Degree Programs and Professional Development

Description:

This course provides students with an overview of technologies and their use by and for persons with disabilities. Students will attain hands-on experience with existing technologies for power mobility; control systems; environmental controls/smart home automation, augmentative and alternative communication devices and alternate access to computers. Students will solicit device requirements from a client and develop a phase one prototype device. Demonstrated competencies and design elements required. 

Class Objectives:>

1. Have a basic understanding of disability categories and conditions; Biomechanics/ Rehabilitation and Disability. 
2. Compare and contrast benefits and risks of existing and emerging assistive technologies. 
3. Analyze design constraints for a variety of disability categories. 
4. Evaluate User Interface. 
5. Develop low-tech assistive technology device for a specific disability/condition. 

Instructor:

Cathy Bodine, PhD

Description

This course provides an introduction to the topic of disability and aging and the application of bioengineering principles for persons living with functional impairment(s) across the lifespan. Topics include body structure and function for persons with congenital, degenerative and acquired disabilities; the impact of contextual factors and environment; technology and the human interface. The course will focus on human factors of disability and aging, use case development; product design considerations for persons with disabilities and/or aging and transdisciplinary approaches to the application of technology across multiple environments. 

Instructor:

Cathy Bodine, PhD

Description

This course provides an introduction to human factors testing and evaluation in the context of medical and assistive technology (AT). Furthermore, both clinician tools and patient end-user devices will be examined. Particular focus will be given towards designing and applying usability testing to inform product design/refinement/validation, as well as special considerations when involving populations of advanced age and/or with disabilities. Topics include general human factor considerations, usability techniques, and user experience data collection and interpretation. Students will engage in hands-on human factors assessments such as contextual inquiry of surgery patients and product usability testing in simulation centers or physical therapy clinics.

Instructor:

Morris Huang, PhD

Description

This course provides a broad overview of human anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology for the Bioengineer. Clinical application activities will provide students opportunities to integrate learning into real-world scenarios for a better understanding of human disease and disability and the potential benefits of medical devices and assistive technologies. Students will also have hands-on learning activities that facilitate the application of engineering principles to human body systems.

Course Objectives

1. Demonstrate a basic understanding of Latin root words, suffixes, and prefixes in the use of medical terminology for biotechnology design.
2. Demonstrate a basic understanding of human anatomy (nerves, bones, muscles, organs, vessels, etc) and human physiology (the body and its constituents, communication systems, intake of materials and elimination of waste, protection and survival) to develop foundational concepts for bioengineering.
3. Discuss and present case study examples, with a focus on the use of medical devices or assistive technology, while integrating principles of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology appropriately.
4. Apply, compare, and contrast principles of engineering to human physiological systems through hands-on lab activities.

Instructor:

Becky Breaux, MS

Description:

The course focuses on the design and construction of microprocessor-controlled electro-mechanical systems. Topics include, review of critical circuit theory, introduce microprocessor architecture and programming, discuss sensor and actuator component selection, robotic systems, and design strategies for complex, multi-system devices.

Instructor:

Gavin Philips, PhD