Program Information
Program Director: Nowak
The standard Biomedical Engineering curriculum presents the student with a solid and diverse background into the solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, biomaterials, and instrumentation aspects of the field. In addition to the basic program, there are two concentrations for those with particular interests: a premed concentration for those planning to enter the health professions, and an electrical engineering concentration for those who wish to focus on the evaluation, maintenance, and design of electronic medical instrumentation. Both concentrations include the same basic program requirements as the standard curriculum, with additional courses for their special interests.
Educational Objectives
The Biomedical Engineering program seeks to prepare qualified students for productive, rewarding careers in the engineering profession, either for entry-level practice in biomedical engineering or for entrance into appropriate graduate programs. During their careers, our alumni
- will become successful practicing engineers in biomedical engineering fields and will advance professionally by accepting responsibilities and, potentially, pursuing leadershiproles;
- in addition, those who enter the health professions will utilize their engineering knowledge in this pursuit;
- will advance their knowledge of engineering, both formally and informally, by engaging inlifelong learning experiences; and
- will, as contributing members of multidisciplinary engineering teams, successfully apply the fundamentals of engineering analysis and engineering design to the formulation and solution of emerging technical problems.
The engineering design experience is distributed over the entire engineering curriculum. This experience begins in the first year with engineering and design and continues through and culminates in Senior Research and the senior Biomedical Engineering Design Project I and II. The senior-level design work ensures that the students have mastered preparatory engineering and engineering science courses.
Basic concepts of physics, chemistry, and mathematics are the foundations on which all engineering education is built. Basic tools of engineering, such as graphic communications, computer usage, mechanics, and thermodynamics complete the introductory phase of the program.
All Biomedical Engineering program graduates are required to complete courses designed to give the students a grounding in anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, biofluids, bioinstrumentation, and the structure of materials used by biomedical engineers. Along with the engineering courses, students are required to obtain a background in solid mechanics and electrical engineering.
Extensive laboratory experience enhances the course work. There are several required laboratory classes in the sciences, materials, engineering, and natural phenomena. Written communication of laboratory results is required.
Through participation in the All-University Curriculum and additional elective courses in the humanities and/or social sciences, students are given the opportunity to broaden their perspectives and to take part in the larger learning community of the University. It is imperative that engineers understand and appreciate the special role that technology plays in our society, as well as the interactions among the various components of our society.
The Biomedical Engineering program has three basic tracks: the standard track, one designed for those students who wish to enter medical school, and the electrical engineering concentration. Those students who wish to enter medical school are required to take a full year of organic chemistry prior to their senior year. All students who are interested in the health professions are required to join the pre–health professions program. The Pre–Health Profession Advisory Committee has developed a 1-credit course for each of the first three undergraduate years to help students prepare for health profession graduate school applications.
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