Course Details

Course offered Spring 2016

HONORS 222 B: Introduction to Bioengineering Problem Solving (NSc)

HONORS 222 B: Introduction to Bioengineering Problem Solving (NSc)

SLN 14936 (View UW registration info »)

Dianne Hendricks (Bioengineering; Human Centered Design & Engineering)
Phone: 206-685-9283
Email: dgh5@uw.edu

Credits: 5
Limit: 25 students

HONORS 222B is jointly offered with BIOEN 215. However, to earn Honors credit, students must enroll in HONORS 222 B.

Honors students will attend BIOEN 215 lectures on Tuesdays and Thursdays and will also attend a distinct Honors discussion section on Fridays.

Bioengineering is an interdisciplinary field based on medicine, science, and engineering. BIOEN 215 is suitable for all Honors students, as no previous science/engineering experience or coursework is necessary. BIOEN 215 addresses several topics of general interest to students (such as ethical considerations in clinical trials and research methods, identification and analysis of relevant research, and problem solving) that align well with the mission and values of the Honors Program.

BIOEN 215 is intended to introduce students to the types of problems that bioengineers attempt to solve and the skills needed to address these problems. Students will be taught engineering skills such as engineering design, identification and analysis of current research literature, how to read scientific articles effectively, and technical writing.

The course is built around 3 modules that introduce a different bioengineering need and problem: diagnostic tests for cancer, artificial organs and medical devices, and global health. Each module will introduce different engineering design constraints, including technological, ethical, and societal considerations. Many important issues in bioengineering, such as effective scientific communication and regulatory issues, will be introduced in the context of a relevant module.

Lectures will provide overviews and case studies of the bioengineering problems. In addition, lectures will explore problem-solving techniques, including methods for self-directed inquiry, and information and tools to address ethical, social, and legal issues in bioengineering. The steps of the engineering design process will be addressed throughout the quarter, in the context of the particular module’s topic.

Finally, students will utilize the knowledge and skills gained throughout the quarter by working in teams to identify specific bioengineering challenges and propose and evaluate engineering solutions to those challenges, ultimately communicating results in oral and written reports.

There is no prerequisite for this course; students only need an interest in medicine, science, and engineering. This course is geared toward first year students interested in majoring in bioengineering, but is appropriate for non-science/non-engineering majors in any stage of their undergraduate career.