Objectives of Biomedical Engineering Program

The principal objective of our undergraduate program is to prepare students for productive careers in the field of biomedical engineering. As a department in New Jersey's technological research university, we anticipate that a significant number of our graduates will serve in the medical device and biotech industries in the state. But we also anticipate that many of our graduates will utilize their preparation in biomedical engineering to enter into other related fields such as medicine, dentistry, law, business or management.We expect our graduates to demonstrate effective leadership and to be prepared to work in culturally diverse environments. We also expect them to be able to use their multidisciplinary background to foster communication across professional and disciplinary boundaries and to remain mindful of the ethical and social implication of their work.We expect them to be able to integrate their fundamental knowledge in the basic sciences, mathematics, and engineering to address and solve a wide range of problems in medicine and biology. In keeping with the complex and continuously evolving nature of the field of biomedical engineering, we expect that most of our graduates will continue their formal education in advanced programs and that our alumni will engage in life-long learning.

Description of Biomedical Engineering Programs

Biomedical engineering students combine a study of fundamental physiological and biological fundamental processes with a study of engineering methods. Within the biomedical engineering program, there are a number of focus areas, which lead to specific program tracks for undergraduate study. The bioinstrumentation track utilizes electrical engineering methods extensively. The biomechanics track brings mechanics and mechanical engineering methods into play. The biomaterials and tissue engineering track employs tools from chemical engineering and materials science.

For students committed to pursuing a professional career in an area other than engineering, the Engineering Science Accelerated Programs for Pre-Health and Pre-Law offer challenging educational opportunities. These programs involve a concentration in Biomedical Engineering while also meeting the broad requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering Science. These non-accelerated programs have attenuated engineering course requirements and are designed to prepare the student upon graduation to pursue advanced education in a professional school in medicine, dentistry, optometry, physical therapy or law.

The program requires only three years of attendance at NJIT with subsequent completion of the program via courses taken during the first year of professional school.Examples of research activity within the biomedical engineering field include signal processing of electrocardiograms, electroencephalograms, electromyograms; design of clinical instrumentation (e.g., for ophthalmology); design and analysis of prosthetic devices such as knees, hips and heart valves; design of robotic techniques for rehabilitation; experimental testing of the control of eye movements and other skeletal motor control systems; gait and limb motion analysis; development of new biomaterials (including many containing living cells) for both hard tissues (bone and teeth) and soft tissues (muscle, skin, cartilage, blood vessels), biomechanical testing of myocardial and vascular tissue; modeling and simulation of cardiac and vascular dynamics; modeling and simulation of the function of other organs such as lungs and kidneys; clinical image processing; biomedical applications of MEMS (micro electro-mechanical systems). Research is conducted cooperatively between NJIT and neighboring medical institutions.

Mission of Biomedical Engineering

Department educate undergraduate students for productive careers and life-long learning, especially in the health-related areas of industry, the professions, and government service; (2) educate biomedical engineering graduate students for employment in industry, health professions, government, or academe; (3) emphasize preparation for leadership roles for all levels of students, both undergraduate and graduate (4) engage in research to support the advanced education of graduate students, maintain the intellectual vitality of the faculty, and expand the frontiers of knowledge in areas of importance to the state and the nation; (5) publish and present the results of our intellectual activities, resulted from both research and teaching advances; (6) serve our profession through membership and leadership in national and international societies, and (7) serve our wider constituencies by offering our expertise to other health-related professionals, industries, and state and local communities.

Program Educational ObjectivesObjective

A) The overall educational objective of the Bachelor of Science Biomedical Engineering Program is to prepare students for productive careers related broadly to biomedical engineering. It is anticipated that BME graduates will embark upon diverse career paths:

Obj-A-1) We anticipate that a significant number of our graduates will serve the medical device / pharmaceutical / biotechnology industries.

Obj-A-2) We also anticipate that many of our graduates will utilize their foundation from biomedical engineering education in a variety of related endeavors: for example, medicine, dentistry, law, business, management, and other engineering/scientific fields.

Objective B) While working within their selected career path, we expect that our alumni will demonstrate the following traits:

Obj-B-1) BME alumni are integrators:   We expect BME graduates to successfully and effectively integrate their fundamental knowledge of sciences, mathematics, liberal arts, and engineering analysis into actions that address and solve a wide range of problems, especially those related to medicine and biology.

Obj-B-2) BME alumni are communicators/translators:  We expect BME graduates to successfully and effectively utilize their multidisciplinary background to foster communication across professional and disciplinary boundaries.

Obj-B-3)  BME alumni continue their professional growth:  We expect BME graduates to advance their skills through professional growth and development opportunities provided by participation in a professional society, continuing education, or graduate study in engineering or other professional fields.

Obj-B-4) BME alumni are engaged in service:  We expect BME graduates to engage themselves in service to their chosen professional societies as well as their local, national, or global communities.

Program Outcomes

By the time they graduate from the Biomedical Engineering Program, students will demonstrate that they possess the following knowledge and skill sets:

(A) an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering

(B) an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data

(C) an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability

(D) an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams

(E) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems

(F) an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility

(G) an ability to communicate effectively

(H) the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context

(I)  a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning

(J)  a knowledge of contemporary issues

(K) an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

(L)  an understanding of biology and physiology

(M) the capability to apply advanced mathematics (including differential equations and statistics), science, and engineering to solve problems at the interface of engineering and biology

(N)  an ability to make measurements on and interpret data from living systems

(O)  an ability to address problems associated with the interaction between living and non-living materials and systems

This program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://abet.org.

The following is a model timeline to complete the requirements for the degree. Beyond the 4th semester, semester credits and BME track course credits may differ from those listed, according to the track requirements provided.

FIRST YEAR:

1st Semester: (18 Credits)

This curriculum represents the maximum number of credits per semester for which a student is advised to register.  A full-time credit load is 12 credits.  First-year students are placed in a curriculum that positions them for success which may result in additional time needed to complete curriculum requirements. Continuing students should consult with their academic advisor to determine the appropriate credit load.

2nd Semester: (19 credits)

SECOND YEAR:

1st Semester: (17 credits)

2nd Semester: (17 credits)

THIRD YEAR:

1st Semester: (17 credits)

2nd Semester: (15 credits)

FOURTH YEAR:

1st Semester: (16 credits)

2nd Semester: (15 credits)

Specialized BME curricula are offered in three areas:

(1) bioinstrumentation, (2) biomechanics, (3) biomaterials and tissue engineering. The lists below give the courses that are required in each track. In addition, each track is completed by a number of upper-level technical electives that are chosen in consultation with track advisors.

Bioinstrumentation:

Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering:

Biomechanics: