WHAT IS
BIOENGINEERING?
Bruce C. Wheeler, Interim Head
Bioengineering Department
University of Illinois
at Urbana-Champaign
Bruce C. Wheeler, Bioengineering
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UIUC Undergrads, September 2005
UIUC BioEngineering
Bioengineering is Exceptionally Diverse
While viewing the next dozen slides, try to identify the
kinds of knowledge needed to work on the projects.
You should conclude that no one is able to learn more
than a fraction of what is called bioengineering.
Consequently, you should be aware of this breadth, but
focus on the area of greatest interest to you.
Bruce C. Wheeler, Bioengineering
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UIUC Undergrads, September 2005
UIUC BioEngineering
What is Bioengineering?
Any Area of Biology
Mixed with
Any Area of Engineering
In
Any Proportion
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Example:
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
–
–
–
–
–
–
Electrical Engineers: electromagnetics
Computer Engineers/Scientists: computation
Physiologists: biological function
Chemists: new imaging agents
Psychologists: mental function
Physicians: medical implications
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UIUC Undergrads, September 2005
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More Bioengineering Examples
Artificial Skin
– Materials Scientist: artificial polymers
– Cell Biologist: tissue reaction
EKG Machine
– Engineers: electronics
– CS: automated diagnosis
– Physician: medical design
Pharmaceutical Production
– Molecular Biologist: receptor / ligand identification
– Genetic Engineer: induce bacteria to produce molecules
– Chemical Engineer: scaleup of production
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UIUC Undergrads, September 2005
UIUC BioEngineering
Examples of Engineers in
Medicine and Biology
• Materials Science: Implants (e.g. artificial hip)
• Electrical Engineering: Cardiac Signals
• Computer Science: computer data bases, programs,
bioinformatics
• Computer Engineering: computer design for CAT
scanners
• Physics: basics of Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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UIUC Undergrads, September 2005
UIUC BioEngineering
Examples of Engineers in
Medicine and Biology
•
•
•
•
•
Chemical Engineering: Pharmaceuticals
Mechanical Engineering: Rehabilitation Devices
Nuclear Engineering: Radiology
Civil Engineering: Environmental problems
Agricultural Engineering: Food Processing
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UIUC BioEngineering
Areas Emerging in
“Engineering of Biology”
– Bioinformatics (Genetic / Proteomic Data Base,
Design, Inquiry)
– BioMolecular Modeling
– Genetic Engineering of Animals
– Genetic Engineering of Proteins, Drugs
– Cell and Tissue Engineering
– Neural Engineering
– Biomaterials
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UIUC BioEngineering
Programs Related to Bioengineering
• Environmental Engineering
– Sponsored by the Dept. of Civil and Environmental
Engineering (http://cee.ce.uiuc.edu/)
– Includes water, soil, air quality control and protection
• Agricultural and Biological Engineering
– Sponsored by the Dept. of Agricultural and Biological
Engineering (http://www.age.uiuc.edu/)
– Includes food processing, farm and indoor environmental
control
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UIUC BioEngineering
More Programs Related to
Bioengineering
• Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering
Department and Degree Program
• Biomaterials concentration in Materials Science
and Engineering
• Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Department and Degree Program
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UIUC BioEngineering
What Do I Need to Study to be a
Bioengineer?
• Short Answer #1: Everything
• Short Answer #2: Depends
-- on what interests you most
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UIUC Undergrads, September 2005
UIUC BioEngineering
What Do I Need to Study?
• Mathematics
– Calculus through Differential Equations
• Physics (calculus based)
– Mechanics, Electromagnetics, Modern Physics
• Chemistry
– Through Organic and Biochemistry
• Biology
– Strong in Molecular Biology, but also Cellular and
Systems Physiology
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UIUC Undergrads, September 2005
UIUC BioEngineering
What Do I Need to Study?
Traditional Approaches #1 and #2
• Choose one major and one minor from traditional
disciplines:
– 1. Engineering Side: Electrical Engineering,
Mechanical, Chemical, Materials, Nuclear, Computer
Science …
– 2. Life Science Side: Molecular and Cellular Biology,
Physiology, Cell Biology, Microbiology …
• Anticipate possible need for one more year to
double major to achieve career objectives
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Major in the area you like better ...
