Media Releases >
Media Releases Archive
> SFU Targets Emerging Field of Biomedical Engineering
SFU Targets Emerging Field of Biomedical Engineering
Document Tools
Andrew Rawicz, 604.291.3819; rawicz@sfu.ca
Marianne Meadahl, media/pr, 604.291.4323
Conference website: http://www.cmbes.ca/CMBEC06/index.htm
Marianne Meadahl, media/pr, 604.291.4323
Conference website: http://www.cmbes.ca/CMBEC06/index.htm
May 25, 2006
B.C. is becoming a powerhouse in the field of biomedical engineering and Simon Fraser University is playing its part.
At an SFU-sponsored biomedical engineering conference, June 1-3 at the Empire Landmark Hotel, 1400 Robson St. in Vancouver, 14 SFU faculty and students will present papers that examine new technologies, ranging from brain-computer interfaces that help the severely physically disabled to control their environment, to x-ray imaging and nanotechnologies.
Andrew Rawicz, professor of engineering science, says SFU's undergraduate program in biomedical engineering, launched last spring, is among the first in Canada. Run jointly by the departments of kinesiology and engineering science, there are 10 inaugural students and Rawicz expects to triple the number of students for the 2006 fall semester.
Fourteen faculty members currently specialize in this new field, with more being recruited. "Students in the undergraduate program learn how to apply engineering to build assistive devices and enabling technologies for the disabled; rehabilitation devices or instrumentation for hospital or home applications," he says.
To expand the breadth of courses, there is also a course and mentorship exchange with both UBC and BCIT. Further partnerships are expected with universities in California, Washington State, Ontario and Alberta.
Rawicz is helping to plan a new graduate program in applied biomedical sciences which he would like to see offered in the new year. The program would complement a new biomedical engineering graduate program recently initiated at UBC.
At an SFU-sponsored biomedical engineering conference, June 1-3 at the Empire Landmark Hotel, 1400 Robson St. in Vancouver, 14 SFU faculty and students will present papers that examine new technologies, ranging from brain-computer interfaces that help the severely physically disabled to control their environment, to x-ray imaging and nanotechnologies.
Andrew Rawicz, professor of engineering science, says SFU's undergraduate program in biomedical engineering, launched last spring, is among the first in Canada. Run jointly by the departments of kinesiology and engineering science, there are 10 inaugural students and Rawicz expects to triple the number of students for the 2006 fall semester.
Fourteen faculty members currently specialize in this new field, with more being recruited. "Students in the undergraduate program learn how to apply engineering to build assistive devices and enabling technologies for the disabled; rehabilitation devices or instrumentation for hospital or home applications," he says.
To expand the breadth of courses, there is also a course and mentorship exchange with both UBC and BCIT. Further partnerships are expected with universities in California, Washington State, Ontario and Alberta.
Rawicz is helping to plan a new graduate program in applied biomedical sciences which he would like to see offered in the new year. The program would complement a new biomedical engineering graduate program recently initiated at UBC.