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Biomaterials Certificate Program

Program Description

The Biomaterials Certificate Program is designed to build competency in the development and use of materials for biomedical applications. The program reviews the wide range of available materials, syntheses, characterization methods, fabrication techniques, in vivo and in vitro medical devices, advantages, limitations, and their outlook for the future.

The Biomaterials Certificate Program is composed of the following four courses:

Polymer Science Fundamentals

Polymer Science Fundamentals is a course that investigates these natural and man-made materials. We explore how these materials are synthesized, evaluated, and their commercial applications. We also review important properties that these materials possess, including their molecular, physical, chemical, thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties.

Biomedical Polymers

Biomedical Polymers is a course that provides the most recent development of biomedical polymers and their applications and covers a variety of biomedical areas such as in cardiovascular, dental, orthopedic, ophthalmologic and wound healing research. We will investigate polymer biocompatibility, absorption in the body, advantages relative to conventional materials, and any issues they may possess.

Biomedical Nanotechnology

Biomedical Nanotechnology is a course that investigates key areas in which nanotechnology can benefit biomedical applications, understanding of nanomaterials for various biomedical applications, wet and dry nanotechnology, and basics of nanofabrication. This course also introduces applications such as drug delivery, imaging and diagnostics, and tissue regeneration and engineering.

Fundamentals of Biotechnology

Fundamentals of Biotechnology is a course that examines biotechnology, such as medical processes (i.e. getting organisms to produce new drugs, or using stem cells to regenerate damaged human tissues and perhaps re-grow entire organs) and industrial processes (i.e. production of new chemicals or the development of new fuels for vehicles). Other applications involve the improvement of agriculture, which involves such processes as the development of pest-resistant grains or the accelerated evolution of disease-resistant animals.

Certificate Outcome

After completion of the Biomaterials Certificate Program, students will be equipped with a basic understanding of the following:

• General polymer fundamentals

• Test methodologies

• Medical devices

• Biotechnology

• Materials suited for in vivo and in vitro applications

• Degradable, non degradable, and natural polymers

• Nanotechnology

• Fabrication techniques

• Advantages and limitations

• Outlook for the future

Recommended Prerequisites

• A basic understanding of general chemistry is recommended but not required.

Assessment

Students will need to complete the above four courses