Required Biomedical Engineering Courses

BME 115. Biomedical Engineering Seminar (0 hrs - Fall and Spring semesters). A course designed to introduce new, transfer, and interested engineering students to the program and discipline of Biomedical Engineering. The seminar includes activities such as research presentations from faculty and students, lab tours and activities, presentations from alumni and industry representatives, and learning about career options in the Biomedical Engineering discipline. This course meets once per month each semester it is taught. Prerequisite: None.

BME 335. Biomedical Computer Applications (3 hrs - Fall and Spring semesters). Introduces students to software packages and applications applicable to the biomedical engineering curriculum and discipline. Course content includes three-dimensional graphical computer aided design software (e.g., Solidworks), mathematical programming software and applications (e.g., MATLAB), and data acquisition and analysis software (e.g., LabVIEW). Corequisite: MATH 242.

BME 452. Biomechanics (3 hrs - Fall and Spring semesters). Provides a foundation of mechanics in addressing bioengineering problems. An introduction to the basic concepts and methods of mechanics as applied to biological tissues. Introduces statics, dynamics and mechanics applied to the human body, including the following: (1) vectors, moments, equilibrium, (2) kinetics and kinematics, including displacement, rotation, acceleration, and deformation, (3) stress and strain, (4) equations of motion, (5) impulse and momentum, and (6) mechanical properties of biological tissues. Prerequisites: MATH 243, AE 223.

BME 462. Introduction to Biofluids (3 hrs - Fall and Spring semesters). Introduction to the conservation laws which form the foundation of fluid mechanics, and their application to bioengineering related problems including blood flow in the vascular system and other biological flows within the human body. Topics include dimensional analysis, definition of system, conservation of mass and energy, and conservation of momentum. Prerequisite: AE 223, MATH 555. Corequisites: BIOL 223, ME 398.

BME 477. Introduction to Biomaterials (3 hrs - Fall and Spring semesters). Major classes of materials used in medical devices including polymers, metals, ceramics, composites, and natural materials are discussed. Biocompatibility, host reactions to biomaterials, immune response, wound healing, biomaterial implantation and acute inflammation, thrombosis, infection, tumorigenesis and calcification of biomaterials, testing and degradation of biomaterials in vivo are covered. Special biomaterials applications such as cardiovascular devices, drug delivery, and tissue engineering are covered. Additionally, biomedical device design and regulatory issues are also discussed. Prerequisites: CHEM 211, PHYS 213 or PHYS 313. Corequisite: ME 251 (except for Fall 2018 and later catalogs).

BME 480. Bioinstrumentation (3 hrs - Fall and Spring semesters). Introduction to engineering aspects of the detection, acquisition, processing, and display of signals from living systems; biomedical sensors for measurements of biopotentials, force, displacement, blood pressure, blood flow, heart sounds, respiration, and temperature; biomedical devices; medical imaging instrumentation. Prerequisite: BME 335, EE 282, IME 254.

BME 482. Design of BioDevices (3 hrs - Spring semesters). Discusses the overview of device definitions, selection and use of materials in in-vitro medical devices, and implantable medical devices, product development and documentation, regulation and testing of medical devices, reliability and liability, licensing and patents, manufacturing and quality control, biocompatibility, FDA and ISO 10993 biological evaluations. Provides an overview of the multiple issues in designing a marketable medical device, including the design process from clinical problem definition through prototype and clinical testing to market readiness. Case studies will be discussed. Students must be within three semesters of graduation in order to take this course. Prerequisites: BME 335.

BME 585. Capstone Design I (3 hrs - Fall semesters). First course in a two-semester Capstone Design sequence. Focuses on the process of strategic clinical problem solving and innovation through evaluation of real-world diagnostic processes, current therapeutic approaches and clinical outcomes. Students work in teams to identify and critically evaluate unmet medical or clinical needs through utilization of a biodesign and innovation process, including clinical needs finding through on-site observations, stakeholder assessments, needs statement development, and concept generation. For undergraduate students only. Students must be within three semesters of graduation in order to take this course. Prerequisites: BME 482 and program consent.

BME 595 Capstone Design II (3 hrs - Spring semesters). Second course in a two-semester Capstone Design sequence. Capstone design engineering practice involving a team-based bioengineering analysis and design project, including discovering customer requirements; design requirements; design; biocompatibility, regulatory, ethical, societal, and environmental considerations; creativity; alternative approaches for solution; specific system analysis; project management; prototype construction and testing; and final report and presentation. For undergraduate students only. Prerequisites: BME 585.

Technical Electives - Students must complete 12 credit hours selected from the courses listed below.