• "If you could be either an engineer or a biologist, but
not both, which would it be?"
– Major in that field ... and minor in the other.
– Yes, you can go to Biomed. Eng. grad school from either
the Life Sciences or Engineering
– … but not if you do not have the basics … calculus,
physics, chem, biochem, at least some beginning
engineering coursework and some beginning life science
coursework
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UIUC BioEngineering
Approach #3: Bioengineering Degree
UIUC for the Class of 2008, 2009
• Math, physics, chemistry, biology core, CS
• Bioengineering Core:
– Instrumentation/circuits, biomaterials, biomechanics
• Concentration in one of:
– Engineering discipline: EE, ME, …
– Life science discipline: Physiology, Cell Biology …
– Topical area: microsensors, bioinformatics, tissue
engineering, …
• Anticipate possible need for an extra year to receive
the MS degree to achieve career objectives
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UIUC BioEngineering
Why the Extra Year of Study?
• There’s too much to learn in four years
• Four years will prepare you for:
– Graduate school
– Medical school (if courses are well-chosen)
– Engineering in a traditional major, including
applications in biomedical area
– Life science positions, including applications with
significant engineering components
• But not for:
– Bioengineering positions in which advanced knowledge
in both life science and engineering are required
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UIUC BioEngineering
General Recommendations
• Essential Preparation Includes:
– Science Fundamentals: Chem, Biol, Physics, Math
– Academic Concentration: a major in an engineering
discipline or in Molecular and Cellular Biology
– Enthusiasm: junior / senior research project
• Existing majors will launch students into
bioengineering careers, medical or graduate school
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UIUC BioEngineering
What Can Traditional Engineering Students
Study in the Bioengineering Related Areas?
Major in: MatSE (biomaterials concentration),
NucE (radiology curriculum), ChemE
(molecular biology option coming soon), EE
(lots of BioE/ECE electives), Gen Eng (BioE
secondary field), CS (application sequences in
Bio, Biochem), ME, Aero, TAM ...
Minor in Bioengineering (21 hrs)
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UIUC BioEngineering
Notes for Engineering Students who want
to study Bioengineering
• Don’t forget to take enough Chemistry
• If you have AP credit for Chem 102/103, talk to the
Chemistry advisors about lab experiences and how best to
prepare for Organic Chem and Biochem
• AP Biology Credit does not cover the minor but it is better
preparation than having taken nothing
• MCB 103 (Human Physiology) and MCB 150 are good
courses to find out if you like biology enough to pursue
bioengineering
• Look at what the MCB students take to understand how
much biology you need
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UIUC BioEngineering
Medical School for Engineers
• Yes, many Engineers do so. Acceptance rates are
good, but medical school is very competitive.
• If you only want to go to med school, choose LAS
Biology.
• Premeds dominate Bioengineering Degree
Programs across the U.S.
• See the Career Services Office Immediately to
Plan your Courses, Volunteering, Etc.
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UIUC Undergrads, September 2005
UIUC BioEngineering
What Can LAS Life Science Students Study in
Bioengineering Related Areas?
