BME Specialty Sequence: Biomedical Imaging
and Computing
Biomedical imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and ultrasound
imaging enable one to view structures and measure biological
functions inside the human body without cutting. Biomedical
imaging is a rapidly changing field with many new capabilities
including functional MRI imaging of brain activity, measurement
of blood perfusion in stroke, measurement of cardiac muscle
mechanics using MRI tagging, all from outside the body. A
new thrust area at Case is in vivo cellular and molecular
imaging, whereby biological processes are measured from outside
the subject. Examples are imaging of receptor up-regulation
using targeted imaging agents and gene expression imaging
using reporter genes visible to optical, radionuclide, and
MR imaging. Imaging is ubiquitous across medicine. It is
used for diagnosis and staging of disease. It is also used
for minimally-invasive image guided therapies and for assessment
of therapies. An Internet search using keywords such as medical
imaging or biomedical imaging will yield many interesting
links to investigate for more information. Information on Biomedical
Imaging Research at Case is available.
Research, Internship, and Co-op Opportunities
Students in this sequence have supplemented their studies
with an internship or coop at institutions like Philips
Medical Systems, a company located in Cleveland that
is among the three largest medical imaging companies
in the world; General Electric Medical Systems; Siemens
Medical Systems; the Cleveland Clinic Foundation; and
the National Institutes of Health. There are also exciting
opportunities for research in imaging with the many primary
and associated faculty members involved in biomedical
imaging research. Many students have used such experiences
to create competitive work, graduate school, and medical
school applications.
Opportunities after Graduation
Students can compete for the large number of jobs in software
engineering. Students are especially well equipped to
join the vigorous medical imaging industry that includes
companies in Cleveland. (For a compilation of the many
companies, visit RSNA and
examine the buyer's guide.) Yet another opportunity is
in the biotech sector where previous Case BME students
are involved in developing methods for analyzing genomic
micro-array data. In addition to industrial employment,
students enter graduate school in BME, information systems,
or computer engineering at top universities. With a good
background in computing, imaging, and biology, students
can also enter graduate programs leading to careers in
biomedical informatics, computational genetics, biophysical
imaging, etc. Several students in this sequence have
gone to medical school with the idea of specializing
in one of the many areas that use biomedical imaging
for diagnosis or therapy.
Undergraduate Research
There are a number of faculty members involved in Biomedical
Imaging Research. Contact these persons for research
opportunities.
Educational Objectives
All sequences within the Department of Biomedical Engineering
provide students with a strong knowledge of both engineering
and biology, as outlined in a common set of objectives and outcomes.
In addition, the Biomedical Imaging and Computing Sequence
provides a fundamental knowledge of biomedical imaging
and software engineering. Students learn computing; imaging
physics and devices; instrumentation; and digital signal
and image processing as well as anatomy and physiology.
Some courses in computer science and engineering such
as ENGR 131, EECS
233, and EECS 337, combined
with electives such as EECS 281, EECS
341, EECS 338, and EECS
398 give students a very strong background that
is equal to the knowledge that one might obtain with
a minor in software engineering. With courses like EBME
308 (systems), EECS
313 (digital signal processing), EBME
320 (fundamentals of medical imaging), EBME
461 (biomedical image processing and analysis),
and various laboratories in imaging, students obtain
a good fundamental knowledge in biomedical imaging. With
courses like EBME
201 and 202 (anatomy
and physiology), students learn about the human body,
and this can lead to a fundamental understanding of how
biomedical imaging can be used for diagnosis and therapy.
Program of Study Charts
Students entering on or before the fall semester of 2003: Program
of Study.
Students entering in the fall semester of 2004: Program
of Study.
Students entering in the fall semester of 2005 or later: Program
of Study.
If you are unsure about which version of the sequence you should follow, please read the guide here or consult with your academic advisor. Transfer and binary students should contact Professor David Wilson to discuss individual requirements.
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