Biomechanics (BMEC) Track

Biomechanics refers to the application of principles of solid, fluid, and continuum mechanics to the study of the structure, function, and behavior of biological and medical systems under the influence of mechanical forces.   Biomechanics draws on advances in biology, physics and applied mathematics, as well as new technologies in mechanical probing, imaging, and scientific computing.  Biomechanics models provide quantitative descriptions of molecule, cell, tissue, organ, and whole organism behavior under mechanical stimuli, and are employed to characterize human health, disease, and injury.  Biomechanics models are also used in the design of rehabilitative devices and strategies.

The BMEC track is ideally suited to the combined training of BME and Mechanical Engineering or Civil & Environmental Engineering, which provides a strong core of the underlying physical principles and relevant non-BME applications.   This track is also compatible with Electrical & Computer Engineering particularly for those interested in biomedical applications of robotics.   A broad background in biomechanics enables students to work in the medical device industry or as a rehabilitation engineer.   It also provides the ability to conduct fundamental biomechanics modeling and experimental research, or to pursue advanced education in medical or graduate schools.

In addition to the general BME requirements, students in the BMEC Track must take the following:

BMEC Gateway Course (required)
42-341 Introduction to Biomechanics – Fall

BMEC Electives (choose 3)
24-779A Special Topics in Controls and Robotics: Bio-Inspired Robotics - Fall
33-441/03-439 Introduction to BioPhysics - Fall
42-441 Cardiovascular Biomechanics - Spring, every other year
42-444 Medical Devices - Fall
42-445/24-415 Microfluidics – Spring, intermittent
42-447 Rehabilitation Engineering - Fall
42-624 Biological Transport - Spring, intermittent
42-640/24-658 Computational Bio-modeling and Visualization - Spring
42-645/24-655 Cellular Biomechanics – Spring, every other year
42-646/06-646/24-657 Molecular Biomechanics – Spring, every other year
42-660 Surgery for Engineers** - Fall/Spring
42-X00 BME Research**

** The 42-x00 research project (42-200/300/400 Sophomore/Junior/Senior Biomedical Engineering Research Project OR 39-500 CIT Honors Thesis) must be on a BME topic supervised or co-supervised by a BME faculty member and conducted for 9 or more units of credit.  Students may count EITHER 42-x00 BME Research OR 39-500 CIT Honors Research (with BME supervision) OR 42-660 Surgery for Engineers as a track elective.  Students MAY NOT count both research and Surgery for Engineers as track electives.

Sample Schedules

• BME & CEE double major, class of 2009-2011 (PDF)
• BME & CEE double major, class of 2012 (PDF)
• BME & ME double major, class of 2010 (PDF)
• BME & ME double major, class of 2011-2012 (PDF)

Course Planning Worksheet (doc, pdf)

(Update 10/03/09)