Four-Year Curriculum
Curriculum Policy
Students learn Fundamental Mathematics, Mechanics, Chemistry, Basics of Biology, as fundamental subjects. In the first and second years, students learn Applied Mathematics, Electromagnetism, Computer Programming, Introduction to Clinical Medicine, as specialized fundamental subjects related to principles and structures of various medical devices and diagnostic equipment.In the second and third years, students learn Biomedical Photonics, Medical Ultrasonics, Biomedical Devices, Biomedical Mechatronics, as subjects related to medical applications. Students acquire not only methods of experimental verification but also a flexible mindset and practical skills by working on interdisciplinary experimental themes through Fundamental Experiment of Engineering and Experiment of Biomedical Engineering in their first and second years. In the later part of their third and fourth year, students perform research in a wide range of biomedical engineering fields by working on a Graduation Thesis with a graduate supervisor.
Four-Year Curriculum
Curriculum Table
Diploma Policy
The Department of Biomedical Engineering awards a bachelor's degree in accordance to the following policies.
- Students shall acquire basic academic skills and knowledge with regard to Physics, Electronics and Information Technology for measurement and diagnostic technologies in modern medical care.
- Students shall learn the ability to understand biomedical-related engineering technology comprehensively on the basis of acquiring basic academic skills and knowledge.
- Students shall understand diverse and complicated medical needs and acquire the ability to carry out research and development on innovative biomedical engineering technologies, while adopting their flexible thinking not restricted to conventional academic disciplines.
- Students shall acquire the ability to mediate between Engineering, Biology and Medicine; and learn communication skills and knowledge to contribute to the development of Biomedical Engineering Technology in the global community.
Course Descriptions
Specialized fundamental subjects
Common Subjects of Faculty of Engineering
Linear Algebra Ⅰ (Year 1, 1st Semester) The abstraction of modern mathematics is to unify the various common ideas in each field of mathematics. Linear algebra is the first step of its abstraction. The expected Learning is (1) to do calculations of matrix, (2) to solve simultaneous equations by the sweeping-out method, and (3) to do calculations of determinant freely. （↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Linear Algebra II (Year 1, 3rd Semester) In this course, the notion of vector spaces and linear maps are introduced. More specifically, we will first learn basic properties of vector spaces and their bases. Then, we will also introduce the definition of linear maps and observe the relation between linear maps and matrices. In particular, the properties of a change of basis will be investigated. Finally, we will learn about eigenvalues and eigenvectors of matrices and their applications.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Calculus I (Year 1, 1st Semester) In this course, we will learn the differentiations and the integrations of various functions with one variable, and their properties. We will practice advanced computations in this course rather than in high schools. The goals of this course are (1) to understand how to calculate extreme maximal and minimum values of functions, and (2) to master basic methods of the differentiations and the integrations of various functions. （↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Calculus II (Year 1, 3rd Semester) Calculus provides indispensable tools to analyze various mathematical changes appearing in natural and social phenomena. In this course, we will learn about differentiation and integration of multivariable functions, such as partial differentiations, criteria of local maxima and minima, double and triple integrations, volumes of solids, line integrations and series. Various computations will be practiced with drawing diagrams. （↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Fundamental subjects of Department of Biomedical Engineering
Introduction to Clinical Medicine (Year 1, 1st Semester) In order to foster engineers who contribute to the development of medical technology, it is necessary to understand the characteristics of various departments, the actual medical facilities, and the medical technology that is needed. Multiple medical professionals from hospitals and medical faculties are invited to understand the outline of each department and medical field. This lecture has the firsthand experiences on medical and clinical field to diagnose patients, and will describe some requirements from various medical fields. The expected Learning is to understand the characteristics of each department, conventional medical technology and medical devices, and the problems and needs of each medical department. （↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Physiology (Year 1, 3rd Semester) Physiology is the foundation of medical practice. Therefore, a firm grasp of its principles is essential for the medical student, the practicing physician and also the engineer who develop the medical technology. We learn the basic knowledge of the mechanisms of various life phenomena in the human body. Students need to understand the normal function of human body and to be able to explain how they are regulated and integrated.