1. An Introduction to UIC
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
Department of
Bioengineering
Bioengineering at UIC
A Presentation by the Bioengineering
Organizational Alliance
at the University of Illinois at Chicago

2. Outline
Department of
UIC Bioengineering
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
I. What is Engineering?
II. What is Bioengineering?
III. Why Become a Bioengineer?
IV. How Do You Become a Bioengineer?
V. What is Bioengineering at UIC?

3. What is Engineering?
Department of
UIC Bioengineering
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
The Wikipedia Definition:
Engineering is applying scientific knowledge and mathematics to create
new and useful devices, materials, systems, and processes.
“The engineer is the key figure in the material progress of the world. It is
his engineering that makes a reality of the potential value of science by
translating scientific knowledge into tools, resources, energy and labor
to bring them into the service of man ... To make contributions of this
kind the engineer requires the imagination to visualize the needs of
society and to appreciate what is possible as well as the technological
and broad social age understanding to bring his vision to reality.”
~Sir Eric Ashby

4. Engineering vs. Science
Department of
UIC Bioengineering
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
Engineering Science
Creating new things or processes using Creating new knowledge using existing
existing knowledge technology
Need/application driven Hypothesis driven
Involves design based on analytical Involves experiments with one
models dependent variable and controls
Design is guided by goals and constraints Experiments are guided by results and
constraints
“Scientists investigate that which already is;
Engineers create that which has never been”
Results should be optimized w.r.t to Results must be statistically validated
~Albert Einstein
design goals, and are validated by testing
Results are expected to be implemented, Results are expected to be published,
usually requiring careful documentation always requiring careful documentation

5. How do you Engineer?
Department of
UIC Bioengineering
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
Engineers Design Through a Reiterative Process:
Engineering
Design
Loop

6. Who needs Engineers?
Department of
UIC Bioengineering
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
Mass Production:
Google Founders: Henry Ford Cell Phones:
Larry Page, Sergey Brin
EVERYONE! Martin Cooper
Programmable
Artificial Heart:
Computers: YouTube Founders: Chad Hurley,
Dr. Robert Jarvik
Konrad Zuse Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim

7. Outline
Department of
UIC Bioengineering
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
I. What is Engineering?
II. What is Bioengineering?
III. Why Become a Bioengineer?
IV. How Do You Become a Bioengineer?
V. What is Bioengineering at UIC?

8. What is Bioengineering?
Department of
UIC Bioengineering
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
Biology Meets Engineering
Some Nomenclature:
The term “bioengineering” is often used
interchangeably with:
Biomedical Engineering
Biological Engineering
Biotechnology
Clinical Engineering

9. Bioengineering Fields
Department of
UIC Bioengineering
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
Biomaterials
Biosensors & Electronics Rehabilitation Engineering
Biomechanics

10. Department of
Jobs in Bioengineering Industry UIC
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
Bioengineering
Developing medical instruments and devices such as cardiac pacemakers and
defibrillators; artificial blood vessels, kidneys, pancreas joints, arms and legs
Using computers to monitor patients during an operation in intensive
care, including the sending and processing of information such as the
heart’s electrical activity and rate, blood pressure, and body temperature
Designing and building noninvasive instruments for monitoring,
diagnosis, and rehabilitation, including automated analysis of
medical images such as x-ray or magnetic resonance images
Teaching, managing, or consulting
Designing clinical laboratories, hospitals and other health care
delivery units which emphasize the utmost importance of patient and
employee safety
Research: using engineering system techniques to aid the study of
biology and behavior of man and animals.

11. Department of
Companies in Bioengineering Industry UIC Bioengineering
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
Medical Imaging
Companies that make medical imaging
equipment such as MRI, PET, ultrasound, and
CAT scanners.
 GE Medical Systems
 Siemens
 Agilent Technologies Bioinstrumentation and Biosensors
Companies that make products to measure
things such as blood pressure, blood gases,
EKG, EEG, electrolytes, and blood glucose.
 LifeScan
 Instrumentation Metrics
 Electrical Geodesics, Inc.
 Medtronics
Diagnostics
Companies that produce products that are
used to diagnose a wide variety of medical
conditions.
 Baxter
Portable Immunoassays  Abbott Diagnostics

