Program of Study

Planning an Undergraduate Program of Study in Tissue Engineering

Students interested in tissue engineering should blend the disciplines of physics, mathematics, biology, and engineering according to their individual interests. The following section is intended to be a guide for planning a BME specialization degree program in tissue engineering. 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 either chemical or mechanical engineering, since these disciplines have the greatest relevance for tissue engineering. Therefore, most of the engineering courses that you will take outside of BME should come from the mechanical engineering (ME) or chemical engineering (CHE) departments.

Students interested in tissue engineering (e.g., tissue engineered cartilage, living skin equivalents) need to understand cell physiology and biochemistry. Therefore, their supplemental science and, perhaps, much of their elective coursework should be in biology and biochemistry.

Course Selection Guidelines

The following section provides specific course recommendations for students pursuing a specialization in tissue engineering. Note: Category II (cat. II) indicates that the course is offered every other year.

Supplemental Science Courses

As mentioned above, it is recommended that students pursue physics, cell biology, and biochemistry courses within the BME supplemental science requirement. The order in which they take these courses is not critical. Taking physics and chemistry in the freshman year are highly recommended. Advanced, laboratory-based biology, chemistry and physiology courses should also be incorporated into a course of study.

For those interested in the design, synthesis and characterization of bioengineered tissues and organs, supplemental science courses at the more advanced level are suggested. Organic Chemistry I (CH 2310) and Biochemistry (CH 4110) are highly recommended. For hands on laboratory skills for working with cells and tissues, experimental biology (e.g., BB 2901, BB 2902, BB 2903) and Cell Culture Theory and Applications (BB 4008) are recommended.

Biomedical Engineering Courses

Because tissue engineering is built upon a core of mechanical or chemical engineering, materials science, physics, mathematics, and biology, there are only a few specific tissue engineering courses, except at the senior- and graduate-levels. Students should definitely plan to take Foundations in Biomechanics (BME 2504) and Foundations in Biological Transport (BME 2604) in their sophomore-year, and Biomaterials (BME/ME 4814) and Biomaterials-Tissue Interactions (BME 4828) in their senior year. For their other BME coursework, students may want to take Bioelectric Foundations (BME 2204), Biomechanics (BME 4504, cat II) and Biofluids (BME 4606, cat II). In consultation with their academic advisors, students might also consider coursework in tissue engineering at the graduate-level. These courses include Biomaterials in the Design of Medical Devices (BME 595B) and Tissue Engineering (BME/ME 550, cat II).

Other Engineering Courses

The majority of the engineering courses outside of the BME department should be taken in the ME or CHE department. Introduction to Material Science, Static Systems, and Stress Analysis, are fundamental courses for tissue engineers. In addition, students should consider the following courses:

Suggested Course Table and Sequence

Supplemental Science (Select two courses)

Select two from the following science courses below:
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
BB 4008 – Cell Culture Theory and Application
CH 2310 – Organic Chemistry I
CH 4110 – Biochemistry I
CH 4550 – Polymer Chemistry (cat. II)

Engineering (Select nine courses)

Select three fundamental engineering courses, preferred choices include:
ES 2001 – Introduction to Materials Science
ES 2501 – Introduction to Static Systems
ES 2502 – Stress Analysis
ES 2503 – Introduction to Dynamic Systems
Select two 3000-level (or higher) engineering courses, preferred choices include:
ES 3001 – Introduction to Thermodynamics
ES 3002 – Mass Transfer
ES 3003 – Heat Transfer
ES 3004 – Fluid Mechanics
ME 3023 – Mechanical Behavior and Modeling properties of Engineering Materials
ME 3502 – Advanced Mechanics of Materials
ME 4821 – Chemistry, Properties and Processing of Plastics (cat. II)
Select four 3000- and 4000-level BME courses, preferred choices include: [Note #1]
BME/ME 4606 - Biofluids (cat. II)
BME/ME 4814 - Biomaterials
BME 4828 - Biomaterials-Tissue Interactions
BME/ME 550 - Tissue Engineering (cat. II)
BME 595 - Biomaterials in the Design of Medical Devices

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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Last modified: August 21, 2008 14:07:15