Courses

Freshman introductory bioengineering course. Labs in this course introduce students to the breadth of Bioengineering, with chemical engineering, biomechanics, electronics and microcontrollers, data science, tissue engineering, and synthetic biology.

This course will cover a variety of bioengineering laboratory principles and techniques including data collection, analysis and reporting. Students will explore tools related to mechanics, materials and electronics with applications in the bioengineering field.

The first of a of a two laboratory course sequence designed to integrate real world experiences into various Bioengineering and Bioengineering Science courses. Current modules include experiments in dialysis, drug delivery, and neuroscience and limb control of insects. Learn more.

The second of two laboratory courses that are taken during the junior year. The goal of these laboratories is to provide students with hands-on experience in utilizing fundamental engineering skills to solve complex medical problems. Current modules involve microfluidics, quorum sensing in bacteria, ECG analysis and filter design, and spectroscopy and construction of a low-cost spectrophotometer. Learn more.

Lab-based course where students learn the fundamentals of medical device design through hands-on projects using microcontrollers. Students first learn basic design building blocks regularly employed in microcontroller-based medical devices, and then carry out a small design project using those building blocks. Projects are informed by reverse-engineering of competing products, FDA regulations, and marketplace considerations.

Students will learn the process of developing medical devices that fulfill unmet patient needs. Students will be equipped with an understanding of what is required to lead a startup venture in medical devices including regulatory, legal, fundraising, team building and leadership. In lab, students will develop a proof-of-concept prototype device. Students will pitch their ideas to real med tech investors . The successful student will leave the class with the knowledge, skills and confidence to lead a startup venture in medical devices. If desired by the student, the proof-of-concept device can be used as the basis for their senior design project.

Students develop and design their own full-year projects. Learn more.

Students will learn about problems faced by disabled persons and medical rehabilitation specialists, and how engineering design can be used to solve and ameliorate those problems. The course combines lectures, multiple design projects and exercises, and field trips to clinical rehabilitation facilities. Students will have substantial interaction with clinical faculty, as well as with patients. Prerequisite: Graduate students or permission of the instructor.

Medical Innovation I is a hands-on, project-based team design experience. By the end of this course, students will understand all aspects of medical device design, innovation, and entrepreneurship, including the importance of a clear problem definition and stakeholder input, an introduction to engineering design principles, and how to navigate the complex pathway by which these products reach patients. The end point of the semester is a final pitch (outlining the need, the solution, and the business opportunity) and a functional prototype with initial proof of concept data.

This laboratory course covers the fundamentals of modern medical imaging techniques. Students will participate in a series of hands-on exercises, covering the principals of X-ray imaging, CT imaging, photoacoustic imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, localized magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy, MR contrast agents, diffuse optical spectroscopy, and bioluminescence imaging. Each lab is designed to reinforce and expand upon material taught in BE483/583 Molecular Imaging and MMP507 Physics of Medical Imaging.

Mechatronics is the combination of mechanical, electrical and computer engineering principles in the design of electromechanical systems. Biomechatronics is the application of these principles to human biology and includes orthopaedic, hearing, respiratory, vision and cardiovascular applications. In this hands-on, project-based course, these biomechatronic systems will be explored. Students will learn the basic mechanical and electrical elements needed to complete a biomechatronic design challenge including basic circuits, design considerations, material fabrication, microcontrollers and mechanisms (e.g. converting rotational motion into linear motion). Students will carry out a final design project utilizing these building blocks.

The Bioengineering labs support other classes that use the facilities.

If you are interested in using the lab facilities for a course, please contact the Laboratory Staff.

The Bioengineering labs provide laboratory space and assist in a number of special programs, such as:

• Access Engineering - Outreach program for high school students run by Penn undergraduates.

• iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machines) - home of Penn's team in this premiere collegiate synthetic biology research competition

• GEMS - A program for Middle School girls to explore science and Engineering.

• Summer High School Programs (ESAP & M&TSi)- Intensive summer programs for High School students through which they can obtain college credits.

• Pre-freshmen program

If you are interested in using the lab facilities for a University of Pennsylvania based program, please contact the Laboratory Staff.