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New applied biology and biomedical engineering department created
Increased student and faculty interest in technology-related medical breakthroughs has
resulted in the development of a new Department of Applied Biology and Biomedical
Engineering at Rose-Hulman.
The department will coordinate programs related to undergraduate minors in applied
biology, and biomedical engineering that were started two years ago, according to Lee
Waite, department chair and associate professor of mechanical and biomedical engineering.
Waite will also oversee the master of science degree program in biomedical engineering
which was reactivated in 1993. Rose-Hulman awarded degrees in bioengineering for several
years before the program became inactive in the late 1970s.
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“An increasing number of developments in health care are linked to
biomedical engineering and that trend has heightened student interest in the field,”
Waite said.
“The positive impact engineering is having on medicine will continue to increase in
the future. Our students view this as another example of how engineers can improve a
person’s life,” Waite stated.
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Nearly 50 students are pursuing one of the two minors. Waite says 15 graduate students
are enrolled in the biomedical engineering degree program.
He also serves as the liaison between Rose-Hulman and the Indiana University School of
Medicine regarding a joint MS/MD program that was launched two years ago. The
collaborative program enables students admitted to the IU medical school to interrupt
their studies for about a year to earn a master’s degree in biomedical engineering at
Rose-Hulman.
“For some students, their interest in biomedical engineering is related to the
experiences of a family member,” Waite said.
As an example, junior Kara Walker said the medical treatment her grandfather received
influenced her decision to minor in biomedical engineering.
“Looking back on it, I think that a lot of it had to do with my grandfather getting
both knees replaced with artificial ones,” recalled the mechanical engineering major
from Troy, Mich. “To me, it was a marvel to see how much better he could get
around.”
The applied biology and biomedical engineering courses are taught by faculty from various
departments. Currently, only Waite and Assistant Professor Richard Anthony are assigned
solely to the new department.
Waite says the creation of a bachelor’s degree program in biology is a short-term
goal.
“”I believe we’ll have steady enrollment growth in the program,” he
stated.
“The new department will be a spring- board to provide enough time to develop goals
and plan how to best create a new degree program, said Waite.
— by David Piker
 
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