Biomedical Engineering Department

Chairperson: Erin B. Harmon, Ph.D.
Undergraduate Program Director: Lisa N. MacFadden, Ph.D.
USD GEAR Center
4800 N. Career Ave., Suite 221
Sioux Falls, SD 57107
Phone: 605-275-7474
bme@usd.edu
https://www.usd.edu/arts-and-sciences/biomedical-engineering

FACULTY

Professor:

Daniel Engebretson, Ph.D., Michigan State University. Specialization: Biological Sensing and In Vitro Diagnostics.

Associate Professor:

Ying Deng, Ph.D., Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Specialization: Bioactive Materials and Bionanotechnology in Tissue Engineering and Drug Delivery; Engineering Biomaterials and Alternative Cell Sources for Biomedical Applications.

Professor of Practice:

Lisa N. MacFadden, Ph.D., University of Utah. Specialization: Musculoskeletal and Orthopedic Biomechanics

Associate Professor of Practice:

Erin B. Harmon, Ph.D., Stanford University. Specialization: Biomedical Imaging and Medical Devices
Randolph S. Faustino, Ph.D., University of Manitoba. Specialization: Stem Cell Biology, Cell Engineering, Regenerative Medicine 

Assistant Professor of Practice:

Gregory Bertsch, Ph.D., University of South Dakota. Specialization: Bioprocessing, Antimicrobial surfaces, Medical Product Development

Research Associate Professor:

Etienne Z. Gnimpieba, Ph.D., University of Utah. Specialization: Bioinformatics and Data Integration in Life Sciences.

Research Assistant Professor:

Carol Lushbough, M.A., (Emeritus), University of South Dakota. Specialization: Bioinformatics.

For a complete list of affiliated faculty, visit this site.

MAJOR:

Biomedical Engineering, B.S.

The Biomedical Engineering (BS) program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Bioengineering, Biomedical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE:

Integrated Science, A.S.

Biomedical engineering (BME) focuses on applying engineering and science methodologies to the analysis of biological and physiological problems and the development and delivery of health-care technologies. The biomedical engineer serves as an interface between traditional engineering disciplines and living systems and may work in either direction, applying the patterns of living organisms to engineering design or engineering new approaches to human health.

Faculty in the University of South Dakota’s Biomedical Engineering program focus on biomechanics, biomaterials, bioinstrumentation and sensors, cell and tissue engineering, and medical product development.. The program is positioned at the interface between academic research and commercialization. Faculty members routinely interact with small and large businesses to identify market opportunities for products that emerge from their research. This presents unique opportunities for students in the program to explore the full gamut of research, development, and ultimately commercialization.

The Biomedical Engineering Program is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in the GEAR (Graduate Education & Applied Research) Center, 4800 N. Career Ave., Suite 221.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Please contact the department for additional information about available scholarships and awards. Also see College of Arts & Sciences for college/school level scholarships.

Student Learning Outcomes for Integrated Science (A.S.)

Students will be able to systematically explore issues, objects or works through the collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed conclusions or judgments, and break down complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them.
Students will interact with other students and evaluate the effort put into team tasks, interactions with others, and the quantity and quality made to team discussions.
Students will design, evaluate, and implement a strategy to answer an open-ended question or achieve a desired goal.
Students will engage in purposeful, ongoing learning activities that improve their knowledge, skills and competence in their personal and professional lives.
Students will comprehensively explore issues, ideas, artifacts and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion, and combine or synthesize existing ideas, images or expertise in original ways reflecting a high degree of innovation, divergent thinking, and risk taking.
Students will understand fundamental principles of chemistry and chemical change.
Students will learn to formulate a testable hypothesis.
Students will understand and be able to execute current Good Laboratory Practices.

Student Learning Outcomes for Biomedical Engineering (B.S.)

An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factor
An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Annual Student Enrollment and Graduation Data for Biomedical Engineering, B.S. For additional questions, contact the Department of Biomedical Engineering at: 605-275-7474.

Program Educational Objectives

Our Biomedical Engineering undergraduate program prepares our students to have successful careers in biomedical areas of medicine, industry, government, academia, and entrepreneurship.

Our graduates will be successful in biomedical engineering roles in industry, government, or healthcare, completing advanced education programs (graduate/law/medical school), or have successfully started their business in the biomedical engineering field.
Our graduates will leverage their laboratory experience, knowledge of fundamental engineering principles, experimental design methods, data analysis tools, and effective teamwork strategies to develop technologies and solve problems in their chosen profession.
Our graduates will continue to pursue new knowledge, awareness, and technical and leadership skills, embracing continuing education to help them understand and solve relevant biomedical engineering challenges.
Our graduates will understand and apply professional and ethical standards and develop a sense of social and moral responsibility in their careers.