12. Department of
Companies in Bioengineering Industry UIC Bioengineering
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
Tissue and Cellular Engineering
Companies that are using cells for the
treatment of disease or creating products
to replace and regenerate human tissue.
 LifeCell
 Aastrom Biosciences
Implantable and Invasive Devices
Companies that make products such as pacemakers,
cochlear implants, retinal implants, artificial heart
valves, stents, grafts, and neurological devices.
 Guidant
 Microvention
 Thoratec
Orthopedics
Companies that focus on areas such as artificial
joints and limbs, orthopedic braces and
rehabilitation, hip replacement, and bone healing.
 Depuy
 Smith and Nephew
 Zimmer

13. Outline
Department of
UIC Bioengineering
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
I. What is Engineering?
II. What is Bioengineering?
III. Why Become a Bioengineer?
IV. How Do You Become a Bioengineer?
V. What is Bioengineering at UIC?

14. Why Become a Bioengineer?
Department of
UIC Bioengineering
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
Because Robocop is Awesome! interest in:
Because you have a high
Life Sciences & Applied Science/Technology

15. Why Become a Bioengineer?
Department of
UIC Bioengineering
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
Work on some of the coolest emerging technologies that will revolutionize our concepts of
the limits of the human body and human control over nature
Artificial Retina
Monkey Controls Robot Arm with Brain Monkey Controls Remote
(will be a movie in presentation)
Robot Arm
Brain-Machine Interfaces (BMI)
Robo-Rat
Thought controlled wheelchair
Bug-Bots
(will be a movie in presentation)

16. High Salary for B.S.
Department of
UIC Bioengineering
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
Average Starting Salaries for
Biomedical Engineers*
B.S. = $53,470
M.S.=$67,360
PhD.=$77,520
Biomedical engineer salaries
for the highest 10% are more
than $119,260.
Of the 16,100* biomedical engineers employed nationwide, most are employed in medical equipment and
supplies manufacturing. Other large employing groups include pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing,
scientific and research development services, and general medical and surgical hospitals.
*Source: www.engineersalary.com

17. Growing Need
Department of
UIC Bioengineering
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
The Federal Bureau of Labor
Statistics recently released its
forecast of employment
projections for 2008 – 2018
Bioengineering has the highest
projected 10 year increase in
workers of 72%
Biomedical engineer
employment is expected to
increase faster than the average for
most non-engineering occupations
through 2015.

18. Outline
Department of
UIC Bioengineering
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
I. What is Engineering?
II. What is Bioengineering?
III. Why Become a Bioengineer?
IV. How Do You Become a Bioengineer?
V. What is Bioengineering at UIC?

19. Education
Department of
UIC Bioengineering
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
~4 year degree, completing general education
Bachelor’s Degree requirements and essential courses in bioengineering
B.S. Bioengineering
Expected to improve society through engineering
analysis and design
~2 year degree, completing advanced bioengineering
Master’s Degree courses and a moderate research project
M.S. Bioengineering Expected to advance boundaries between
engineering practice and research
~4 year degree, completing advanced bioengineering
Doctorate’s Degree courses and a major research project ; devotion to
PhD Bioengineering research
Expected to identify engineering problems important
to society and create new knowledge in the relevant
field

20. Department of
Education & Career Paths UIC
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
Bioengineering
Doctorate Degree
E PhD Bioengineering
Master’s Degree
d Bachelor’s Degree
M.S. Bioengineering
u B.S. Bioengineering
MBA (Business) Professional Degree
c
M.D., O.D. (Medicine)
a
D.D.S, D.M.D (Dentistry)
t
D.V.M. (Veterinary)
i PharmD (Pharmacology)
o J.D. (Law)
n Time Spent in College
4 years 6 years 8-10 years
Responsibility
Annual Salary
Careers Academia
Industry Careers
at All
Only (Professor)
at
Degree Highest
$ $ Levels Degree Health
Entrepreneurship $ Government Levels Professional
$

21. Department of
Job Description in Industry UIC
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
Bioengineering
Data acquisition
Drafting Bachelor’s Degree
B.S. Bioengineering
Product/process testing
Low level design of minor systems/components
Lower-Mid level management
Design of and research into minor systems/ Master’s Degree
components M.S. Bioengineering
Low level troubleshooting and redesigning
Managing/leading research teams
High level research, design of critical
Doctorate’s Degree
components, troubleshooting, and PhD Bioengineering
redesigning
Feasibility studies of new technology

22. Outline
Department of
UIC Bioengineering
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
I. What is Engineering?
II. What is Bioengineering?
III. Why Become a Bioengineer?
IV. How Do You Become a Bioengineer?
V. What is Bioengineering at UIC?

