1 Program description

1.1 Mission

The mission of the Department of Bioengineering is to advance human understanding, health, and the quality of life through:

• internationally recognized research, discovery, and invention in the area of biomedical engineering;

• education of world-class Ph.D. scientists and engineers for accomplishment in research, academics, medicine, and industry;

• education of nationally-recognized B.S. and M.S. graduates for success and leadership in industry and in preparation for future study in medicine, science and engineering;

• transfer of scientific discoveries and biomedical technology to the private sector nationwide;

• delivery of high-quality M.E. continuing education to enhance the economy by supporting biomedical industries;

• training of students throughout the College of Engineering in bio-based solutions to traditional engineering problems and in the application of their specialty to biological and biomedical science.

1.2 Educational objectives

The biomedical engineering undergraduate program is dedicated to preparing graduates for professional careers. We educate students such that our graduates will be:

• successful in graduate programs, in professional schools, including medicine and law, or in a biomedical engineering aligned career;
• able to effectively communicate and solve problems at the interface of engineering and biology appropriate to their chosen profession;
• motivated to pursue life-long learning, including understanding contemporary questions at the interface of biomedical science, technology, and society.

1.3 Program outcomes

The Undergraduate Engineering Program Outcomes are:

• an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering;
• an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data;
• an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability;
• an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams;
• an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems;
• an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;
• an ability to communicate effectively in an oral format;
• an ability to communicate effectively in a written format;
• the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context;
• a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning;
• a knowledge of contemporary issues;
• an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

The BME Specific Program Outcomes include:

• an understanding of biology;
• an understanding of physiology;
• an ability to make measurements and interpret data from living systems an ability to address problems associated with the interaction between living and nonliving materials and systems;
• a capability to solve the problems at the interface of engineering and biology by applying ADVANCED MATH including differential equations;
• a capability to solve the problems at the interface of engineering and biology by applying STATISTICS;
• a capability to solve the problems at the interface of engineering and biology by applying SCIENCE (hypothesis driven research);
• a capability to solve the problems at the interface of engineering and biology by applying ENGINEERING (design and analysis).