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BIOEN Course Descriptions
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University of Utah

General Catalog 2000-2001
Posted April 5, 2000

Disclaimer: The course information below is current as of April 5, 2000, is intended for informational purposes only, and does not constitute a legal contract between the University of Utah and any person or entity.

This Web document is updated twice a year, on or about the first day of registration for Fall and Spring semesters.


1101  Fundamentals of Bioengineering I (3) Co-requisite: MATH 1250 and CHEM 1210.
   The freshman sequence in bioengineering applies fundamental laws of physics and chemistry to the analysis of biological systems and the design of biomedical devices. Diffusion and molecular transport, electrochemical gradients, heat and mass transport and related topics are used to explain the basic principles in cellular, organ, and systemic physiology.

1102  Fundamentals of Bioengineering II (3) Co-requisite: MATH 1260 and CHEM 1220.
   This course continues the bioengineering introductory sequence. Calculus and chemistry should be taken concurrently. Diffusion and molecular transport, electrochemical gradients, heat and mass transport, and related topics are used to explain the basic principles in cellular, organ, and systemic physiology. The same tools are applied to design of biomedical devices such as the artificial kidney and meuroprosthetic devices.

1510  Science Without Walls: Science in Your World (3) Cross listed as MSE 1440. Fulfills Science Foundation.
   A concept- and inquiry-based television course which focuses on major science concepts applicable to all areas of science. The course is multi- and interdisciplinary and designed primarily for nonscience majors. It connects science to daily life and activities, particularly between science and art.

3101  Bioengineering Laboratory I (1) Prerequisite: CHEM 2320 and PHYCS 2220 and MATH 2270.
   First in a series of required laboratory courses for Biomedical Engineering students. The lab exercises complement material presented in program courses taught the same semester on topics such as cell morphology/function, cellular metabolism, biological membranes, protein purification and separation, Nernst potentials, blood flow, and tidal volumes.

3102  Bioengineering Laboratory II (1) Prerequisite: BIOEN 3101, 3201.Co-requisite: BIOEN 3202.
   Gives the student hands-on experience in mammalian systems anatomy and physiology through dissection of preserved specimens, experiments on the physiological properties of membranes and excitable tissue, and intro to renal dialysis.

3201  An Integrated Approach to Human Physiology I (3) Prerequisite: BIOL 2001 and 2002 and CHEM 1210 and 1220 and 2320 and PHYCS 2210 and 2220.
   Human physiology: fundamental concepts of cellular anatomy and physiology, DNA technology, extracellular matrix biology, and the structure and function of the respiratory and renal systems.

3202  An Integrated Approach to Human Physiology II (3) Prerequisite: BIOEN 3201.
   Human physiology: structure and function of the cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems, with an emphasis on engineering principles.

3301  Biophysics (4) Prerequisite: MATH 1250 and 1260 and PHYCS 2210 and 2220.
   An intermediate-level biophysics course on molecular biophysics and problems in biology and medicine. It emphasizes quantitative understanding and description of processes in cells, membranes, etc.

5030  From Biology to Engineering (2)
   This directed reading/discussion project course in the area of biobased engineering is designed for advanced undergraduate and graduate students without biology backgrounds. The course rapidly surveys modern biology and then focuses on unique phenomena with potential engineering applications, such as bioluminescence, photosynthesis, bio-hydrogen, anhydrobiosis, salt glands, thermogenesis, extremophilia, electric organs, and wall-forming organisms.

5090  Biophysical Chemistry (3) Cross listed as CHEM 3090. Recommended Prerequisite: CHEM 1220 and PHYS 2220 and MATH 2210. Fulfills Quantitative Intensive BS Course.
   Emphasizes biological and biochemical aspects of physical chemistry.

5201  Biomechanics (3) Prerequisite: MATH 2270, 2280, PHYCS 2210.
   Fundamental principles of mechanics applied to the study of biological systems. Passive mechanical behaviors of biological materials, measurement of nonlinear strain in tissues, arterial flow, mechanical interactions of implants with tissue, skeletal muscle mechanics, segmental biomechanics, and control of motion.

5460  Engineering Aspects of Clinical Medicine: Theory and Practice (2)
   The intent of this course is to acquaint advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students with the role technology plays in everyday clinical practice. The nature and etiology of the clinical condition being treated and an explanation of the physical and engineering principles behind the technology being used will be provided in a two-hour lecture. The following week, the class will visit the appropriate clinic to observe the procedure and discuss what is going on from a clinical point of view with an attending physician.

