Duke University 2009-2010 - Office of the Registrar - Duke University

Needham, Nicolelis, Nolte, Reichert, Samei, Setton, S. Smith, Song, Trahey, Truskey, Vo-Dinh, von Ramm, and
Zalutsky; Associate Professors Dobbins, Grill, MacFall, Ramanujam, Tornai, Wolf, Yuan; Assistant Professors Bursac,
Idriss, Lo, Mukundan, Nightingale, Tian, Wax, and You; Professors Emeriti H. Clark, Hammond, McElhaney, Plonsey;
Associate Research Professor Bass; Assistant Research Professor Klitzman
Biomedical engineering is the discipline in which the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and
associated technology are applied to biology and medicine. Contributions range from modeling and simulation of
physiological systems through experimental research to solutions of practical clinical problems. The goal of the
graduate program in biomedical engineering is to combine training in advanced engineering, biomedical engineering,
and the life sciences so that graduates of the program can contribute at the most advanced professional level. The
doctoral dissertation should demonstrate significant and original contributions to an interdisciplinary topic,
accomplished as an independent investigator. The major, current research areas of the department are: biochemical
engineering, biofluid mechanics, biomechanics, biomedical materials, biomedical modeling, biosensors, biotechnology,
data acquisition and processing, medical imaging, and electrophysiology. Every biomedical engineering graduate
student is required to serve as a teaching assistant as part of the graduate training.
Biomedical Engineering (BME)
201L. Electrophysiology (AC or GE). The electrophysiology of excitable cells from a quantitative perspective. Topics
include the ionic basis of action potentials, the Hodgkin-Huxley model, impulse propagation, source-field relationships,
and an introduction to functional electrical stimulation. Students choose a relevant topic area for detailed study and
report. Not open to students who have taken Biomedical Engineering 101L or equivalent. Instructor: Barr, Bursac, Grill,
Henriquez, or Neu. 4 units.
202L. Fundamentals of Biomaterials and Biomechanics (AC or GE). This course will cover principles of physiology,
materials science and mechanics with particular attention to topics most relevant to biomedical engineering. Areas of
focus include the structure-functional relationships of biocomposites including biological tissues and biopolymers;
extensive treatment of the properties unique to biomaterials surfaces; behavior of materials in the physiological
environment, and biomechanical failure criterion. The course includes selected experimental measurements in
biomechanical and biomaterial systems. Prerequisites: Math 108; Engineering 75L or Biomedical Engineering 110L;
Mechanical Engineering 83L or Biomedical Engineering 83L. Instructor: Staff. 3 units.
204. Measurement and Control of Cardiac Electrical Events (GE, IM, EL). Design of biomedical devices for cardiac
application based on a review of theoretical and experimental results from cardiac electrophysiology. Evaluation of the
underlying cardiac events using computer simulations. Examination of electrodes, amplifiers, pacemakers, and related
computer apparatus. Construction of selected examples. Prerequisites: Biomedical Engineering 101L and 153L or
equivalents. Instructor: Wolf. 3 units.
206L. Elasticity (GE, BB). Linear elasticity will be emphasized including concepts of stress and strain as second order
tensors, equilibrium at the boundary and within the body, and compatibility of strains. Generalized solutions to two and
three dimensional problems will be derived and applied to classical problems including torsion of noncircular sections,
bending of curved beams, stress concentrations and contact problems. Applications of elasticity solutions to
contemporary problem in civil and biomedical engineering will be discussed. Prerequisites: Biomedical Engineering
110L or Engineering 75L; Mathematics 108. Instructor: Laursen. 3 units. C-L: Civil Engineering 206
207. Transport Phenomena in Biological Systems (AC or GE, BB). An introduction to the modeling of complex
biological systems using principles of transport phenomena and biochemical kinetics. Topics include the conservation
of mass and momentum using differential and integral balances; rheology of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids;
steady and transient diffusion in reacting systems; dimensional analysis; homogeneous versus heterogeneous reaction
systems. Biomedical and biotechnological applications are discussed. Prerequisites: Biomedical Engineering 100L and
Mathematics 108; or consent of the isntructor. Instructor: Friedman, Katz, Truskey, or Yuan. 3 units. C-L: Civil
Engineering 207, Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science 207
208. Theoretical and Applied Polymer Science (GE, BB). 3 units. C-L: see Mechanical Engineering and Materials
Science 211
210. Molecular Basis of Membrane Transport (GE, MC, EL). Transport of substances through cell membranes
examined on a molecular level, with applications of physiology, drug delivery, artificial organs and tissue engineering.
Topics include organization of the cell membrane, membrane permeability and transport, active transport and control
of transport processes. Assignments based on computer simulations, with emphasis on quantitative behavior and design.
Prerequisites: Biology 25L or equivalent, Mathematics 107 or equivalent. Instructors: Friedman or Neu. 3 units.
211. Theoretical Electrophysiology (GE, EL). Advanced topics on the electrophysiological behavior of nerve and
striated muscle. Source-field models for single-fiber and fiber bundles lying in a volume conductor. Forward and inverse
models for EMG and ENG. Bidomain model. Model and simulation for stimulation of single-fiber and fiber bundle.
Laboratory exercises based on computer simulation, with emphasis on quantitative behavior and design. Readings from
original literature. Prerequisite: Biomedical Engineering 101L or 201L or equivalent. Instructor: Barr or Neu. 4 units.
212. Theoretical Electrocardiography (GE, EL). Electrophysiological behavior of cardiac muscle. Emphasis on
quantitative study of cardiac tissue with respect to propagation and the evaluation of sources. Effect of junctions,
Departments, Programs, and Course Offerings 102