Students learn more about how muscles work and how biomedical engineers can help keep the muscular system healthy. Following the engineering design process, they create their own biomedical device to aid in the recovery of a strained bicep. They discover the importance of rest to muscle recovery and that muscles (just like engineers!) work together to achieve a common goal.

This course will provide the student with an overview of the body from a systemic perspective. Each unit will focus on one system, or network of organs that work together to perform a particular function. At the end of this course, the student will review the ways in which the systems overlap, as well as discuss current body imaging techniques and learn how to correctly interpret the images in order to put our newly-gained anatomical knowledge to practical use. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: identify gross and microscopic anatomy and explain interactions of the major organ systems in the human body; perform and analyze experiments in human anatomy (virtual); use language necessary to appropriately describe human anatomy; explain and identify how structure and function complement each other; describe how anatomy relates to medical situations in healthy and diseased states. (Biology 302)

In this lab, the student will review the anatomy and histology of the organs by using images of models, microscopic slides, and videos on cat and sheep dissections. The student will then be asked to assess his or her knowledge, which eventually can be put to practical or experimental use. Upon successful completion of this lab supplement, students will be able to: use anatomical terminology correctly in the laboratory; using a compound light microscope, identify different tissues and describe a human organ where that tissue can be found; describe the major features and functions of human skin; identify and name human bones and their major features and differentiate, microscopically and grossly, between compact and spongy bone; name and describe the functions of the human brain's major structures; describe the anatomical and functional differences between the dorsal and ventral roots of spinal nerves and the dorsal and ventral horns of the spinal cord's grey matter; describe the structure of an intervertebral disc; identify, microscopically and grossly, the differences between the three types of muscle and describe the respective structures and locations of different muscle tissues; identify and name the structures of the human eye and the human ear; describe the major similarities and differences in the structure of an artery and a vein; describe the flow of blood through the heart and identify all major vessels, chambers, and valves; identify and name, histologically and anatomically, the major components of the respiratory system, the digestive system, and the male and female urinary systems; identify and name, histologically and anatomically, the major components of male and female reproductive systems. (Biology 302 Laboratory)

Physiology is the study of the processes of the body. This course is about the unconscious mechanics of living; the student will look at each organ system in detail and then discuss the ways in which the systems interact in order to maintain the body at an optimal state. Metabolism and homeostasis--or the maintenance of the body at a set, optimal level--will be the primary themes. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: describe the relationship between structure and function at the cellular level and relate dysfunctional states of health to problems at the cellular level when appropriate; given relevant physiological information, explain the physiological mechanisms involved; describe the concepts of homeostasis and feedback control in relationship to each organ system; use a vocabulary of physiological terms and demonstrate an ability to communicate efficiently in a medical environment; describe techniques currently in use that measure the function of organ systems. (Biology 304)

Student teams build model hand dynamometers used to measure grip strengths of people recovering from sports injuries. They use their models to measure how much force their classmates muscles are capable of producing, and analyze the data to determine factors that influence a person's grip strength. They use this information to produce a recommendation of a hand dynamometer design for a medical office specializing in physical therapy. They also consider the many other ways grip strength data is used by engineers to design everyday products.

Students are introduced to the field of biomechanics and how the muscular system produces human movement. They learn the importance of the muscular system in our daily lives, why it is important to be able to repair muscular system injuries and how engineering can help.