Program Options
Academic programs by department:
Biomedical Engineering in the
Department of Aerospace
Engineering Sciences
The curriculum in Aerospace Engineering Sciences (AES) offers undergraduate
students sufficient flexibility to tailor their educational interests towards specific subtopics. In conjunction with a BS degree, various minors can be pursued, an option in bioengineering exists, or a pre-med curriculum can be followed in preparation for the medical school entry exam (MCAT). A novel bioengineering emphasis in the graduate program, termed Bioastronautics, encompasses the study and support of life in space from single cells to plants and humans.
Career opportunities in this field range from systems engineers to space
biomedical researchers and life scientists to astronauts. These are the
individuals who will lead the way towards safe and efficient human
exploration of space in the 21st century. This program is nearly unique in
the country, and has a strong track record of producing graduates who are
highly sought and easily placed in professional positions at NASA, in
industry, and in academia.
M.S. and Ph.D. theses are pursued on topics such as determining the effects
of space flight on biological systems or design of related experimental
hardware. Research funding may be obtained through the Undergraduate
Research Assistantship Program (URAP) or Undergraduate Research
Opportunities Program (UROP). Many recent graduate students have received
NASA Fellowships and other research awards. Students at all levels are
encouraged to seek involvement with projects ongoing at BioServe Space
Technologies, a NASA-funded Center hosted in the Aerospace Department.
Contact for information: Claire Yang
(303) 492-2940
Claire.Yang@colorado.edu
Biochemical and Biomedical Engineering in the
Department of Chemical and
Biological Engineering
In the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, the
Bioengineering Option, often called the Bio Option, prepares
students for entry into various fields related to biology,
biotechnology, and medicine. The Bio Option supplements the
standard chemical engineering coursework with curricula in
biology, genetics, biochemistry, bioprocess engineering,
bio-separations, and biomedical engineering. Students who complete
the Bio Option successfully compete for a wide variety of
employment opportunities, including positions in the
pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, the medical device
industry, and the environmental engineering field.
In addition, there is a Pre-Medicine Curriculum, which
satisfies requirements for those students interested in medical
school. Chemical and Biological Engineering has one of the best
records across the Boulder campus in the percentage of applicants
accepted into medical school. Because the requirements for
medical schools change frequently, students are encouraged to
contact both the pre-medicine advisor in Chemical and Biological
Engineering and the pre-professional advisor in the College of
Arts and Sciences.
At the graduate level, the Chemical and Biological Engineering
Department offers a variety of research projects in different
aspects of biotechnology. Our graduate students with
research interests in biotechnology can participate in the
Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Certificate program and NIH
training program in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology.
Opportunities exist for students at all levels to participate in
research.
Contact for information: Prof. Dhinakar Kompala
(303) 492-6350
Dhinakar.Kompala@colorado.edu
Biomedical Engineering in the
Civil and
Environmental Engineering programs
Environmental engineering encompasses the scientific assessment
and development of engineering solutions to environmental problems
impacting land, water and air quality in the biosphere.
Primary issues being addressed include: microbial processes for
treatment of water and wastewater, watershed ecological processes,
groundwater transport of contaminants, elimination of waterborne
and airborne pathogens, solid and hazardous waste treatment and
disposal, mitigating indoor and outdoor air pollution through
product or process design, preventing transfer of infectious
diseases, and projects related to human health and risk
management.
Bioengineering topics are a subject of undergraduate curriculum
in the Civil Engineering BS degree program concentration in environmental engineering, and in the
Environmental Engineering BS degree program.
Graduate study in environmental engineering (M.S. and Ph.D.)
incorporates a variety of courses and research topics in
bioengineering related areas.
Students are also encouraged to participate in summer
internships and in research through independent study projects,
the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), the
Environmental Engineering Research Experience for Undergraduates
(REU)
program, or as Research Assistants in sponsored programs.
Contact for information: Prof. Joseph Ryan
(303) 492-0772
joseph.ryan@colorado.edu
Biomedical Engineering in the
Department of Electrical
and Computer Engineering
The Biomedical Engineering option, available to both electrical
and computer undergraduate engineering majors, focuses on the
application of biophysical and engineering concepts to the
improvement and protection of human health. Successful
completion of this option is noted on a student’s transcript and
meets most medical school requirements.
Coursework in the Electrical and Computer Engineering
curriculum is coupled with specialized courses linking electrical
engineering to biomedical applications such as neural signals and
systems, bioeffects of electromagnetic fields, therapeutic and
diagnostic uses of bioelectric phenomena, medical image
processing, technical solutions to cognitive disabilities and
wireless technology for inpatient rehabilitation. Graduate and
undergraduates students participate in research projects in these
areas.
Students interested in the BME option may receive elective
credit for two semesters of biology if they also complete two
bioengineering courses from the ECE offerings. One of these ECE
courses also may be used to satisfy distribution requirements. The
basic BME option is thus composed of two semesters of biology and
two ECE bioengineering courses taken in lieu of electives.
Students who wish to also complete requirements for entrance to
medical school (or dental, veterinary, etc.) should add two
semesters of organic chemistry to the BME option. Pre-medical ECE
students may petition to have these courses substituted for other
electives. Several of these BME electives are also applicable to
the Boulder campus Neurosciences Program.
Contact for information: Prof. Howard Wachtel
(303) 492-7713
Wachtel@colorado.edu
Biomedical Engineering in the
Department of Mechanical
Engineering
Contributions to the area of Biomedical Engineering by
mechanical engineers include the design and manufacture of
biomedical devices ranging from prostheses to micromechanical
blood flow sensors and artificial heart valves. Application of
mechanical engineering fundamentals (thermofluids, mechanics, and
materials science) to questions in biophysics also contributes to
improvements in medical diagnoses and treatments.
The Biomedical Engineering Option provides undergraduates an
opportunity to formally augment the ME degree with a background in
biomedical topics. The option consists of the regular requirements
for a BSME, plus technical electives focused in bioengineering.
Successful completion of this option will be recognized with a
transcript entry, and students will receive a certificate of
completion. Independent Study in bioengineering is also available
and may include clinical or laboratory experience at the
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
Other technical electives may be applied to the Biomedical
Option, provided bioengineering content is included (for example,
in the form of a biomedical project). Students must consult with
their advisor to confirm applicability of these courses.
Graduate study in bioengineering topics is also encouraged.
Half of the faculty members in the ME Department have research
interests in biomedical applications and a wide range of research
projects are available for students to pursue as M.S. or Ph.D.
theses.
Contact for information: Larry Monke
(303) 492-8483
Larry.Monke@colorado.edu
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