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From Electrical Engineering To Bioengineering, What Is The Shortest Path? What Is The Best Path?

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Conference

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Chicago, Illinois

Publication Date

June 18, 2006

Start Date

June 18, 2006

End Date

June 21, 2006

ISSN

2153-5965

Conference Session

ECE Poster Session

Tagged Division

Electrical and Computer

Page Count

5

Page Numbers

11.653.1 - 11.653.5

DOI

10.18260/1-2--1317

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/1317

Download Count

401

Paper Authors

author page

Mehrdad Razavi McFarland Clinic, University of Iowa

author page

Mani Mina Iowa State University

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Abstract
NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract

From Electrical Engineering to Bioengineering What is the shortest path? What is the best path?

Introduction or Abstract

In this paper we review a current issue in engineering education. How to address bio- engineering in engineering curricula? These days many engineering programs claim the word bio-engineering in their titles. This paper examines the requirements to include bioengineering, when bio referees to human health and medical issues. The paper identifies what an (electrical) engineer should know about “bio” to be able to solve problems in medical field. Finally, we address the questions than is facing many engineers, what is the best preparation for engineering students who would like to pursue an MD.

The need for addition of Biological Sciences to Electrical engineering

One of the hottest issues in (Electrical) engineering programs is the role of biology in engineering curriculum.1-4 Every year more than 10% of the graduates of Electrical and Computer Engineering end up in medical related areas such as medical instrumentation design, and this number is increasing. In addition some graduates choose to pursue medical degrees.

From a scientific perspective, addition of biological sciences to engineering is inevitable because of exponential and synergistic collaboration among mathematical sciences such as engineering, and biological sciences (such as genetics, plant, and medical sciences), and to some degree social sciences. Furthermore, by addition of biological studies, engineering programs may become more popular and attract more women and under representative groups.

How to add Biological Sciences to Electrical engineering?

Many engineering curriculum committees are now addressing the ABET requirements regarding biology and other biological sciences in the engineering programs1-3. The question arises as to how an engineer can bridge the gap between her/his knowledge of engineering and its applications to medicine? Should programs require biology instead of chemistry, or both? In this paper we address how we can help our engineering students to be best prepared for and/or pursue a career in bioengineering, biological, and medical sciences?” 4

To answer this question, let us first overview the curriculum of bio-medical engineering education in engineering schools & medical education in medical schools.

Razavi, M., & Mina, M. (2006, June), From Electrical Engineering To Bioengineering, What Is The Shortest Path? What Is The Best Path? Paper presented at 2006 Annual Conference & Exposition, Chicago, Illinois. 10.18260/1-2--1317

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