New Course: BME 390. Biomedical Eng. Professional Seminar

Engineering Faculty Document No. 25-03

December 11, 2003

Page 1 of 2

TO: The Engineering Faculty

FROM: The Faculty of the Department of Biomedical Engineering

RE: New Undergraduate-Level Course

The faculty of the Department of Biomedical Engineering has approved the following new course. This action is now submitted to the Engineering Faculty with a recommendation for approval.

BME 390 Biomedical Engineering Professional Seminar

Sem. 1. Class 1, cr. 1.

Prerequisite: ENGL 108 and COM 114, or equivalent

Introduction to a diverse spectrum of current topics relevant to the technical and career aspects of biomedical engineering. Career topics include the importance of interpersonal communications, opportunities in professional and graduate school, and descriptions of non-typical jobs for BMEs. Improvement of written and oral communication skills will be emphasized.

Reason: This course teaches students the importance of applying fundamental principles of oral and written communication skills in professional biomedical engineering context. Students are exposed to varied career possibilities and professional experiences in biomedical engineering. An understanding of these concepts is essential for a practicing professional biomedical engineer.

George Wodicka

Professor and Head

Engineering Faculty Document No. 25-03

December 11, 2003

Page 2 of 2

Supporting Documentation:

1. Level: Undergraduate – junior year

2. Course Instructor: Andrew Brightman

3. Course Outline:

Presentations by week

– Invited Speaker on Current Status of BME - Selection of Teams and BME Areas

– Convincing Technical Reports – Assignment of Written Report

– Effective Visual Aids in Professional Presentations

– Dynamic Oral Presentations – Assignment of Oral Presentation

– Invited Speaker on Special Topic in Biomedical Engineering

– Professional Portfolios – Traditional and Electronic Media– Portfolio Assignment

– Graduate School Preview / BME Graduate Student Panel

– Student Presentations – Written Reports Due

– Student Presentations

– Student Presentations

– Student Presentations

– Student Presentations

– Student Presentations

– Student Presentations – Portfolios Due

– Invited Industry Speaker – Opportunities in BME Corporations

– Finals Week – Awards for Best Report and Presentation

4. Required text: The MIT Guide to Science and Engineering Communication by J.G. Paradis and M. Zimmerman, 1997, MIT Press.

5. Assessment: based on attendance, individual written report, professional portfolios, and participation in group presentation.