Program of Study
Planning an Undergraduate Program of Study in Biomedical Imaging
Students interested in biomedical imaging should blend the disciplines of physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, computer science, and engineering according to their individual interests. The following section is intended to be a guide for planning a BME specialization degree program in biomedical imaging. It includes general advising guidelines as well as specific course recommendations.
Important Subjects to Master
Because biomedical engineering is fundamentally an engineering discipline, a mathematics and engineering background is required. Engineering competence is best accomplished by pursuing coursework in electrical engineering, since this discipline has the greatest relevance for biomedical imaging. Therefore, most of the engineering courses that students will take outside of BME should come from the ECE department.
At its most basic level, biomedical imaging uses information on the interaction of electromagnetic energy with cells and tissues to form images. A student’s plan of study should therefore allow them to investigate the range of wavelengths used in biomedical imaging, how electromagnetic energy propagates through and interacts with molecules, cells, and tissues, the types of information that can be extracted with a particular technique, and the limitations of each particular technique. Many of these issues are addressed within the disciplines of physics and chemistry. Therefore, a student’s supplemental science and, perhaps, some of their elective coursework should include courses in physics and chemistry.
Finally, if a student’s interests in biomedical imaging are focused on the important area of image processing, then proficiency beyond basic computer science will likely be very helpful. While computer science is not a distribution requirement in BME, students might consider adding some coursework in computer science.
Course Selection Guidelines
The following section provides specific course recommendations for students pursuing a specialization in biomedical imaging.
Supplemental Science Courses
As mentioned above, it is recommended that students pursue physics and chemistry courses within the BME supplemental science requirement. Besides the two chemistry courses taken as part of the basic science requirement for BME, probably the most relevant course is Dynamics (CH 1040). This course examines the nature of molecular motions and the interaction with electromagnetic energy. Various types of molecular spectroscopy, which form the basis for many biomedical imaging technologies, are discussed. At the more advanced level, Biochemistry (CH 4110) is highly recommended, as it discusses many of the important biomolecules that are often probed with biomedical imaging technologies. Within the discipline of physics, the most relevant course is probably Oscillations and Waves (PH 1140). This course introduces the concepts of traveling waves, interference, and reflection, which are particularly relevant to a biomedical imaging student. If a student’s interests in biomedical imaging are in the area of visible light imaging, then Photonics (PH 2501), Lasers (PH 2502), and Photonics Laboratory (PH 2601) may also be appropriate. While Electromagnetic Fields (PH 2301) is also a highly recommended course, much of this material is also covered in an ECE equivalent course (ECE 2112). By taking the ECE version, students are able to count it as an engineering course instead of a supplemental science course.
Biomedical Engineering Courses
Because biomedical imaging is built upon a core of engineering (usually electrical engineering), physics, mathematics, and chemistry, there are only a few specific biomedical imaging courses, except at the senior- and graduate-levels. Students should plan to take Bioelectric Foundations (BME 2204) in their sophomore-year and Biomedical Imaging (BME 4201) in their senior-year. For other BME coursework, bioinstruBiosensors (BME 3011), Biomedical Instrumentation Design I (BME 4023) and Biomedical Instrumentation Design II (BME 4025) would be extremely helpful. In consultation with their academic advisors, students might also consider coursework in biomedical imaging at the graduate-level. These courses include Medical Imaging Systems (BME 581) and Principles of In Vivo Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging (BME 582).
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 based on the recommendations provided by the ECE department.
Suggested Course Table and Sequence
Supplemental Science (Select two courses)
Preferred choices include:
CH 1040 - Chemistry IV (Dynamics)
CH 4110 - Biochemistry
PH 1140 - Oscillations and Waves
PH 2501 - Photonics
PH 2601 - Photonics Laboratory
Engineering (Select nine courses)
Select three fundamental engineering courses; preferred choices include:
ECE 2011 - Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering
ECE 2111 - Physical Principles of ECE Applications
ECE 2112 - Electromagnetic Fields
ECE 2311 - Continuous-Time Signal and System Analysis
ECE 2312 - Discrete-Time Signal and System Analysis
Select two 3000-level (or higher) engineering courses; preferred choices include:
ECE 3113 - Introduction to RF Circuit Design
ECE 3204 - Microelectronic Circuits II
ME 4922 - Theory and Practice of Laser Instrumentation
Select four 3000- and/or 4000-level BME courses; preferred choices include [Note #1]:
BME 3011 - Bioinstrumentation and Biosensors
BME 4011 - Biomedical Signal Analysis
BME 4201 - Biomedical Imaging
BME 4541 - Biological Systems
BME 581 - Medical Imaging Systems
BME 582 - Principles of In Vivo Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Note #1: At least 2 of the BME courses must be at the 4000-level or above. Graduate level courses can substitute for 4000-level courses.
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