Biomedical Engineering 125

14:125:201 Introduction to Biomedical Engineering (3) Overview of applications of engineering in medicine and health care. Introduction to biological and biomedical problems using fundamental concepts and tools from electrical, mechanical, and chemical engineering.

14:125:208 (308) Introduction to Biomechanics (3) Relationship between applied and resultant forces and stresses acting on the musculoskeletal system. Basic concepts of vectors, internal and external forces, functional anatomy, trusses and equilibria of spatial force systems, moments, and work and energy concepts. Stress and strain tensors, principal forces, viscoelasticity, and failure analysis from classical mechanics.  

14:125:303 Biomedical Transport Phenomena (3) Biomedical mass transport processes involving diffusion, diffusion-convection, and diffusion-reaction schemes; introduction to biofluid dynamics; transport processes in the cardiovascular system, hemorheology, extracorporeal mass transport devices, and tissue engineering.

14:125:305 Numerical Modeling in Biomedical Systems (3) Introduction to modeling and simulation techniques in the analysis of biomedical systems. Application of numerical methods for the solution of complex biomedical process problems. Development and use of PC software for the analysis and solution of engineering problems.

14:125:306 Kinetics and Thermodynamics of Biological Systems (3) Fundamentals of thermodynamics and kinetic analysis as applied to biomedical systems and technologies. Essential principles in thermodynamics introduced, including First Law, Second Law, and interrelationships among thermodynamic variables. Fundamental tools in kinetic analysis are also covered, including interpretation of rate data, enzyme kinetics, and pharmacokinetics. Application to biological systems and biomedical technologies are provided.

14:125:309 Biomedical Devices and Systems (3) Time and frequency domain analysis of electrical networks; hydrodynamic, mechanical, and thermal analogs; basic medical electronics; and energy conversion systems. Design of biological sensors.

14:125:310 Biomedical Devices and Systems Laboratory (1) Experiments and demonstrations dealing with basic medical electronics and signal analysis. Provides an overview of current biomedical technology and its uses.

14:125:315 BME Measurement and Analysis Laboratory (2) Experiments and demonstrations dealing with the measurement and analysis of various physiological quantities of cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and the measurement of cellular viability, metabolism, morphogenesis, and protein and nucleic acid composition.

14:125:355 (255) BME System Physiology (3) Introduction to quantitative modeling of physiological systems geared toward the biomedical engineering student. It will cover fundamental topics in physiology ranging from cell membrane models and chemical messengers to neuronal signaling and control of body movement. In addition, specific physiological systems are discussed in detail, including the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and visual systems. Furthermore, pharmacokinetic models provide quantitative assessment of the dynamics of drug distribution and compartmental interactions.

14:125:401,402,421,422 Biomedical Engineering Senior Design I, II Projects (1,1,2,2) Students gain design experience in the biomedical engineering field by completing a design project under the supervision of a faculty member. Project typically involves experimental or computational study of a design-oriented problem in biomedical engineering.

14:125:403 Cardiovascular Engineering (3) 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.

14:125:404 (304) Introduction to Biomaterials (3) Introduction to material properties, testing, biomaterial requirements, and device design. The main objective is to convey basic knowledge of this large volume of information and to provide an elementary understanding of the terminology used in academic and commercial settings as preparation for future study or work.

14:125:409 Introduction to Prosthetic and Orthotic Devices (3) Introduces the application of mechanical engineering principles to the design of artificial limbs and braces. Teaching includes basic anatomy and physiology of limb defects, biomechanics, motion analysis, and current device designs. Design and visualization tools will include MatLab and other application software.

14:125:411 Bioelectric Systems (3) 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.

14:125:417 Introduction to Musculoskeletal Mechanics (3) Introduction to motion-actuating, force-generating, and load-supporting mechanisms in the musculoskeletal system, as explained from basic engineering principles. Elucidation of function-structure relationships from both ultrastructural and mechanical analyses. Experimental and analytical approaches to solve realistic orthopedic and recreational problems.

14:125:424 Biomedical Instrumentation Laboratory (3) Practical hands-on designs of biomedical instrumentation including biopotential and physiological signal processing amplifiers; electrodes; biosensors and transducers; and electro-optical, acoustic, and ultrasonic devices.

14:125:431 Introduction to Optical Imaging (3) 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.

14:125:432 Cytomechanics (3) Structural and mechanical components of cells, with emphasis on the regulatory roles of physical forces in cell function. Emphasis on processes that drive tissue growth, signaling and metabolism, gene expression, and biomechanical properties of cells and their components.

14:125:433 Fundamentals and Tools of Tissue Engineering (3) 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.

14:125:434 Tissue Engineering II: Biomedical and Biotechnological Applications (3) 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 include 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.

14:125:437 Computational Systems Biology (3) Introductory overview of some key issues in computational systems biology.  Defines systems and biological components independently to provide an appreciation of the special features of both elements.  Introduction of medical informatics concepts.

14:125:444 Biomechanical Lab (3) Teaches data acquisition and analysis methods using Matlab, LabView, and Simulink. Students are expected to configure necessary software routines and report on results. Weekly laboratory exercises will consist of applying biomechanical sensors to limbs and performing natural motions. Sensors will include switches, motion sensors, strain gauges, cameras, gyroscopes, and various devices contained within cell phones.

14:125:445 Principles of Drug Delivery (3) 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; and toxicity issues and immune responses.

14:125:455 BME Global Health (3) Overview of how biomedical technologies are developed and translated into clinical practice.  Major diseases facing industrialized and developing countries and technological advances that can be used to solve these problems.  Economic, ethical, social, and regulatory constraints on these new technologies will be examined.

14:125:460 Motor Control and Motor Analysis (3) Concepts of kinesiology and rehabilitation science connecting biomechanics and engineering to the study of human motion.  Focus on the application of basic science and engineering to the design and interpretation of research using core concepts of the neuromuscular system, measurement technologies, motor control, and motion analysis.

14:125:465 BME Microfluidics (3) Understanding of fluid mechanics at small-length scales.  Low Reynolds number flow, electrokinetic flows, and bioseparations in microfluidic devices.

14:125:489 or 490 Advanced Research in Biomedical Engineering (3) **Junior Year Advanced research immersion activity and the supporting educational tools for members of the Biomedical Engineering Honors Academy who 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.

14:125:491,492 Special Problems in Biomedical Engineering (3,3) Independent study under the guidance of a faculty member in specific areas of interest in biomedical engineering.

14:125:493,494 Advanced Research in Biomedical Engineering (3,3) **Senior Year Advanced research immersion activity and the supporting educational tools for members of the Biomedical Engineering Honors Academy who 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.

14:125:496,497 Co-op Program in Biomedical Engineering (3,3) Provides the student with the opportunity to practice and apply knowledge and skills in various biomedical engineering environments. Provides a capstone experience to the undergraduate experience by integrating prior coursework into a working engineering environment.

14:440:404 Innovations and Entrepreneurship (3) Arms the student with the knowledge and perspective needed to evaluate their research for commercial application, to legally protect their innovation, to seek financial resources for venture monetization, to market and present their ideas to interested parties, and to document their venture details within a business plan. With innovation case studies focused upon engineering in the life and physical sciences, and team-based projects to develop feasibility and business plans, the student can easily bridge the current graduate curriculum, focused upon engineering and science, to its natural and successful application in the business world.

Course Note

Please check Student Handbook online (bme.rutgers.edu) for updated prerequisites. The handbook explains what the biomedical engineering program offers.