For more information about these courses, see the Biomedical Engineering program: ucalgary.ca/bme/.
Senior Courses
Biomedical Engineering301
Introduction to Biomedical Engineering
Fundamentals of biological systems and the application of engineering principles to address challenges in human and animal health. The role of the biomedical engineer in society and in the current industrial landscape. Topics include pharmaceuticals and drug delivery, instrumentation and devices, physiological and biological measurements, biomechanics, the Scientific Method and the Canadian health-care system. Applications may include the cardiovascular, neural and musculo-skeletal systems. Course Hours:3 units; (3-2)
Physiological terminology and anatomical planes of reference; cell biology and physiology; includes structure and function of musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, nervous, gastrointestinal and respiratory tissues and systems; diseases and disorders of those systems; design constraints for bioengineering products. Course Hours:3 units; (3-3/2)
Fundamentals of Biomedical Device and Technologies
An introduction to the development of biomedical devices and technologies. Topics may include identifying biomedical needs, concept generation and prototyping, biologically inspired design, human factors related to design, regulatory issues, intellectual property protection, clinical trials, and commercialization considerations. Case studies may be drawn from cardiovascular, neural and musculoskeletal applications. Course Hours:3 units; (3-1T) Prerequisite(s):Biomedical Engineering 301. Antirequisite(s):Credit for Biomedical Engineering 401 and either 517 or 619.05 will not be allowed.
Introduction to matrix and tensor manipulation with focus on computer programming aspects. Sensor systems and design of data collection strategies, with examples in relevant areas of biomedical engineering. Data curation and conditioning including outlier and anomaly pattern detection, noise removal and data reduction. Unsupervised clustering and association mining using machine learning techniques. Supervised classification using advanced machine learning techniques. Completion of a sensor- and data-oriented project in an area of biomedical engineering. Course Hours:3 units; (3-2) Prerequisite(s):Mathematics 375 or Applied Mathematics 307.
A research project in an area of interest, directed by a project advisor/faculty member. Includes a lecture component covering the scientific process, ethics, review of literature, and writing scientific proposals and manuscripts. The course culminates with a written thesis and presentation. Projects may involve experimental, analytic or computer modelling studies. Course Hours:9 units; (1-8) Prerequisite(s):Fourth- or fifth-year standing in Schulich School of Engineering and admission to the Biomedical Engineering minor. Antirequisite(s):Credit for Biomedical Engineering 500 and 503 will not be allowed. Notes:Students must identify a project and supervisor before being considered for this course.
A project in an area of interest, supervised by a project advisor/faculty member. Includes a lecture component covering topics including the scientific process, ethics, review of literature, patent searches, market analysis, and technology evaluation. The project involves choosing a particular product, process or theory relevant to biomedical engineering, researching it and justifying its selection. A final report and presentation are required. Course Hours:3 units; (1-2) Prerequisite(s):Fourth- or fifth-year standing in Schulich School of Engineering and admission to the Biomedical Engineering minor. Notes:Students must identify a project and supervisor before being considered for this course.
Includes a lecture component covering the scientific process, ethics, review of literature, and writing scientific proposals and manuscripts. The course culminates with a written thesis and presentation. Projects may involve experimental, analytic or computer modelling studies. Course Hours:6 units; (1-5) Prerequisite(s):Fourth- or fifth-year standing in Schulich School of Engineering. Antirequisite(s):Credit for Biomedical Engineering 503 and 500 will not be allowed. Notes:Students must identify a project and supervisor before being considered for this course.
Introduction to Biomedical Imaging and Applications
Principles of various imaging modalities used in Biomedical engineering applications, including CT, MRI, ultrasound, PET, SPECT. Image processing operations: filtering, enhancement, feature extraction, pattern recognition and image reconstruction. Image registration and integration of different imaging modalities. Course Hours:3 units; (3-2) Prerequisite(s):Fourth- or fifth-year standing in Schulich School of Engineering.
Basic chemical and mechanical properties of biological and synthetic materials and their role in biological system health, dysfunction, and repair. Role of microstructure, material properties, and biocompatibility aspects in selection of biomaterials for medical or industrial applications. Incorporation of biomimetic concepts in material design. Topics may include artificial and tissue engineered products, implants, prostheses, biofilms, biosensors, and foreign body response. Course Hours:3 units; (3-2/2) Prerequisite(s):Fourth- or fifth-year standing in Schulich School of Engineering.
