585.725.81 - Biomedical Engineering Practice and Innovation

Expanded Course Description

Prerequisites

1. Courses in molecular biology and cell biology
2. Math through ordinary differential equations 

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Modules on the course menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, assignments, and labs. You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. Most modules run for a period of seven (7) days, exceptions are noted in the Course Schedule. You should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates.

Refer to the Course Schedule for specific dates for each module topic.

Course Topics

• Skeletal Muscle Function & EMGs
• Cardiac Mechanics & ECGs
• Biointerfacing
• Biomechanics
• Microfabrication
• Tissue Engineering
• Ultrasound and EKG Imaging
• Cardiac Catheterization
• Biophotonics

Course Goals

To gain hands-on training in the fundamental focus areas of biomedical engineering, and to apply that training to better understand the development and implementation of engineering technologies in practice. 

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Perform physiologic measurements on three main organ systems (circulatory, musculoskeletal and respiratory).
• Explain fundamental signal acquisition and processing for medical instrumentation applications.
• Successfully utilize common in vitro lab techniques for biological experimentation and tissue engineering applications.
• Perform ultrasound and biophotonic imaging techniques.
• Identify stakeholders and clinical needs for biomedical innovation.

Textbooks

Optional 

Opie, L. H., (1998) The Heart: Physiology, from Cell to Circulation. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

ISBN-10: 0781715601 

ISBN-13: 978-0781715607 

Webster, J.G., (2010) Medical Instrumentation: Application and Design. Wiley.

ISBN-10: 0471153680 

ISBN-13: 978-0471153689 

Required Software

In this class, some computer literacy skills you are expected to have include creating and submitting files in a word processing program, downloading and installing software, using spreadsheets, using presentation software, and using web conferencing tools and software. Additionally,  you will be expected to use online search tools for academic purposes, properly cite information sources, and prepare a presentation of such findings.

You will need access to a recent version of MATLAB. A license is provided at no cost to you, through JHU. See the MATLAB Licensing and Install Guide for installation information. You will receive more specific information once the course starts.

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each week's work will take approximately 10 hours to complete. This estimate includes reading the assigned materials, listening to the video lectures, completing weekly assignments and participating in the discussion forums. 

This course will consist of five basic student requirements: 

You will individually complete a multiple-choice lab quiz for each course unit. This quiz will be comprised of questions generated from the lecture material and concepts covered in the lab. Be sure to read each lab prior to the scheduled quiz and familiarize yourself with the materials and methods covered in the lab. 

Each student is responsible for listening to the lectures and carefully reading all assigned material to prepare for Discussions. 

Post your initial response to the discussion questions by the listed due date. Posting a response to the discussion question is part one of your grade for class discussions (i.e., Timeliness). 

Part two of your grade for class discussion is your interaction (i.e., responding to classmate postings with thoughtful responses) with classmates (i.e., Critical Thinking). Just posting your response to a discussion question is not sufficient; we want you to interact with your classmates. Be detailed in your postings and in your responses to your classmates' postings. Feel free to agree or disagree with your classmates. Please ensure that your postings are civil and constructive. 

We will monitor and respond to class discussions. In some instances, we will summarize the overall discussions and post the summary for the class. 

Evaluation of preparation and participation is based on attendance during office hours and contribution to discussions. Preparation and participation is evaluated by the following grading elements: 

1. Timeliness (50%)
2. Critical Thinking (50%) 

Preparation and participation is graded as follows: 

• 10 —Timeliness [regularly participates; all required postings; early in discussion; throughout the discussion]; Critical Thinking [rich in content; full of thoughts, insight, and analysis]. 
• 8 - 9 —Timeliness [frequently participates; all required postings; some not in time for others to read and respond]; Critical Thinking [substantial information; thought, insight, and analysis has taken place]. 
• 6 - 7 —Timeliness [infrequently participates; all required postings; most at the last minute without allowing for response time]; Critical Thinking [generally competent; information is thin and commonplace]. 
• 5 - 6 —Timeliness [rarely participates; some, or all required postings missing]; Critical Thinking [rudimentary and superficial; no analysis or insight is displayed]. 

In preparation for the hands-on labs, pre-lab assignments will be completed during the online modules. Please include your name and a page number indicator (i.e., page x of y) on each page of your submissions. Each problem should have the problem statement, assumptions, computations, and conclusions/discussion delineated. All Figures and Tables should be captioned and labeled appropriately. 

All assignments are due according to the dates in the Calendar. 

Late submissions will be reduced by one letter grade for each week late (no exceptions without prior coordination with the instructors). 

Rubrics are posted at the bottom of each problem set to guide you. 

During the hands-on lab sessions, you will collect data, perform calculations, and make observations. Post-lab assignments will be used for analysis of extrapolation of materials completed in the lab. These will be due before the start of the next online module. You may work with your lab partners and classmates on these but the work you submit must be your own (your own words and calculations). Please acknowledge any students you worked with on the assignment documents. 

Late submissions will be reduced by one letter grade for each week late (no exceptions without prior coordination with the instructors). 

Rubrics are posted at the bottom of each problem set to guide you. 

During the last module of the course there is a final exam. It must be completed by 11:59pm EDT on Day 7 of Module 12. This exam is comprehensive – covering material from all of the labs/workshops. The exam is "closed book" and "closed Canvas" - you should not be viewing any material (printed or online) while taking the exam. You will have 60min to take the exam. There is no backtracking between questions. It must be taken in one sitting and you have one attempt. Every student will take this exam individually, outside consultations during the exam time are not allowed. 

Grading Policy

Assignments are due according to the dates posted in your Canvas course site. You may check these due dates in the Calendar or the Assignments in the corresponding modules. We will post grades one week after assignment due dates. 

We generally do not directly grade spelling and grammar. However, egregious violations of the rules of the English language will be noted without comment. Consistently poor performance in either spelling or grammar is taken as an indication of poor written communication ability that may detract from your grade. 

A grade of A indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week. 

A grade of B indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work. These criteria apply to both undergraduates and graduate students taking the course. 

EP uses a +/- grading system (see “Grading System”, Graduate Programs catalog, p. 10). 

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students. This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University is committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. If disability accommodations are needed for this course, students should request accommodations through Student Disability Services (SDS) as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.  For further information about this process, please refer to the SDS Website.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically.  For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity.    If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.