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Curricular Unit: Biomedical Engineering and the Human Body

Contributed by: Integrated Teaching and Learning Program, College of Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder

Five images: man blowing into a spirometer, assorted pills and tablets, man taking a step with his artificial leg, black and white sonogram shows shape of fetus, drawing of DNA double helix.

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Grade: 7 (4-7)


Time Required:

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Summary

Human beings are fascinating and complex living organisms — a symphony of different functional systems working in concert. Through a ten-lesson series with hands-on activities students are introduced to seven systems of the human body — skeletal, muscular, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, sensory, and reproductive — as well as genetics. At every stage, they are also introduced to engineers' creative, real-world involvement in caring for the human body.


Engineering Connection

Engineers are increasingly involved in design for the human body. Biomedical engineers create artificial limbs using materials and sensors to replicate natural function and movement. Understanding the muscular system enables engineers to design everyday tools, appliances and products. Other engineers design medical solutions to improve health and address disorders. This may take the form of devices, implants, machines, medicines and technologies (diagnostic equipment, pacemakers, surgical techniques, hearing aids, laser eye surgery, ultrasound, amniocentesis, in-vitro fertilization, pain medicine). Engineers also apply their understanding of DNA to numerous real-world applications. As part of their design work, engineers create flow charts, prototypes and models, and make technical presentations, to learn, test and communicate their work.


Keywords: bioengineering, biomedical, biomedical engineering, biotechnology, body, health, human, human body, medical


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Unit Overview (Return to Contents)

Overview of topics by lesson: (1) skeletal system, (2) muscular system, (3) circulatory system, (4) respiratory system, (5) digestive system, (6) auditory-hearing sensory system, (7) vision sensory system, (8) reproductive system,(9) genetics, and (10) skeletal system [broken bones].

Contributors

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Copyright

© 2007 by Regents of the University of Colorado. This digital library content was developed by the Integrated Teaching and Learning Program under National Science Foundation GK-12 grant no. 0338326. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policies of the National Science Foundation, and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government.

Supporting Program

Integrated Teaching and Learning Program, College of Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder

Last Modified: February 16, 2010
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