6000  Principles of Physiology I: Cellular, Molecular Physiology (4) Cross listed as PHYSL 6000. Prerequisite: BIOL 1000, 1320, CHEM 2310 or equivalent. Open to medical and other graduate students.
   Emphasizes cellular and molecular structure and mechanisms that pertain to various organ systems.

6010  Principles of Physiology II: Systemic Physiology (4) Cross listed as PHYSL 6010. Prerequisite: BIOEN 6000.
   Open to medical and other graduate students. Emphasizes physiological principles of major organ systems such as cardiovascular, renal, and nervous.

6020  Bioengineering Techniques and Measurements I (3)
   Combined lecture and laboratory course that provides hands-on experience in exemplifying the concepts and applying the tools covered in the core curriculum.

6030  Bioengineering Techniques and Measurements II (2) Prerequisite: BIOEN 6020.
   Combined lecture/laboratory course that provides hands-on experience in exemplifying the concepts and applying the tools covered in the core curriculum.

6040  Biomaterials (2) Cross listed as MSE 5040, PHCEU 6020.
   Chemical, physical, and biological properties of synthetic polymer, metal, and ceramic biomaterials. Relationship between the structure of biomaterials and their interaction with blood, soft, and hard tissue. Mechanical properties, fabrication, and degradation mechanisms, and performance testing of materials in biomedical use. Regulatory aspects.

6060  Scientific Presentation (1)
   Students will learn how to organize and give effective written and oral technical presentations for scientific meetings.

6080  Ideas into Dollars: Writing Grant Proposals (2)
   Writing, critiquing, and evaluating fundable grant proposals in science and engineering.

6090  Department Seminar (0.5)
   Presentations will be made by faculty and guest speakers from outside the department and university.

6091  Department Seminar (0.5)
   Presentations will be made by faculty and guest speakers from outside the department and university.

6140  Fundamentals of Tissue Engineering (2) Recommended Prerequisite: BIOL 1000 and MSE 2010.
   Cellular attachment, extracellular matrix biochemistry and tissue organization, cell culture, synthetic polymetric membranes, methods of cell encapsulation, biohybrid artificial organs, artificial cells, skin, bone, cartilage, liver.

6170  Biomolecular Engineering (3) Prerequisite: Instructor's consent.
   Explores the use of biomolecules as new engineering materials, or as functional interfaces with conventional engineering materials. Topics include biomolecular synthesis, structure, and biological functions; protein design, methods to modify protein structure and function; applications of proteins as materials and as transducers; and goals and opportunities in biomolecular engineering.

6220  Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Biomechanics (3)
   Anatomy and physiology of cardiovascular and pulmonary systems; focus on energetics and hemodynamics.

6230  Functional Anatomy for Engineers (3) Prerequisite: Department consent required.
   Human musculo-skeletal system explored in lecture and cadaver dissection, focusing on torso, back, hip, neck and shoulder, hand, wrist, elbow, and knee. Emphasis is placed on function, biomechanics, and modeling.

6310  Physics of MEG, X-Ray and Ultrasound (3) Cross listed as RDLGY 6310.
   Physical aspects and principles of magnetoencephalography (MEG), X-ray, and ultrasound radiology, including an overview of the hardware related to these medical-imaging modalities. Laboratory.

6320  Physics of Nuclear Medicine and MRI (3) Cross listed as RDLGY 6320.
   Physical aspects and principles of nuclear medicine and MRI, including an investigation into the design of hardware related to these medical imaging modalities. Laboratory.

6410  Bioinstrumentation: Biosignals and Biosensors (2) Recommended Prerequisite: PHYCS 5610.
   The physics of the sensors used to monitor biosignals and signal processing techniques that can present this information in a useful format.

6421  Fundamentals of Micromachining Processes (2) Cross listed as MSE 6421, EL EN 5221. Prerequisite: Department consent required.
   Introduction to the principles of micromachining technologies. Topics include photolithography, silicon etching, micro molding, micro electroforming, thin film sacrificial layer technologies, and substrate bonding technologies.

