Why Case?
There are a many reasons why Case Western Reserve University
claims to be developing the world´s most powerful learning environment,
including new campus-wide initiatives in experiential undergraduate education
and investment in new teaching facilities. The Department of Biomedical
Engineering is at the center of many of these new initiatives. For example, our department participates in
SAGES, a bold new program of interdisciplinary
seminars for undergraduate education. As another example,
building renovations
include a state-of-the-art tissue engineering laboratory and equipment so that students learn the most
modern laboratory techniques applied in this rapidly developing research field.
Biomedical Engineering was started 36 years ago at Case Western Reserve
University (CWRU) as one of the pioneer programs in the world. As a department
of the Case School of Engineering and of the School of Medicine, Biomedical
Engineering provides unique opportunities for students to participate in collaborative
and multidisciplinary research. Faculty with primary appointments in the Department
of Biomedical Engineering participate fully in the teaching, research, and decision-making
committees of both schools. Our department is one of the largest in the nation and
offers the most extensive curriculum. BME programs take full advantage of faculty
cooperation and courses from other departments that add breadth and depth to our programs.
Moreover, these programs are enhanced by collaborative research projects at five medical
centers, four of which are within a short walk of the Case School of Engineering campus.
Perhaps most importantly, the results of our approach to BME education speak for themselves:
| • | Case attracts more of the best students. In the past 5 years, our undergraduate enrollment in BME has more than doubled
while the number of all degrees awarded in the nation has only grown by 25%. As of fall 2004, Case had 288 students in BME (for comparison,
1,250 BME undergraduate degrees
were awarded in the US in 2002).
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| • | Case delivers diversity. 43% of Case BME undergraduates are female.
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Case BME is nationally acclaimed. US News ranks Case as one of the top BME departments.
And, Case's research program has grown by 150% in just two years---compared to increases of only 30% for all NIH research nationally.
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Case Gradautes have a shorter learning curve. 97% of employers surveyed say Case engineers produce faster (in the
first 2 to 6 years after graduation), exhibit strong critical thinking skills, and are prepared for advancement in their organizations. And ALL
employers said Case graduates continue to learn on the job.
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| • | Case graduates are experienced in their fields. 2/3 of all Case graduates have worked at least seven months
in the co-operative education program, and two-thirds of all employers hire them back for a second 7-month stint.
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| • | Case engineers..."Engineering Plus". Case graduates are not just equipped to define, analyze,
and solve problems but also to communicate with team members and to articulate complex concepts in writing and verbally. This
results from Case's common seminar expereinces (SAGES) – unique to schools of engineering – and
from the fact that almost half carry either a dual degree or minor in the liberal arts. |
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