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 and Biomaterials Curriculum Map 3/20/23 | Sample Four-Year Plan 3/20/23
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