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BACHELOR OF SCIENCEMASTER OF SCIENCE

DOCTORAL PROGRAMS

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PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

POLITECNICO DI MILANO faculty of engineering Biomedical engineering Programs

studesk 2via golgi 42, 20133 milano tel: +39 02 2399 2562 - fax: +39 02 2399 2564 email: studesk2@polimi.it

further details are provided in www.biomed.polim.it

POLITECNICO DI MILANO faculty of engineering

BIOENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

MASTER OF SCIENCE

DOCTORAL PROGRAMS

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

MASTER OF SCIENCE

DOCTORAL PROGRAMS

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The Italian Education Systemthe recent project to reform the italian university system has introduced some im-portant innovations in the organization of the academic study courses, implementing the decisions taken by eu ministers in Bologna in 1998. students can apply to italian universities only if they have an educational qualification that allows them to enroll. this qualification of secondary education has to be awarded after a study period of at least 12 years. if the educational qualification has been awarded in less than 12 years, it has to be accompanied by the academic certification of the examinations taken or a post-secondary title to compensate for any missing years of secondary education.

The Credit System (ECTS)the european credit transfer system is used by universities to evaluate and measure the workload teaching hours and the higher education effort of every single course. credits also measure the student workload which is required to pass the examination and include class attendance, classwork, laboratory work and individual study. it is also possible to obtain credits for other training courses, or project works or theses, internships, foreign languages, basic computing skills, training in communication and public relations and group work. one credit corresponds to a workload of about 25 hours and the yearly workload for an average study course corresponds to about 60 credits. each subject is assigned a number of credits which the student obtains when he passes the final examination. exams are graded using a grading scale of 30, where 18 is the minimum passing grade and 30 cum laude the highest grade.

Studesks studesks (student desk) are reference units of the international exchange office for incoming and outgoing students, in the framework of an exchange programme. Before, during and after their stay at the Politecnico di milano, incoming students can contact their studesk (for Biomedical engineering Program studesk 2). this office will provide information about accommodation, stay permit, health insurance and anything concer-ning their life at the Politecnico di milano.

University Education StagesHigher education in italy is organized in four different stages:Bachelor of science - B.sc. (“laurea”) master of science - m.sc. (“laurea magistrale”) specializing master - (“master universitario”) doctoral Program - Ph.d. (“dottorato di ricerca”)

Bachelor of Science - B.Sc. (“Laurea”) the Bachelor of science is an undergraduate degree obtained after a three-year course of study and aims to provide a solid foundation in the core scientific subjects as well as more specialized, professional training. during the third year, the student is expected to acquire work experience by doing an internship at a company. once student obtains the B.sc. degree, he can either directly enter the job market or continue his studies by the applying to the master of science. Master of Science - M.Sc. (“Laurea Magistrale”) the master of science is awarded after two more years of study and aims to provide rigorous, advanced training in more highly specialized areas. those who already have a B.sc. in a different field or have attended a vocational school and want to obtain a m.sc. certificate must first obtain the necessary credits. it is important to note that some specific study courses in italy continue to be five-year courses in order to com-ply with eu regulations and to obtain official recognition.

Specializing Master - (“Master Universitario”) the specializing masters programs can be enrolled in either after the B.sc. or after the m.sc. (for more advanced courses) and usually last for one year. they are focused on specific topics and they are aimed at providing practical professional skills to wor-king people willing to upgrade their competence. the programs could be both on a full-time basis and on a part-time basis for those who plan to keep working for their companies.

Doctoral Program - Ph.D. (“Dottorato di Ricerca”) the Phd is awarded after three additional years of study and aims to develop the professional competence to carry out high level research in manufacturing and service companies, public bodies and universities. in order to enter a doctoral Program a candidate must have achieved the master of science degree or an equivalent graduate degree.

