Degree models in biomedical engineering / Modelos de titulación en ingeniería biomédica / Modelos de grau em engenharia biomédica

Abstract In this paper, the authors have carried out a systematic study and review of a set of researches and publications, regarding the theme of how to improve training programs in biomedical engineering, and make a contribution to the specialization in the area of clinic engineering.

Resumen En este artículo, los autores han realizado un estudio y revisión sistemática de un conjunto de investigaciones y publicaciones sobre el tema de cómo mejorar los programas de capacitación en ingeniería biomédica y contribuir a la especialización en el área de ingeniería clínica.

Resumo Neste trabalho realizou-se um estudo e revisão sistemática de um conjunto de investigações e publicações sobre o tema de como melhorar os programas de capacitação em engenharia biomédica e contribuir à especialização na área de clínica Engenharia.

Web-based neuromuscular simulator applied to the teaching of principles of neuroscience

INTRODUCTION: The learning of core concepts in neuroscience can be reinforced by a hands-on approach, either experimental or computer-based. In this work, we present a web-based multi-scale neuromuscular simulator that is being used as a teaching aid in a campus-wide course on the Principles of Neuroscience. METHODS: The simulator has several built-in individual models based on cat and human biophysics, which are interconnected to represent part of the neuromuscular system that controls leg muscles. Examples of such elements are i) single neurons, representing either motor neurons or interneurons mediating reciprocal, recurrent and Ib inhibition; ii) afferent fibers that can be stimulated to generate spinal reflexes; iii) muscle unit models, generating force and electromyogram; and iv) stochastic inputs, representing the descending volitional motor drive. RESULTS: Several application examples are provided in the present report, ranging from studies of individual neuron responses to the collective action of many motor units controlling muscle force generation. A subset of them was included in an optional homework assignment for Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering graduate students enrolled in the course cited above at our University. Almost all students rated the simulator as a good or an excellent learning tool, and approximately 90% declared that they would use the simulator in future projects. CONCLUSION: The results allow us to conclude that multi-scale neuromuscular simulator is an effective teaching tool. Special features of this free teaching resource are its direct usability from any browser (http://remoto.leb.usp.br/), its user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) and the preset demonstrations.

A inserção da engenharia biomédica nos cursos de graduação de engenharia elétrica no Brasil / The insertion of biomedical engineering in electrical engineering undergraduate courses in Brazil

A inserção de temas específicos da Engenharia Biomédica (EB) nos cursos de graduação em Engenharia Elétrica (EE) foi examinada em levantamento da oferta de disciplinas nesta área, realizado nos 214 cursos de EE que possuem dados sobre as grades curriculares e disciplinas em seus sítios na internet. Foram levantadas informações sobre os cursos de pós-graduação (PG) em EB existentes no Brasil, relacionadas à oferta de disciplinas de EB na graduação. Nossos dados indicam que apenas 7,5% dos cursos de EE examinados possuem pelo menos uma disciplina de EB, concentrados nas escolas públicas (87,5%) e nas regiões sul e sudeste do país (75%). Nestes poucos cursos, foram identificadas 40 disciplinas de EB. Apenas 11 delas oferecem introdução geral aos diferentes aspectos da área; os 3/4 restantes restringem-se a aspectos específicos de subáreas da EB. Além disso, 87,5% destas disciplinas são de caráter eletivo (ou não-obrigatório), com abordagem exclusivamente teórica dos temas (14,0% do total de horas-aula nas disciplinas de EB). Dos 10 programasde PG em EB, 60,0% estão em IES cujos cursos de EE possuem disciplinas específicas EB; 62,5% das disciplinas de EB são oferecidas por IES que não têm programas de PG na área, indicando pouca correlação entre a existência de um programa de PG em EB e a oferta de conteúdos nesta área para a graduação em EE. Estes dados sugerem a necessidade de inserção mais substancial e estruturada de temas de EB nos cursos de graduação em EE, em especial nas instituições privadas de ensino, e de estímulo a uma maior contribuição dos programas de PG no ensino de graduação em EE.

The present study surveyed the disciplines on Biomedical Engineering (BE) offered in 214 Electrical Engineering (EE) undergraduate courses in Brazilian Universities. Data on discipline content and other characteristics, as well as their association with graduate courses, were gathered from Internet sites in August and September, 2007. Our data indicate that only 7.5% of the Brazilian EE courses present at least one discipline on EB themes, greatly concentrated in public institutions and in the more developed south/southeast states. In only 25% of these few courses there are introductory disciplines presenting most of the different EB areas. In the remaining courses, only specific aspects of particular EB areas are presented in a fragmentary, isolated and non contextualized way. Furthermore, 87.5% of these EB disciplines are optional in the curriculium, and practical classes or approaches were offered in only 14% of the total class schedule. While 62.5% of the EB disciplines are offered by institutions that have graduating courses in EB, only 60% of the Brazilian graduation courses are involved in undergraduate EB disciplines. These data point to the need of a more structured and intensive inclusion of EB themes in the undergraduate courses (particularly in private institutions), as well as to the importance of a closer involvement of graduate courses in undergraduate instruction.

Practice and research on education mode of biomedical engineering / 医疗卫生装备

This paper studies the characteristics of biomedical engineering education mode in USA as well as its history in China.The practice and research on education mode of biomedical engineering in our institute is introduced as a reference for biomedical engineering education.