Mar 29, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [FINAL EDITION]

Biomedical Engineering, BS


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Biomedical engineering is the discipline in which experimental and analytical engineering principles and techniques are used to understand complex living systems and to develop devices, methods, and algorithms that improve the quality of human health and life. The biomedical engineering degree offers graduates productive careers in a wide variety of health care-related industries and government agencies. Graduates are trained not only to have a core understanding of traditional engineering disciplines, but also to have an in-depth knowledge of the body and the interactions between products developed and living beings. Biomedical engineers play a critical role in the design of artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, health management and care delivery systems, medical devices used in various medical procedures, and imaging systems. Technical electives in chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering can significantly broaden the career choices for biomedical engineering graduates and are highly recommended.

Program Educational Objectives


The Widener University biomedical engineering program’s graduates are expected to:

  • Pursue a career in biomedical engineering or other related area in medicine, health professions, or law.
  • Further their education or professional development through advanced degrees, certifications, etc.
  • Communicate and work effectively with colleagues and develop personal and professional skills to obtain a leadership position within their chosen area.
  • Engage in continuous service to their profession and community.

Student Outcomes


Over the course of their studies, graduates from the biomedical engineering program will have demonstrated:

1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics

2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors

3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences

4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts

5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives

6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions

7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies

8. an ability to apply principles of engineering, biology, human physiology, chemistry, calculus-based physics, mathematics (through differential equations), and statistics to solve biomedical engineering problems, including those associated with the interaction between living and non-living systems 

9. an ability to analyze, model, design and realize biomedical engineering devices, systems, components, or processes 

10. an ability to make measurements on and interpret data from living systems

Pre-medical and Pre-health Profession Studies


Biomedical engineering can prepare students for admission into medical, osteopathic, dental, veterinary, and other health profession schools. The biomedical engineering curriculum includes most of the coursework normally expected by medical and health profession schools. Interested biomedical engineering students are advised to complete two additional biology courses (with laboratories), two organic chemistry courses (with laboratories), and one English course. The biomedical engineering program coordinates with the Widener Health Professions Advisory Committee. With careful planning, students can complete the requirements for the biomedical engineering degree and pre-med/pre-health professions in four years. Students should consult with their academic advisor early in their freshman year.

Curriculum Sequence


Freshman


Fall (16.5 Credits)


Spring (17.5 Credits)


Sophomore


Junior


Senior


Fall (15 Credits)


Spring (14 Credits)


Total Credits: 130


*Students may substitute ENGR 112  Computer Programming & Engineering Problem Solving or ENGR 113  Computer-Aided Engineering Design in lieu of ENGR 114 .

** BME 338 - Biomedical Devices ; BME 430 - Thermodynamics of Biological Systems ; BME 432 - Mass Transfer in Biological Systems ; BME 440 - Bioheat and Mass Transfer ; BME 442 - Cell and Tissue Engineering ; BME 445 - Systems in Biomedical Engineering ; BME 446 - Biomedical Fluid Mechanics ; BME 449 - Bioimaging . Other courses are possible with approval of academic advisor and consent of instructor, including graduate courses for qualified students.

**A student who wishes to take a graduate course must have a cumulative GPA and a cumulative Tech GPA of 3.0 or higher, and must get teh approval of their academic advisor.

Students may substitute PHIL 352  (W).

Dual Degrees with Biomedical Engineering


Students interested in a dual degree with Chemical Engineering, BS , Electrical Engineering, BS , Mechanical Engineering, BS , or Robotics Engineering, BS  should contact the chair of the biomedical engineering department or the dean’s office for details about the curriculum. Students wishing to pursue a dual degree must get written permission from both departments.

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