Biomedical engineering problems from industrial and clinical applications of medical devices are addressed and solved in small groups using problem-based learning methodologies in preparation for capstone design.
Prerequisite: BMED 2210, BMED 2250, and PHYS 2211
Credit Hours: 3
Average GPA: 3.55
This course focuses on a semester long team project encompassing the re-design of a medical device, technical writing, CAD, and presentations. Weekly lectures provide information about the design process that will help your team as the project moves forward. The project requires excellent teamwork skills, delegation, and a strong awareness of individual team members’ strengths and weaknesses. The first month of the class includes a large amount of skill-building take home assignments, and the latter part of the class includes very little homework and is entirely focused on the semester project. There are also SolidWorks tutorials that are due weekly and some quizzes over SolidWorks modeling.
THE tip: Try to take the class with students you know you work well with! Begin writing your report throughout the course rather than waiting to write it all at the end. Try to pick interesting and unique medical devices – go outside of your comfort zone! Innovation does much better in this class than reinventing the wheel or something that has been done to death. Talk to your TA outside of class so that she/he knows you’re putting forth the effort. DO NOT stop working on your project, especially in the latter half of the course. It can be difficult to manage learning SolidWorks and working on your projects, but don’t neglect either of them.
Recall: BMED 2250 team skills, literature review, statics for engineering analysis, presentations during the lecture period (incorporate whenever possible), any other courses you’ve taken like circuits, chemistry, physiology, etc. that can help with understanding or explaining your device.
Spend your time… Making a shared calendar with due dates because the class is fast paced! Focus on the rubrics as well as learning and refining SolidWorks skills for class, work, and your resume. Keep your notebook updated ALWAYS because the notebook checks are unannounced! Keep up with SolidWorks assignments and start early.
Take Home: Important takeaways are presentation skills, basic SolidWorks skills, as well as background on the design iteration process in the medical device industry.