Program Overview

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Overview

Biomedical engineering is a newly started department of BUET. The first batch of students has started their classes from February 2016. As an interdisciplinary program, the field of biomedical engineering is constantly evolving and developing, even in the developed world. The aim of the BME department is to train students who will develop and advance engineering technology to improve human health. The department of BME emphasizes on education and research through an effective collaboration among the disciplines of engineering, biology, and medicine. The department envisions developing and nurturing a world-class undergraduate and postgraduate program, and conducting cutting-edge research in diverse areas of BME.

Vision of the Department

Become a leading department for producing world-class biomedical engineers, and performing research and innovation to improve human health and well-being.

Mission of the Department

  1. Prepare the next generation of Biomedical Engineers to become leaders in their respective careers maintaining the highest level of professional and social ethics.
  2. Perform cutting-edge research aiming to advance the frontier of human knowledge in biomedical engineering.
  3. Develop innovative and impactful healthcare solutions in scale to address global health challenges and achieve relevant sustainable development goals (SDG)

Program Educational Objectives (PEOs)

  1. PEO1- Be sufficiently skilled to pursue a diverse range of careers, including engineering, research and entrepreneurship.
  2. PEO2- Will persistently advance in their respected professional careers through continuous and life-long learning.
  3. PEO3- Design, develop, disseminate Biomedical Engineeringsolutions through research, innovation and application to meet specific healthcare needs of the society with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, environmental, and economic factors.
  4. PEO4- Practice and uphold high ethical and professional standards, and make informed judgments as a leader and/or member of their team, organizations and communities.

BME disciplines at a glance

The flow chart illustrating the courses taken by students in each term is provided here. This structured representation helps in understanding the progression and relationships among courses throughout the academic program. The flowchart uses the following color codes to represent different subject categories: Red: Basic Science subjects, Blue: Mathematics, Brown: Non-engineering skills, Green: Language courses, Pink: Social Sciences, Black: Engineering.

Laboratory activities

The Biomedical Engineering (BME) program offers a well-rounded curriculum that integrates hands-on experiments and computational techniques to provide students with essential practical experience. The sessional courses are meticulously designed to ensure that students actively engage with experimental setups and computational tools under the supervision of experienced instructors. These courses emphasize independent learning through practical assignments, daily assessments, and rigorous evaluation methods. Most sessional courses require weekly reports and assignments, which contribute significantly to students’ final grades. Additionally, quizzes and viva-voce assessments are conducted to reinforce conceptual understanding.

Hands-On Computational Courses

Courses such as BME 150: Computer-Aided Design in Biomedical Engineering, BME 210: Numerical Techniques Sessional, BME 310: Communicating Protocols for Biomedical Instruments Sessional, and BME 306: Biomedical Control Systems Sessional focus on the application of modern, industry-standard software tools for data analysis, system modeling, simulation, and design to solve engineering problems related to medical devices, physiological systems, and bioinformatics. Evaluation is based on their engagement with software-based assignments, coding tasks, and projects, ensuring a consistent learning experience that prepares them for computational problem-solving in biomedical applications.

Hands-On Experimental Labs

Several sessional courses provide students with direct experimental exposure to core biomedical engineering principles. These include BME 204: Human Physiology Sessional, BME 208: Biomaterials Sessional, and BME 304: Biomedical Instrumentation and Measurements Sessional. These courses are designed to immerse students in practical laboratory experiments, circuit building, and biomedical measurements, reinforcing their theoretical knowledge through hands-on application. Students manually record experimental data in notebooks, ensuring precision and accuracy in their measurements. All calculations are performed by hand, allowing them to develop a strong grasp of mathematical techniques and engineering analysis. In addition, students prepare detailed weekly reports, incorporating hand-drawn graphs, tables, and diagrams to present their findings systematically. This rigorous approach enhances their technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and attention to detail, fostering a deep understanding of biomedical instrumentation, physiological responses, and material properties in biomedical applications.

Combined Experimental and Computational Labs

To provide a comprehensive learning experience, certain sessional courses like BME 202: Biomechanics Sessional, BME 206: Biofluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer Sessional, and BME 404: Medical Imaging Sessional, integrate both experimental and computational methodologies, allowing students to develop a well-rounded understanding of biomedical engineering concepts. In biomechanics and biofluid mechanics, they utilize computational tools for numerical simulations, visualizing complex biomechanical behaviors and fluid interactions, while conducting hands-on experiments to validate computational models and reinforce fundamental concepts. In medical imaging, students work with image processing, segmentation, and reconstruction techniques on the software end, also gaining exposure to imaging hardware, interface systems, and data acquisition from human subjects. This dual approach bridges theory and practice, helping students develop practical skills in data interpretation, signal acquisition, and biomedical system analysis, essential for modern biomedical applications. As per the requirement of the experiments, assessment tools like report writing, practical demonstration, coding assessment etc. are designed.

Open-ended and Project-based Learning

BME 400, BME 300, and BME 350 are open-ended courses where students select a topic in consultation with their supervisor and work on it using their own knowledge and research. These courses present problems without obvious solutions, encouraging students to apply creative analysis and innovative thinking. Overall, the program provides sufficient laboratory experiments across various courses to equip students with the practical skills and knowledge required to succeed in their careers in Biomedical Engineering.

Third-year Engineering Design Capstone Project

The Biomedical Engineering Capstone Project is an integral part of the third-year design curriculum, spanning across BME 300 (Biomedical Engineering Design – I) and BME 350 (Biomedical Engineering Design – II). This year-long project is designed to ensure students acquire hands-on experience in medical device design, prototyping, regulatory compliance, and commercialization, aligning with industry and clinical requirements. At the beginning of the project, students are divided into teams based on clinical sub-domains, which include: Maternal and Neonatal Care, Infectious Diseases, Cardiovascular diseases, Rehabilitation Engineering, and Respiratory Diseases etc. Each team is assigned a faculty supervisor and a clinical collaborator to guide them through the design and development process. Students visit hospitals and interact with healthcare professionals to identify real-world clinical challenges, which are then prioritized to formulate a structured problem statement for their project. Students meet with their supervisors weekly (typically for 14 weeks per term) to present their progress, receive feedback, and refine their designs based on clinical and engineering requirements. Throughout the course, assessments include written reports, prototype demonstrations, and oral presentations, conducted twice per term. By the end of the year, students submit a fully functional medical device prototype and a detailed technical report documenting the design process and regulatory, safety, and market feasibility study. Additionally, they provide soft copies of the design and related drawings, final project presentations, and demonstrations, ensuring thorough documentation of their work.

Industry visits

The Industrial Attachment Program incorporated within the academic course BME 320: Industrial Attachment, the Department of Biomedical Engineering has planned to organize day-long industrial visits for final-year students to leading pharmaceutical and biomedical equipment industries. These visits will provide students with valuable exposure to the operations, technologies, and workflows within these industries, offering insights into the practical applications of their academic knowledge. These experiences allow students to observe the design, production, and quality control processes of biomedical equipment and pharmaceutical products, enhancing their practical skills and problem-solving abilities.