Introduction to Bioengineering course MIT Session #1

            The introduction of the Online Course by MIT consisted of discussions concerning the components of engineering, science and technology as well as career paths and industries fr Biomedical Engineers. The instructor providing the lessons is Professor Douglas A. Lauffenburger, which is the co-director of the Division of Bioengineering and Environmental Health.  
        As Professor Lauffenburger states, engineering consists of 3 main components, which are: analysis, synthesis and design. Analysis is the act of studying systems in order to understand their function. While synthesis is the practical building of these systems under the process of analysis. When contributed together, both of these processes cooperate to the main goal of engineering. Lauffenburger later gives a lucid explanation on the interaction of several branches of science and their role on the several disciplines of Engineering. Lauffenburger  states that all engineering paths are based on a specific area of science, further explained by the various examples given, such as; Physics serving as a basis for civil,Mechanical and Electrical engineering or Chemistry as the basis for nuclear and chemical engineering.
        Lauffenburger states that the discipline of Biological and biomedical engineering is so broad that several of the engineering disciplines can focus on improving health and biological materials. At one end is biotechnology where it applies to diverse industries and to the development of health-related devices and pharmaceuticals. While another industry includes biomedical engineering, generally used in the health care setting.
           Another important aspect regarding the evolution of Biomedical engineering is mentioned in the first session of the MIT course. Biomedial engineering emerged around 50 years ago, at that time BM Engineers did not require much knowledge on biology due to the fact that Biology was not able to reach the means of analysis ans ynthesis aproach of engineering. Untill recently though, the the production of several imaging technologies for diagnosis requires mostly on physics  and the design of of replacement organs and limbs require knowledge on mechanics and material sciences.