Major in Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB)
Emphasis in Bioinformatics
– Calculus, Physics, Chem (thru Biochem)
– Biology (16 hours; molecular bio emphasis)
– Computation/Modeling electives (9)
Consult with Life Science Advising Office About Ways to Tailor your
Coursework toward Bioengineering
Other emphases: cell & develop. biology, physiology, biophysics, microbiology
For students who entered in 2000 or earlier:
Bioengineering Option in Life Sciences curriculum
http://www.life.uiuc.edu/mcb/undergraduate/index.html
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UIUC BioEngineering
Notes for LAS Life Science Students
Who Wish to Pursue Bioengineering
• Take calculus based physics – 211/212/213/214
• An incomplete list of engineering related courses you should consider
taking:
•
•
•
BIOE related: BIOE 414/415 Bioinstrumentation; BIOE 475, 417 Neural
Modeling; BIOE 280/480 Medical Imaging, MRI; BIOE 471 Biomaterials;
BIOE 406 Biomechanics; CHBE 472/473 Biomolecular Engr;
Engineering Basics: ECE 205/6 Circuits/Lab; ECE 473/474
Acoustics/Ultrasonics; CS 101/110/125/225/257/400/411 beginning thru data
bases and numerical techniques; PHYS 404/405 Electronic Circuits; TAM
210/211/212 Mechanics fundamentals; MSE 280 Intro to Materials
Remember that most BS Bioengineering degree students take at least 30 hours
of engineering courses beyond physics, calculus, chem
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UIUC BioEngineering
Suggestions for MCB Students
• Consider Bioinformatics/Computational Biology
or Biophysics Emphasis (approx. 75 hours)
• Take calculus based Physics (211,212,213,214)
and calculus through Dif Eq (220,230,242,385)
• General Education: 25 hours additional
• Remaining: 20 to 30 hours for electives including
building a bioengineering concentration
• Take CS 101 and CS 400 (7 hrs; non-CS majors)
• For reference: Min Hours to Graduate: LAS 120;
Engrg 128 (typical).
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UIUC BioEngineering
Suggestions for New MCB Students: Focused Use of Electives
Minor in Engineering
(an unauthorized proposal)
Prerequisites:
Math 220/230/242/385
Physics 211/212/213/214
Chem 102/103/104/105
Courses for the Minor:
ECE 205/206 Electronic Circuits
CS 101, 400 Programming, Data Structures
TAM 210, 212 Statics & Dynamics
ME 300 or MATSE 401 Thermodynamics
MATSE 280 Intro Materials
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UIUC BioEngineering
Suggestions for MCB Students: Focused Use of Electives
ECE/BioEn Emphasis
Take as many as possible …
• ECE 205 (3 hrs; Circuits), GE 320 (4 hrs; Control
Systems)
• BioEn 414/415 (3/2 hrs; Bioinstrumentation & Lab)
• ECE 473 (3 hrs; Acoustics)
• ECE 475 (3 hrs; Modeling Biological Systems)
• Total: 18 hours
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UIUC Undergrads, September 2005
UIUC BioEngineering
Suggestions for MCB Students: Focused Use of Electives
MechE/BioEn Emphasis
Take as many as possible …
• TAM 211/212/251 (3/3/3 hrs; Statics/Dynamics/
Solid Mechanics)
• ME 498 EH1 (3 hrs; Modeling of Musculoskeletal
Biomechanics)
• Bioen 406 (3 hrs; Orthopedic Biomechanics)
• Bioen 461 (4 hrs; Cellular Biomechanics)
• Bioen 471 (3 hrs; Biomaterials)
• Total: 22 hours
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UIUC Undergrads, September 2005
UIUC BioEngineering
Suggestions for MCB Students: Focused Use of Electives
Biomaterials Emphasis
Take as many as possible …
• MatSE 201/206 (3/4 hrs; Phase Relations/ Mechanics)
• MatSE 401/406 (4/3 hrs; Thermodynamics)
• MatSE 470/472 (3/1 hrs; Design of Biomaterials / Lab)
• MatSE 473 (3 hrs; Biomolecular Mat. Sci.)
• Total: 21 hours
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UIUC Undergrads, September 2005
UIUC BioEngineering
Suggestions for MCB Students: Focused Use of Electives
Life Science Emphases
Take as many as possible …
• Choose additional courses from the Emphases in
Physiology, Cell & Structural Biology or Microbiology
Engineering or Computer Science Emphases
Pick an Existing Engineering Major
• Take as many as possible of the courses in that major –
typically you will be able to take sophomore and junior
level courses
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UIUC BioEngineering
For more information
Bioengineering Student
Society
EMBS = Engineering in
Medicine and Biology
-- get on the Email List Today!
Bioengineering Office
3120 DCL
1304 W. Springfield
Urbana IL 61801
333-1867
bioen@uiuc.edu
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UIUC BioEngineering