Biomedical Engineering
Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)

College of Engineering and Architecture

Exciting advances in medicine, such as the artificial heart, pacemakers, medical imaging (MRI, ultrasound, CT scans), lasers, prosthetic implants, life support systems and helping the paralyzed to walk are often times the result of a team effort by engineers and physicians. Biomedical engineering is firmly based in engineering and in the life sciences. It integrates medicine and engineering in the efforts against illness and disease by providing appropriate products, tools, and techniques for research, diagnosis, and treatment by health care professionals.

The Program

Biomedical engineering is an interdisciplinary field with course work in engineering and life sciences. Biomedical engineers work with other health care professionals as members of a team. Employment opportunities for biomedical engineers exist in industry, government, universities, medical schools and hospitals.

Biomedical engineers have:

• contributed many new applications of computers, including neural networks,
• improved health care technology in hospitals,
• contributed new physiological models and analysis methods,
• designed monitoring equipment, artificial organs, and schemes to deliver therapeutic drugs safely and effectively,
• developed new techniques for physiological measurement and medical diagnosis,
• worked with technology and computers to help individuals with disabilities reach their maximum potential for an enjoyable and productive life,
• created new biomaterials and electronic devices,
• improved rehabilitation for acute and chronic health needs.

Accreditation

The electrical engineering program at NDSU is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Specialization in biomedical engineering in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at NDSU began in the 1960s.

Pre-Medicine

For those students interested in attending medical school, additional course work in the life sciences is recommended. Typically this course work will be organic chemistry and one year of general biology. The math and physics requirements are usually met by students completing the requirements to earn a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. Students should, at their earliest convenience, obtain admission requirements from medical schools of their choice. The University of North Dakota School of Medicine holds monthly meetings in Fargo to help orient pre-medicine students.

Career Opportunities

Specialization in biomedical engineering helps prepare the student for:

• work as a biomedical engineer or electrical engineer,
• further study in biomedical engineering and/or electrical engineering graduate programs,
• entrance into medical school.

Cooperative Education Program

The Cooperative Education Program allows students to alternate classroom study with a series of paid professional work experiences related to electrical engineering. These experiences increase in complexity as the student's background increases. The program provides opportunity for pre-graduation experience in the profession, exploration of several career opportunities, money for education, an enriched degree and enhanced opportunities for employment following graduation.

The Facilities

The Electrical Engineering Building is part of an eight-building engineering and architecture complex. The building contains specialized laboratories and equipment. Numerous grants and donations from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and private industry have provided valuable equipment. Laboratories along with department and University computer capabilities support education and research. Biomedical facilities include an electronic instrumentation laboratory and a cardiovascular research laboratory.

Research and Graduate Study

Graduate study in biomedical engineering is integrated in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and follows the research interests of the faculty. The program is flexible and designed to prepare students for advanced applications in bioengineering. The department offers both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Research interests are cardiovascular and biosystems engineering. The NSF funds a program where services are built for disabled individuals in the area at no cost to them. The Cardiovascular Engineering Lab performs funded research on the heart, blood vessels, and medical devices.

Financial Aid

The NDSU Office of Student Financial Services will make every effort to provide adequate financial assistance to all students demonstrating financial need.

Contact Information

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

North Dakota State University
Electrical Engineering 101
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-7019
Fax: (701) 231-8677
Email:info@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ece.ndsu.nodak.edu

Office of Admission

North Dakota State University
Ceres 114
Dept 5230, PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050

Tel: (701) 231-8643
Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/prospective_students/

(02/10)