BME 722. Introduction to Biorobotics (3 hrs - Fall semesters). Biorobotics combines human anatomy and physiology, electronics, mechanics and robotics technology using computer programming, and it is being investigated for use in prosthetics, surgical and therapeutic devices. This course includes robotic principles, theories and control strategies used to manipulate various robotics devices through human physiological signals in real time. The course covers multidisciplinary topics on robotics in BME, prosthetics, biosignal processing, microcontroller programming, human sense of touch and virtual world communication. Fundamental knowledge of bioinstrumentation, rehabilitation, robotics and signal processing will be demonstrated in the laboratory to create human-machine-computer interface. Students gain hands on experience with sensors, microcontrollers, actuators, haptic controllers, robotic arm, prosthetic hand and various MATLAB/Simulink toolboxes in order to implement biorobotics algorithms into 3D simulation and stationary/automobile robotic devices. Prerequisites: BME 480 or instructor consent. Course work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwZCa-RDVdo

BME 735. Bio-Computational Modeling (3 hrs - Fall semesters). Prepares students for engineering practice by introduction to 3D multi-physics modeling software. Students use COMSOL Multi-physics simulation software linked with Solidworks and MATLAB to solve engineering problems in complex 3D geometries such as the human body. Within the simulation software environment students define the geometry, set boundary conditions, specify the physics, set material properties, mesh, simulate, and visualize their results. Topics include modeling of biofluid mechanics (i.e. blood flow in human arteries), heat and mass transfer (i.e. bioheat and drug delivery), and structural mechanics (i.e. stress and strain on bone). Computer simulation has become an essential part of science, medicine, and engineering, this course gives students hands on experience to meet those demands. Prerequisites: BME 462 or ME 521, BME 335 or equivalent; or instructor consent. (Click Here for Video of Example Student Work in this course)

BME 738. Biomedical Imaging (3 hrs - Spring semesters). Prepares students with knowledge of medical imaging and gives hands on experience with ultrasound imaging, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), spectral imaging, and medical image processing labs. Covers medical imaging modalities such as planar x-ray, x-ray computed tomography (CT), DEXA, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine imaging - positron emission tomography & single-photon emission computed tomography, ultrasound imaging, and spectral imaging. Students gain hands on experience with medical image processing software to import CT or MRI scans and construct 3D models of human anatomy. Introduces fundamental physical and engineering principles used in medical imaging and image processing, with a primary focus on physical principles, instrumentation methods, and image processing methods. Strengths, limitations, sensitivity, and appropriate applications for each modality of imaging are also examined. Prerequisites: PHYS 314, BME 335 or equivalent; or instructor consent. (Click Here for Video of Example Student Work in this course)

BME 743. Mechanobiology of Cells and Tissues (3 hrs - Spring semesters). This course focuses on how the mechanical environment influences cell behavior and will integrate principles from engineering, cell biology, physiology, and biomedicine. Topics include, but are not limited to: (1) global/health importance of mechanobiology; (2) the role mechanical forces play in normal cell function, and disease; (3) the role of the mechanical environment in. regenerative medicine and tissue engineering applications; (4) how the extracellular matrix and biomimetic matrices alter cellular function; (5) how cells sense and respond to mechanical forces; (6) the mechanobiological feedback loop; (7) cell and tissue mechanics; (8) microscopy of cells and tissues; and, (9) experimental methods to study cellular mechanobiology. This course emphasizes experimental design, data analysis, interpretation of data and results, and hands-on laboratories. In these laboratories, students gain firsthand experience with cell culture techniques, microscopy, and experimental and computational techniques in cell mechanobiology. Prerequisites: BIOL 210, BME 452 or equivalent; or instructor consent.

BME 748. Biomolecular and Cellular Engineering (3 hrs - Fall semesters). Focuses on the molecules and mechanisms underlying cellular function from an engineering point of view. Emphasizes experimental methods, mathematical analysis, and computational modeling. Hands-on laboratories complement lectures. Topics include, but are not limited to: (1) enzymes and biochemical kinetics, (2) cell signaling and modeling signaling pathways, (3) biophysical-based models of biological/biochemical systems, (4) gene expression and regulation, (5) 'omic' approaches to cell signaling including data analysis of high-throughput data, (6) system biology approaches - analysis of complex biological systems across multiple temporal and spatial scales, (7) bioinformatics, and (8) quantitative experimental methods related to biomolecular and cellular engineering. Applications to tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, biotechnology, bionanotechnology, drug and gene delivery, molecular medicine, and personalized medicine are discussed. Prerequisites: BIOL 210, BME 335 or equivalent, MATH 555; or instructor consent.

