Bioengineering
Great advances have recently been made in the fields of genetics/molecular biology as well as predictive engineering analysis and design, both enabled by rapid progress in computational sophistication. As a consequence, the highly interdisciplinary applied science of bioengineering has emerged as a critical core curriculum.
The bioengineering program at CLU integrates engineering, biology, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, exercise science, and physics with a liberal arts foundation to provide graduates with the knowledge and qualifications needed to enter the fields of health care, medicine, manufacturing, electronics, agriculture and materials, or to continue study toward advanced degrees or professional certification.
The interdisciplinary bioengineering program is centered on a mechanistic understanding of the life sciences and builds upon fundamental molecular, genomic and cellular principles to address challenges and opportunities involving, for example, medical devices, implants and sensors, tissue engineering, bioinformatics and imaging. Specific topics that are addressed include biomaterials and tissue engineering, biosystems analysis and control, biomechanics, bioinformatics, biosensors and imaging, bioinstrumentation, ethics and biochemistry.
Furthermore, the bioengineering program comprises three focus areas as illustrated in the figure above:
- bioinformatics
- bioelectronics/devices
- biomaterials/biomechanics.
Students are able to select a specific area of interest based upon their choice of upper division bioengineering classes.
Bioengineering students at CLU are given multiple opportunities to develop practical, hands-on skills for their careers, emphasizing techniques and practices for acquiring and interpreting data from biological systems. Inquiry-based undergraduate student research is a central component of the bioengineering program, with a focus on the critical analysis of the issues that arise at the interfaces between living and non-living materials. All seniors undertake an independent design project that includes optimized solutions and designs.
The bioengineering program is fully supported by an array of experimental laboratories for classroom and design projects. Coupled with these are sophisticated computer-aided design (CAD) capabilities for predictive modeling of the structure and performance of three-dimensional systems. Together, these capabilities provide the bioengineering students with the powerful ability to develop and refine predictive models to solve complex problems. Finally, bioengineering students are frequently involved in interactive projects requiring integration of these interdisciplinary topics, which prepares them both for personal growth as well as a rewarding career.
Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering
39 credits minimum, 24 credits upper division.
| BIEN 210/210L | Introduction to Engineering and Introduction to Engineering Lab | 4 |
| BIEN 220 | Introduction to Bioengineering/Lab | 4 |
| BIEN 450/450 | Seminar and Seminar (2 units of BIEN 450) | 2 |
| BIEN 495 | Capstone | 2 |
| BIOL 121 | Introduction to Cells and Organisms | 3 |
| BIOL 122 | Introduction to Metabolism, Genes and Development | 3 |
| BIOL 123L | Introduction to Biological Experimentation I | 2 |
| or BIOL 124L | Introduction to Biological Experimentation II | |
| BIOL 461/461L | Vertebrate Physiology and Vertebrate Physiology Lab | 4 |
| Select four of the following: | 15-16 | |
| Biomaterials/Tissue Engineering/Lab | ||
| Biosensors and Imaging | ||
| Biosystems Analysis and Control | ||
| Selected Topics (Neurobiology) | ||
| Bioinformatics-Analytical | ||
| Quantitative Analysis and Quantitative Analysis Lab | ||
| Chemical Instrumentation and Chemical Instrumentation Lab | ||
| Biochemistry and Biochemistry Lab | ||
| Bioinformatics-Computational | ||
| Mechanics of Biosystems - Calculus | ||
| Bioethics | ||
| Applied Electronics and Applied Electronics Lab | ||
| Digital Electronics | ||
| Total Hours | 39-40 | |
Required Supporting Courses
| CHEM 151 | General Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 151L | General Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 152 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 152L | General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 201/201L | Elementary Organic Chemistry and Elementary Organic Chemistry Lab | 4 |
| CSC/SCI 205 | Programming for Scientists | 4 |
| or CSC 210 | Introduction to Computer Programming | |
| MATH 251 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 252 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 261 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 265 | Differential Equations | 4 |
| MATH 352 | Probability and Statistics I | 4 |
| PHYS 201/201L | Mechanics and Thermodynamics-Algebra and Mechanics and Thermodynamics-Algebra Lab | 4-5 |
| or PHYS 211/211L | Mechanics and Thermodynamics-Calculus | |
| PHYS 202/202L | Electricity, Magnetism, and Optics - Algebra and Electricity, Magnetism, and Optics - Algebra Lab | 4-5 |
| or PHYS 212/212L | Electricity, Magnetism, and Optics - Calculus | |
| Total Hours | 46-48 | |
Recommended Courses
| BIOL 341/341L | Comparative Anatomy and Comparative Anatomy Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 361/361L | Microbiology and Microbiology Lab | 4 |
| MATH 343 | Linear Algebra | 4 |
| MATH 450 | Complex Analysis | 4 |
| Total Hours | 16 | |
Minor in Bioengineering
20 credits minimum, 11 credits upper division.
