Program of Study
Planning an Undergraduate Program of Study in Biosensors and Bioinstrumentation
Students interested in biomedical sensors and instrumentation should blend the disciplines of physics, chemistry, biology, electrical and computer engineering, and biomedical engineering according to their individual interests. The following section is intended to be a guide for planning a BME specialization degree program in biomedical sensors and instrumentation. It includes general advising guidelines as well as specific course recommendations.
Important Subjects to Master
Because biomedical engineering is fundamentally an engineering discipline, an engineering background is required. Engineering competence is best accomplished by pursuing coursework in both electrical engineering and physics, since these two disciplines have the greatest relevance for biomedical sensors and instrumentation. Therefore, most of the engineering courses that students will take outside of BME should come from the ECE department.
In addition to a strong engineering background, students concentrating in biomedical sensors and instrumentation need to understand the origin of different biomedical signals. This knowledge is important to support diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Therefore, their supplemental science and, perhaps, some of their elective coursework should be in biology and physiology. Students should also learn how to select appropriate sensors and instrumentation for studying biomedical relevant problems through the acquisition of physiological data from the body.
Since the living body is a "challenging" environment to measure, accurate detection of physiological signals require sensors and instrumentation that have high specificity and selectivity. Therefore, students need to know how to amplify and filter relatively small and noisy electrical signals. Additionally, it is important that they learn other important issues related to biomedical sensors and instrumentation such as biocompatibility and electromagnetic interferences. Computers are an essential part of modern bioinstrumentation, from the microprocessor in a singlepurpose instrument used to do a variety of small tasks to the more general microcomputer used to process the large amount of clinical information. Therefore, a proficiency in computer engineering will likely be very helpful. Other important and emerging areas to consider involve sensors and instrumentation based on Micro-Electro Mechanical- Systems (MEMS) and wireless data communication.
Course Selection Guidelines
The following section provides specific course recommendations for students pursuing a specialization in biomedical sensors and instrumentation. Generally, the Biomedical Sensors and Instrumentation track should include courses in electrical circuits, electronics, microprocessors, systems and signal analysis, as well as biomedical engineering courses in sensors. It is essential that students take as many laboratory and design courses as possible that use also "breadboard" development and emphasize different design concepts.
Supplemental Science Courses
As mentioned above, it is recommended that students pursue biology and physics courses within the BME supplemental science requirement. Besides the two chemistry and physics courses taken as part of the basic science requirement for BME, within the discipline of Biology, experimental biology (e.g., BB 2901, BB 2902, BB 2903) provide basic procedures and experimental skills needed to study living organisms at the cellular level. Within the physics discipline, the most relevant courses are: Introduction to 20th Century Physics (PH 1130), Oscillations and Waves (PH 1140), Photonics (PH 2501), Lasers (PH 2502) and Photonics Laboratory (PH 2601). The material in PH 1130 and PH 1140 cover concepts related to nuclear physics, X-rays, traveling waves, interference, and reflection physics which are more relevant for students interested in instrumentation used for biomedical imaging. If their interests are in optical-based biomedical instrumentation, then PH 2501, PH 2502, and PH 2601 may be more appropriate.
Biomedical Engineering Courses
Students interested in the Biomedical Sensors and Instrumentation track should select courses covering fundamental principles of electrical and control engineering, signal analysis, and engineering design. Students should take Bioelectric Foundations (BME 2204) in their sophomore year and Bioinstrumentation and Biosensors (BME 3011) in their junior year. Depending on their background and level, if they are ready, students should start taking BME courses related to their area of concentration as early as the junior year. The recommended courses are: Biomedical Instrumentation Design I (BME 4023), Biomedical Instrumentation Design II (BME 4025), Biomedical Signal Analysis (BME 4011), and Biological Systems (BME 4541. In consultation with their academic advisor, students might also consider coursework in biomedical imaging (BME 4201) or more advanced graduate-level courses in bioinstrumentation.
Other Engineering Courses
The majority of the engineering courses outside of the BME department should be taken in the ECE department. Students should choose a sequence of courses in consultation with their academic advisor based on their interest (e.g. microprocessors, signal analysis, hardware, software, etc.) following the general recommendations provided below.
Suggested Course Table and Sequence
Supplemental Science (Select two courses)
Preferred choices include:
BB 2901 - Molecular Biology, Microbiology, and Genetics
BB 2902 - Enzymes, Proteins, and Purification
BB 2903 - Anatomy and Physiology
BB 3101 - Human Physiology: Movement and Communication
PH 1130 - Introduction to 20th Century Physics
PH 1140 - Oscillations and Waves
PH 2501 - Photonics
Engineering (Select nine courses)
Select three fundamental ECE courses; preferred choices include:
ECE 2011 - Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering
ECE 2022 - Introduction to Digital Circuits & Computer Engineering
ECE 2111 - Physical Principles of ECE Applications
ECE 2201 - Microelectronic Circuits I
ECE 2311 - Continuous-Time Signal and System Analysis
ECE 2312 - Discrete-Time Signal and System Analysis
ECE 2799 - Electrical & Computer Engineering Design
Select two 3000-level (or higher) engineering courses; preferred choices include:
ES 3011 - Control Engineering
ECE 3204 - Microelectronic Circuits II
ECE 3703 - Real-Time Digital Signal Processing
ECE 3801 - Advanced Logic Design
Select four 3000- and/or 4000-level BE courses; preferred choices include [Note #1]:
BME 3011 - Bioinstrumentation and Biosensors
BME 4011 - Biomedical Signal Analysis
BME 4023 - Biomedical Instrumentation I
BME 4025 - Biomedical Instrumentation II
BME 4541 - Biological Systems
Note #1: At least 2 of the BE courses must be at the 4000-level or above. Graduate level courses can substitute for 4000-level courses.
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