This course introduces students to the foundational principles and broad scope of biomedical engineering. Students will gain an overview of key concentration areas including biomechanics, biomaterials, bioinstrumentation, medical imaging, and medical device design, while exploring the core knowledge that underpins each area. This course highlights the interdisciplinary nature of the field, connects engineering concepts to human health and medicine, and examines potential career pathways in industry, research, clinical practice, and regulatory affairs. By the end of the course, students will understand the major domains of biomedical engineering and be prepared to select advanced coursework and experiential opportunities aligned with their interests.

Analysis and design of analog and digital electronic circuits using diodes, bipolar transistors and field effect transistors; application of digital and analog circuits for biomedical applications.

Introduction to fluid mechanics and mass and energy transport applied to biomedical systems. The course will cover fluid properties, conservation laws, constitutive relations, dimensional analysis and scaling, integral and differential solution techniques, and applications of steady and unsteady fluid mechanics and transport phenomena in biological systems and medical devices.

Introduction to medical devices, FDA regulation, the role of standards and guidance documents, good practice guidelines, and quality management systems. The course will introduce the various types of medical devices (e.g., cardiovascular, orthopedic, neurovascular, diagnostic software) and how different devices are regulated by the U.S. FDA. The role of standards, guidance documents, good practice guidelines (e.g., Good Laboratory Practice, Good Clinical Practice), and quality management systems will also be covered.

This course provides an introduction to experimental methods and measurement systems with an emphasis on biomedical applications. Topics include measurement system concepts, statistical and uncertainty analyses, survey of measurement devices, and experimental design and planning. Students gain hands-on experience with data acquisition, signal processing, and uncertainty analysis using software tools such as LabVIEW and Mathcad. The laboratory portion emphasizes biomedical engineering applications. Students practice effective technical communication through written reports and oral presentations while working in teams to design, execute, and analyze experiments.

Introduction to image formation systems that provide images for medical diagnostics, remote sensing, industrial inspection, nondestructive materials evaluation and optical copying. Image processing, including image enhancement, analysis, and compression. Student specialization through assignments and project.

Overview of medical imaging systems including physics, modeling, and image reconstruction techniques. Systems covered include x-ray and ion CT, MRI, ultrasound, and PET/SPECT.

A quantitative approach to the function and performance of cardiovascular elements, including ECG signal generation, blood flow rheology, and ventricular/vessel wall mechanics. Principles of measurement instrumentation including Fick dilution, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging are explored. Major implant types are examined as well as FDA submission pathways.

Introduction to the interdisciplinary nature and broad scope of biomedical engineering. Topics covered will include biomechanics, biomaterials, biosensors, biomedical instrumentation, bioinformatics, prosthetic devices, and other biomedical engineering areas.

A traditional mechanical/materials engineering approach will be used to explore the structure and function relationship of naturally occurring biological materials. Emphasis is on mechanical design and function with some discussion of physical properties. Materials used in medical devices will be compared and contrasted with naturally occurring biomaterials.

Principles of biomedical instrumentation and their real-world applications. Emphasis on understanding the basic design principles and technologies used in bioelectrical, biomechanical, and clinical instrumentation.

Introduction to biomechanics. Topics covered include: review of fundamental principles of mechanics, human musculoskeletal physiology and anatomy, properties of biological materials, methods and practice of measuring biological signals, biomechanical modeling and simulation, and applications of biomechanical study.

Topics to be covered include: clinical needs finding, design criteria generation, basic anatomy, design evaluation, prototyping, regulatory process, intellectual property, and validation process. Students will work in teams to address a real medical problem.

See ELC 4378 for course information.

A capstone design course for emphasizing the decision-making process that must be used by a practicing engineer to apply the basic sciences in order to convert resources optimally to meet stated objectives. Oral and written reports are required.

Study of advanced topics in biomedical engineering. This course may be repeated once under a different topic.

Discrete-time signals and systems, sampling theory, z-transforms, spectral analysis, filter design, applications, analysis, and design of digital signal processing systems. Laboratory emphasis on biomedical applications of digital signal processing. Credit cannot be earned for ME 4452 if credit is earned for ELC 4451.

Advanced topics and/or special project activities in biomedical engineering.