Syllabus 472

Course Outline

Introduction to experimental techniques used in bioengineering to assess biomaterials and tissues. This course will primarily concentrate on basic concepts of measurement methods, experimental design, signal analysis, and the development of experimental protocols. In laboratory modules focusing on mechanical testing of non-Newtonian materials, parameter extraction out of signal data sets, and electronic circuit implementation the theoretical concepts covered in class will be applied.

Homework

One homework problem set will be assigned approximately every other week. Homework will be handed out on Wednesday and due the following Wednesday. See BIOE 472 Homework Schedule for detailed dates and topics. Homework will be due at the beginning of class lecture (10:00 a.m.) on the day it is due. No late homework will be accepted without permission of the instructor before the homework is due. Illness and family emergencies will be dealt with on an individual basis. Grades on other late homeworks will be reduced 25% per day (including weekends). Solutions to homework problems will be made available in a binder in the Bioengineering department office or on the Web soon after the homework is due. Individuals turning in late homeworks are expected to not consult the posted homework solutions (Honor Code).

Exams
There will be only one exam, tentatively scheduled to be handed out on December 2nd. The exam will be take-home exam.

A design and analysis project will be scheduled for September - November. The project’s topic will be either on Biomechanics or Biomaterials. Students will be divided into teams. As a prelude to the project, students will compare different experiments reported in the literature, and provide a written report on strengths and weaknesses. In terms of grading, the comparison report will be weighed as one homework. The comparison report will help students with their design project. A written and oral presentation will be required. The design project will count for 40% of the final grade. See BIOE 472 Project Schedule for details on due dates. Further details on the projects will be available later.

There are no course textbooks available for this class. Supplementary texts will be handed out in class.

Policies:

Any disputes over grading on the homework or reports should be brought to the instructor. Do not take questions related to grading to the TA. If the dispute involves other than an arithmetic error in your score, the entire report or homework will be re-graded. Re-grading may result in a net loss of points. Submit the original, unaltered, homework or report along with a written description of what you believe the grading error is. If a classmate's report or homework is being submitted as documentation of the grading error, it is also subject to possible re-grading. Late homework will generally not be accepted except in the case of illness or serious emergency. Contact the instructor before the due date to arrange an acceptable due date. Illnesses and emergencies should be documented with an appropriate excuse.

Honor Code Policy:

Students are encouraged to talk to each other, the teaching assistants, the instructors, or anyone else about any assignment in the course that is not specifically designated as pledged. This assistance is limited to the discussion of the problem and perhaps sketching of a solution. Homework is considered as pledged, general discussion is legitimate, however, homework problems may be solved by each individual, unless stated otherwise. Consultation of previous years’ homework sets and exams is not allowed.

BIOE 472 has a web site: http://www.owlnet.rice.edu/~bioe472/. Course information, corrections to Course Notes and homework, and other information on projects will be posted on the web site. Extra practice problems will occasionally be placed on the web site.

Homework assignments:	30 %
Design project:	40 %
Comparison Report	10 %
Final Exam:	20 %