| BIEN 220 | Introduction to Bioengineering/Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 122 | Introduction to Metabolism, Genes and Development | 3 |
| BIOL 124L | Introduction to Biological Experimentation II | 2 |
| Select two of the following: | 8 | |
| Biomaterials/Tissue Engineering/Lab | ||
| Biosensors and Imaging | ||
| Biosystems Analysis and Control | ||
| Bioinformatics-Analytical | ||
| Bioinformatics-Computational | ||
| Select remaining upper division credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Selected Topics (Neurobiology) | ||
| Quantitative Analysis and Quantitative Analysis Lab | ||
| Chemical Instrumentation and Chemical Instrumentation Lab | ||
| Biochemistry and Biochemistry Lab | ||
| Mechanics of Biosystems - Calculus | ||
| Bioethics | ||
| Applied Electronics and Applied Electronics Lab | ||
| Digital Electronics | ||
| Total Hours | 20 | |
Courses
Lower Division
BIEN 210. Introduction to Engineering. (4).
An introduction to the basic concepts of
engineering - analysis, design, modeling, systems
theory, control. Topics include electronics,
mechanics, materials with a brief overview of
bioengineering.
BIEN 210L. Introduction to Engineering Lab. (0).
BIEN 220. Introduction to Bioengineering/Lab. (4).
The second semester continuation of BIEN 210,
emphasizing the application of engineering
analysis and design principles to life sciences.
Topics include analytical techniques,
characterization and analysis, systems analysis.
Biomechanics, biocompatibility, hydrodynamics and
bioelectronics are introduced.
BIEN 282. Selected Topics. (1-4).
Upper Division
BIEN 320. Introduction to Robotics. (4).
An introductory study of field of robotics -
devices designed and programmed to perform
various tasks. Topics include: hardware design
(mechanical and electronic); software design;
power subsystems; sensors; actuators; effectors;
applications; comparison to biological systems;
safety; societal impact and ethics. Students will
study theory (lecture component) and
build/program a robot (laboratory component).
BIEN 401. Biomaterials/Tissue Engineering/Lab. (4).
A study of the fundamental relationships between
the physical and biological properties of
ceramics, metals, polymers, their composites and
their microstructures. Topics include methods of
synthesis, 3D scaffolds, crystallography,
constitutive relationships and failure criteria,
biocompatibility criteria, case studies.
Interfaces and their characterization are studied
in depth. Prerequisites: BIEN 210, BIEN 220 or
consent of instructor.
BIEN 402. Biosensors and Imaging. (4).
An introduction to the central concepts of
sensing, feedback and control in biological
applications, addressing mechanical, thermal,
hydrodynamic, electromagnetic and
chemical/biological stimuli and detection.
Analog/digital conversion and signal conditioning
across multiple length, spectral and temporal
domains. Signal processing techniques are treated
in depth. Prerequisites: BIEN 210, BIEN 220 or
consent of instructor.
BIEN 403. Biosystems Analysis and Control. (4).
The development of biological systems analysis
and open/closed loop control with an emphasis on
techniques and software for predictive modeling.
Optimization of the performance of biosystems
comprising multiple, parallel processes will be
addressed, with an emphasis on electrical and
chemical control systems.
Prerequisites: BIEN 210, BIEN 220, PHYS 309 or
consent of instructor.
BIEN 450. Seminar. (1).
Key topics of interest aimed at familiarizing
first- and second-year bioengineering students
with key areas of study at the upper division
level. External speakers will be utilized to
introduce contemporary bioengineering topics to
students in a seminar protocol.
BIEN 482. Selected Topics. (1-4).
BIEN 482L. Selected Topics Lab. (0).
BIEN 490. Independent Study. (1-4).
BIEN 492. Internship. (1-4).
BIEN 495. Capstone. (2).
Investigation, analysis and summary of a basic
question or problem statement developed by the
student arising from related courses and personal
interests. The student is encouraged to explore
open-ended questions that involve original
thinking and the application of knowledge gained
during the undergraduate experience.
Prerequisite: senior standing.
BIEN 497. Bioengineering Departmental Honors. (4).
Professors
| Marcey | ||
| Revie | ||
| Shaw |
Associate professors
| LeBlanc | ||
| Long | ||
| Reinhart |
Instructor
| Rumer |