Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

Frontiers of Knowledge in Bioengineering

Frontiers of Knowledge in Bioengineering
3
15819
1
First semester
OB
Main language of instruction: Catalan

Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish,

Introduction

 

This course explores the latest advancements, emerging trends, and critical challenges in the field of bioengineering. Students will gain insights into cutting-edge research areas, including regenerative medicine, synthetic biology, biomechanics, biomaterials, biomedical devices, and computational bioengineering. By analyzing recent breakthroughs, ethical considerations, and technological innovations, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of how bioengineering is shaping the future of healthcare, biotechnology, and environmental sustainability.

 

Pre-course requirements

Basic knowledge of biology, materials and biomedical devices.

Objectives

Objectius:

  • Identificar i analitzar les darreres tendències, descobriments i innovacions en bioenginyeria.

  • Avaluar metodologies de recerca i enfocaments experimentals utilitzats en estudis de bioenginyeria de frontera.

  • Comprendre la naturalesa interdisciplinària de la bioenginyeria i les seves aplicacions en medicina, indústria i sostenibilitat ambiental.

  • Avaluar críticament les implicacions ètiques, regulatòries i socials de les noves tecnologies de bioenginyeria.

  • Desenvolupar propostes o projectes de recerca que abordin reptes no resolts en bioenginyeria.

Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme

  • CN01 - Describe the advanced aspects of bioengineering related to human health based on specific books on the subject along with scientific publications at the frontier of knowledge.
  • CN02 - Associate the existing variability in the expression of diseases and biological differences between sexes with the development of new therapeutic tools.
  • CN05 - Explain the principles of bioengineering used in the design and manufacturing of new personalized medicine therapies.
  • CN06 - Identify the necessary steps and developments for the correct processing of medical devices based on available medical data.
  • CN07 - Relate the ethical and technological aspects intrinsic to bioengineering.
  • HB01 - Differentiate new methods and theories in bioengineering to enhance versatility, adaptability to new situations, and problem-solving through critical reasoning.
  • HB02 - Validate results, calculations, studies, reports, work plans, and other similar works obtained through scientific experimentation
  • HB03 - Evaluate the social and environmental impact of technical solutions through the analysis and application of quality principles and methods.
  • HB04 - Apply bioengineering terminology in a multilingual and multidisciplinary environment, with an adequate oral and written level of English.
  • HB05 - Analyze the organization of a company considering labor regulations and the relationships between planning, industrial and commercial strategies, quality, and profit.
  • HB06 - Relate social problems to health issues, using a balanced and compatible approach of technique, technology, economy, and sustainability.
  • HB07 - Utilize data and information processing in the bioengineering field for a later critical assessment of the results.
  • HB08 - Solve problems arising in bioengineering in the health field through the application of multidisciplinary concepts.
  • HB09 - Examine the influence of bioengineering-related topics on the specific needs or characteristics of genders: biological and medical aspects.
  • HB10 - Apply knowledge in the use of advanced computational methods to improve the quality of the healthcare system.
  • HB11 - Evaluate the systems and processes involved in manufacturing implantable medical devices.
  • HB12 - Discriminate relevant information from different sources, books, and/or scientific articles related to bioengineering.

Learning outcomes of the subject

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

  1. Identify recent advances, emerging trends and key challenges in bioengineering and their applications to human health.

  2. Critically analyse original research articles, identifying the research problem, objectives, hypotheses, methodology and main results.

  3. Assess the strength of scientific evidence, recognising the strengths and limitations of studies and determining whether their conclusions are supported by the results.

  4. Relate advances in bioengineering to their potential clinical applications and their scientific, technological, ethical and societal impact.

  5. Propose new research questions, follow-up experiments or methodological improvements based on the analysis of recent research.

  6. Integrate knowledge from different areas of bioengineering to develop and justify solutions to problems related to human health.

  7. Clearly and rigorously communicate the analysis of a scientific study in a structured manner and defend their arguments in an academic discussion.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  • ODS 01 - No Poverty. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
  • ODS 02 - End Hunger. Achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
  • ODS 03 - Good Health and Well-being. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
  • ODS 04 - Quality Education. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
  • ODS 05 - Gender Equality. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
  • ODS 06 - Clean water and sanitation. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
  • ODS 07 - Affordable and clean energy. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
  • ODS 08 - Decent work and economic growth. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
  • ODS 09 - Industries, Innovation and Infrastructure. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
  • ODS 10 - Reduced Inequalities. Reduce inequality within and among countries
  • ODS 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
  • ODS 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
  • ODS 13 - Climate Action. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
  • ODS 14 - Life Below Water. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
  • ODS 15 - Life on Land. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use fo terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
  • ODS 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
  • ODS 17 - Partnerships for the Goals. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

Syllabus

  1. Introduction to the frontiers of knowledge in bioengineering. Recent advances, emerging trends and key challenges in bioengineering applied to human health.

  2. Emerging areas of bioengineering.

    • Regenerative medicine: tissue engineering, cell therapies and organoids.

    • Synthetic biology: engineered cells, gene circuits and programmable biological systems.

    • Smart, bioactive and immunomodulatory biomaterials.

    • Biomedical devices: sensors, implants, wearable devices and diagnostic systems.

    • Computational bioengineering: artificial intelligence and in silico models.

    • Biomechanics and mechanobiology: musculoskeletal systems and applications in rehabilitation.

  3. Critical analysis of scientific research. Identification of the research problem, objectives and hypotheses. Analysis of methodology, interpretation of data and evaluation of the conclusions, strengths and limitations of recent scientific articles.

  4. Innovation and applications in health. Examination of scientific advances, patents and application case studies. Assessment of their clinical relevance and scientific, technological, ethical and societal implications.

  5. Development of new research directions. Formulation of research questions, proposals for follow-up experiments and methodological improvements. Integration of knowledge to address bioengineering challenges.

  6. Scientific communication and discussion. Organisation and oral presentation of an original research article. Selection and interpretation of figures and results, critical argumentation and participation in academic debate.

Teaching and learning activities

In person



The course is delivered in person through an active and participatory approach that combines the presentation of content with the critical analysis of recent research and scientific discussion. Occasionally, an invited expert may deliver a talk online, while students attend the session in person in the classroom.

Learning activities include:

  • Lectures and expert seminars: presentation of advances, emerging trends and key challenges in bioengineering by teaching staff and invited specialists.

  • Analysis of scientific articles and application case studies: examination and discussion of recent research, patents and innovations, linking their scientific foundations to applications in health.

  • Problem-based learning: analysis of bioengineering challenges and development of potential solutions supported by scientific evidence.

  • Individual presentations of scientific articles: presentation of the research problem, objectives, methodology and results, including a critical assessment of the study’s strengths and limitations and a proposal for future research.

  • Debates and academic discussion: exchange of arguments, formulation of questions and reflection on the scientific, technological, ethical and societal implications of the advances presented.

These activities promote the integration of knowledge, critical thinking and scientific communication skills.

Evaluation systems and criteria

In person



The final course grade will be calculated as follows:

  • Final examination: 40 % of the final grade.

  • Individual oral presentation of a scientific article: 60 % of the final grade. The presentation will cover the research problem, objectives, methodology, results, critical analysis and a proposal for future research. The recommended duration is 30 minutes for the presentation and 10 minutes for discussion.

Plagiarism and copying are not permitted in any assessment activity.

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