Organ-izing the curriculum with hands-on, biomedicallyrelated learning modules

The relatively new discipline of biomedical engineering emerged from informal collaborations between engineers, physicians and life scientists, and is the fastest growing engineering discipline at most universities. Chemical, mechanical, and electrical engineers play an important and expanding role in this burgeoning field because the fundamental core principles of each discipline are critical to biomedical mainstays such as the design of artificial organs. This project introduces hands-on, biomedically-related experiments and course materials into the engineering curriculum, with a focus on artificial organs. Several modules are being developed and integrated throughout Rowan's engineering curriculum, into the multidisciplinary freshman engineering course, core engineering courses, and senior electives. The modules will be highly transferrable to other traditional engineering programs such as chemical, mechanical and electrical as well as biomedical engineering programs. Our evaluation plan will examine specific learning outcomes in core engineering areas as well as effect on retention, student attitudes, and career choices. This paper presents descriptions of the proposed and completed modules, and results of our assessment of learning outcomes to date.