Department Electives

Prerequisites:14:125:303 and (14:125:208 or 14:125:308) and 14:125:315

Introduction to modeling and measurement methods for the cardiovascular system, analysis of blood flow dynamics, the function of the heart, and noninvasive approaches. Applications to cardiovascular instrumentation, basic cardiovascular system research, assist devices, and disease processes.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: 14:125:309 and 14:125:310

Introduction to the understanding of bioelectric phenomena that occur in physiological systems. This includes the origin of biopotentials, the use of biopotential electrodes in their measurements and subsequent amplification, signal processing and analysis of their physiological relevance. Applications of physical principles and basic electric engineering techniques are emphasized.

Credits: 3

Prerequisite: 14:125:208 or 14:125:308

Introduction to motion-actuation, force-generation, and load- support mechanisms in musculoskeletal system, as explained from basic engineering principles. Experimental and analytical approaches to solve realistic orthopaedic and recreational activities problems.

Credits: 3

Prerequisite:14:125:315 or 14:332:221 or 14:332:373

Practical hands-on designs of biomedical instrumentation including biopotential and physiological signal processing amplifiers, electrodes, biosensor and transducers, electro-optical, acoustic, and ultrasonic devices.

Credits: 3

Prerequisite: 14:125:303 and 14:125:309

Introductory overview of optical phenomena and the optical properties of biological tissue. The course is specifically focused on optical imaging applications in biology and medicine. Topics will include reflection, refraction, interference, diffraction, polarization, light scattering, fluorescence and Raman techniques, and their application in biomedical imaging and microscopy.

Credits: 3

Prerequisite: 14:125:303

Fundamentals of polymer scaffolds and their use in artificial tissues. Regulation of cell responses in the rational design and development of engineered replacement tissue. Understanding the biological, chemical, and mechanical components of intra and intercellular communication. Preliminary discussions on real-life clinical experiences.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: 14:125:433

This course will cover the applications of tissue engineering and builds upon the prior course fundamentals and tools. Emphasis is placed on applying the fundamental principles and concepts to problems in clinical medicine and large-scale industrial manufacturing. Topics: skin replacement, cartilage tissue repair, bone tissue engineering, nerve regeneration, corneal and retinal transplants, ligaments and tendons, blood substitutes, artificial pancreas, artificial liver, tissue integration with prosthetics, vascular grafts, cell encapsulation and angiogenesis.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: 14:125:303 and 14:125:305 and 14:125:306

The course will provide an introductory overview of some of the key issues in computational systems biology. The course is designed in a way that will define the systems component and the biology component independently to give the students the opportunity to appreciate the special features of both elements. A novelty of the course is the introduction of medical informatics concepts.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: 14:125:303

Fundamental concepts in drug delivery from an engineering perspective. Biological organisms are viewed as highly interconnected networks where the surfaces/interfaces can be activated or altered ‘chemically’ and
‘physically/mechanically’. The importance of intermolecular and interfacial interactions on drug delivery carriers is the focal point of this course. Topics include: drug delivery mechanisms (passive, targeted); therapeutic modalities and mechanisms of action; engineering principles of controlled release and quantitative understanding of drug transport (diffusion, convection); effects of electrostatics, macromolecular conformation, and molecular dynamics on interfacial interactions; thermodynamic principles of self-assembly; chemical and physical characteristics of delivery molecules and assemblies (polymer based, lipid based); significance of biodistributions and pharmacokinetic models; toxicity issues and immune responses.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: 14:125:401

This course provides an overview of how biomedical technologies are developed and translated into clinical practice. The course identifies the major diseases facing industrialized and developing countries alongside the technological advances which can be used to tackle these problems. Throughout the course, particular attention will be paid to the economic, ethical, social, and regulatory constraints which often determine the true impact of new technologies.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: 14:125:303 or 14:650:312

Microfluidics is the study of flow phenomena at small length scales with characteristic channel dimensions typically less than the diameter of a human hair. Small length scale effects become important as surface forces such as viscous drag and surface tension govern flow behavior rather than body forces (inertia) as seen in macroscale fluid mechanics. Miniaturization of fluid handling systems also allows the development of cell handling and manipulation devices, or microTotal Analysis Systems (TAS) also called “lab on a chip”, which combines biological sample preparation, separation, and analysis in a single device. Topics explored in this class include fundamental understanding and derivation of constitutive balances in fluid mechanics (i.e., Navier Stokes equation), exploration of electrokinetic flow phenomena for electrophoresis, fabrication techniques for microfluidics, overview of (TAS) systems especially capillary electrophoresis and miniaturized polymerase chain reaction for biochips, and exploration of integrated microfluidics for personalized medicine and drug delivery.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: 14:125:309, 310, and 315

The course applies the background obtained from the Biomedical Systems and Devices Laboratory and Lecture courses (125:309 and 310) that are restricted to linear systems and devices. This proposed course introduces advanced nonlinear electronics and devices. The Advanced Biomedical Devices lab also covers device standards and precision laboratory test methods; introduction to medical device interface systems; biomedical device power sources; wireless data transmission, basic radio systems; the blue tooth standard. Lastly, students will learn how to apply nonlinear data reduction methods to process long duration wireless data records that they will obtain during lab exercises.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites:14:125:304

The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of fabrication techniques and bioconjugate chemistry, as applied in the biomedical field. The course will cover topics covering to macro- to molecular-scale considerations for medical devices and implants. Students that complete the course will gain an understanding of the factors that go into the design and fabrication of medical devices as well as the tradeoffs between biomaterials theory and device implementation. They will also have hands-on exposure to digital design tools used in fabrication and observe traditional and cutting-edge fabrication instruments in use.

Credits: 3

Prerequisite: Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars Academy

*Senior Students Only*

These courses provide advanced research immersion activity and the supporting educational tools for members of the BME Research Scholars Academy that participate within a formalized two-year research experience. Students work independently with faculty members on a research project of relevance to biomedical engineering. In addition, students meet monthly for roundtable discussions of a wide range of scientific ethical and professional issues.

Credits: 3/3

Prerequisite: Varies Based on Topics

16:125:5XX All Biomedical 3 credit graduate courses, except 587/588 count towards an undergraduate departmental elective.

Criteria for eligibility to take graduate courses apply: Pass/No Credit options, grading policy, participation expectations, etc.
Speak with the graduate program director or administrator for assistance.