1. program

Courses

This program supports trainees from seven graduate degree programs and augments their PhD programs with training in quantitative bioscience methods, engineering models and devices, and multi-disciplinary cross-training to develop and apply quantitative approaches to problems in mechanobiology.

Over the course of two years, trainees will be expected to take BIOE 211 (Quantitative Experiments) and BIOE 258 / ME 258 / BMSE 258 (Methods in Mechanobiology and Biofabrication, and Qualitative Experiments) in addition to BIOE 101 (Responsible Conduct of Research training). Trainees are also expected to enroll in the one-unit seminars, BIOE 225 and BIOE 230, during their traineeship and to enroll in BIOE 299: Independent Study for each quarter they engage in a research exploration or rotation.

BIOE 211: Quantitative Experiments

Quantitative Experiments will introduce students to the types of data emerging from experimental methods, study design, exploratory data analysis, and quantitative modeling approaches. Participants will learn:

  • How to design an experiment including design considerations and a priori assumptions, including probability and power analysis, sampling noise, design of experiments, mutual information and dimensional reduction
  • How to select appropriate reagents, methods, and controls and null hypothesis.
  • How to analyze data and test hypotheses quantitatively and rigorously, including how to analyze data and test hypotheses using statistics.
  • How to examine the rigor of prior research through the review literature having good and bad
  • Experimental or statistical design. How to build a model including ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations, linearization, and dimensional analysis.
BIOE 258: Methods in Mechanobiology and Biofabrication  

Cell mechanobiology topics including cell structure, mechanical models, and chemo-mechanical signaling. Review and apply methods for controlling and analyzing the biomechanics of cells using traction force microscopy, AFM, micropatterning and cell stimulation. Practice and theory for the design and application of methods for quantitative cell mechanobiology. Weekly lecture and hands-on laboratory sessions. Final project in the form of a research proposal.

Formerly ME258/BMSE 258

BIOE 201: Responsible Conduct of Research 

The responsible conduct of research (RCR) is essential to good science. Examples of goals of RCR education and training are to: Develop, foster, and maintain a culture of integrity in science; discourage and prevent unethical conduct; empower researchers to hold themselves and others accountable to high ethical standards; increase knowledge of, and sensitivity to, ethical issues surrounding the conduct of research by researchers with diverse backgrounds; improve the ability to make responsible choices when faced with ethical dilemmas involving research; provide an appreciation for the range of accepted scientific practices for conducting research; inform scientists and research trainees about the regulations, policies, and statutes.

Formerly BIOE 101