Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering: Cell and Tissue Engineering Track

Cell and Tissue Engineering

This area involves the more recent attempts to understand and attack biomedical problems at the microscopic level and to use such knowledge to begin to “engineer” replacement tissues and organs from individual cells. Knowledge of anatomy, biochemistry, and the mechanics of cellular and sub-cellular structures is necessary in order to understand disease processes and to be able to intervene at very specific sites. With such knowledge a number of approaches have been or are being developed. These range from the development of miniature devices to deliver compounds that can stimulate or inhibit cellular processes at precise target locations in order to promote healing or inhibit disease formation and progression to the newer techniques that have produced replacement skin and one day will produce heart valves, coronary vessels, and even whole hearts. This area also includes the development of artificial materials used for implantation. Understanding the properties and behavior of living material is vital in the design of implant materials. The placement of materials in the human body for healing or repair has been practiced for over 100 years, but it remains one of the most difficult tasks faced by the biomedical engineer. Certain metal alloys, ceramics, polymers, and composites have been used as implantable materials. Bio-materials must not only function normally over the lifespan of the recipient but also be nontoxic, non-carcinogenic, chemically inert, stable, and sufficiently strong to withstand the repeated forces of a lifetime. Few materials meet all such specifications. Newer bio-materials are being developed which incorporate proteins or living cells in order to provide a truer biological and mechanical match for the living tissue.


Required Courses

Biomedical Engineering Core Requirements (27)
BME 100Introduction to the Profession2
BME 310Biomaterials3
BME 315Instrumentation and Measurement Laboratory2
BME 320Fluids Laboratory1
BME 405Physiology Laboratory2
BME 419Introduction to Design Concepts in Biomedical Engineering2
BME 420Design Concepts in Biomedical Engineering3
BME 422Mathematical Methods for Biomedical Engineers3
BME 433Biomedical Engineering Applications of Statistics3
BME 453Quantitative Physiology3
ECE 308Signals and Systems3
Cell and Tissue Engineering Requirements (39-40)
CS 104Introduction to Computer Programming for Engineers2
ECE 211Circuit Analysis I3
MMAE 202Mechanics of Solids3
CHEM 235Organic Chemistry I-Lecture3-4
or CHEM 237 Organic Chemistry I
CHE 202Material Energy Balances3
BIOL 403Biochemistry4
BME 301Bio-Fluid Mechanics3
BME 335Thermodynamics of Living Systems3
BME 418Reaction Kinetics for BME3
BME 424Quantitative Aspects of Cell and Tissue Engineering3
BME 482Mass Transport for Biomedical Engineers3
Select two BME electives 16
Mathematics Requirements (18)
MATH 151Calculus I5
MATH 152Calculus II5
MATH 251Multivariate and Vector Calculus4
MATH 252Introduction to Differential Equations4
Physics Requirements (8)
PHYS 123General Physics I: Mechanics4
PHYS 221General Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism4
Chemistry Requirements (8)
CHEM 124Principles of Chemistry I with Laboratory4
CHEM 125Principles of Chemistry II with Laboratory4
Biology Requirements (4)
BIOL 115Human Biology3
BIOL 117Human Biology Laboratory1
Interprofessional Projects (IPRO) (6)
See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, section E6
Humanities and Social Science Requirements (21)
See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, sections B and C21
Total Credit Hours131-132
1

BME elective must be chosen from the approved list of 300+ level engineering courses in BME, ECE, CHE, MMAE, CAE, or CS. ENGR 497 will apply.

 

Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering: Cell and Tissue Engineering Track Curriculum

Year 1
Semester 1Credit HoursSemester 2Credit Hours
BME 1002CHEM 1254
CHEM 1244MATH 1525
CS 1042PHYS 1234
MATH 1515Social Sciences Elective3
Humanities 200-level Course3 
 16 16
Year 2
Semester 1Credit HoursSemester 2Credit Hours
CHEM 235 or 2373-4BIOL 1153
ECE 2113BIOL 1171
MATH 2524BME 3152
MMAE 2023MATH 2514
 PHYS 2214
 Social Sciences Elective (300+)3
 13-14 17
Year 3
Semester 1Credit HoursSemester 2Credit Hours
BME 4052BIOL 4034
BME 4223BME 3013
BME 4533BME 3103
CHE 2023BME 3201
ECE 3083BME 3353
Social Sciences Elective (300+)3IPRO Elective I3
 17 17
Year 4
Semester 1Credit HoursSemester 2Credit Hours
BME 4183BME 4203
BME 4192BME 4243
BME 4333BME Elective13
BME 4823IPRO Elective II3
BME Elective13Humanities Elective (300+)3
Humanities Elective (300+)3Humanities or Social Science Elective3
 17 18
Total Credit Hours: 131-132
1

BME elective must be chosen from the approved list of 300+ level engineering courses in BME, ECE, CHE, MMAE, CAE, or CS. ENGR 497 will apply.

This program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).