EDUCATIONAL

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UNDERGRADUATE COURSES

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1st year

COURSE ECTS SEM

mathematical analysis i and geometry 10 1

experimental physics a, thermodynamics, and heat transfer 10 1

fundamentals of chemistry and organic chemistry 10 1

mathematical analysis ii (for biomedical engineering) 7 2

fundamentals of electromagnetism 10 2

Biology and physiology 10 2

rational mechanics a 5 2

2nd year

COURSE ECTS SEM

mechanics of continua and structures 8 1

fundamentals of automatic control 7 1

Principles of electrical circuits and application 8 1

applied mechanics and design 7 1

computer science and elements of medical informatics [ci] 10 2

electronics 10 2

Basics of statistics and biomedical signals [ci] 10 2

3rd year

COURSE ECTS SEM

chemical bioengineering [ci] 10 1

Biomechanics 10 1

Bioelettromagnetism and biomedical instrumentation [ci] 10 1

Business administration 5 2

course from master degree Basic courses 10 -

internship 10 2

introduction to numerical methods+ 1 Project among:• Project in chemical bio-engineering• Project in bio-mechanics and bio-machines• Project in signals, imaging, informatics• Project in instrumentation and functional assessment

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FINAL EXAMINATION (BIO LP) 3 1-2

FIRST LEVEL DEGREE (BAChELOR)

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COURSE PROGRAMS: 1ST YEAR

MAThEMATICAL ANALYSIS I AND GEOMETRY [Credits:10]Basics of logic and set theory. integer, ra-tional, real, complex numbers. Planar and spatial vectors; straight lines and planes. matrices and determinants; methods for solving linear systems; eigenvalues and ei-genvectors. sequences. real functions of one real variable: limits, continuity, deriva-tive and differential, monotone and con-vex functions, maxima and minima, tay-lor’s formula. the riemann integral and integration methods.

EXPERIMENTAL PhYSICS A, ThERMODYNAMICS, AND hEAT TRANSFER.[Credits:10]experimental Physics a - Physical quan-tities. dimensions, unit of measurement. Vector operations. Kinematics. reference frames, one dimensional motion; free fall motion; periodic motions. dynamics. dy-namics principles. fundamental interac-tions. examples. Work and energy. Kinetic energy theorem; conservative forces and potential energy. free, damped and forced harmonic oscillator. many particle systems. impulsive forces and collisions. theorems of the centre of mass. gravitation. Planets motion and Keplero’s laws; netwon’s gra-vitation law. thermodynamics and Heat transfer - ther-modynamics principles. thermodynamic systems and properties. internal energy and entropy. Homogeneous and hetero-geneous systems. applied thermodynami-cs. control volume. mass, energy and en-

tropy balances. main plant components. Psychrometry and air-conditioning proces-ses. conduction. fourier’s law. thermal re-sistance. transient conduction (elements). convection. forced and free convection. dimensionless groups and experimental correlations. radiation. thermal radiation. fundamentals radiation laws. surface ra-diative properties.

FUNDAMENTALS OF ChEMISTRY AND ORGANIC ChEMISTRY [Credits:10]Basic concepts: elements and compounds, chemical formulae, mole, stoichiometry. the atom, the electronic structure and the periodic system. the chemical bond and the intermolecular forces. states of matter. colligative properties of solutions. chemical thermodynamics. enthalpy, entropy and gibbs free energy state fun-ctions. chemical kinetics. acids, bases, and pH. red-ox reactions. electrochemical cells.

UNDERGRADUATE COURSES

Bachelor of Science - Biomedical Engineering the biomedical engineering graduate integrates an engineering preparation to a know-ledge of medical and biological applications and can operate in the following fields: management of devices and systems in the hospital; development and production of medical devices and systems; technical and commercial assistance to biomedical products; technical consulting in the biomedical field. this course requires a full time attendance and involves classroom and laboratory activities 180 credits are required to obtain the bachelor degree (first level). a typical program includes: basic courses (math, statistics, informatics, physics, chemistry), 60 ects; biology and physiology, 10 ects; engineering (materials, mechanics, electrical and electronic eng., automation, mana-gement eng.), 47 ects; bioengineering (biomaterials, biomechanics, bioelectronics), 35 ects; electives (either engineering or bioengineering) 10 ects; foreign languages, stage and thesis, 18 ects. (the minimum requirements of both information (class 09) and industrial (class 10) engineering are fulfilled; nonetheless, a moderate specialization is allowed in the third year).

