Paper Authors

Abstract

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

Re-structuring an Instrumentation Laboratory Class for Biomedical Engineers

Jennifer J. Kang Derwent

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, IL

Abstract

In order to re-structure a traditional instrumentation laboratory to include biological-based problems and methodologies, the Instrumentation and Measurement Laboratory class was developed at the Illinois Institute of Technology. This laboratory class was designed as a stand- alone course to introduce students to various measurement techniques applicable to the three concentrations of study at Illinois Institute of Technology. The skills and knowledge needed to design and test the hypotheses and perform data collection and analysis of biologically-based engineering problems are introduced. Technical communication skills (oral presentation and technical paper writing) are an integral part of the class. The emphasis of the course program is to deliver an understanding of the “process” of investigating a problem using the scientific method to biomedical engineers, and not focusing on the “correct” answer. The laboratory class provides hands-on experience in proper laboratory use, experimental design, methodologies, and as well as building communication skills that are needed for careers in the various biomedical engineering fields.

Introduction

Starting a new biomedical engineering department provides an opportunity to modify a traditional engineering curriculum into one that would be appropriate for a multi-disciplinary biomedical engineering education. Due to the diversity in biomedical engineering, the major challenge in course design is to determine which areas of specialization are appropriate for biomedical engineers. As a relatively new program, the Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) has used this opportunity to focus on three areas of study: Cell and Tissue Engineering, Neural Engineering and Medical Imaging. To deliver the knowledge and skills necessary for these fields, the BME 315 Instrumentation and Measurement Laboratory class was developed. Traditionally, an instrumentation laboratory class focuses on transducers and electrical instruments, similar to an Electrical Engineering Laboratory class. While this traditional instrumentation class is important for all engineers, BME students need to be exposed to biological-based measurements. According to the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), a bioengineering laboratory experience must include an emphasis on solving “the problems at the interface of engineering and biology”1. The ABET criteria also states that laboratory modules must include “making measurements and interpreting data”1.

Proceedings of the 2005 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright  2005, American Society for Engineering Education

• Citation

• Format
  • APA
  • APA - LaTeX bibitem
  • MLA
  • MLA - LaTeX bibitem
  • Bibtex
  • EndNote - RIS

Kang-Mieler, J. (2005, June), Re Structuring An Instrumentation Laboratory Class For Biomedical Engineers Paper presented at 2005 Annual Conference, Portland, Oregon. 10.18260/1-2--15282