Course Syllabus

Biomedical Engineering in Scandinavia

Semester & Location:	Spring 2024 - DIS Stockholm
Type & Credits:	Core Course - 3 credits
Core Course Study Tours:	Sweden, Denmark-Norway
Major Disciplines:	Engineering, Biomedicine/Biotechnology, Biology
Prerequisites:	Two courses in math, plus a total of five courses within engineering, basic science (biology, chemistry, physics), and/or computer science, all at university level. At least one of these courses should be an engineering course.
Faculty Members:	Adam Darwich & Liv Egnell (current students please use the Canvas Inbox)
Program Director:	Natalia Landázuri Sáenz, PhD
Academic Support	academics@disstockholm.se
Time & Place:	Monday 14.50-17.45 (other dates and times specified in the calendar). Classroom: C-502

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 (e.g. ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, transmission imaging) used in clinical practice.

Module 5: Medical Devices 

Regulatory requirements, quality management, development and clinical evaluation for medical devices. 

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

 

Liv Egnell PhD in Biophysics from NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway (2021). MSc. and BSc in Biomedical Engineering from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden (2014). BSc in Engineering Physics from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden (2012). Previous experience in clinical operations in a Copenhagen-based medtech startup developing AI for radiology. Currently working with clinical affairs at Getinge. With DIS since 2023.

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 medical technology 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

Guest lecturers (experts in specific aspects of the Biomedical Engineering) will be invited to talk about topics of particular interest to students

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

Assignments: 

• Online submission of written assignments
• Online submission of oral assignments

Study tour assignments:

• Active participation and reflection of academic visits of the Study Tour and Core Course Week
• Online submission of written assignments

Oral examination:

• Oral presentation and discussion in class 

 

Grading

Participation	10%
Assignments	25%
Study tour assignments	25%
Oral examinations (2, 20% each)	40%

 

Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on: 

• Course Enrollment and Grading  
• Academic Expectations and Honor Code 

 

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org