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Biomedical Engineering

The past four decades have seen a tremendous growth of technological activity in biology and medicine. As engineers increasingly have become involved with projects in the life and health sciences, there has been greater need for them to become more familiar with the fields of biology and medicine. Recognition of this need has led to the emergence of a new interdisciplinary engineering activity designed to bridge the gap between the life sciences and engineering--the biomedical engineering profession.

The Department of Biomedical Engineering fosters interdisciplinary activities across departments and colleges and maintains strong ties with the Carver College of Medicine. The department strives to provide a well-rounded and superior engineering education that attracts outstanding students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels; conduct high-quality research that enables faculty members and students to keep pace with and initiate new developments; and serve government, industry, and institutions worldwide by making the department's facilities and faculty expertise accessible.

Several engineering faculty members have joint appointments in the Carver College of Medicine. Both biomedical engineering undergraduates and graduate students participate actively with college faculty members and their colleagues in the life and health sciences on projects of mutual interest.

Undergraduate Program

The department offers the Bachelor of Science in Engineering in biomedical engineering. The program provides a contemporary education in a multidisciplinary area. Its objective is to produce graduates who:

• have the ability to identify, formulate, and solve open-ended problems with medical relevance, including the design of devices, systems, and processes to improve human health;
• are able to pursue a wide range of career options, including those in industry, academia, and medicine; and
• are able to advance to leadership positions in their chosen field.

Students who complete the program may pursue career opportunities in biomedical industries, such as design and development of biomedical instrumentation, diagnostic aids, life-support systems, prosthetic and orthotic devices, and man-machine systems; or they may pursue traditional career opportunities in industry, such as those rooted in mechanical or electrical engineering disciplines. Other career options are available in government (Food and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, National Institutes of Health, Veterans Affairs). Some biomedical engineering graduates elect to continue formal education in engineering, medicine, or law.

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

The Bachelor of Science in Engineering requires a minimum of 128 s.h. The biomedical engineering major builds on the foundation provided by the College of Engineering core curriculum, preparing students for the challenges and opportunities associated with careers in the profession.

The program has been designed carefully to enable students to satisfy the entrance requirements of the Graduate College. Students whose choice of electives includes a three-course sequence in organic chemistry, an additional biology course, and a biochemistry course may satisfy entrance requirements of the Carver College of Medicine, the College of Dentistry, or the allied health sciences.

The B.S.E. curriculum covers four major stems: mathematics and basic sciences, engineering topics, elective focus area, and general education (15 s.h. of humanities and social science courses). All students take 059:005 Engineering Problem Solving I, 059:006 Engineering Problem Solving II, and 010:003 Accelerated Rhetoric. General education component courses must be selected to satisfy the requirements of the College of Engineering. For information on B.S.E. curriculum stems and common course requirements, see Bachelor of Science in Engineering in the College of Engineering section of the Catalog.

Students must select elective focus area courses according to guidelines established by the Department of Biomedical Engineering. See "Elective Focus Area" after the following curriculum list.

Some courses in the curriculum are prerequisites to others. Students who take courses in the order below satisfy the prerequisite requirements automatically. Students who do not follow this sequence still must satisfy all course prerequisites.

FIRST YEAR

First Semester 

Second Semester 

SECOND YEAR

First Semester 

Second Semester 

THIRD YEAR

First Semester 

Second Semester 

FOURTH YEAR

First Semester 

Second Semester 

Elective Focus Area

The biomedical engineering program offers a variety of elective focus area options, including standard focus areas developed and maintained by the program and flexible focus areas tailored to individual student interests. For more detailed information about elective focus areas, see "Bachelor of Science in Engineering"/"Elective Focus Area" in the College of Engineering section of the Catalog. For a list of standard biomedical engineering elective focus area options and guidelines for tailored elective focus areas, contact the Department of Biomedical Engineering or visit its web site.

Joint B.S.E./M.S.

The College of Engineering offers a joint (fast-track) Bachelor of Science in Engineering/Master of Science for biomedical engineering undergraduates who intend to earn an M.S. in biomedical engineering. B.S.E./M.S. students may take some graduate-level course work, attend the departmental graduate seminar, and work on a master's thesis or research project while still undergraduates. They may count a limited amount of course work toward both degrees. Once students complete the requirements for the bachelor's degree, they are granted the B.S.E., and they normally complete the M.S. one year later.