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carbon and its compounds. nomenclature, properties, synthesis and reactivity of the following groups of organic compounds: alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, aro-matic compounds, alcohols, thiols, ethers, epoxides, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and derivatives, amines. stereoiso-merism and chirality. Biological activity of chiral compounds. Polymers. lipids. carbo-hydrates. aminoacids and proteins.

MAThEMATICAL ANALYSIS II (FOR BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING) [Credits:7]linear differential equations: 1st order li-near equations, 2nd order linear equations with constant coefficients, superposition principle, general solution, cauchy problem. series: convergent and divergent series, se-ries of positive terms, convergence tests, taylor’s series on real field, fourier series, differentiation and integration of series. functions of several variables: continuity, gradient, differentiability and linear appro-ximation, higher order derivatives, taylor’s formula; free maxima and minima. multi-ple integrals: properties and applications, iterated integrals, change of variables. cur-ves in the space: regularity, tangent straight line, normal plane. line integrals : length of a curve, work of a vector field, con-servative vector fields, potential function.

FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTROMAGNETISM [Credits:10]the coulomb’s law and the electrosta-tic field. the electrostatic potential. the

gauss’s law. Properties of electrical con-ductors and the electrostatic screen. ener-gy of the electrostatic field. dielectric materials. P and d vectors. electric current and ohm’s law. the magnetic field and its properties. laplace’s and ampe’re’s laws. magnetic materials. faraday’s law for the electromagnetic induction. self and mu-tual inductance. energy of the magnetic field. displacement current and maxwell-faraday’s law. maxwell’s equations. electro-magnetic waves. the energy balance and the Poynting’s law. the electrodynamic potentials and the gauge invariance. op-tical phenomena: dispersion, absorption, diffraction and interference. elements of geometrical optics.

BIOLOGY AND PhYSIOLOGY [Credits:10]functional cell organization and home-ostasis, protein synthesis, mithosis, cell energetics, carbohydrate, lipid and protein methabolism. fundamentals of tissue and organ structure. neurophysiology of ex-citable cells, resting membrane potential, passive and active properties, conduc-tion in nerve fibers, sensory receptors and neural encoding, synaptic transmission, contractility, skeletal muscle mechanics, motor units, emg, spinal cord, motor and sensory pathways, vestibular system and postural control, cortico-spinal systems, cerebellum and basal ganglia, cortical sen-sory areas, visual and auditory systems, eeg, evoked potentials, wake-sleep cycle, associative cortices, language and domi-nance, autonomic nervous system, body

temperature regulation. the heart as a pump, intrinsic control mechanisms, ecg, principles of hemodynamics, arterial, ca-pillary, lymphatic and venous circulation, neural and chemical control of circulation. mechanics of respiration, gas exchanges of the atmosphere with the lung and blo-od, transport of oxigen, carbon dioxide and inert gases by the blood, neural and chemical control of respiration. Volume and composition of body fluids, glome-rular and tubular mechanisms of urine formation, kidney circulation, clearance, control of osmolarity, volume and pH of body fluids. digestive system. Hormones. RATIONAL MEChANICS A [Credits:5]1.Vectors. 2. Kinematics. degrees of free-

dom and free coordinates. infinitesimal displacements. motion of points and sy-stems. Velocity field field for a rigid body and for a constrained system. relative ki-nematics. 3. statics. equilibrium of points and systems; reaction forces; friction. equivalent systems of forces. center of gravity. statics of free and constrained rigid bodies. cardinal equations. articula-ted systems. equilibrium of linear conti-nuous systems: strings, rods. 4. dynamics. reference frames. fundamental laws of dynamics. Work and energy. mechanical quantities. cardinal equations of dynami-cs. theorem of kinetic energy. dynamical friction. dynamics of free and constrained points and rigid bodies; dynamics of a ri-gid body with a fixed axis. dynamics of systems.

