Engineering and Computer Science

Biomedical and Industrial and Systems Engineering

Professors Gallimore, Hangartner, He, Koubek (chair), Phillips, Rowley

Associate Professors Narayanan, Reynolds

Assistant Professors Harvey, Rothrock

The Department of Biomedical, Industrial, and Systems Engineering offers undergraduate programs in biomedical engineering, and industrial and systems engineering leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering or Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering

Curriculum design changes occasionally to meet educational and accreditation needs. The following curricula are typical; however, students should check with the department for current curriculum guides.

Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical engineering is concerned with solving and understanding problems in biology and medicine by using principles, methods, and approaches drawn from engineering science and technology.

Biomedical engineering students, working in modern teaching laboratories structured around computer-based engineering workstations, receive intensive academic training in engineering design and analysis principles as well as life science concepts. The senior design course brings the course work to bear on actual biomedical engineering problems that help prepare students for employment or graduate study.

The curriculum provides a mix of courses in engineering, life sciences, math, physical science, electronics, control systems, mechanics, and computers, while also stressing communication skills and general education.

• To provide opportunities to learn the concepts of basic science, biology, and engineering as they apply to the discipline of biomedical engineering
• To provide exposure to the relationships between human/animal systems and basic-science/engineering principles
• To provide opportunities to develop experimental, analytical, computational, and communicative skills
• To provide exposure to the principles of some methods and instruments used in diagnosis and therapy of living systems
• To provide awareness of the multifaceted societal environment with its local and global implications
• To prepare students for employment as biomedical engineers, for admission to medical school, or for admission to graduate school

Current efforts in biomedical engineering include developing medical and surgical instrumentation, designing rehabilitation assistive devices, interfacing complex systems in data collection and analysis, medical imaging, and adapting computer technology to assist people with severe physical disabilities.

Two separate curricula are available. Curricu-lum A is the regular degree program. Curriculum B is a premedical program that prepares students to apply to medical school. Students who transfer between curricula must complete the final curriculum in total.

The Undergraduate Honors Thesis track provides talented, highly motivated students the opportunity to develop their interests and professional skills by pursuing carefully structured programs of independent study, which culminates in completion of the Undergraduate Honors Thesis.

Graduates may also be qualified to pursue graduate studies in engineering or the life sciences. The department offers a fifth-year M.S. degree program for students completing the B.S. program.

Degree Requirements - BioMedical Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering Degree

The Industrial and Systems Engineering program emphasizes the evaluation, design, and improvement of complex systems. These systems can range from using a computer to advanced manufacturing facilities. The program recognizes the central role of the people in such systems, as both operators and beneficiaries, and provides the breadth of knowledge necessary to design systems from a user-centered perspective. Students take a variety of courses across traditional engineering disciplines and in other areas, which may include probability and statistics, optimization, production, engineering economics, computing, operations management, and psycho-logy, depending on area of concentration. The curriculum provides a broad basis, which includes core industrial engineering courses while focusing on the human aspects of systems design.

Industrial and Systems Engineering Program Objectives

• To provide graduates with the tools, knowledge, and problem-solving skills to design, develop, implement, and improve integrated systems that include people, materials, information, equipment, and energy
• To provide graduates with a foundation in mathematics, science, and engineering principles that underpins their profession
• To provide graduates with an understanding of the user-centered design process
• To prepare graduates who can work in a team environment and who can communicate effectively both written and orally
• To provide graduates an understanding of their role as engineers in the context of a global society
• To prepare graduates for professional practice and for admission to graduate programs

The Industrial and Systems Engineering program emphasizes a broad background in user-centered design within an industrial and systems engineering framework. Elective/concentration requirements are provided in order that students may develop a focus area of application. Currently there are four defined tracks in industrial and systems engineering: human integrated systems, information and computer systems, operations management, and undergraduate honors thesis.

Graduates of the program pursue careers in a wide range of settings including manufacturing, health care delivery, information systems, aerospace, consulting, and telecommunications. In addition, students may choose to continue their education in graduate school. 

Degree Requirements -  Industrial and Systems Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering Degree

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Track

 The honors thesis track provides talented, highly motivated students the opportunity to develop their interests and professional skills by pursuing carefully structured programs of independent study and research, which culminates in completion of the Undergraduate Honors Thesis. 

Human Integrated Systems Track

 Through a structured sequence of coursework, this track provides the student with a foundation in both physical ergonomics and human-computer interaction. Students completing this track are typically employed as human factors engineers or continue with graduate studies in the field. 

Minor in Computer Science for Engineers and Scientists 

Students who successfully complete the concentration area courses for the information and computer systems track and meet departmental requirements will receive a minor in computer science for engineers and scientists. Interested students should apply to be admitted to the minor once they are established in the industrial and systems engineering major and have achieved junior status. 

Minor in Operations Management

 Students who successfully complete the concentration area courses for the operations management track and meet departmental requirements will receive a minor in operations management from the Raj Soin College of Business. Interested students should apply to be admitted to the minor once they are established in the industrial and systems engineering major and have achieved junior status. Students must be enrolled in the minor in order to be permitted to sign up for courses in the operations management track.

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