To be admitted to the joint degree program, students must have completed at least 80 s.h., must have a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 3.50, and must submit a letter of application to the chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering stating the intended area of specialization and the name of the M.S. advisor.

Graduate Programs

The department offers a Master of Science, with and without thesis, and a Doctor of Philosophy in biomedical engineering. The aim of graduate study at both levels is to educate students more deeply and broadly than is possible at the undergraduate level. The goal is to enable students to use contemporary methods at an advanced level during a professional career in engineering design, development, and research.

Each student's course of study is based on individual background and career objectives, and sound academic practice. Department faculty members have teaching and research expertise in areas related to cardiovascular and fluid biomechanics, musculoskeletal biomechanics, biomaterials and tissue engineering, bioinstrumentation, biosystems, biomedical imaging, biological signal analysis, bioinformatics and computational biology, and other allied fields.

An individual program for each student may be developed from courses offered by the biomedical engineering department and other departments, especially mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, physiology, mathematics, and biological sciences. M.S. students who want a more general program may combine emphases, while those who want some specialization in a particular field can achieve their goals through the combination of departmental courses and appropriate electives from other departments of the College of Engineering and the University.

Ph.D. programs may center on any one of the previously described areas through the choice of appropriate course work and research topic.

Master of Science

The Master of Science in biomedical engineering requires a minimum of 30 s.h. of graduate credit, with or without thesis. Students who choose the nonthesis program must earn at least 6 s.h. of 200-level courses. Those who choose the thesis program may count no more than 6 s.h. of thesis research and writing credit toward the degree. The M.S. is designed to be a terminal degree or a step toward the Ph.D.

A tentative plan of study for each student is determined through consultation with an advisor. An M.S. committee of at least three graduate faculty members, including at least two on the biomedical engineering faculty, is appointed by the dean of the Graduate College. The student's plan of study is reviewed by the committee before the student has completed 18 s.h. of course work. The plan of study then is submitted for review to the department chair.

M.S. students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 3.00 on a minimum of 30 s.h. of graduate work and must successfully complete the final examination administered by their committee.

Candidates for the M.S. (thesis or nonthesis) must complete the following courses or their equivalents with a grade of B or higher.

Advanced mathematics
Human Physiology (027:130)
Introduction to Biostatistics (171:161)

Individual study plans should include as much advanced work as individual aptitude and previous preparation permit.

Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy in biomedical engineering requires a minimum of 72 s.h. of graduate work, including acceptable transfer credit. At least 42 s.h. must be earned in formal course work taken after the B.S. is awarded, and at least 12 s.h. must be earned for research and thesis. For students entering with an M.S., at least 18 s.h. of formal course work must be completed beyond the M.S., and at least 12 s.h. must be earned for research and thesis. Based on research progress, examination results, or other measures, the student's graduate committee may require additional formal course work to strengthen perceived areas of weakness.

Admission to the Ph.D. program is conditional until students successfully complete a qualifying examination. The biomedical engineering faculty administers the exam and decides whether the student's performance on it is adequate for admission to the Ph.D. program.

Admission to Ph.D. candidacy requires a g.p.a. of at least 3.25 on all graduate work done at The University of Iowa. Upon completion of the course work specified in the plan of study and with the required grade-point average and the advisor's recommendation, students are admitted to the comprehensive examination by their committee.

Having satisfactorily completed these examinations, students usually have only to complete and defend their dissertation at the final examination. Requirements for the Ph.D. generally can be completed in about three years beyond the master's degree.

Admission

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations of the Graduate College or the Graduate College section of the Catalog.

Applicants who have earned a baccalaureate or postbaccalaureate degree in engineering or in the mathematical or physical sciences, with a g.p.a. of at least 3.00, and who have a combined verbal and quantitative score of 1250 on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test are eligible to be considered for admission to the Master of Science program in biomedical engineering. Students with a lower grade-point average or GRE General Test scores may be considered for conditional admission. They must achieve regular standing within 8 s.h. of initial registration by attaining a g.p.a. of at least 3.00 at The University of Iowa and regular acceptance by the department faculty. Students who do not meet these requirements are subject to dismissal.

