Course Description
This course is intended to connect basic science, materials, and engineering principles with specific biomedical applications through experiential learning.
Athena Title
Biomedical Engineering Lab
Pre or Corequisite
BIOE 4740
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The principles of cell biology, biomaterials, and cell- biomaterial interactions will be presented as a laboratory course to give students hands-on experience performing relevant lab experiments utilizing cell, blood, bacteria, and biomaterial analysis and characterization techniques. Topics include fundamental issues of biological mechanisms, stem cells, blood, bacteria, bioreactors, biomaterials, and analysis of cell-biomaterial interactions. Students will learn experimental design and interpretation of results. Students will enhance their technical report writing and presentation skills.
Topical Outline
Students will work in groups on up to three laboratory modules during the semester. Lectures will directly complement a specific module and lead to an understanding of cells, biomaterials, and cell-biomaterial interactions for biomedical applications. Students will be expected to 1) understand cell applications for biomedical research applications, 2) comprehend the multidisciplinary nature of biomedical research, 3) describe and evaluate biomaterials and devices, 4) integrate engineering concepts to solve biomedical problems, 5) search for research literature, patents and trademarks, 6) plan and conduct lab experiments, 7) analyze and interpret data, 8) complete written laboratory reports, and 9) present results orally. Examples of laboratory modules include: Stem Cell Engineering: 1. Stem cells 2. Polymer Substrates: Collagen and PLGA - Hydroxyapatite films 3. Stem cell differentiation factors 4. Assays for cell-specific differentiation markers Biomaterial Scaffold Fabrication and Characterization 1. Scaffold and coating fabrication 2. Mechanical testing of materials 3. Drug delivery and controlled release 4. Bacteria adhesion and blood compatibility testing
Syllabus