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COURSE PROGRAMS: 2ND YEAR

MEChANICS OF CONTINUA AND STRUCTURES [Credits:8]Kinematics and kinetics of statically deter-mined beam planar structures. mechanics of contiuna. state of stress, state of strain in the continuum. general principles, principle of mass balance, energy balan-ce, principle of virtual work. constitutive equations. isotropic linear elastic mate-rials, newtonian ideal fluids. Potential ela-stic end complementary energy. linear ani-sotropic materials. governing equations of the mechanics of elastic solids. minimum of potential energy. Beams subject to axial load, bending moment, torsion and shear. elastic deformation of beams, differential equations and boundary conditions. non elastic effects (thermal strain and prescri-bed displacements). strength criteria for brittle materials (galileo, de saint Venant). strength criteria for ductile materials (tre-sca, Von mises). strength criteria for ani-sotropic materials. strength criteria for pressure dependent materials. stability of elastic structures under compression (eu-lerian stability). FUNDAMENTALS OF AUTOMATIC CONTROL[Credits:7]signals and systems. continuous time si-gnals in the time domain and in the tran-sforms domain. continuous time systems:

the concept of state, linear systems, la-grange formula, stability, transfer function, frequency response and its graphical re-presentations. discrete time systems:sampling, Z transform, difference equation description and transfer function descrip-tion, first order systems. elements of con-trol theory: nyquist criterion, Bode crite-rion, basics on the design of the controller, Pid controllers.

PRINCIPLES OF ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS AND APPLICATION [Credits:8]the aim of this course is teaching the ba-sic notions and tools of electr(on)ic circuit theory and of the energetical behaviour of electrical and magnetic devices. the topi-cs that are considered are those of classic circuit theory (elementary linear circuit analysis in continuous or sinusoidal ste-

ady state, time domain analysis of linear circuits), but considered also from an ap-plication point of view and using modern circuit analysis tools.topics :1.introduction; 2. resistive one ports and elementary cir-cuits; 3. resistive two ports; 4. general resistive circuits; 5. conservative devices and simple circuits in the time domain; 6. sinusoidal steady state ;7. three-phase cir-cuits; 8. magnetic circuits 9. Principles of electromecanichal conversion

APPLIED MEChANICS AND DESIGN [Credits:7]the aim is to give to the students a tool to schematize and solve problems of me-chanics applied to the bioengineering sy-stems. By means of simple mathematical models the students will learn to translate some mechanical problems into equations and to critically analyze the quality of the results in function of the models parame-

ters. another aim is to teach the student to estimate the actions applied to the mechanical systems and to evaluate resul-ting motion. fundamentals to understand machines working principles and models for studying the dynamics of the machi-nes will be introduced. Basic notion to read and produce technicald drawings of mechanical components of the machines will also be given.

COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ELEMENTSOF MEDICAL INFORMATICS [CI] [Credits:10]the course aims to introduce the fun-damentals of computer science and to present some specific applications in the field of medical informatics that are highly relevant for the education of a Bioengine-er. the elements of computer science of-fered are related to the general basic con-cepts about computer and programming: (1) functional description of a computer, algorithms, programming languages, com-piler, operating systems and networks; (2) information encoding, logical operators, binary encoding of digits and characters. (3) Basics of programming, with reference to the c language: data abstraction, types (array, struct and pointer), execution con-trol (conditional, selection-based, cycle-based); (4) functions as decomposition units of programs; (5) top-down approach to the development; (6) use of parame-ters, local and global variables, recursion; (7) file management. the elements of me-dical informatics, as the first step in the educative path in Biomedical informatics

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and digital Healthcare, will provide the student with aspects of algorithms, data structures and programming, with a par-ticular attention to their application to simple cases of (a) medical taxonomies, (b) standard terminologies for health and (c) digital medical records.