Reference letters, research interests, previous graduate grade-point average, and other factors may be considered in making admission decisions.

Admission to the Doctor of Philosophy in biomedical engineering is conditional until students successfully complete a qualifying examination.

Financial Support

Students are encouraged to apply for fellowships and assistantships. Contact the chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering.

Facilities and Laboratories

Required Undergraduate Laboratories

Four dedicated undergraduate teaching laboratories are associated with the required and elective courses in biomedical engineering: Biomaterials Laboratory, Biomeasurements and Systems Laboratory, Biomechanics Laboratory, and Cell Biology for Engineers Laboratory.

BIOMATERIALS

The Biomaterials Laboratory is equipped to test varied properties of biomaterials, including hard and soft tissues and prostheses. The laboratory is used for 051:070 Biomaterials and Implant Design, and biomaterials and senior design projects.

BIOMEASUREMENTS AND BIOSYSTEMS

The Biomeasurements and Biosystems Laboratory is equipped to measure biomedical variables of clinical and physiological interest, design and build electronic instrumentation, and conduct modeling experiments in physiology. It is used for 051:040 Biological Systems Analysis I and 051:080 Data Acquisition Design Laboratory, elective courses in biomeasurements and biological systems analysis, senior design projects, and demonstrations in 051:030 Cell Biology for Engineers.

BIOMECHANICS

The Biomechanics Laboratory is equipped to perform experiments in biological flow analysis and in human musculoskeletal systems. The laboratory houses a pulse duplicator for simulating physiological pulsatile flow, a flow visualization set-up to analyze flow past stenosis and aneurysms, blood pressure and flow measurement devices, digital still and video cameras for kinematic analysis, a ski binding tester, a drop tower for impact testing, a two-channel EMG amplifier system, and a table-top material testing machine. The laboratory is used for 051:050 Biomechanics: Theory and Design, elective courses in cardiovascular and skeletal biomechanics, other elective courses, and senior design projects.

CELL BIOLOGY FOR ENGINEERS

The Cell Biology for Engineers Laboratory trains students in cell culture and biochemical analysis techniques as a foundation for future studies in quantitative cell-based studies. Students learn basic cell culture techniques, protein and nucleic acid analysis, adenovirus-mediated gene transfer techniques, microarray and analysis, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of nucleic acids. They also are introduced to bioinformatics techniques used in cell biology. Major equipment in the lab includes laminar flow hoods, cell culture incubators, centrifuges, an ultracold freezer, protein and nucleic acid electrophoresis equipment, thermal cyclers, microscopes, an automated microplate reader, and varied support apparatuses used in cell-based studies. The lab is used for 051:075 Cell-Material Interactions, 051:130 Cell Biology for Engineering Lab, and 051:177 Graduate Cell Material Interactions.

Research Facilities and Laboratories

BIOINFORMATICS AND COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY LABORATORY

The Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Laboratory is wired for high-speed networking (10- and 100-megabit and gigabit ethernet, hardwired and wireless, and ATM). It includes five dedicated Linux clusters, 126 computing systems, 178 CPUs, more than 100 gigabytes of RAM, and 2.5 terabytes of disk space. Computer resources include a dedicated compute server cluster of 18 Linux systems (36 CPUs) connected with a dedicated, switched, copper Gigabit Ethernet intranet--18 Dual AMD MP-2400 (2.2 GHz, 2 GB memory, 40 GB disk each); second dedicated compute server cluster of 16 Linux systems (32 CPUs) connected with a dedicated, switched, fiber-optic Gigabit Ethernet intranet--12 Dual Pentium III (500 MHz, 1 GB memory, 9 GB disk each), and four Dual Pentium III (500 MHz, 2 GB memory, 9 GB disk each); and third dedicated compute cluster of nine Linux systems (18 CPUs) connected with a dedicated 2.4 GB multistage intranet--eight Dual Pentium III (866 MHz, .5 GB memory, 45 GB disk each), and one Dual Pentium III (866 MHz, 1 GB memory, 45 GB disk each). There are two additional clusters: an 8-node cluster of Pentium II class machines, and a 12-system heterogeneous cluster of various SUNs, HPs, and SGIs; four dedicated, dual fiber channel, redundant disk storage systems (RAID) 412 GB usable each. An additional 78 computers are used as compute servers, web servers, database servers, file servers, workstations, laptops, and for other developmental and experimental needs.