Bioengineering Methods in Systems Biology and Physiology
Concepts from systems theory, differential equations, and stochastic processes applied to physiological and biological systems. Experimental and computational approaches to the study of gene expression and gene networks. Use of quantitative model-based approaches for integrative analysis of physiological and biological functions. Case studies of applications to disease mechanisms and the drug discovery process. Course Hours:3 units; (3-0) Prerequisite(s):Mathematics 375 or Applied Mathematics 307.
Introduction to musculoskeletal biomechanics, including experimental and analytical approaches to the analysis of movement, experimental instrumentation and devices, and joint dynamics. Review of linear algebra. Description of physical space, coordinate systems, optical measurement of marker position. Three-dimensional rigid body kinematics, extraction of the kinematical quantities from the experimental data. Three-dimensional rigid body dynamics, determination of segmental inertial properties, determination of the joint forces and moments, measurement of ground reaction forces, theorem of the impulse. Force sharing problem, method of the Lagrange multipliers, optimisation. Elements of muscle and cartilage mechanics, introduction to the analysis of healthy and pathologic gait. Laboratory experiences complement and reinforce the theory. Course Hours:3 units; (3-2) Prerequisite(s):Engineering 349. Antirequisite(s):Credit for Biomedical Engineering 523 and Mechanical Engineering 523 will not be allowed.
The structure and functional behaviour of complex tissues which make up the human musculoskeletal system (bone, cartilage, muscles, tendons, ligaments) and cardiovascular systems (heart, blood vessels) will be explained by applying basic principles continuum mechanics. Introductory topics include: review of linear and tensor algebra, kinematics of continua, deformation gradient, deformation and strain tensors, balance equations and Cauchy stress tensor, stress power and measures of stress. Constitutive equations introduced as they apply to the study of biological tissues; anisotropy and inhomogeneity, fibre-reinforced behaviour. Laboratory experiences complement and reinforce the theory. Course Hours:3 units; (3-2) Prerequisite(s):Engineering 349. Antirequisite(s):Credit for Biomedical Engineering 525 and 405 will not be allowed.
Concepts, calculations, and methodologies in molecular, cellular and tissue engineering will be discussed and applied to solve problems in the areas of molecular diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, nanomedicine and regenerative medicine. Topics include cell biology and culture, stem cells, bioreactors, biomaterials, drug delivery, fluid dynamics, kinetics, and diffusion. Course Hours:3 units; (3-2/2) Prerequisite(s):Fourth- or fifth-year standing in Schulich School of Engineering. Antirequisite(s):Credit for Biomedical Engineering 585 and any of Biomedical Engineering 407, Biomedical Engineering 519.09 or Chemical Engineering 541 will not be allowed.
An introduction to core concepts of Biomedical Engineering including an introduction to biomedical engineering fundamentals. Course allows students to select between a biology focused or an engineering focused fundamental module to complement previous course work (with approval of course instructor). Course Hours:3 units; (4-0) Also known as:(formerly Biomedical Engineering 611/612/613/614)
Topics may include an introduction to a) biomedical engineering research, research integrity and ethics, b) career paths and progression in biomedical engineering and c) oral research communication skills. Course Hours:1.5 units; (4-0) Antirequisite(s):Credit for Biomedical Engineering 602 and either 605 or 607 will not be allowed. Also known as:(formerly Biomedical Engineering 611/612/613/614) NOT INCLUDED IN GPA
Topics may include an introduction to a) research methodology, including experimental design and b) written research communication skills in biomedical engineering, and c) preparation and review of research proposals. Satisfactory completion of this course within one year of first registration will ensure that the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program Research Proposal requirements are met. Course Hours:1.5 units; (4-0) Antirequisite(s):Credit for Biomedical Engineering 604 and either 605 or 607 will not be allowed. Also known as:(formerly Biomedical Engineering 611/612/613/614) NOT INCLUDED IN GPA
Advanced instruction on human skeletal structure, types of connective tissues, structure of joints, muscle and organ structure and function, cardiac physiology, blood properties and flow, introduction to autonomous nervous system, and disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Other topics will be covered dependent on the interests of the instructor and students. Course Hours:3 units; (3-3/2)
Designed to provide graduate students, especially at the PhD level, with the opportunity of pursuing advanced studies in particular areas under the direction of a faculty member. Course Hours:3 units; (3-0) MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
COURSES OF INSTRUCTION