Course Syllabus
Biomedical Engineering in Scandinavia |
Semester & Location: |
Spring 2022- DIS Stockholm |
Type & Credits: |
Core Course - 3 credits |
Core Course Study Tours: |
Sweden, Denmark-Norway |
Major Disciplines: |
Engineering, Biomedicine/Biotechnology, Biology |
Prerequisites: |
Two mathematics courses, four courses in basic science (biology, chemistry, physics), and one engineering course, all at university level. |
Faculty Members: |
Matilda Larsson matilda.larsson@disstockholm.se Adam Darwich adam.darwich@disstockholm.se Course assistant: Alessandro Iop alessandro.iop@disstockholm.se |
Program Director: |
Natalia Landázuri Sáenz, PhD - Program Director |
Academic support: | |
Time & Place: |
Mondays 2:50-5:45 pm (other dates and times specified in the calendar) . Classroom 1E-510. |
Course Description
Engineer tools for biomedical discovery. This course explores the design, development, and implementation of cutting-edge technologies instrumental in advancing the biomedical sciences. Featuring current developments in Stockholm and throughout Scandinavia, the course incorporates field studies with real-life examples from academia and industry, to explain, analyze, and evaluate engineering principles behind technology design.
The course is structured as a series of modules. At least one technology/application is covered per module.
Module 1: Introduction
Introducing the course and included learning activities, assignments, study visits and laboratory exercises. Group discussions on Biomedical Engineering.
Module 2: Systems modelling and pharmaceutical engineering
Introducing systems thinking and modelling. We start from qualitative pen and paper methods (used to understand feedback and more) to how system dynamics modelling and simulation is used to inform drug development.
Module 3: Health informatics and real-world data
Real-world data and evidence is widely discussed as a game changer in the medical and pharmaceutical fields. Here we introduce some commonly used methods through hands-on exercises. Further, we explore relevant considerations in the medical field, such as bias, latent effects, explainability and ethics.
Module 4: Medical imaging
Non-invasive imaging technologies (ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, transmission imaging) used in clinical practice.
Module 5: Medical devices and sensors in sports technology
Technologies for measuring sports performance and advanced healthcare.
Module 6: Biomechanics
Examples of technologies: analysis of movement and gait, prosthetics, and ergonomic risks assessment
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Describe various current developments in the field of biomedical engineering, with an emphasis on local innovations in Scandinavia/Nordic region
- Explain the rationale behind the engineering design of certain medical technologies
- Identify needs within the medical field that can benefit from the development of novel technological solutions
- Critically analyze and evaluate the current design and utility of various medical technologies
- Utilize engineering design principles to propose technological solutions within biomedicine
Faculty
Adam Darwich PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom (2014). Assistant Professor in Health Systems Engineering at the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Health Systems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology. Research focused on modelling and simulation of systems and processes related to healthcare, health services, pharmaceutical development, precision dosing and more.
Matilda Larsson. PhD in Technology and Health (KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 2011). Associate Professor at the KTH School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Health Systems. Research focus on medical ultrasound imaging and elasticity imaging of the cardiovascular system including shear wave elastography. Has taught courses in Biomedical Engineering at KTH since 2005. With DIS since 2021.
Course assistant
Alessandro Iop MSc candidate in Interactive Media Technologies at KTH Royal Institute of Technology with a specialization in Visual Media. Research engineer in Mixed Reality-applied neurosurgery at Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset. BSc in Web and Multimedia Technologies at the University of Udine (Italy) - 2015-2019. With DIS since 2022.
Readings
Field Studies
You will participate in two course-integrated field studies, to learn about Swedish innovations within biomedical engineering and biomedical technology used in a Swedish hospital. Field studies may include:
- Visit to Karolinska University Hospital in Solna, which is one of Europe’s premier health facilities. Together with the world-respected Karolinska Institutet, they lead in development and medical break-throughs.
- Visit to the Nobel museum. Nobel prizes in various categories, including Physiology and Medicine, Physics and Chemistry are awarded each year in Stockholm.
- Visit to Tekniska Museet, with a focus on 100 innovations exhibit and Swedish innovators.
- Visit to SciLifeLab - Science for Life Laboratory, a national research infrastructure funded by the Swedish government that provides access to the cutting-edge instrumentation for bioscience research.
Guest Lectures
Sven Petterson (MRI) - Karolinska University Hospital
Mikael Forsman (Ergonomics) - KTH
Jonas Willén (Sports technology) - KTH
Massimiliano Colarieti Tosti (Transmission imaging) - KTH
Approach to Teaching
Classes contain a mixture of lecture-based teaching, discussions, critical analysis of readings and research, group exercises, laboratory exercises, and group projects. You are expected to engage actively in classroom discussions, oral presentations, and group work. In addition, you will participate in local field studies and extended course-integrated study tours in Sweden and Denmark and/or Norway. These visits give us the opportunity to learn first-hand from academic and industry leaders; to visit labs, utilize technologies, and speak with researchers about their cutting-edge work; and to better understand specific approaches to biomedical engineering research and development in particular places.
Core Course Week and Study Tours
Core course week and study tours are integral parts of the core course. The classroom is “on the road” and theory presented in the classroom is applied in the field. Students will travel with classmates and DIS faculty/staff on two study tours: a short study tour during the core course week within Sweden and a long study tour to relevant Scandinavian destinations in neighboring Denmark and/or Norway. Students are expected to
- participate in all activities
- engage in discussions, ask questions, and contribute to achieving the learning objectives
- be respectful to the destination/location, the speakers, DIS staff, and fellow classmates
- represent self, home university and DIS in a positive light
While on a program study tour, DIS will provide hostel/hotel accommodation, transportation to/from the destination(s), approx. 2 meals per day and entrances, guides, and visits relevant to your area of study or the destination. You will receive a more detailed itinerary prior to departure.
Travel policies: You are required to travel with your group to the destination. If you have to deviate from the group travel plans, you need approval from the program director and the study tours office.
Expectations of the Students
- Laptops may be used for note‐taking, fact‐checking, or assignments in the classroom, but only when indicated by the instructor. At all other times, laptops and electronic devices should be put away during class meetings.
- Readings must be done prior to the class session. A considerable part of the course depends on class discussion and you are expected to have completed careful reading and preparation assignments in advance.
- You need to be present and participating to receive full credit. Your final grade will be affected by unexcused absences and lack of active participation. The participation grade will be reduced by 10 points (over 100) for each unexcused absence. Remember to be in class on time!
- You are expected to participate actively in class and during group work, and ask relevant questions in regards to the material covered.
- Classroom etiquette includes being respectful of other opinions, listening to others and entering a dialogue in a constructive manner.
Evaluation
Participation:
- Class attendance
- Level of preparation (reading material in advance) and ability to answer questions asked in class
- Involvement in class and group discussions
- Level of individual research and contribution to fruitful discussions
Written assignments:
- Online submission of 4 written assignments (1 Ultrasound physics, 1 MRI Physics, 1 written reflection and summary of 2 guest lectures (Module 5 & 6), 1 written reflection field study)
Study tour assignment:
- Active participation and reflection of academic visits of the Study Tour
Oral examination:
- Oral presentation and discussion in class (Module 2 and 3).
Project:
- Written report and oral presentation of project work within medical imaging (Module 4)
Grading
Participation | 10% |
Assignments | 30% |
Study tour assignment | 10% |
Oral examination (2, 20% each) | 40% |
Project (1, 10% each) | 10% |
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org
Course Summary:
Date | Details | Due |
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