23. UIC BioE History
Department of
UIC Bioengineering
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
 Founded in 1965, the program today has
grown to approximately 400 students.
 One of the first ten bioengineering
programs to receive a training grant from
the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
 Historically, B.S. graduates enter positions in
industry (40%), professional schools, such as
medical school (30%), and graduate schools
(30%).
 The Bioengineering Department comprises
14 full-time core faculty members with over
100 adjunct faculty working on
interdisciplinary projects across the Colleges
of Engineering, Medicine, Liberal Arts &
Sciences, Applied Health Sciences, Dentistry,
& Pharmacy.

24. Department of
Admission Requirements UIC
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
Bioengineering
College of Engineering Minimum Requirements:
Be at least 16 years of age
Be a graduate of an accredited high school or submit passing scores on
the General Educational Development Test (GED)
3.5 years of Mathematics
2 years of Laboratory Science
BioE Recommendation:
4 years of Mathematics and Science
Emphasis on Honors or Advanced Placement Courses
Complete the American College Test (ACT) or the College Board
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or Scholastic Assessment Test I(SAT-I)
Present a satisfactory combination of class rank and test scores
College of Engineering Mean: 25-29 ACT (composite) ; 68-89th percentile class rank

25. Department of
Guaranteed Professional Program Admissions UIC Bioengineering
(GPPA) UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
The GPPA program allows a limited number of freshmen per
year to be admitted to UIC with guaranteed admission to one of
several professional degree programs:
Bioengineering Degree (B.S.) + MD/DDS/MS/PhD
(Students need to maintain pre-set curriculum and performance criteria to maintain their guarantee)
Visit the GPPA Website for more information:
http://www.uic.edu/depts/oaa/spec_prog/gppa/index.html

26. BioE B.S. Course Track
Department of
UIC Bioengineering
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO

27. Areas of Concentration
Department of
UIC Bioengineering
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
1) Cell & Tissue Engineering
Applying the principles of engineering and life sciences toward the
development of biological substitutes that restore, maintain, or
improve tissue or cellular function.
2) Neural Engineering
Apply engineering techniques to understand, repair, replace, enhance,
or treat the diseases of neural systems.
3) Bioinformatics
Developing computational tools to understand the genetic blueprint
of life. Understanding the structure and function of genes and
molecular interactions that govern cellular metabolism.

28. Areas of Concentration
Department of
UIC Bioengineering
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
4) Biomedical Imaging and Visualization
This area focuses on the study of medical imaging methods (such as
MRI, CT, ultrasound, nuclear medicine) that are the basis of many
aspects of clinical diagnosis.
5) Biomechanics
This area focuses on the biomechanical structure and function of
human musculor-skeletal systems.
6) Biomolecular Engineering
Biomolecular engineering studies the design, analysis, and optimization
of biological and biomedical processes.

29. 1st Courses in BioE
Department of
UIC Bioengineering
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
BioE 101: Introduction to Bioengineering
Overview of how the principles and techniques of engineering are
applied to help solve problems in the medical and biological sciences.
Curricular and career paths discussed; projects, research lab and facility
tours.
BioE 240: Modeling Physiological Data and Systems
Introduces the use of mathematical models and statistics to describe,
interpret, and analyze physiological data and systems.
BioE 250: Clinical Problems in Bioengineering
Examination of three to four real problems in bioengineering. Student
teams work with a faculty facilitator toward each solution. Problem
identification, strategic planning, brainstorming, information gathering
and reporting are formalized.

30. Department of
UIC
Contact Information UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT CHICAGO
Bioengineering
• David Franz-President of Bioengineering Organizational Alliance (BOA)
• Email: divadfranz@gmail.com
• Sasidhar Madugula-Vice President of BOA, Director of Bioengineering Volunteer
Program (BVP)
• Email: smadug2@uic.edu
• Salman Farooqui-Head of External Bioengineering Exposure (EBE)
• Email: salmanfaroky@gmail.com
• Slides and Content by Brian Kunzer
• Email: brian.kunzer@gmail.com