Conference Announcement

Biomedical Engineering breaks through!

Days of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering
31 October - 2 November 2001

Biomedical Engineering Education in Europe
31 October - 1 November 2001

In vivo Imaging
2 November 2001

Eindhoven University of Technology
Eindhoven, the Netherlands


On the occasion of the ninth luster of the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) the Days of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering will be held on October 31, and November 1-2, 2001. A one-and-a-half-day symposium will take place entitled Biomedical Engineering Education in Europe, followed by a one-day symposium devoted to in vivo imaging.

The symposium entitled Biomedical Engineering Education in Europe has been organised with a number of goals in mind:

  • to create awareness of the importance of a good definition of the educational field of biomedical engineering and the abilities of a biomedical engineer. With the new Bachelor/Master programs in development, it is important to obtain an accreditation for biomedical engineering that guarantees good quality education, while preserving and stimulating diversity of programs.
  • to discuss the importance of internationalisation of education. It should be possible to complete a Master [or part thereof] at another university to the one where the Bachelor degree was taken.
  • to discuss various educational methods for biomedical engineering; to bring together books and other teaching materials. Internationalisation demands communication through the internet; to assess the importance of a co-operation in the development of [internet-based] learning materials.
  • to provide the opportunity for directors of biomedical engineering programs [already existing or in development] to meet each other.
  • to work towards the development of a european platform for (under) graduate curricula in biomedical engineering. It is important that biomedical engineering in Europe has one voice.

The Biomedical Engineering Educational Summit, organised by The Whitaker Foundation, which was held in Lansdowne, VA, USA, from 7-10 December 2000, inspired the program of the meeting. This meeting used the following Biomedical Engineering Curriculum Philosophy:

  • A thorough understanding of the life sciences, with the life sciences as a critical component of the curriculum.
  • Mastery of advanced engineering tools and approaches.
  • Familiarity with the unique problems of making and interpreting quantitative measurements in living systems.
  • The ability to use modelling techniques as a tool for integrating knowledge.
  • The ability to formulate and solve problems with medical relevance, including the design of devices, systems, and processes to improve human health.

It should be recognised that different needs call for different methods.

Contact
Prof. Dr. Dick Slaaf
Email: DW.Slaaf@BF.UNIMAAS.NL
Website: www.bmt.tue.nl