What is Biomechanics & Biomaterials?

Biomechanics, broadly defined, is the study of structure and function. It is the application of principles from classical mechanics (that is, loads, motion, stress, and strain of solids and fluids) to problems in biological systems. While biomechanics principles are broadly applicable, this focus area emphasizes cardiovascular and/or musculoskeletal biomechanics. Cardiovascular Biomechanics is a broad discipline that includes the heart, blood vessels, blood cells, and micro-circulation, while the emphasis on Musculoskeletal Biomechanics includes, but is not limited to, the study of bone, cartilage, ligament, tendon, and muscle development, adaptation, injury and repair;  as well as the interaction between these tissues. In both branches of mechanics, the problems may be considered from basic, applied, and clinical perspectives. The study of biomaterials plays an important role in the design of implants and surgical instrumentation for both cardiovascular and musculoskeletal applications. 

Biomechanics & Biomaterials Academic Advisors

Biomedical Engineering - Program Map: Biomechanics & Biomaterials Focus Area

Semester 1 Chem Ⅰ & Lab CHEM:1110 Engr Math Ⅰ MATH:1550   Intro Engr Prob Solving ENGR:1100 Rhetoric RHET:1030 Engr Success First Year ENGR:1000
Semester 2 Chem Ⅱ & Lab Chem:1120 Engr Math Ⅱ MATH:1560 Engr Math Ⅲ MATH:2550 Intro Engr Computing ENGR:1300 Physics Ⅰ / Lab PHYS:1611 BME Forum BME:1010
Semester 3 Foundations of Biology BIOL:1411 Engr Math Ⅳ MATH:2560 Statics ENGR:2110 Elec Circuits ENGR:2120 Thermodynamics ENGR:2130 BME Prof Seminar BME:2010
Semester 4 HHP:3500 Human Physiology OR BME:2260 Quantitative Physiology Biomaterials & Biomechanics / Lab BME:2500 Dynamics ENGR:2710 Physics Ⅱ / Lab PHYS:1612 Biostatics BIOS:4120 or STAT:3510  
Semester 5 Cell Biology for Engr / Lab BME:2400 Materials Science ENGR:2720 Mech Def Bodies ENGR:2750 Fluid Mechanics ENGR:2510 Diversity & Inclusion  
Semester 6 Systems, Instrum, & Data Acquisition / Lab BME:2200 Bioimaging & Bioinformatics / Lab BME:2210 Focus Area Elective #1 Focus Area Elective #2 Be Creative  
Semester 7 BME Senior Design Ⅰ BME:4910 Focus Area Elective #3 Focus Area Elective #4 Approved GEC Course Approved GEC Course  
Semester 8 BME Senior Design Ⅱ BME:4920 Focus Area Elective #5 Focus Area Elective #6 Focus Area Elective #7 Approved GEC Course  

 

Biomechanics & biomaterials required courses Offered Prerequisites
ENGR:2510 Fluid Mechanics F/S P: MATH:2560, ENGR:2710; C: ENGR:2130
ENGR:2710 Dynamics All P: MATH:1550, ENGR:2110
ENGR:2720 Materials Science All P: CHEM:1100; C: MATH:1550
ENGR:2750 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies All P: ENGR:2110; C: MATH:2560

 

Biomechanics & biomaterials electives (focus area, minor, or certificate) Offered Prerequisites
Engineering Topics (must choose two)    
BME:2710 Engr Drawing, Design, & Solid Modeling F  
BME:5101 Biomaterials & Implant Design F P: ENGR:2750, BME:2500
BME:5610 Musculoskeletal Biomechanics F P: ENGR:2750, BME:2500
BME:5510 Cardiovascular Engineering S P: BME:2500
BME:5525 Cardiopulmonary Design & Modeling F P: BME:2500, ENGR:2510
Suggested Electives    
BME:3710 Medical Device Design; The Fundamentals  S P: BME:2710, BME:2500; Intended for juniors only
BME:4710 Medical Device Design Studio F P: BME:2200, BME:2500, BME:2710, BME:3710
BME:5715 Advanced Medical Device Design Studio S P: BME:2200, BME:2500, BME:2710, 3710, 4710
BME:5421 Cell Material Interactions F/S P: BME:2400
BME:5430 Biotransport F P: BME:2500
BME:5441 Num & Stat Methods for Bioengr F § P: MATH:2560 and MATH:2550
BME:5460 Principles of Microfluidics F P: BME:2500
BME:5540 Quant. Studies of Respiratory & CV Syst. S § P: BME:2200, HHP:3500
BME:5620 Intro to Applied Biomedical Finite Element S P: BME:2500, ENGR:2750
BME:5630 Kinetics of Musculoskeletal Systems S § P: ENGR:2710
CEE:4533 Finite Element Ⅰ (or ME:4117) S P: ENGR:2750
ISE:2360 Design for Manufacturing (or ME:2300) F C: ENGR:2720
ME:2300 Manufacturing Processes (or ISE:2360) F/S C: ENGR:2720, ME:2200 or BME:2710
ME:4110 Computer Aided Engineering S P: ENGR:2750; C: ME:3052
ME:4117 Finite Element Analysis (or CEE:4533) F P: ENGR:2750
ME:5143 Computat. Fluid & Thermal Engineering F P: ME:3045
ME:5150 Intermed. Mech. Def. Bodies F P: ENGR:2750
ME:5160 Intermed. Mechanics of Fluids F P: ENGR:2510, ME:3040
ME:5167 Composite Materials (not offered regularly) S P: ENGR:2750
HHP:1100 Human Anatomy All  
HHP:4130 Skeletal Muscle Physiology F P: HHP:3500
HHP:4460 Cardiovascular Physiology F P: HHP:3500
OEH:4310 Occupational Ergonomics: Principles F  
Pre-Medicine    
**BIOL:1412 Diversity of Form & Function All P: BIOL:1411 w/min C-
CHEM:2210 Organic Chemistry Ⅰ All P: CHEM:1120 w/min C-
CHEM:2220 Organic Chemistry Ⅱ All P: CHEM:2210 w/min C-
CHEM:2410 Organic Chemistry Lab All P: CHEM:1120 & CHEM:2210 w/min C-; C: CHEM:2220 
BMB:3110 Biochemistry All See MyUI for requirements
BIOL:2512 Fundamental Genetics All P: BIOL:1411, BIOL:1412 or PSY:2701, CHEM:1110; Recommended: CHEM:2210

 

**Pre-medicine students should check with their Pre-medicine advisor regarding the need for this course.
§ Offered in academic years with odd fall and even spring semesters
§§ Offered in academic years with even fall and odd spring semesters

Note:  In addition to the four required focus area courses, an additional seven elective courses (21 s.h.) are also required (suggested electives list, minor, or certificate courses).  At least two of these electives (6 s.h.) must be from the list of Engineering Topics.  Electives not listed above may be approved via the Plan of Study form.

Check MyUI for the current course offerings and pre-/co-requisites.

Check the Biomechanics & Biomaterials Engineering Curriculum Map and Sample Four-Year Plan links at the top of this page for more details.

Link to previous Biomechanics & Biomaterials Focus Area Curriculum Map

Updated 3/20/23