours credit.  Principles and methods of measurement, data acquisition and analysis.  Application of control theory in biological systems and in biotechnology processes; control of pressure, flow, temperature, and pH.

5382.  Laboratory Principles (3-0) 3 hours credit.  This course is an introduction to fundamental biomedical-engineering laboratory procedures, including human and animal studies. Data collection, analysis, and interpretation are emphasized.

Please consult the Biology Department entry for descriptions of other courses required for this curriculum.

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