Biomedical Engineering: Designing for Human Needs
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Summary
How can engineering improve people's everyday lives? This hands-on course introduces students to the interdisciplinary field of biomedical engineering. Students will explore foundational concepts in biomechanics, bioinstrumentation, and human anatomy and physiology. They will investigate how engineering principles help us understand the human body and develop technologies that address challenges related to health and mobility. Through collaborative experiments and engineering design challenges, students will investigate the mechanics of human movement, explore how muscles, bones, and joints respond to forces, and learn how sensors can measure physical phenomena. Students will apply their knowledge through data collection and analysis, computer-aided design (CAD), and prototyping while considering the needs of people who may use their designs. The course culminates in a collaborative project in which students design and prototype an assistive device addressing a specific human need. Through a final presentation, students will showcase their prototypes, explain their engineering decisions, and reflect on how their designs could improve accessibility and independence. By the end of the course, students will have a foundational understanding of biomechanics, bioinstrumentation, and human anatomy and physiology, as well as the role of engineering in improving health and quality of life. They will apply these concepts to design, prototype, and present an assistive device that addresses a real-world human need.
Student profile
The recommended prerequisites are not required but are helpful for success in this class: Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Physics I, Introduction to Engineering, Introduction to Computer Science
Students should be prepared to engage in hands-on investigations, engineering design activities, teamwork, and creative problem-solving while exploring technologies that address real-world human needs.
All students will need a laptop, tablet, or similar device to use for coursework in this class. We ask students to bring their own device or request to use one of the program's devices.
Each ALP course provides approximately 68 instructional hours, comparable to one-half high school credit. Students interested in receiving credit should check with their school before enrolling, as credit decisions are made solely by the student's school or district. At the end of the program, students receive a grade report with the course description, overall grade, and instructor comments that may be shared with their school when considering credit.
Important dates
Application deadlines
Application opens: Jan. 12, 2027
Deadline: Apply by May 1, 2027
Tuition deadlines
The first half of tuition is due by May 15. The second half of tuition is due by June 1.
