Department of Bioengineering

Program Objectives

Career Opportunites

Department Statistics

Admission Requirements

Contact Information

Reflects curriculum changes for students entering major Spring 2007

Options:

Electrical Engineering

Chemical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Materials Science

Reflects curriculum changes for students entering major Spring 2007

Senior Design Projects 2005

Senior Design Projects 2006

Senior Design Projects 2007

Summary of Undergraduate Curriculum in pdf format

Undergraduate Handbook for 2007-2008

Biomedical Engineering Society at Penn State

Industry Contacts

Bioengineering Undergraduate Major

Program Objectives Consistent with the mission of Penn State University and the College of Engineering, the Penn State Bachelor of Science program in Bioengineering aims to create world-class engineers who will, after graduation, contribute to social and economic development through the application of engineering to the solution of problems in medicine and biology. Specific program objectives are that three to five years after graduation, graduates will be: employed in industry positions which include, but are not limited to, research and development, manufacturing, quality assurance and sales and marketing,or, enrolled in graduate school, continuing education, or other professional development programs related to biomedical sciences and engineering, or, enrolled in medical school, dental school, or other health-related professional training programs. Curriculum The undergraduate curriculum consists of a core of common courses taken by all bioengineering students. In the first year, students receive their first exposure to the world of bioengineering through a seminar course designed to explore the foundations of bioengineering. In the the sophomore year, in addition to math and physics, students begin their exposure to the life sciences by taking an entry-level course in physiology and an associated lab course to gain hands-on experience with living organs, tissues and cells. A first exposure to molecular and cell biology is also given that is similar in nature to that taken by life science students, but with a quantitative focus and informative mathematical examples. The junior year begins with the foundations of continuum mechanics as applied to solid and fluid systems to gain an understanding of the mechanical properties of tissues, such as muscle and bone, and the viscous properties of fluid, such as blood. Students also get a first course in linear systems analysys similar in engineering content to that in electrical engineering but with applications to the control of physiological systems. A parallel lab course introduces students to computer simulation of physiological systems. The principles of thermodynamics are presented with applications to living systems. The third year also includes an exposure to fundamentals of the design of medical instrumentation and to further studies on the physical properties of tissues and their function. During the senior year, students begin to integrate many of their engineering and life science experiences into a study of the design of medical devices. A first-hand exposure to the application of medical devices to combat various disease processes is given in collaboration with clinical faculty at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. This experience is followed by a senior year design course that aims to integrate much of the student's prior educational experiences. Throughout the curriculum, students are expected to strengthen their engineering and physical science skills by selecting one of four different option tracks within which specialized advanced courses, and their prerequisites, are taken. Each option area consists of a sequence of eight courses (20-21 credits) of prescribed course work. The option areas are: Electrical Engineering - for students wishing to study the design and development of medical devices, signal processing, and medical imaging. Chemical Engineering - for studies of transport within physiological systems, drug delivery, and development of engineered tissues. Mechanical Engineering - for studies of the mechanics of the human body in health and disease and applications to medical devices and orthopedics. Materials Science - for studies of biomaterials that are designed to interact with living tissues at the cellular and molecular level and tailored to affect tissues in a prescribed manner. Revised Curriculum - Spring 2006 Students entering the Bioengineering BS program after Spring 2006 will follow the revised curriculum at the links below. The changes were made to: provide a stronger math requirement (Math 230 instead of Math 220 & 231) provide a common Thermodynamics course for all option areas (Bioe 313) allow greater flexibility in all options via a Science & Engr. Elective upgrade the required and elective courses in the Electrical and Mechanical Engr options allow organic chemistry as elective choices in the Electrical and Mechanical Engr options, so that medical school requirements may be more easily met Students who enter the major as sophomores in spring 2006 are encouraged to follow the revised curriculum as much as possible. If in doubt, consult with your academic advisor about your schedule. Note about changes in Course Numbers: Many Chemistry Course Numbers are changing during the Summer '07 Semester and ME Course Numbers are changing in Fall '07. Reflects curriculum changes for students entering major Spring 2007 Students who entered the major in a previous year should refer to the undergraduate handbook you were given when you entered the major. Career Opportunites The job market for students with a B.S. degree in Bioengineering is growing rapidly as advances in the biomedical sciences impact health care. With a health care industry that constitutes almost 15 percent of our gross national product, there are many opportunities for graduates with the specialized training offered at Penn State. It is anticipated that with the unique concentration of engineering and life science courses offered in the curriculum, graduates will have an advantage rising through the engineering ranks to positions of leadership in an industrial setting. With a readily recognizable concentration in a traditional engineering area, as embodied by one of the four options, students will be well prepared to answer the specific needs of an employer, as well as to go on to pursue graduate study in a related area. Students planning to enter medical school will need to plan their sequence of courses carefully, and may need 1 to 6 additional course credits to complete all medical school requirements, depending on which option is chosen. Department Statistics The Department of Bioengineering consists of 12 faculty members at University Park and the Hershey Medical Center. The Department also oversees an Intercollege Graduate Degree Granting Program that offers M.S. and Ph.D degrees in Bioengineering. The Intercollege Graduate faculty consists of an addtional 25 members with primary appointments in other engineering departments and colleges withing the university. Admission Requirements Prospective students are encouraged to plan their entry to Bioengineering early in their first year since the life science courses are not part of the College of Engineering common curriculum. No prior experience in biology is required. Senior Design Projects View some of the projects seniors have designed at Senior Design Projects - Spring 2005 and Senior Design Projects - Spring 2006 and Senior Design Projects - Spring 2007. Co-op and Internship Opportunities Students have actively sought out Co-op positions (FA and SP semesters) and Summer Intern positions (SU semester) in industry, research labs at major universities, and at national laboratories. This process is facilitated by the College of Engineering Co-op and Internship Office, 205 Hammond Bldg. View a list of past and current Co-op and Intern partners: Internship and Co-Op Program Undergraduate Handbook This handbook details department policies and procedures in many areas for example, use of ROTC credits, petitions for course substitution, and procedures governing the honors thesis. Undergraduate Handbook for 2007-2008 For More Information... Professor Herbert H. Lipowsky Head of the Department of Bioengineering The Pennsylvania State University 205 Hallowell Building University Park, PA 16802 Tel: 814-863-6614 E-mail: bioemajor@engr.psu.edu