Program Overview

Introduction to Biomedical Engineering at Wayne State University

Biomedical engineering is one of the fastest-growing disciplines in engineering, applying traditional engineering principles to better understand the human body and develop medical interventions. The field integrates engineering with life sciences to view the human body as a complex system, understanding diseases and injuries as breakdowns in this system, and medical interventions as design alternatives for repair.

History of Biomedical Engineering at Wayne State University

Wayne State University has a long history of collaborating in biomedical engineering research, dating back to 1939 when faculty from the College of Engineering and School of Medicine began investigating injury mechanisms to the human body. Educational programs in biomedical engineering have existed at Wayne State since the 1950s, evolving from a few courses within traditional engineering departments to a graduate degree program introduced in 1998. The Department of Biomedical Engineering, interdisciplinary between the College of Engineering and the School of Medicine, was established in 2002. An undergraduate program was launched in 2010, drawing on the strengths of the graduate program.

Faculty

The Department of Biomedical Engineering boasts a diverse faculty with expertise in various areas of biomedical engineering, including:

• BASS, CAMERON: Ph.D., University of Virginia; B.S., University of Virginia; Professor
• BIR, CYNTHIA: Ph.D., M.S., Wayne State University; M.S., University of Michigan; B.S.N., Nazareth College; Professor and Chair
• KAVDIA, MAHENDRA: Ph.D., Oklahoma State University; MTech, Indian Institute of Technology; BTech, Indian Institute of Technology; Associate Professor
• KLUEH, ULRIKE: Ph.D., M.S., University of Connecticut; B.A.Sc., University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen; Associate Professor
• LAM, MAI T.: Ph.D., M.S.E., B.S.E., University of Michigan; Associate Professor
• MUNDO, BRIAN: M.S., Wayne State University; B.E., University of Michigan; Lecturer
• OYEN, MICHELLE: Ph.D., University of Minnesota; M.S., B.S., Michigan State University; Associate Professor
• SUNDARARAGHAVAN, HARINI: Ph.D., Rutgers, State University of New Jersey; B.S.E., University of Michigan; Associate Professor
• WASHABAUGH, EDWARD PETER: Ph.D., B.S.E., University of Michigan; Assistant Professor
• ZHANG, LIYING: Ph.D. Wayne State University; M.S. and B.S. Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Associate Professor

Programs and Courses

The Department of Biomedical Engineering offers a range of programs and courses designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of biomedical engineering principles and their applications. Some of the key courses include:

Undergraduate Courses

• BME 1900 Biomedical Engineering Freshmen Seminar: Exposes students to the undergraduate experience in biomedical engineering, covering campus resources, career paths, and the role of Wayne State University in achieving career goals.
• BME 2050 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology for Biomedical Engineers: Detailed study of the anatomical structure and physiological function of the major systems of the body, including relevant biomedical engineering applications.
• BME 2910 Biomedical Engineering Design Lab I: Application of engineering principles to biomedical engineering problems through laboratory and design exercises, focusing on musculoskeletal forces biomechanics.
• BME 2920 Biomedical Engineering Design Lab II: Involves tissue biomechanics and introduces finite element modeling, building on the principles learned in Design Lab I.
• BME 3010 Biomedical Transport: Covers transport phenomena in biological systems, including mass transport by diffusion, convection, and chemical reactions.
• BME 3470 Biomedical Signals and Systems: Introduces mathematical, engineering, and computer techniques for describing and analyzing biomedical signals.
• BME 3910 Biomedical Engineering Design Lab III: Focuses on measurement, analysis, modeling, and interaction with biomedical signals from living systems.
• BME 3920 Biomedical Engineering Design Lab IV: Introduces the capstone design process, integrating the design process with the complete government regulation system for medical device design.
• BME 4010 Engineering Physiology Laboratory: Involves the measurement and analysis of physiological signals on living systems, with a focus on neural, cardiovascular, respiratory, and muscular systems.
• BME 4210 Introduction to Biomechanics: Applies mechanical engineering principles to biomedical engineering, including motion analysis, injury and forensic biomechanics, and design of implants.
• BME 4310 Introduction to Biomaterials: Introduces the field of biomaterials and its application to tissue engineering, implant design, controlled drug delivery, and designer materials for therapeutic use.
• BME 4410 Introduction to Biomedical Instrumentation: Covers the use and design of instrumentation for biomedical applications, including filtering techniques, safety issues, and concerns for implanted and external systems.
• BME 4910 Biomedical Engineering Capstone Design I: The first part of a two-semester sequence where student teams develop a design to address a biomedical engineering challenge.
• BME 4920 Biomedical Engineering Capstone Design II: The second part of the capstone design sequence, where students develop and test a prototype of their biomedical engineering design.

