Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Courses

Below are the courses frequently offered in Biomedical Engineering. For the most up-to-date course offerings and lecturer information, visit Yale University’s Online Course Information site. Click here for the listing of courses in Engineering & Applied Science (general courses for undergraduate students in any branch of Engineering).

BENG 100, Frontiers of Biomedical Engineering
The basic concepts of biomedical engineering and their connection with the spectrum of human activity. Introduction to the fundamental science and engineering on which biomedical engineering is based. Case studies of drugs and medical products illustrate the product development–product testing cycle, patent protection, and FDA approval. Designed for science and non–science majors.

BENG 350/MCDB 310, Physiological Systems
Regulation and control in biological systems, emphasizing human physiology and principles of feedback. Biomechanical properties of tissues emphasizing the structural basis of physiological control. Conversion of chemical energy into work in light of metabolic control and temperature regulation. Prerequisites: CHEM 113 or 115 or PHYS 180 and 181, MCDB 120.

BENG 351/CENG 351, Biomedical Engineering I: Quantitative Physiology
Together with the companion course BENG 352, a yearlong presentation of the fundamentals of biomedical engineering. Demonstration of the use of engineering analysis and synthesis in problems in the life sciences and medicine; focus on modeling of molecular physiological processes and design of artificial organs. Lectures are coordinated with BENG 350 to illustrate how engineering analysis can be used to understand physiological processes. Additional topics include pharmacokinetics, heat and mass transfer in physiological systems, hemodialysis, drug delivery, and tissue engineering. Concurrently with BENG 350. Prerequisites: MCDB 120, CHEM 112, 114, or 118; PHYS 180, 181; MATH 115; ENAS 194.

BENG 352b/EENG 352b, Biomedical Engineering II
In conjunction with BENG 351, a comprehensive introduction to the field of biomedical engineering. Topics include biosignals, medical imaging, mathematical modeling of biosystems, and biomechanics. Prerequisites: PHYS 180 and 181, MATH 115, and ENAS 194.

BENG 355, Biomedical Engineering Laboratory
Introduction to laboratory techniques and tools used for physiological measurement in biomedical engineering. Topics include bioelectric measurement, bioimaging technologies, signal processing, and dialysis. Enrollment limited.

BENG 410a, Physical and Chemical Basis of Bioimaging and Biosensing
Basic principles and technologies for sensing the chemical, electrical, and structural properties of living tissues and of biological macromolecules. Topics include magnetic resonance spectroscopy, microelectrodes, fluorescent probes, chip-based biosensors, X-ray and electron tomography, and mri. Prerequisites: BENG 351 and 352 or permission of instructor.

BENG 421, Physics of Medical Imaging
The physics of image formation, with special emphasis on techniques with medical applications. Emphasis on concepts common to different types of imaging, along with understanding how information is limited by physical phenomena. Topics include mathematical concepts of image analysis; formation of images by ionizing radiation; ultrasound; nmr and other energy forms; and methods of evaluating image quality. Prerequisites: ENAS 194, and PHYS 180, 181, or 200, 201, and EENG 310, or permission of instructor.

BENG 434, Biomaterials
Introduction to the major classes of biomedical materials: ceramics, metals, and polymers. Their structure, properties, and fabrication connected to biological applications, from implants to tissue-engineered devices and drug delivery systems. Prerequisite: CHEM 113 or 115; Organic Chemistry recommended.

BENG 435, Biomaterial-Tissue Interactions
Study of the interactions between tissues and biomaterials, with an emphasis on the importance of molecular- and cellular-level events in dictating the performance and longevity of clinically relevant devices. Attention to specific areas such as biomaterials for tissue engineering and the importance of stem/progenitor cells, as well as biomaterial-mediated gene and drug delivery. Prerequisites: CHEM 112, 114, or 118, and MCDB 120, or equivalents.

BENG 436, Biophotonics and Optical Microscopy
A review of linear and nonlinear optical microscopies and other biophotonics applications. Topics include wide-field techniques, linear and nonlinear laser scanning microscopy, fundamentals of geometrical and physical optics, optical image formation, laser physics, single molecule techniques, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, and light scattering. Discussion of fluorescence and the underlying physics of light-matter interactions that provide biologically relevant signals.

BENG 445/EENG 445, Biomedical Image Processing and Analysis
A study of the basic computational principles related to processing and analysis of biomedical images (e.g., magnetic resonance, computed X-ray tomography, fluorescence microscopy). Basic concepts and techniques related to discrete image representation, multidimensional frequency transforms, image enhancement, motion analysis, image segmentation, and image registration. Prerequisite: EENG 310 or permission of instructors. Recommended preparation: familiarity with probability theory.

BENG 449, Biomedical Data Analysis.
Introduction to the analysis of biological and medical data associated with applications of biomedical engineering. Provides basics of statistics and analytical approaches for determination of quantitative biological parameters from experimental data. Prerequisite: MATH 120 or ENAS 151. After or concurrently with ENAS 194. (Formerly BENG 349)

BENG 457/MENG 457, Biomechanics
An introduction to the application of mechanical engineering principles to biological materials and systems. Topics include ligament, tendon, bone, muscle; joints, gait analysis; exercise physiology. The basic concepts are directed toward an understanding of the science of orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. Prerequisites: MENG 280 and 383 or permission of instructor.

BENG 464, Tissue Engineering
Introduction to the major aspects of tissue engineering, including materials selection, scaffold fabrication, cell sources, cell seeding, bioreactor design, drug delivery, and tissue characterization. Class sessions include lectures and hands-on laboratory work. Prerequisite: CHEM 112, 114, or 118. Recommended preparation: Organic Chemistry.

BENG 471 and 472, Special Projects
Faculty-supervised individual or small-group projects with emphasis on research (laboratory or theory), engineering design, or tutorial study. Students are expected to consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies and appropriate faculty members about ideas and suggestions for suitable topics. This course is usually taken during the spring term of the senior year but with permission of the Director of Undergraduate Studies it can be taken any time during a student’s career, and may be taken more than once. Permission of both the instructor and the Director of Undergraduate Studies is required.

BENG 480, Seminar in Biomedical Engineering
Oral presentations and written reports by students analyzing papers from scientific journals on topics of interest in biomedical engineering, including discussions and advanced seminars from faculty on selected subjects.

BENG 485, Fundamentals of Neuroimaging
The neuroenergetic and neurochemical basis of several dominant neuroimaging methods, including fmri. Topics include technical aspects of different methods, interpretation of results, and controversies or challenges regarding the application of fmri and related methods in medicine.