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Biology (Year 2, 3rd Semester) For students not major in biological or chemical engineering, the series of lectures on Biology is purposed to give a general view point of "WHAT IS THE LIFE?", which deals with the introduction to biology, the genetics, molecular biology, bio-energetics (respiration and photo-synthesis), and characteristics of biological behavior as a non-equilibrium open system. Biology is a fundamental and indispensable science for engineers and researchers in various fields. The aim of this series is that students in non-biological courses will become able to feel familiar with biology and to imagine the real biological systems by overviewing bio-science.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Biomedical Engineering I (Year 2, 3rd Semester) The purpose of this subject is to learn basic knowledge of medical science and engineering for understanding various medical devices, their principles, usages, and safeties. Therefore, it is a required subject for students learning biomedical engineering. Learners who successfully complete this course will be able to understand physiological and physical properties of the human body; the basics of biomedical engineering; essential principles of safety and performance of medical devices.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Mathematical Statistics (Year 2, 1st Semester) Mathematical statistics is the study of giving some methods for estimating the nature of general populations rationally from experimental data and measurements. In this course, basic concepts (such as, probability distribution, mean, variance, standard deviation, and random sample) and representative methods of statistical inferences (such as, point estimation, interval estimation, and hypothesis testing) will be learned.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Introduction to Chemistry (Year 1, 1st Semester) This course is one of the introductions to Engineering World involving Biomedical Engineering. Every engineering deals with materials. The nature of life is understood in the framework of material science. Chemistry is a powerful theory to classify systematically a tremendous amount of knowledge on the material world. For the students who are not major in chemistry, the series of lectures show the typical topics of chemistry by including a number of physical viewpoints at chemical phenomena. We aim to have an ability of thinking chemical phenomena, not just to put chemical terminologies into your memory. So it is indispensable to participate in every class, to listen to the lecture, and to try to understand it.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Basics of Biology (Year 1, 1st Semester) This course includes lectures on the basics of biology for first-year students who have not taken biology in high school. These lectures are intended to prepare students for other courses in biology offered by this department. In biological systems, there are different hierarchies of scale: from tiny molecules to small cells and to tissues and organs. Observing organisms at these different scales forms the basis of biology. In this course, the goal is to capture a comprehensive picture of biology through photographs, illustrations, and movies that can help explain each level of the hierarchy.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Mechanics (Year 1, 3rd Semester) This course will address various mechanical behaviors based on Newton’s laws of motion. The topics covered are basic mechanics, two-dimensional translational motion of a particle like orbital motions of the planets, and translational/rotational motions of a rigid body. In addition to the classical mechanics, the students will learn the basic concept underlying the analytical mechanics.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Introduction to Electromagnetism (Year 1, 3rd Semester) The aim of this course is to provide you the essential knowledge of electromagnetism required in the field of bio-medical engineering. We will focus on understanding the fundamentals of electromagnetic phenomena, rather than just memorizing equations or solving problems in the textbook.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Electromagnetism and its applications (Year 2, 1st Semester) Electromagnetism is one of the basic knowledges required for conducting research in science and technology. In this lecture, the goal is to understand the basic concept of electromagnetism and to be able to apply it to actual problems in biomedical engineering. Based on “Electromagnetism” learned in the first year, the essence of electric and magnetic phenomena including material properties will be described. In this lecture, classes and exercises will be conducted while discussing the relationship between electromagnetism and biomedical engineering.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Physics of Continuous Media (Year 2, 3rd Semester) Ignoring the discreteness of atoms and molecules and regarding the living body as continuous media enable us to understand physical phenomena in the living body such as blood flow and deformation of tissues and cells. The purpose of this course is to learn the basics of “Continuum mechanics” and a technique for capturing the physical phenomena in the living body from a viewpoint of engineering.