ELECTRONICS [Credits:10]signals - description in both time and fre-quency-domains, electronic circuits and systems. electronic devices - Passive (re-sistance, capacitor, inductor, diode, led, photodiode, zener) and active (mosfet transistor), characteristics and applica-tions. transistor-based linear stages. ana-log electronics - operational amplifier, non idealities, negative feedback. linear and non linear circuits employing opam-ps. examples of circuital design. mixed-signal electronics - sample&Hold and analog multiplexer. digital-to-analog dac and analog-to-digital adc converters: ar-chitectures, errors and spectral analysis, timings. digital electronics - cmos logic gates, static and dynamic characteristics, power dissipation. combinatorial and se-quential components. design methodolo-gies for combinatorial and sequential logic circuits. examples of circuital design.

BASICS OF STATISTICSAND BIOMEDICAL SIGNALS [CI] [Credits:10]the aim of this course is to provide the background and the basic methodologies for biomedical data and signal processing.

examples and applications will provide descriptions according to their principal characteristics, their generation models and the basis of processing procedures.Biomedical statistics – aim: acquainting the student with basic knowledge about statistics, necessary for biomedical en-gineering applications. subjects of the course: data analysis (exploratory me-thods; data summaries; histograms and boxplots); probability (Bayes’ theorem; random variables; moments; correlation and independence; more common proba-bility distributions; law of large numbers and central limit theorem); statistical in-ference (parameter estimation; confidence intervals; hypothesis testing); evaluation of classifiers (sensitivity, specificity, roc graphs); linear regression models. use of a statistical sw package for data analysis.Biomedical signals – introduction to bio-medical signals. Biomedical signals in time domain. Periodicity, stationarity. ergodic processes. signal to noise ratio snr. ac-quisition, sampling, a/d conversion. au-tocorrelation and cross-correlation fun-ctions. frequency analysis: fourier series and transform, discrete fourier transform, fast fourier transfrom. z-transform. digital filters fir and iir: design methods and ap-plications. Wavelet detection and classifi-cation. snr improvement: averaging. spec-tral analysis: energy and power spectra. Periodogram. time/frequency resolution. Parametric models. ar, arX. Parametric spectral estimation. optimal least varian-ce filtering: Wiener and Widrow filters. in-troduction to biomedical images.

COURSE PROGRAMS: 3RD YEAR

ChEMICAL BIOENGINEERING [CI] [Credits:10]the course introduces the main classes of materials used in medicine, their proper-ties and application, and the interaction mechanisms with biological tissues.Biomaterials. main classes of materials used in medicine: metals, polymers, cera-mics and composites. structure-property relationships, processing, mechanical be-haviour. natural materials: structure-pro-perty relationships, processing. surface properties of materials. sterilization and related problems. most important bioma-terials and examples of their use. Biomate-rials and biotechnologies. major analytical techniques applied to biomaterials cha-

racterization and diagnostics.Biocompatibility. interaction mechanisms with physiological systems. defence me-chanisms and restoring phenomena in the human body: healing and remodelling of biological tissues: haemostasis, inflamma-tion, immune response. Biocompatibility, interactions of biomaterials with the hu-man body and phenomena at the interfa-ce. strategies for healing and regeneration of tissues and organs. tissue engineering. structure and properties of the scaffolds. Biotechnological approach and gene the-rapy.

BIOMEChANICS [Credits:10]the course is aimed at providing students with an understanding of biomechanical principles, developing their skills in solving simple biomechanical problems related to biological systems and medical devices. the course develops and applies the me-thods of continuum (solid and fluid) me-chanics and material science to investigate biomechanical phenomena over a range of length that varies from the subcellular le-vel to the organ according to a hierarchical approach which relates the performances of tissue nanostructure to the performan-ces of tissues and organs.