6422  Biomedical Applications of Micromachining (2) Cross listed as MSE 5222, EL EN 5222. Prerequisite: BIOEN 6421 or EL EN 5221 or EL EN 6221 or EL EN 6222 or MSE 5221.
   Use of the technologies from the first course in the series (BIOEN 6421) to investigate biomedical applications of micromachining. Course focuses on the design and development of microsensor/actuator systems; laboratory focus is on the fabrication and testing of microscale sensor/actuator systems. Laboratory included.

6430  Systems Neuroscience: Functioning of the Nervous System (4) Cross listed as NEUSC 6050.
   Understanding how the brain works is one of the deepest and most exciting challenges confronting modern science. This course will explore systems-level functioning of the nervous system, beginning with relatively concrete issues of sensory coding and motor control, and expanding into more abstract, but equally important, higher-order phenomena, such as language, cognitive and mood disorders, states of arousal, and experience-dependent modifications of neuronal operations.

6440  Applied Neurophysiology (2) Recommended Prerequisite: BIOEN 6010.
   Physiological, anatomical, and materials science fundamentals of electrical neuroprosthetics, the design of functional interfaces to the human nervous system.

6450  Bioengineering Control Systems (3)
   Closed-loop control theory with bioengineering applications. Z transform, stability criteria, classic closed-loop controller design and tuning, self-tuning, fuzzy logic and neural network controllers, physiological applications controlling respiration and circulation.

6470  Ultrasound (2) Cross listed as EL EN 5470.
   Acoustic-wave propagation in biological materials with examples of practical medical instrumentation resulting from ultrasound interactions with biological structures. Includes one lab experience.

6471  Biomedical Imaging with Waves and Diffusion Energy (3)
   Investigation of wave and diffusion phenomena and use in biomedical and environmental engineering. Electromagnetic and elastodynamic (acoustic) wave energy will be used.

6900  Special Topics (1 to 4)
   One-time courses in highly specialized areas of biomedical engineering not covered by department or university curricula, provided by visiting faculty, regular faculty, and/or members of the biomedical industrial community.

6910  Independent Study (1 to 3) Prerequisite: Instructor's consent.
   Topics in biomedical engineering selected by student in consultation with faculty.

6920  Internship Program in Bioengineering (1 to 3) Prerequisite: Instructor's consent.
   Research projects in a nonacademic applied-bioengineering environment.

6930  Special Project (1 to 3) Prerequisite: Instructor's consent.
   Independent projects in biomedical engineering, as determined by student and faculty supervisor.

6960  Research Project: M.E. (3)

6970  Thesis Research: M.S. (1 to 9)

6980  Faculty Consultation: Master's (2)

7110  Biopolymer Characterization (2) Prerequisite: Instructor's consent.
   Principles and execution of methods for macromolecular characterization: molecular weight, shape, and tendency for aggregation or dissociation into subunits. Macromolecular charge and conformational stability as a function of environmental factors, such as temperature, pH, and presence of structure-making/breaking solutes.

7111  Physicochemical Approach to Proteins and Nucleic Acids (2) Cross listed as PHCEU 7410. Prerequisite: Graduate student status or instructor consent and PHCEU 7010.
   Applying physicochemical theory and molecular modeling to protein, peptide, and nucleic acid structure and stabilization.

7120  Biocompatibility (2) Cross listed as PHCEU 7210. Prerequisite: Graduate student status.Recommended Prerequisite: BIOEN 6040.
   Biocompatibility of soluble and insoluble (crosslinked) polymers. Biocompatibility of biomaterials used as implants, blood substitutes, and carriers of bioactive molecules. Biorecognition of synthetic macromolecules on cellular and subcellular levels. Biodegradability and immunogenicity of biomaterials.

7130  Pharmaceutical Applications of Colloid and Interfacial Science (2) Cross listed as PHCEU 7220.
   Colloid, interfacial, and electrokinetic theories applied to the design of drug formulations, drug delivery, and therapeutic efficacy.

7150  Introduction to Biomimetic Engineering (2)
   Integration of energy transduction and transport of matter found in living systems with mimetic engineering of the same processes in laboratory. After studying selected biological examples, students design a biomimetic system that performs an identical or similar function and measures its performance. The course consists of laboratory experiments, tutorial, and a set of lectures. The tutorials are designed to teach students how to culture and use cells, design membrane mimetic surfaces using Langmuir-Blodgett trough and liposomes, use fluorescent markers and modern spectroscopic and optical microscopic techniques, such as DIC and 3-D confocal microscopy.

