IBIO - Biomedical Engineering

The course is intended to provide first semester students the necessary skills to identify, explain and apply basic concepts and tools in Biomedical Engineering, and those common to other Engineering domains, in the understanding and solution of problems in biology and medicine. After this course, the student will be able to differentiate Biomedical Engineering from other Engineering disciplines, as well as, to develop appropriate skills on communication, teamwork and evaluation. The course will provide students the necessary skills to identify, interpret and execute the different rights and duties she/he acquires as student of the University of Los Andes as well as the services the university offers.

The course is intended to provide first semester students the necessary skills to identify, explain and apply basic concepts and tools in Biomedical Engineering, and those common to other Engineering domains, in the understanding and solution of problems in biology and medicine. After this course, the student will be able to differentiate Biomedical Engineering from other Engineering disciplines, as well as, to develop appropriate skills on communication, teamwork and evaluation. The course will provide students the necessary skills to identify, interpret and execute the different rights and duties she/he acquires as 

student of the University of Los Andes as well as the services the university offers.

This course provides basic knowledge of human physiology, emphasizing mechanisms of regulation, control, and homeostasis, as well as the physiological characteristics and main pathophysiologies in the main systems of the human body. Throughout the course, the basic concepts regarding cellular physiology and the nervous, muscular, cardiovascular and respiratory systems will be covered. Each module studies fundamental aspects of each system through a theoretical approach, involving the use of engineering tools such as modeling and simulation. These class sessions will be followed by a laboratory session focused on the anatomy and basic physical principles related to the given system's physiological functions. In this course, students are expected to be able to follow the theoretical sessions after reading the assigned lectures.

This course provides basic knowledge of human physiology, emphasizing mechanisms of regulation, control, and homeostasis, as well as the physiological characteristics and main pathophysiologies in the main systems of the human body. Throughout the course, the basic concepts regarding cellular physiology and the nervous, muscular, cardiovascular and respiratory systems will be covered. Each module studies fundamental aspects of each system through a theoretical approach, involving the use of engineering tools such as modeling and simulation. These class sessions will be followed by a laboratory session focused on the anatomy and basic physical principles related to the given system's physiological functions. In this course, students are expected to be able to follow the theoretical sessions after reading the assigned lectures.

This course provides students with basic knowledge on human physiology, taking into account mechanisms of regulation and homeostasis, as well as the physiological and pathophysiological characteristics of each of the body’s main organ systems. It is divided into two parts covering different organ systems: Quantitative Physiology I covers cellular physiology and the nervous, muscular, and endocrine systems, while Quantitative Physiology II includes the cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, and digestive systems. Each module begins with an overview of the particular system’s anatomy, followed by a discussion of the basic physical processes related to physiological function, allowing students to acquire abilities for the quantification of different physiological processes. Students will be able to apply and reinforce this theoretical knowledge in the laboratory and complementary class sessions. This course is mandatory for the Biomedical Engineering program.

This course provides students with basic knowledge on human physiology, taking into account mechanisms of regulation and homeostasis, as well as the physiological and pathophysiological characteristics of each of the body’s main organ systems. It is divided into two parts covering different organ systems: Quantitative Physiology I covers cellular physiology and the nervous, muscular, and endocrine systems, while Quantitative Physiology II includes the cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, and digestive systems. Each module begins with an overview of the particular system’s anatomy, followed by a discussion of the basic physical processes related to physiological function, allowing students to acquire abilities for the quantification of different physiological processes. Students will be able to apply and reinforce this theoretical knowledge in the laboratory and complementary class sessions. This course is mandatory for the Biomedical Engineering program.

The course provides the students the basic programming tools and numerical methods for the solution of different problems in biomedical engineering. It presents first the basic concepts of some computational tools (focused on MATLAB), followed by the study and computational implementation of some of the most common numerical methods employed in the analysis in engineering contexts.

The course provides the students the basic programming tools and numerical methods for the solution of different problems in biomedical engineering. It presents first the basic concepts of some computational tools (focused on MATLAB), followed by the study and computational implementation of some of the most common numerical methods employed in the analysis in engineering contexts.

Heat, mass and momentum transport processes are encountered in numerous biological problems and show considerable physical and mathematical similarities among them. A fundamental understanding of the conservation principles and constitutive laws that govern such processes is crucial for analyzing and addressing current and novel medical devices and treatments. During the course of the term, various topics of biomedical relevance will be covered including the transport of species at the cellular and physiological level, the transport characteristics of membranes, the rheology of blood, alveoli oxygen transport and the kinetics of chemical reactions.

Heat, mass and momentum transport processes are encountered in numerous biological problems and show considerable physical and mathematical similarities among them. A fundamental understanding of the conservation principles and constitutive laws that govern such processes is crucial for analyzing and addressing current and novel medical devices and treatments. During the course of the term, various topics of biomedical relevance will be covered including the transport of species at the cellular and physiological level, the transport characteristics of membranes, the rheology of blood, alveoli oxygen transport and the kinetics of chemical reactions.