BIOMATERIALS LABORATORY

The Biomaterials Laboratory is equipped to characterize implant materials and biological tissues for their mechanical and thermal properties. Hard tissue histological slide preparations, for both microradiograph and optical, can be made for the study of interactions between bone and implant interactions. Metallographic sample preparations can be made and analyzed under optical microscopes.

The laboratory contains MTS (model 812) materials testing machine with recorder and controller; automatic data acquisition and process computer dedicated to the MTS machine; differential scanning calorimeter (Perkin-Elmer DSC-4 model); Omega x-ray generator with microradiographic attachment; Bronwill thin sectioning saw; Buehler Isomet thin sectioning saw; Buehler metalographic and petrographic grinding and polishing wheels; IR, polarizing, reflection research type microscopes; temperature-controlled bath; Lindberg tube furnace; strain gage attachment and measurement devices; videotape and play equipment; and conventional and vacuum oven with a diffusion pump.

CARDIOVASCULAR BIOMECHANICS LABORATORY

The Cardiovascular Biomechanics Laboratory houses an EMS Whitest uniaxial tension/compression testing system, a pulse-duplicating apparatus with flow loop, a spectrophotometer, silicone prototype fabrication utilities, high-speed/high-resolution cameras, a Sun Solaris workstation, and personal computers. The lab is equipped for soft tissue tensile/compression testing and viscoelastic creep/relaxation testing; simulation of flow through fabricated, anatomically realistic, patient-specific models of vasculature and heart valves; quantification of protein content in soft tissues; fabrication of realistic, compliant prototypes of human organs; and computational modeling of hemodynamics and tissue mechanics of normal and pathological cardiovascular organs.

IOWA SPINE RESEARCH CENTER BIOMECHANICS LABORATORY

The Iowa Spine Research Center Biomechanics Laboratory is fully equipped to perform studies of tissue and/or specimen response to mechanical loads. An MTS Bionix machine (with extended columns) servohydraulic testing machine permits application of uniaxial tension or compression in concert with axial torsion under displacement (rotation) or load control. In addition, the laboratory has a large base plate with T-slots, grips, an environmental chamber, and an independent controller with specialized test control and data acquisition and analysis routines.

An MTS Model 810 servohydraulic testing machine permits uniaxial tension or compression under displacement, load, or strain control. A bank of fatigue testing machines is planned.

An apparatus for testing spinal motion segments for their balance point and buckling behaviors also is available.

JOLT/VIBRATION/SEATING LABORATORY

The Jolt/Vibration/Seating Laboratory is equipped for investigation of the biomechanics of the spine, particularly problems related to low back pain due to the interaction between people and equipment in jolt (impact) and vibration environments. Three shakers are available to simulate impact and vibration environments.

Human responses are measured using equipment including load cells, electromyography, accelerometry, position sensors, and pressure pads. Portable sensors and data recorders are used to evaluate impact and vibration environments in the field and compare them to domestic and international guidelines and standards.

LARGE-SCALE DIGITAL CELL ANALYSIS LABORATORY

The Large-Scale Digital Cell Analysis Laboratory is involved in development of the large-scale digital cell analysis system (LSDCAS) and model-based approaches to problems of general biological interest. The facilities include the Real-Time Cell Analysis Laboratory, in the Seamans Center, with 10 Linux workstations, a Power Mac, printers, and scanners; and Real-Time Cell Analysis Data Center, also in the Seamans Center, with two Itanium servers (36 GB RAM/144 GB RAID storage), a fiber channel RAID storage system (2 terabytes), two dual-Pentium servers (2 MB RAM/36 GB disk storage), dual 30 amp/240 volt uninterruptible power supplies, 30-slot DLT tape library, fiber channel switch, fiber channel/SCSI bridge, rack-mount monitor/keyboard, and KVM switch.