BIOELETTROMAGNETISM AND BIOME-DICAL INSTRUMENTATION [CI] [Credits:10]models and methods for the analysis of membrane potentials. Hodgkin-Huxley model (H-H). impulse propagation and

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conduction in fibres. neuron models and networks. extra-cellular potentials. intro-duction to forward and inverse problem. lead vector. methods for the evaluation of electric and magnetic fields from/in biological tissues at low and high frequen-cy. electrical stimulation of biological sy-stem. magnetic stimulation of the nervous system. study of the biological effects of electromagnetic fields and dosimetry. cli-nical meaning, characteristics and dimen-sionality of biomedical signals. Biomedical instrumentation: definition, characteristics and classification. Biological-technological interfaces and related problems: reliability, safety, signal to noise ratio, interferences. transduction and signal conditioning : amplification, filtering and a/d conver-sion. Biomedical sensors: classification and principles of transduction. force and displacement sensors, pressure and flow transduction. Piezoelectric devices and ul-trasounds. temperature sensors and radia-tion thermometry. optical measurements and related instrumentation.

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Credits:5]course introduces to fundamental know-ledge of management and to organisatio-nal aspects present in the various types of companies that operate in different economic contexts. the principal argu-ments are: fundamentals of management, accounting and financial statements, ma-nagerial accounting, organization theory, strategic management.company and his objiectives, company and environment,

“forme giuridiche d’impresa”. financial sta-tements ( balance sheet and profit and loss statement). Balance sheet ratios. types of costs and costing tecniques. (job order co-sting, operation costing, process costing, activity based costing)strategy: definition and strategic choices. abell and Porter model. Boston matrix (Bcg):design of or-ganizational structures: functional, project, matrix. decisions about investements.

COURSE FROM MASTER DEGREE BASIC COURSES [Credits:10]

INTERNShIPthe internship is an autonomous activity to be developed under the guidance of the host institution supervisor (tutor) and aca-demic supervisor (tutor) intended to verify the education and the design skills develo-ped in the three year bachelor course (lau-rea) also addressing to work. Biomedical engineering topics at the bachelor level are considered to be developed inside an external company, institution or laborato-ry. internship is strongly suggested as final bachelor activity to students not schedu-ling to prosecute to the post-graduate le-vel. it is linked with the final presentation (3 cfu or ects) for a total of 13 cfu, equiva-lent to 325 hours, 300 of which to be spent by the host institution and the rest for the writing of a report and the preparation of the bachelor final presentation.

iNTRODUCTION TO NUMERICAL ME-ThODS [Credits:5]the aim of the course is to illustrate the main numerical methods used in the engi-neering practice. the couse subject inclu-de: numerical approximation methods for nonlinear systems; Polynomial interpola-tion; numerical linear algebra: direct and iterative methods for linear systems; nu-merical integration; numerical methods for ordinary differential equations. algo-rithms and methods will be applied using the matlaB software.

PROjECT IN ChEMICAL BIO-ENGINEERING [Credits:5]aim of the project is to assess skills in ap-plying the three year education to an au-tonomously developed task. importance is also given to interaction capabilities, team work, and result presentation skills. the te-acher assigns a theme and (if necessary) a tutor supervising the work. Periodical brie-fings are held where results are presented to the teacher and to the other students. generally, the project material should per-mit the writing of the final report and the relevant presentation. namely, projects in chemical bioengineering deal with bioma-terials used for the construction of devi-ces for repair or regeneration medicine, the relevant bio-compatibility and body/device interface problems at nano, micro, and macro-scale.

