Bioengineering 2009-2010
Overview
Bioengineering is an interdisciplinary engineering major and minor program designed for students interested in exploring the interface between engineering and the life sciences. In bioengineering, students learn to apply engineering principles and analytical approaches to the study of biological systems and seek to understand the benefits and constraints of engineered materials, devices and control systems in life science and biomedical applications.
THE PROGRAM
Students in the bioengineering major choose from one of two tracks: the biomechanical track and the bioelectrical track. Tracks share common introductory courses in bioengineering, biology, engineering, computer science, mathematics and the physical sciences, focus on track specific prerequisites and courses during their second and third years, and culminate with a common capstone design experience.
The biomechanical track focuses on approaches to understand the structural properties and dynamics of biological cells, tissues and systems, and of engineered devices with biological and biomedical applications. The bioelectrical track is organized around the interface among sensory physiology, neuroscience and electrical engineering and students focus on techniques to acquire, analyze and interpret neurological, biomedical and other biological signals and images. Bioengineering courses include animal locomotion, bioinformatics, bioinstrumentation orthopedic biomechanics.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Many engineering and science students engage in bioengineering research through senior theses, independent studies and summer research opportunities. In addition to supporting research with Union faculty, students have participated in bioengineering research at other institutions including Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Syracuse University, University of Pennsylvania, Wadsworth Center and the New York State Department of Health. Recent student project topics can be viewed by accessing the Student Projects page at the Bioengineering homepage.
RESOURCES
The nexus of Bioengineering is our Center for Bioengineering and Computational Biology located on the first floor of Butterfield Hall. The Center, completed in 2006, houses a state-of-the-art teaching and computer lab, a design facility and labs in which faculty and students engage in research. The facility is well equipped with a microcomputed tomography (3D x-ray) system, a servohydraulic materials testing system, high speed video cameras, force platform and motion sensors, and other equipment to evaluate properties of biomaterials. The Center also coordinates funding to support undergraduate and faculty research, laboratory and course development, speakers, visiting faculty, workshops and a summer science program for high school students. The Center and its activities are made possible through a generous $1.6 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to Union College with additional funding provided by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Bioengineering faculty on their own and collaboratively have been recipients from a host of funding organizations including the National Science Foundation and orthopedic companies.
Faculty and students in Bioengineering also access equipment and facilities of the engineering and science departments. These departments are fully equipped to support modern investigations in fluid dynamics, structural mechanics, computational science, molecular biology and physiology. Specific equipment includes a large wind-tunnel with laser diagnostic capability, multiple materials testing system, laser confocal, scanning electron and fluorescence microscopes, micromanipulation and injection capabilities and equipment for DNA and protein analysis.
FACULTY
The Co-Directors of Bioengineering with their areas of research expertise are:
Dr. Andrew Rapoff Dr. Steven Rice
Department of Mechanical Engineering Department of Biological Sciences
Ph.D., University of Wisconsin Ph.D., Duke University
Orthopedic Biomechanics & Physical Anthropology Plant Form-Function Relationships
Students can take courses and conduct research with any number of faculty from several participating science and engineering departments.