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (Year 2, 1st Semester) Chemical reaction related to biological function or disease, control of semiconductor related to a sensor, synthesis of a novel material, and etc is based on principle of thermodynamics and statistical physics. The lecture will start from meaning of entropy in both senses of thermodynamics and statistical physics. Based on the definition of entropy, free energy and Boltzmann factors will be derived, and its application to separation between water and oil, surface tension, and adsorption of oxygen related to metabolism or toxicity will be discussed.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Quantum Mechanics (Year 2, 3rd Semester) Engineers graduated from the department of Biomedical Engineering shall commit, based on their academic background of physical engineering, electronics and electric engineering, and mechanical engineering, to develop frontier medical and diagnosis technologies, where the theoretical foundation of the physics of microscopic particles and materials, namely Quantum Mechanics, is indispensable. It is because the technologies in this field are based on the understanding of the chemical, dynamic, and electronic transition-behaviors of microscopic matters, such as bio-molecules and cells. Quantum Mechanics is one of the theories in physics. Based on the particle/wave duality and uncertainty lying beneath the material properties, the Quantum Mechanics explains microscopic physical phenomena, which are difficult to understand in the framework of the classical theories. The present series of lecture aims you to become able to understand the above mentioned behaviors through solving the fundamental equation in quantum mechanics, i.e., the Schrodinger equation, for typical and simple cases of microscopic problems in one- through three-dimensional systems.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Physics of wave phenomena (Year 2, 3rd Semester) In modern medical technology, various wave phenomena such as sound waves, radio waves, and light are used. In this lecture, the goal is to learn the fundamentals of wave phenomena in various physical systems. First, the concept of the reference mode of vibration and the superposition of the modes will be described for a mechanical spring model. Next, we extend to the continuum and explain the introduction of the wave equation, the properties of the waves, and the Fourier transform. In this lecture, classes and exercises will be conducted while introducing the relationship between vibration and wave phenomena and biomedical engineering.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Computer Programming I and Practices (Year 1, 1st Semester) The use of computer is essential for modern science and technology. Programming is basic skill for today's researchers and engineers. In this lecture, students learn C language which is generally used for computer simulations and controls of experimental systems. Recently, Python language is rapidly becoming very popular because it is used as the standard language for AI programming. This lecture also teaches Python language.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Computer Programming II and Practices (Year 2, 1st Semester) Programming is an essential skill for researchers and engineers to perform data analysis, numerical simulation, and equipment control. In this course, students develop the basic programming techniques acquired in "Computer Programming I and Practices" and learn advanced techniques for data processing, numerical simulation, and image processing required in Biomedical Engineering.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Electrical Circuit (Year 2, 1st Semester) Electrical circuits, which modern instruments for biomedical measurements do not work without, is one of the subjects that should be learned by all students who are willing to develop these instruments in the future. The aim of this course is to learn direct- and alternating-current circuits composed of resisters, capacitors, and inductors, and become able to calculate the circuit response.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Electronic Circuit (Year 2, 3rd Semester) As a required subject in the curriculum of applied physics, this lecture provides solid state physics, semiconductor physics and devices. Based on them, we will study Analog and Digital electronic circuits. Students are expected to understand the basic concepts of solid state physics, semiconductor physics and devices, and apply those knowledges to Analog and Digital electronic circuits.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Specialized subjects
Measurement and Control (Year 2, 3rd Semester) In advanced medical care, various tools and instruments are used to diagnose physical/mental conditions of patients. However, no tool or instrument is error-free. In this course, students will learn basics of instrumentation engineering. The focus will be placed on treatment of errors and least-squares estimation to obtain as much results as possible from erroneous measurements. Recently, operation of medical instruments and apparatus are often automated. Advances in robotics technologies are accelerating this trend. Therefore, students will also learn in this course the basics of control engineering. The focus will be placed on feedback control and state equations.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Medical Image Processing (Year 2, 3rd Semester) Learning Image information engineering. The expected Learning is to understand image input/output equipment, image processing, pattern recognition, and image compression.