Virtual instruments in undergraduate biomedical engineering laboratories

Author

Trumbower, Randy D. ; Enderle, John D.

Volume

22

Issue

4

fYear

2003

Firstpage

101

Lastpage

110

Abstract

It is anticipated that many undergraduate biomedical engineering (BME) students will seek jobs in industry following graduation. Therefore, it is imperative that BME programs establish a learning environment that exposes students to modem tools and equipment that best prepare them for an industrial setting. BME laboratory courses using PC-based virtual instruments can prepare students for real-world experience with minimal cost and risk. This article details various approaches for incorporating undergraduate BME laboratories in the curriculum and the use of virtual instruments. In particular, we discuss the motivations for and approaches to implementing virtual instruments and also describe a number of virtual instrument applications.

Keywords

biomedical education; computer aided instruction; engineering facilities; laboratories; microcomputer applications; virtual instrumentation; BME laboratory courses; BME programs; PC-based virtual instruments; curriculum; industrial setting; learning environment; minimal cost; minimal risk; real-world experience; undergraduate biomedical engineering laboratories; virtual instruments; Biomechanics; Biomedical engineering; Biomedical measurements; Data acquisition; Education; Instruments; Laboratories; Measurement standards; Standards development; Statistical analysis; Biomedical Engineering; Computer Graphics; Computer Simulation; Computer-Assisted Instruction; Cooperative Behavior; Curriculum; Education, Professional; Educational Technology; Equipment and Supplies; Interdisciplinary Communication; Laboratory Techniques and Procedures; Learning; Models, Educational; Problem Solving; Problem-Based Learning; Quality Control; Teaching; Teaching Materials; Thinking; United States; Universities; User-Computer Interface;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Engineering in Medicine and Biology Magazine, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0739-5175

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/MEMB.2003.1237509

Filename

1237509