Biomaterials are synthetic or natural materials used either to increase or permanently replace a tissue or for applications requiring a relatively short time. A wide range of materials are employed in the construction of biomedical devices such as artificial blood vessels, heart valves, cosmetic implants, orthopedic joints, dental fillings, intravenous catheters and vehicles for the controlled delivery of drugs. This course shows the basic biological systems that govern the use of biomaterials and the
range of materials currently used in biomedical applications.

Biomaterials are synthetic or natural materials used either to increase or permanently replace a tissue or for applications requiring a relatively short time. A wide range of materials are employed in the construction of biomedical devices such as artificial blood vessels, heart valves, cosmetic implants, orthopedic joints, dental fillings, intravenous catheters and vehicles for the controlled delivery of drugs. This course shows the basic biological systems that govern the use of biomaterials and the range of materials currently used in biomedical applications.

Biomechanics is the application of mechanical theories in biomedical engineering. This course contains the fundamentals of mechanical engineering theories (mainly statics and solid mechanics) and their applications in biomedical engineering. We will put special emphasis on full body and tissue mechanics. Students will conduct experiments and computer simulations in the lab to understand how the biomechanics can be applied to more practical situations.

Biomechanics is the application of mechanical theories in biomedical engineering. This course contains the fundamentals of mechanical engineering theories (kinematics, statics, dynamics, control, and solid mechanics) and their applications in biomedical engineering. We will put special emphasis on dynamics of human motion and tissue mechanics. Students will conduct experiments and computer simulations in the lab to understand how the biomechanics can be applied to more practical situations.

Cell Culture Basics is designed to introduce the students to the practice of laboratory cell culture, covering topics such as laboratory set-up, safety and aseptic technique. The students also learn basic methods for passaging, freezing and thawing cultured cells, as well as applications in tissue engineering.

Introduction to dynamical systems and their applications in Biomedical engineering. Applications to physiological systems to expand the understanding of its operation and control. Also present an introduction to population biology in order to understand the dynamics of populations including the concepts of competition and coexistences using deterministic and stochastic models, continuous and discrete.

The course aims to guide students in planning, design and execution of experiments efficiently and effectively, evaluating data statistically to make appropriate conclusions. With the development of knowledge in this area the student can apply the principles taught in the course in all phases of engineering and scientific work, including the study of clinical trials, the development of technologies, the design of new products and processes and the improving of manufacturing processes. Based on the above, the student is expected to understand the methodology and logical steps in experimentation, which can be summarized as: planning, conduct and analysis. In Biomedical Engineering, a well-designed clinical trial can lead to an effective analysis of medical problems, a reduction in the number of experiments, a reduction in the time to develop new processes and products and to an improved performance manufacturing processes and products that have superior functionality and reliability.

The course aims to guide students in planning, design and execution of experiments efficiently and effectively, evaluating data statistically to make appropriate conclusions. With the development of knowledge in this area the student can apply the principles taught in the course in all phases of engineering and scientific work, including the study of clinical trials, the development of technologies, the design of new products and processes and the improving of manufacturing processes. Based on the above, the student is expected to understand the methodology and logical steps in experimentation, which can be summarized as: planning, conduct and analysis. In Biomedical Engineering, a well-designed clinical trial can lead to an effective analysis of medical problems, a reduction in the number of experiments, a reduction in the time to develop new processes and products and to an improved performance manufacturing processes and products that have superior functionality and reliability.

This course introduces the field of digital image processing and analysis as a tool to extract quantitative information from visual data in real-world multidisciplinary biomedical applications. The theoretical lectures present general techniques and concepts of this area, while the hands-on laboratory sessions are devoted to their practical application using the MATLAB programming environment. The course is organized around a final research project, which the students develop in groups throughout the semester.

The study of signals and systems is a fundamental requirement in the basic engineering training. Not only the signals are one of the main sources of information available in the different engineering fields of action, but also, their study allows the understanding of associated systems which they interact with. Biomedical signals in turn, or more generally, signals from living organisms, are one of the main sources of information available for the understanding of the way the various systems (e.g. organs) that produced them interact with each other. Through their study it is also possible to identify both normal and pathological contexts in which their processing and analysis may prove useful for clinical diagnosis and treatment. This growing interest in the study of biomedical signals has produced the development of a variety of devices that facilitate their registration and analysis, and are closely related to technological advances in instrumentation (measurement).

The study of signals and systems is a fundamental requirement in the basic engineering training. Not only the signals are one of the main sources of information available in the different engineering fields of action, but also, their study allows the understanding of associated systems which they interact with. Biomedical signals in turn, or more generally signals from living organisms, are one of the main sources of information available for the understanding of the way the various systems (e.g. organs) that produced them interact with each other. Through their study it is also possible to identify both normal and pathological contexts in which their processing and analysis may prove useful for clinical diagnosis and treatment. This growing interest in the study of biomedical signals has produced the development of a variety of devices that facilitate their registration and analysis, and are closely related to technological advances in instrumentation (measurement).

The research and development in microsystems (MEMs) applied to life sciences, is an area with exponential growth in both science and technology. The technological versatility of integration with new materials and the wide range of possible applications, facilitate their application in many areas of science and engineering. This course is oriented, for those who want to start working in the field of MEMs applied to the life sciences of R & D.