BME 752. Applied Human Biomechanics (3 hrs - Fall semesters of odd years). Examines the biology, physiology, and structure of skeletal muscle, the mechanisms of skeletal muscle force generation, and the adaptations to muscle that arise from changes in muscle usage. Students learn to create biomechanical models and generate simulations of human movement based on data collected in a human biomechanics lab. Experimental design and data analysis and interpretation are emphasized in the course. Prerequisites: BME 452 or equivalent, BIOL 223; or instructor consent.

BME 757. Clinical Biomechanics Instrumentation (3 hrs - Fall semesters of even years). Students learn to collect, process, analyze, and interpret motion of the human body (e.g., running, walking, jumping, lifting, etc.), muscle force, muscle activity, and acceleration data using various equipment in a human biomechanics lab. The utilized equipment and techniques are common to multiple fields and disciplines, including physical medicine and rehabilitation, orthopedics, physical therapy, prosthetics and orthotics, wearable biosensors, sports performance, and medical/sports/safety equipment design. Prerequisites: BME 452 or instructor consent.

BME 760. Special Topics in Biomedical Engineering (3 hrs - as needed). Focuses on a contemporary biomedical engineering topic through traditional lecture, research and/or experiential learning activities. Content changes as new problems and resarch advances related to biomedical engineering attain prominence nationall and internationally. Prerequisite: Instructor consent.

BME 760A. Brain-Computer Interfaces (3 hrs - Spring semesters).  Covers theoretical and experimental knowledge on neuro-engineering, neuro-science, and neuro-robotics systems currently being utilized for Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology.  Provides hands on learning experience using innovative hardware and software tools to acquire, process, and analyze human brain signals, and integrate robotics technology with current BCI models for real-time control of virtual environment and assistive/robotic devices.  Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to gain knowledge to perform BCI experiments in offline and online modes, understand signal processing and machine learning techniques to extract features, and design BCI-based human-machine interaction models for various assistive and/or rehabilitative technology. Prerequisites: BME 722 or instructor consent.

BME 758. Biomedical MEMS (3 hrs - Spring semesters). Biomedical MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) is the application of MEMS technology in the fields of biomedical and health sciences which has seen tremendous growth in the past decade. This course covers theoretical and experimental knowledge on Biomedical MEMS technology. Various microfabrication techniques that are commonly used in Biomedical MEMS device fabrication (e.g., epidermal electronics, microfluidic devices, lab-on-a-chip, and biosensors) and the underlying physical principles are taught. This class also discusses recent and future trends in Biomedical MEMS. Students will gain a broad perspective in the area of micro/nano systems for biomedical and chemical applications. Prerequisites: BME 477, MATH 242; or instructor consent.

BME 760C. Medical Image Processing (3 hrs - online course, Summer term). Introduces medical image processing and give students experience in working with MRI scan data sets and CT x-ray scan data sets using Materialise Interactive Medical Image Control System (MIMICS). Students  learn how to perform image segmentation, how a part is created from a mask, perform threshold based segmentation to create a part, take measurements from the data set, segmentation of arteries using dynamic region growing, airway segmentation for modeling, translating a stack of 2D image data sets into 3D patient specific geometries, and working with DICOM data sets as medical image files.  Prerequisites: BIOL 223; or instructor consent.

BME 771. Polymer Processing and Technology (3 hrs - online course, Summer term).  Provides an introduction to the design and manufacture of polymer products with emphasis on polymer processing and technology. Fundamental polymeric concepts as it related to polymer processing is discussed. Topics related to solid-state properties, polymer viscoelasticity and polymer melt rheology are reviewed. Industrial processing operations such as extrusion, injection molding, additive manufacturing, compression molding, polymer blending and mixing, thermoforming foaming are discussed in detail highlighting on appropriate materials and processing methods for several engineering applications. Prerequisites: CHEM 211, PHYS 313.

BME 777. Biodegradable Materials (3 hrs - Spring semesters). Provides students with a comprehensive overview of biodegradable materials as it relates to their applications in the biomedical and health care fields. Covers in detail different classes of biodegradable materials including biodegradable polymers, ceramics and metals. Synthesis, characterization and degradation of these materials in the biological environment are covered. Biodegradation/bio-corrosion mechanisms of these materials, the complexity of the response of the biological environment and the experimental methods for monitoring the degradation process are discussed, as well as strategies for surface modification to control the degradation. Finally, specific applications of these materials in drug delivery, cancer therapy, regenerative therapies, cardiovascular and orthopedic applications are covered. Prerequisites: BME 477 or ME 651; or instructor consent.

BME 779. Tissue Engineering (3 hrs - Fall semesters). Provides an introduction to the strategies and fundamental bioengineering design criteria behind the development of tissue substitutes. Principles of engineering and the life sciences toward the development of biological substitutes that restore, maintain, or improve tissue function are covered. include stem cells, cell growth and differentiation, cell signaling, materials for scaffolding, scaffold degradation and modification, cell culture environment, cell nutrition, cryopreservation, bioreactor design, clinical applications, regulatory and ethics. Prerequisites: BME 477 or instructor consent.