PROjECT IN BIO-MEChANICS AND BIO-MAChINES [Credits:5 ]aim of the project is to assess skills in ap-plying the three year education to an au-tonomously developed task. importance is also given to interaction capabilities, team work, and result presentation skills. the te-acher assigns a theme and (if necessary) a tutor supervising the work. Periodical brie-fings are held where results are presented to the teacher and to the other students. generally, the project material should per-mit the writing of the final report and the relevant presentation. namely, projects in bio-mechanics and bio-machines deal

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with endoprostheses and life-support sy-stems, considering their design aspects, study of structural materials, modelling, functionality.

PROjECT IN SIGNALS, IMAGING, INFORMATICS [Credits:5]aim of the project is to assess skills in ap-plying the three year education to an au-

tonomously developed task. importance is also given to interaction capabilities, team work, and result presentation skills. the te-acher assigns a theme and (if necessary) a tutor supervising the work. Periodical brie-fings are held where results are presented to the teacher and to the other students. generally, the project material should per-mit the writing of the final report and the relevant presentation. namely, projects in

signals, imaging, informatics deal with: dia-gnostic and physiological data, processing development and implementation of pro-cessing methods, parameter extraction, classification, monitoring, biological and medical information processing, and rele-vant management aspects.

PROjECT IN INSTRUMENTATION AND FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT [Credits:5]aim of the project is to assess skills in ap-plying the three year education to an au-tonomously developed task. importance is also given to interaction capabilities, team work, and result presentation skills. the te-acher assigns a theme and (if necessary) a tutor supervising the work. Periodical brie-fings are held where results are presented to the teacher and to the other students. generally, the project material should per-mit the writing of the final report and the

relevant presentation. namely, projects in instrumentation and functional evaluation deal with theoretical and practical aspects of biomedical sensors and instrumentation for the measurements and monitoring of vital parameters, for functional assessment of physiological systems, for therapy and functional support applications.

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POSTGRADUATE COURSES

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1°Year - Clinical Engineering Track

COURSE ECTS SEM

model identification and data mining [c.i.] 12 1

Bioengineering in neuro-sensory systems [c.i.]

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Bioengineering of autonomic control and respiratory systems [c.i.]

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Bioengineering of the motor system -

Health technology assessment (Hta) methodologies -

Hospital plants and safety (higly recommended)

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Biomedical sensors and clinical instrumentation 2

analysis and organization of health systems 2

Biomachines (with laboratory) 2

Biomedical signal processing and medical images 2

medical informatics 2

functional assessment and motor rehabilitation 2

free choice among Base, mod, med, ges, inglm courses 10 1 - 2

SECOND LEVEL DEGREE (MASTER)

2°Year - Clinical Engineering Track

COURSE ECTS SEM

e-health methods and applications

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technologies for motion analysis and virtualization 1

advanced data analysis in medicine and bioinformatics 2

Biomedical images and computer aided surgery methods 2

design of life support systems 2

laboratory of medical informatics and distributed systems

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medical robotics and technologies for computer assisted surgery 1

Biosignal processing lab 1

Biomedical image processing laboratory 2

laboratory of functional evaluation 2

free choice among laB, mod, inglm courses 5 1 - 2

free choice among Base, mod, med, ges, inglm courses 10 1 - 2

final eXamination (Bio lm) 18 1 - 2

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1°Year - Electronic Technologies Track

COURSE ECTS SEM

model identification and data mining [c.i.] 12 1

mathematical and numerical methods in engineering [c.i.] 1

Bioengineering in neuro-sensory systems [c.i.]

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Bioengineering of autonomic control and respiratory systems [c.i.]

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Bioengineering of the motor system 1

Biomedical electronics (higly recommended)

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Biomedical signal processing and medical images 2

Biomedical sensors and clinical instrumentation 2

functional assessment and motor rehabilitation 2

free choice among Base, mod, med, ges, inglm courses 10 1 - 2

SECOND LEVEL DEGREE (MASTER)

2°year - electronic technologies track

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neuroengineering [ci]

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technologies for motion analysis and virtualization 1

Biomedical images and computer aided surgery methods 2

laboratory of electronic technologies and biosensors

5

1 - 2

medical robotics and technologies for computer assisted surgery 1

Biosignal processing lab 1

Biomedical image processing laboratory 2

laboratory of functional evaluation 2

free choice among laB, mod, inglm courses 5 1 - 2

free choice among Base, mod, med, ges, inglm courses 10 1 - 2

FINAL EXAMINATION (BIO LM) 18 1 - 2

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1°Year - Biomechanics and Biomaterial Track

COURSE ECTS SEM

mathematical and numerical methods in engineering [c.i.] 12 1

Bioengineering of autonomic control and respiratory systems [c.i.]