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (Year 2, 3rd Semester) Recently, there is remarkable developments on the artificial intelligence (AI) and its application to the medical field is rapidly expanding. This lecture gives the basic concepts of AI based on the deep neural network and also the explanations about the latest AI techniques. After learning Python, several famous AI algorithms are learned. The usage of the recent AI libraries is also learned.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Science English Seminar (Year2, 1st Semester) As many results of science and technology are reported and discussed, English is the common language of the world. In order to properly understand the current trend and present their own results, students will acquire accurate English expressions about science and technology.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Immunology (Year2, 1st Semester) As a required subject in the curriculum of biomedical engineering, this lecture provides innate immunity and acquired immunity using immune cells. Based on them, we also study allergy and infectious disease. Students are expected to understand the basic concepts of biological defense mechanisms based on innate immunity and acquired immunity and also understand types of allergies and infectious disease.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Basics of Clinical Medicine I (Year2, 1st Semester) In this lecture, the lecturers will explain the knowledge of medicine that it is necessary in the medical field as a medical engineer, which is based on the assumption that the students are already learned "Clinical Medicine Basics" and "Physiology". In this lecture, the mechanisms of vision, hearing, and smelling and the pathogenesis of them are explained from the viewpoint of a human as sensory devices.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Basics of Clinical Medicine II (Year2, 3rd Semester) In this lecture, the lecturers will explain the knowledge of medicine that it is necessary in the medical field as a medical engineer, which is based on the assumption that the students are already learned "Clinical Medicine Basics" and "Physiology". In this lecture, the functions of heart, lung, liver and motor system and the pathogenesis of them are explained from the viewpoint of a human as mechanical devices.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Biochemistry (Year2, 3rd Semester) Biochemical reactions are elementary processes of life phenomena, and biological activities are established by the complex intertwining of those reactions. In this course, students will learn the structure and function of various substances that make up living organisms and the reaction mechanisms for maintenance of homeostasis. The purpose of this course is to learn the basics of biochemistry as one of the foundations that support to understand the complex and diverse needs in medical fields and to solve research issues related to biomedical engineering.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Special Seminar I (Year1, 1st Semester) Students enrolled in the SAIL entrance examination will be allowed to experience research activities in the laboratory. Students participate in seminars and discussion to have experiences which is not able to experience in the classroom.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Special Seminar II (Year2, 1st Semester) Students enrolled in the SAIL entrance examination will be allowed to experience research activities in the laboratory. Students participate in seminars and discussion to have experiences which is not able to experience in the classroom.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Experiment of Biomedical Engineering I (Year2, 3rd Semester) This course is one of the specialized courses in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. The students must complete this course as this is compulsory. This laboratory course consists of 6 subjects, each of which takes 4 weeks to complete. Students are divided into 6 groups. Each student will take 3 subjects in this course and the rest in Experiment of Biomedical Engineering II. Students are requested to submit a report after finishing each subject. After finishing the first subject, the lecture will be given on how to write reports. The students are requested to give a presentation on the last subject taken in this course.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Special Experiment of Biomedical Engineering I (Year4, 1st Semester) To foster a broad perspective and creative thinking skills, and to improve bachelors thesis, expetiments and discussions on experimental procedures, interpretation and analysis of experimental results are conducted.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Special Experiment of Biomedical Engineering II (Year4, 3rd Semester) To foster a broad perspective and creative thinking skills, and to improve bachelors thesis, expetiments and discussions on experimental procedures, interpretation and analysis of experimental results are conducted.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）
Graduation Thesis (Year4, 1st and 3rd Semesters) Students belong to one of the research laboratory of the department of biomedical Engineering. They will conduct each research topic and submit bachelors thesis under the guidance of their supervisor and give the midterm presentation in September. Final presentation will be held in February.（↑Back to Curriculum Table）