The Quantitative Real-Time Cell Analysis Research Facility, located in the Medical Education and Research Facility, has a LSDCAS system consisting of three automated microscope systems capable of performing real-time single-cell analysis experiments, located in a dedicated darkroom to regulate illumination conditions. Each microscope system is controlled by a microcomputer interfaced to a digital camera and a microscope controller. This facility also includes a small tissue culture support laboratory containing a cell incubator, and access to tissue culture hoods, freezers, refrigerators, and other equipment. The Biomedical Research Laboratory, in the Medical Education Building, has a tissue culture hood, dual-chamber incubator, Coulter cell counter, protein and nucleic acid gel electrophoresis and blotting apparatus, refrigerators, freezers, and a variety of tools used for biochemistry, cell biology, and molecular biology.

ORTHOPAEDIC BIOMECHANICS LABORATORY

The Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory occupies 20 rooms on the ground floor of Westlawn. It is configured primarily for macroscopic-level physical testing of musculoskeletal constructs (e.g., bones, articular joints, orthopaedic implants) and for corresponding computational modeling. The physical testing area includes a multipurpose wet lab, a multipurpose dry lab, a surgical preparation room, a mechanical testing room, a machine shop, and a specimen storage area. The computational modeling area is arranged around eight separate workstation seats in two adjoining partially partitioned areas. Adjacent to these core operational areas are offices for faculty, research staff, students, and fellows; a secretarial/reception area; a conference room; and a library.

SPINE BIOMECHANICS AND ERGONOMICS LABORATORY

Located at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, the Spine Biomechanics and Ergonomics Laboratory is equipped for investigation of the biomechanics of the spine, particularly problems related to production and treatment of low back pain. For example, electromyography equipment, accelerometry, a motion capture system, and a force plate are used to study response to sudden loads. A stadiometer is used to evaluate how varied activities affect shrinkage (creep) in the spine. A pressure pad is used to study interface pressures between people and chairs or beds.

SPINE RESEARCH LABORATORY

The Spine Research Laboratory is equipped for interdisciplinary research. The laboratory's MTS Bionix (with extended columns) servohydraulic testing equipment permits application of uniaxial tension or compression together with axial torsion under displacement or load control. The laboratory also has a fully automated 3-D motion measuring system. These devices are used to test mechanical properties of biomechanical joints and tissues, and for biomechanical evaluation of the performance of surgical treatment modalities. Other equipment includes digital cameras, surgical tools, and sensors (i.e., LVDTs, six-degrees-of-freedom load cell, pressure transducers, digital inclinometers).

A biaxial biomechanical culture system is available for application of controlled compression and/or shear forces onto the intervertebral disc during culture, in order to investigate the disc's biological responses to mechanical loads. This culture system is used in conjunction with an incubator in which cells and tissues can be cultured. Basic equipment for histology and immunohistochemical analyses includes a microtome, ovens, a microscope, and glassware for chemical processes.

TISSUE ENGINEERING LABORATORY

The Tissue Engineering Laboratory is outfitted with a fume hood, sink, laboratory counters, tables, and major tissue culture equipment, including a Baker SG3 laminar flow hood, a NuAir water jacked incubator, an autoclave, a vacuum pump, a Zeiss Axiovert S-100 phase contrast and bright field microscope with a computer interface, computer-controlled peristaltic pumps, a computer-controlled water bath, and a refrigerator and freezer.

The inverted microscope has an image capture system interfaced to a computer workstation with image processing software. A variety of sensors for performing temperature, pressure, and flow measurements also are available. The laboratory's computers are equipped with software for graphical, numerical, image analysis, word processing, and symbolic computation. Liquid nitrogen dewars, and CO2 and N2 tanks have been installed. An Ussing chamber with electrodes and a high impedance Keithley electrometer also are available.

UPPER EXTREMITY BIOMECHANICS LABORATORY

The Upper Extremity Biomechanics Laboratory is configured for image analysis, upper extremity physical testing, and radiographic archives. A two-sensor Optotrak system, coupled with The MotionMonitor software package, is used to collect upper-extremity kinematic data.