This is a design course and it is based on a project. Students, through the logic of design thinking, will address and develop a solution to a health issue from a biomedical engineering perspective. This course is part of the Design Project 1 and 2 sequence. During the first part, the students will identify a health need, will develop a clear need statement, will investigate existing solutions, will analyze the stakeholders affected by their solution, get an idea of the market opportunity, will develop a value proposition and will propose a solution in order to address the need. At the end of the semester, students must have  conducted an experiment to validate the feasibility of their proposed solution, also known as a ‘killer’ experiment. The success of this experiment will enable the students to continue the development in the following course of Design Project II.

Today’s product, process and equipment design are characterized by several critical factors, often driven by fierce competition: the need to reduce cost, need to reduce time to market, and need to make dramatic changes. In the traditional approach to design, engineers construct a physical prototype and test it in the laboratory. Physical prototypes have many major drawbacks: they are typically expensive to build and modify, and by their very nature, lead to lengthy design cycles, repeatability can be difficult (it is often destructive) and dramatic changes can be harder to conceive. 

Computer prototyping or simulation-based design has become an important supplement to the design process, sometimes drastically reducing the amount of physical prototyping. In computer prototyping, one builds a computer model using mathematical equations that is as close to the physical model as possible–the exact shape and size and the exact physical process. The popularity of computer prototyping can be attributed to the tremendous advancement in computer hardware and software that has minimized the need for mathematical expertise and effort to a bare minimum so that the user can concentrate on the manipulation of the “physical” process on the computer. 

This course will introduce computer prototyping using a physics-based simulation software that is used extensively in industry. To avoid potential misuse of the software, we learn not to use it as a black box. We do this by discussing (although briefly) the components of such a software–the governing equations, numerical solution of the equations, etc. We look at heat and mass transfer problems in biomedical/biological processes such as cryosurgery, hyperthermia, and drug delivery.  Close to half of the course is dedicated to design projects that you choose and work in small groups (each group has a different project).

Today’s product, process and equipment design are characterized by several critical factors, often driven by fierce competition: the need to reduce cost, need to reduce time to market, and need to make dramatic changes. In the traditional approach to design, engineers construct a physical prototype and test it in the laboratory. Physical prototypes have many major drawbacks: they are typically expensive to build and modify, and by their very nature, lead to lengthy design cycles, repeatability can be difficult (it is often destructive) and dramatic changes can be harder to conceive. 

Computer prototyping or simulation-based design has become an important supplement to the design process, sometimes drastically reducing the amount of physical prototyping. In computer prototyping, one builds a computer model using mathematical equations that is as close to the physical model as possible–the exact shape and size and the exact physical process. The popularity of computer prototyping can be attributed to the tremendous advancement in computer hardware and software that has minimized the need for mathematical expertise and effort to a bare minimum so that the user can concentrate on the manipulation of the “physical” process on the computer. 

This course will introduce computer prototyping using a physics-based simulation software that is used extensively in industry. To avoid potential misuse of the software, we learn not to use it as a black box. We do this by discussing (although briefly) the components of such a software–the governing equations, numerical solution of the equations, etc. We look at heat and mass transfer problems in biomedical/biological processes such as cryosurgery, hyperthermia, and drug delivery.  Close to half of the course is dedicated to design projects that you choose and work in small groups (each group has a different project).

This is a design course and it is based on a project. Students, through the logic of design thinking, will address and develop a solution to a health issue from a biomedical engineering perspective. This course is part of the Design Project 1 and 2. In this first semester, students will identify a health need and will develop a value proposition and solution proposition in order to address it. At the end of the semester, students must have conducted a killer experiment that will serve to evaluate the concept and so be able to continue their project the following semester.

The Professional Practice is a learning alternative that complements the academic activities. It is based on the experience that students can have when they are immersed in the context of companies and institutions.

This course provides mathematical tools for the study of biomedical engineering at a graduate level. The couse is focused on differential equation models and their biomedical application.

The objective of this course is to study physical properties of blood, heart and vessels and their relationship with blood flow phenomena.

The design of this course is focused on the study of the molecular architecture of peptides and proteins, knowing their biological activities and their functions in different fields of biotechnology.

The design of this course is focused on the study of the molecular architecture of peptides and proteins, knowing their biological activities and their functions in different fields of biotechnology.

After completing this course, the student is expected to know the state-of-the-art on the main problems of machine learning and to be familiar with the theory and with the computational techniques of this area. The main objective of this course is to develop research projects of enough quality to be submitted to the main international conferences in this area.

The student enrolled in this course delves into a topic of interest, that is relevant to their research project but that is not covered by any course offered by the Department or by other university programs.

The student enrolled in this course delves into a topic of interest, that is relevant to their research project but that is not covered by any course offered by the Department or by other university programs.

The student enrolled in this course is developing an international research experience.

The student registered in this course dedicates an equivalent time to 8CR to advance in his research topic.

The student registered in this course dedicates an equivalent time to 12CR to advance in his research topic.