IME 549. Industrial Ergonomics (3 hrs - Spring semesters). A systematic approach to the optimization of the human-task-environment system. Includes work space design, manual materials handling, cumulative trauma disorders, and environmental factors. Emphasizes applications in industry. Prerequisite: IME 254.

ME 709. Injury Biomechanics (3 hrs - Spring semesters). Offers insight into the trauma problem and methods used to quantify and reduce it. Research methods used in injury biomechanics and their limitations are discussed including tests with human volunteers, cadavers, animals, mechanical crash test dummies and computer models. Provides a basic understanding of injury mechanisms and tolerances for the different body parts, including head, spine, thorax and extremities. Presents both automotive and aircraft impact safety regulations on occupant protection and related biomechanical limits. Students are exposed to and gain experience in using mathematical/numerical/ computer models for injury biomechanics. Prerequisite: Instructor consent.

AE 333. Mechanics of Materials (3 hrs - Fall, Spring and Summer semesters). Studies the mechanical properties of materials, transformation of stresses and strains, stresses and deformations in structural elements of various shapes and loading, statically indeterminate structures, and buckling. Prerequisite: AE 223 (no grade lower than one that generates 2.000 or more credit points per credit hour will be accepted for this course). Corequisite: MATH 344.

AE 373. Dynamics (3 hrs - Fall, Spring and Summer semesters). A study of the kinematics and kinetics of particles and rigid bodies. Includes force-mass-acceleration, work-energy and impulse-momentum methods. Prerequisites: AE 223 (no grade lower than one that generates 2.000 or more credit points per credit hour will be accepted for this course), and MATH 344.

ME 250. Materials Engineering (3 hrs - Fall, Spring and Summer semesters). Introduces basic principles behind materials science and engineering. Structure and properties of materials relevant to practicing engineers are looked at along with crystal structure and imperfection in metals. Studies diffusion mechanical properties, failure mechanisms, phase equilibrium diagrams and heat treatment principles for steels, cast irons, and other metal alloys. Provides the scientific foundation for an understanding of the relationships among material properties, structure and performance for the classes of engineering solids (e.g., metals and alloys, polymers, ceramics, semiconductors). Includes study of corrosion, atomic structure, mechanical properties, failure theories, fatigue, creep, cold working, heat treating, alloying, and non-destructive and other material testing. Students are expected to gain an understanding of these materials, processing techniques, their properties, and how they are applied in industry. Prerequisites: CHEM 211, MATH 242.

Courses for Open Elective Credit
Students can utilize the courses listed below to satisfy 3 credit hours of Open Electives.

BME 481A. Co-op Education (1 hr - all semesters). Introduction to engineering practice by working in industry in an engineering-related job. Provides planned professional experience designed to complement and enhance the student's academic program. Individualized programs must be formulated in consultation with, and approved by, appropriate faculty sponsors and cooperative education coordinators. Intended for students who will be working full time on their co-op assignments and need not be enrolled in any other course. Prerequisites: 30 hours toward Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering and approval by the appropriate faculty sponsor. May be repeated. Offered Cr/NCr only.

BME 481P. Co-op Education (1 hr - all semesters). Introduction to engineering practice by working in industry in an engineering-related job. Provides planned professional experience designed to complement and enhance the student's academic program. Individualized programs must be formulated in consultation with, and approved by, appropriate faculty sponsors and cooperative education coordinators. Students must enroll concurrently in a minimum of 6 hours of coursework including this course in addition to a minimum of 20 hours per week at their co-op assignment. May be repeated. Prerequisites: 30 hours toward Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering and approval by the appropriate faculty sponsor. Offered Cr/NCr only.

BME 590. Independent Study and Research (1-3 hrs - all semesters). Independent study or research directed by a faculty member affiliated with the Bioengineering program. For undergraduate students only. May be repeated for credit. A maximum of 3 credit hours may be applied toward graduation. Prerequisite: Consent of supervising faculty member.

Other Approved Courses (see Undergraduate Catalog for Course Names and Descriptions):
CSD 517; PHIL 327; BIOL 211; HS 400; HMCD 308, 325; LASI 150P; HP 203, 303, 400 570; AGE 518; MATH 344; PSY 311, 405, 413; STAT 576; ENGR 101, 202, 250, 501; ENTR 605, 606; ME 200+ (except for ME 325, 398); IME 200+ (except for IME 254, 255); EE 200+ (except for EE 282); CS 194+; HPS 229, 460, 490.