Bioengineering Laboratory Principles

Bioengineering Laboratory Principles (BE2700)

The Bioengineering Laboratory Principles course is a core lab experience for Bioengineering students, typically taken during the sophomore year. This course introduces students to core experimental and analytical techniques in the field through a series of guided modules. Each module is completed in small groups, fostering collaboration and teamwork as students navigate real-world bioengineering problems. The course emphasizes fundamental skills in math, programming, engineering design, data analysis, and scientific communication. While the scope reflects the breadth of Bioengineering, students work with greater structure and support as they build confidence in applying concepts from their early coursework.

View photos from past years here.

Tensile Testing (January - February)

This lab module introduces students to the ethical use of animal models and the mechanical characterization of biological tissues. Students dissect soft tissue specimens and engage with foundational readings on the principles and regulations guiding animal research. Emphasis is placed on responsible specimen handling and critical reflection on the societal role of bioengineers. Students also perform tensile tests on prepared samples using Instron systems and optical strain tracking. By analyzing stress-strain behavior, students quantify mechanical properties such as Young’s modulus and ultimate stress. This module integrates ethics, biomechanics, and experimental methods to build foundational skills in bioengineering research.

Bone Cement (February - March)

In this hands-on design module, students explore the polymerization of PMMA-based bone cements commonly used in orthopedic surgery. Teams use thermistors integrated into custom-built digital thermometers to monitor exothermic reactions in real time, learning to calibrate sensors and analyze thermal profiles. Through experimental design and statistical analysis, including ANOVA and post hoc testing, students evaluate how changes in cement formulations affect key clinical parameters like peak temperature and hardening time. This module emphasizes teamwork, careful planning, and critical interpretation of data to address real-world biomaterials challenges in medical device applications.

Electromyography (EMG): Design a Smart Watch (March - April)

In this design-driven module, students learn to capture and process muscle activation signals (EMG) using Biopac systems and Arduino microcontrollers, then integrate them with a second sensor to create a prototype smartwatch that tracks physical activity in real time. Alongside technical skills in circuit design, coding, and signal analysis, students explore ethical considerations of wearable health technology, examining how accuracy, user needs, and healthcare integration inform device development. The module emphasizes translating complex physiological data into meaningful digital feedback on a wearable platform.

CAD & Custom Built Spectrophotometer (April-May)

In the final module, students bring together design, fabrication, and analytical skills to prototype a low-cost absorbance spectrophotometer. Beginning with CAD skill-building and laser cutting, students design and manufacture custom enclosures to house their devices. They then integrate LEDs, photoresistors, and Arduino microcontrollers to build functional prototypes capable of detecting biomarker concentrations in "blood" samples. The project emphasizes applying statistical methods to calibrate and validate device accuracy, and challenges students to consider usability, cost, and real-world constraints when designing diagnostic tools for global health settings.