Graduate Courses

• BME 5010 Quantitative Physiology: Presents basic principles of human physiology from an engineering perspective, discussing bodily functions, their regulation, and control in quantitative terms.
• BME 5020 Computer and Mathematical Applications in Biomedical Engineering: Applies numerical methods in biomedical engineering, including programming algorithms and development of data analysis interfaces.
• BME 5060 Engineering for Women's Health: Explores engineering approaches to improve reproductive and non-reproductive aspects of women's health, from basic science to clinical implementation.
• BME 5070 Anatomy for Engineers: A cadaver-based anatomy course for undergraduate and MS-level students, providing directed experience in the study of human anatomy in relation to engineering principles.
• BME 5130 Vehicle Safety Engineering: Examines the role of the vehicle in road safety, occupation and pedestrian injury mechanisms, and measures of vehicle safety performance.
• BME 5140 Biomedical Aspects of Neurotrauma: Introduces the biomechanical basis and medical consequences of neurotrauma, covering the history, social interactions, and state-of-the-art understanding of neurotrauma.
• BME 5210 Musculoskeletal Biomechanics: Evaluates the structure and properties of the major tissue components of the musculoskeletal system and how tissues combine to provide support and motion to the body.
• BME 5220 Cellular and Tissue Biomechanics: Introduces biomechanics at the cellular to tissue level, studying mediators of cell mechanics and their implications for tissue function.
• BME 5310 Device and Drug Approval and the FDA: Covers government regulations and industrial procedures leading to device/drug approval.
• BME 5370 Introduction to Biomaterials: Introduces the study of biological materials and materials for medical applications, including tissue properties, biocompatibility, and design considerations.
• BME 5380 Biocompatibility: Introduces concepts and applications of biocompatibility, including cellular response to implants and the use of synthetic and natural materials.
• BME 5425 Robotic Systems I: Introduces robot kinematics and control, computational algorithms for robot movement, sensor fusion, and intelligent behavior.
• BME 5570 Design of Human Rehabilitation Systems: Provides basic to advanced knowledge in rehabilitation engineering, covering engineering principles for developing technological solutions to assist individuals with disabilities.
• BME 5990 Directed Study: Independent projects on subjects in the field of biomedical engineering.
• BME 5995 Special Topics in Biomedical Engineering I: Topics as announced in the Schedule of Classes.
• BME 6050 Engineering for Women's Health: Engineering approaches for improving reproductive and non-reproductive aspects of women's health.
• BME 6130 Accident Reconstruction: Analyzes passenger car and light truck behavior in collisions to reconstruct driver, vehicle, and occupant dynamics.
• BME 6470 Smart Sensor Technology I: Design: Introduces various types of sensors and the design of basic analog VLSI circuit building blocks.
• BME 6991 Internship in Industry: Industrial internship in biomedical engineering.

Conclusion

The Biomedical Engineering program at Wayne State University offers a comprehensive education in biomedical engineering, from undergraduate to graduate levels. With a strong faculty, diverse course offerings, and a history of innovation, the program prepares students for careers in this rapidly evolving field, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to address complex biomedical engineering challenges.