Courses & Teaching Resources

Course Summaries:

a. Ethics in Research and Innovation

This course prepares students to navigate the wide range of ethical issues and situations they may encounter during their academic training and throughout their professional careers. Topics include communicating scientific findings, research misconduct, emerging technologies, ethical dilemmas, conflict of interest, human and animal subjects, responding to pressure, and mentor-mentee relationships. Department of Bioengineering faculty lead discussions and case studies. This course satisfies the NIH Responsible Conduct of Research training requirement.

b. Biomaterials 

This undergraduate and/or graduate-level class provides a background in biomaterials with laboratory component in some offerings (see laboratory information below). It involves theoretical and applied concepts of biomaterials design and development, including basic material properties, specifics on ceramics, polymers, and metals used in the body, biological responses to implanted materials, and special topics related to biomaterials, including tissue engineering, drug delivery, and cardiac biomaterials

Materials for Instructors

c. Research Methods

Prepares incoming Ph.D. students in BME to carry out independent research. Research tools, laboratory skills, experimental methods, critical thinking, choosing rotation projects, presentations, and professional development/career planning are discussed as are facilities and resources at UR/URMC (research and teaching).

d. Cell and Tissue Engineering

This course teaches the principles of modern cell and tissue engineering with a focus on understanding the fundamental interactions between cells and their environment as relevant to the practice of cell and tissue engineering. The course covers the following topics within the cell and tissue engineering paradigm of cells, signals, and scaffolds: ECM, Embryonic Development and Morphogenesis, Wound Healing, Stem Cells, Cell Signaling, Cell Fate Processes, Applications of Biomaterials as Tissue Engineering Scaffolds, Bioreactors, Controlled Drug Release, and Microphysiological Systems. Lectures are complemented by supplemental literature and textbook chapters as indicated on the Syllabus and Blackboard.

e. Controlled Release Systems

This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the principles, strategies, and materials used in controlled drug delivery systems.  The course will first cover the fundamentals of drug delivery, including physiology, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, drug diffusion and permeation, and biomaterials used in drug delivery.