7155  Neural Interfaces Laboratory (3) Prerequisite: Instructor's consent.
   Engineering and implementation of neural interfaces: relevant neural properties, techniques and applications.

7160  Physical Nature of Surfaces (2) Cross listed as MSE 7160. Recommended Prerequisite: BIOEN 5090.
   Concepts of surfaces and interfaces, intermolecular interactions, thermodynamics of interfaces, interface electrical potentials, electrical double layer, and electrokinetic phenomena. Basic principles of surface and interface science as applied to solid materials.

7164  Polymer Surface Characterization (3) Cross listed as MSE 7164. Recommended Prerequisite: BIOEN 7160.
   Methods of polymer and coating surface analysis and characterization, including optical and scanning electron microscopy, contact angle and related wettability methods, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ion-scattering spectroscopy, secondary ion mass spectroscopy, electrical potential and electrokinetic techniques, methods for the measurement of thin-film thickness, characterization of optical properties of thin organic films, total internal reflection, infrared and Raman spectroscopy.

7168  Proteins at Interfaces and in Membranes (2) Recommended Prerequisite: BIOEN 5090 or CHEM 3090.
   Behavior of protein at interfaces in biological and man-made systems. Structure and dynamics of interfaces are reviewed from the protein adsorption point of view together with modern methods for studies of interfacial protein behavior. Protein adsorption models are presented from a thermodynamic and kinetic perspective. The cell adhesion is considered as a protein-mediated event. Each student is assigned a protein project in which he/she uses the molecular graphics to predict interfacial protein interactions.

7170  Biological Materials, Mechanisms, and Devices (2) Prerequisite: Instructor's consent.
   As a continuation of BIOEN 6170, the course begins with the hierarchical organization of biomolecules into materials, complex devices, and machines, leading to specialized cell types and the molecular basis of specialized function. A major theme of the course is to examine the potential for engineering biomolecular devices, or the interactions between them to modify entire cellular pathways and function.

7210  Soft-Tissue Biomechanics (3) Prerequisite: MATH 3150 and ME EN 3300Recommended Prerequisites: ME EN 5500 and ME EN 6300 and ME EN 7510.
   Constitute laws for bio-viscoelastic fluids, solids and mixtures; mechanical properties of blood vessels, ligaments, muscle, bone, and cartilage, nonlinear continuum and multiphasic models of tissues.

7220  Biofluid Mechanics (3) Prerequisite: MATH 3150 and ME EN 3700Recommended Prerequisite: ME EN 7700 and ME EN 7710.
   Selected topics from physiological fluid dynamics, including aquatic animal propulsion, animal flight, respiratory flow patterns, blood flow and pulse propagation, rheology of blood flow in the microcirculation.

7310  Advanced Topics in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (3) Cross listed as EL EN 7310, RDLGY 7310. Prerequisite: EL EN or CP EN Majors and instructor's consent.
   In-depth study of physics and mathematics of MR imaging and MR spectroscopy as they relate to the imaging of biologic systems: NMR physics, Block's equations, pulse sequences, flow and diffusion phenomena, spectroscopy principles, methodology. Laboratory.

7320  3-D Reconstruction Techniques in Medical Imaging (3) Cross listed as EL EN 7320, RDLGY 7320. Prerequisite: EL EN or CP EN Majors and instructor's consent.
   Physics and mathematics of three-dimensional reconstruction techniques in medical imaging: projection slice theorem, back-projection techniques, analytical and iterative reconstruction alogrithms, numerical methods; applications in X-Ray CT, SPECT, PET, and NMR. Laboratory.

7410  Advanced Bioinstrumentation (2) Prerequisite: BIOEN 6410.
   Coverage of advanced topics in modern bioinstrumentation and measurements, including analog signal conditioning, digital processing, and electronic modules.

7420  Modeling of Physiological Systems (3)
   Models of nonlinear biological systems are derived from first principles of thermodynamics, mechanics, and chemistry. The models typically take the form of nonlinear partial differential equations, such as the reaction-diffusion of Navier-Stokes equations. Perturbation methods, bifurcation theory, and numerical methods are applied to study the behavior equations and to gain insight into the function of physiological systems.

7970  Thesis Research: Ph.D. (1 to 9)

7980  Faculty Consultation: Ph.D. (3)

7990  Continuing Registration: Ph.D. (0)


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