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Course Descriptions

Certificate offered every other year; will next be available in 2009 Next program starts: Autumn 2009 Program location: Online Sign up to receive e-mail updates >> Contact a program representative >>   Program at a glance >>

Biosensors & Biomaterials is offered every other year and the next program will begin Autumn 2009. Students who wish to begin Medical Engineering coursework in 2008-2009 are encouraged to begin with the Basic Medical Sciences program in Autumn 2008.

General Course Information

• Students earn UW academic credit.
• Although some flexibility is possible, courses in certificate programs are designed to be taken in sequence.
• Instructors and courses are subject to change. Those listed are the most recent. All instructors are approved by the UW Bioengineering Department.
• Each academic year of coursework is available as an individual certificate program. Courses in certificate programs taken before admission to the MME degree program can be applied retroactively, after admission, to satisfy the requirements of the degree. Students should apply for GNM status after successfully completing the first certificate (see Applying for GNM Status).

Interested in taking a single class? Some courses (designated by a below) may be open on a space-available basis to professionals who are not seeking the certificate. See Single-Course Enrollment for details.

Autumn Course

Medical Chemistry (BIOEN 535)

Schedule: Online; dates TBD. Instructor: Amar Yahiaoui.

Review of basic concepts in inorganic and physical chemistry. Topics such as organic chemistry, biochemistry, polymer chemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, and chemical kinetics are introduced. This course provides the relevant background in modern chemistry concepts for the winter and spring courses. (View course introduction)

How to sign up for individual enrollment in this course

Winter Course

Biosensors (BIOEN 599)

Schedule: Online with in-person discussion; dates TBD.
Instructor: Paul Yager.

Review of biosensors in use and under development, and their application in vivo and in vitro monitoring of humans. The course focuses on the interaction between the analyte in its native environment, the biochemical systems employed to measure the analyte, and the physical transducers used to convert this information into electrical signals. Extensive use is made of primary literature, and students are expected to become comfortable with reading and analyzing research papers.

How to sign up for individual enrollment in this course

Spring Course

Biomaterials and Biocompatibility (BIOEN 599)

Schedule: Online with in-person discussion; dates TBD.
Instructor: Buddy Ratner.

Biomaterials are widely used in medical devices and in biotechnology. This course covers the materials science and the biology basics needed to appreciate the use of materials in medicine and biology. Subjects addressed include an overview of applications, biocompatibility, biomaterials types and properties, biomolecular materials, protein adsorption, cells on biomaterials, diagnostics, smart materials, drug release, tissue engineering, biomechanics of medical devices, blood compatibility and biosurfaces. The course is team-taught by bioengineering and medical school faculty.

How to sign up for individual enrollment in this course