5+5

1

Bioengineering of the motor system 1

mechanics of biological structures 1

Biofluid dynamics 2

Biomechanical design (higly recommended)

10+10+10

1

Biomachines (with laboratory) 2

Biomaterials [c.i.] 2

endoprostheses 2

free choice among Base, mod, med, ges, inglm courses 10 1 - 2

SECOND LEVEL DEGREE (MASTER)

2°Year - Biomechanics and Biomaterial Track

COURSE ECTS SEM

Biomimetics and tissue engineering [c.i.]

10+10

1

Biotechnological applications and bioreactors [c.i.] 2

design of life support systems 2

laboratory of biomaterials + lab. of instrumental analysis [c.i.]

5

1

laboratory of tissue characterisation 1

laboratory of biofluid dynamics 2

computational biomechanics laboratory [c.i.] 2

laboratory of biomechanical design 2

free choice among laB, mod, inglm courses 5 1 - 2

free choice among Base, mod, med, ges, inglm courses 10 1 - 2

FINAL EXAMINATION (BIO LM) 18 1 - 2

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SECOND LEVEL DEGREE (MASTER)

1°Year - Cell and Tissue Engineering and Biotechnologies Track

COURSE ECTS SEM

molecular biology and biotechnology 12 1

Bioengineering of autonomic control and respiratory systems [c.i.]

5+5

1

Bioengineering in neuro-sensory systems [c.i.] 1

mechanics of biological structures 1

Biofluid dynamics 2

cellular bioengineering (higly recommended) 10+10+10

1

Biomachines (with laboratory) 2

Biomaterials [c.i.] 2

Biomedical signal processing and medical images 2

Biomedical electronics 1

free choice among Base, mod, med, ges, inglm courses 10 1 - 2

2°year - cell and tissue engineering and Biotechnologies track

COURSE ECTS SEM

neuroengineering 10+10

1

Biomimetics and tissue engineering 1

advanced data analysis in medicine and bioinformatics

2

Biotechnological applications and bioreactors 2

design of life support systems 2

laboratory of biocompatibility and cell culture + laboratory of micro and nano structures [c.i.]

5 1 - 2

computational biomechanics laboratory [c.i.] 2

Biomolecular modelling laboratory 1

laboratory of biofluid dynamics 2

Proteomics 2

free choice among laB, mod, inglm courses 5 1 - 2

free choice among Base, mod, med, ges, inglm courses 10 1 - 2

final eXamination (Bio lm) 18 1 - 2

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GENERAL COURSES 12 ECTS

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND BIOTEChNOLOGY [C.I.]aim of the course is the understanding of the mechanism of action in biomolecules and their recent applications in clinical analysis, diagnostics, therapy and related technologies. amino acids, natural proteinogenic, non-natural. Proteins: structure and composi-tion. Primary structure. Proteins folding and stability. Proteins with structural function. globular proteins: myoglobin and hemoglobin. structure-function re-

lationship. enzymes. membrane proteins. spectrophotometric techniques. thermo-dynamics of high energy transformations. metabolism.molecular basis of genomics and proteo-mics. Prokaryotes and eukaryotes, cellular architecture, cell types. amino acids. Pro-teins. enzymes. acyl glycerides, membra-nes. dna and rna. nucleosomes. tran-scription. Protein synthesis. mutations. regulation of gene expression. genetic engineering.

MODEL IDENTIFICATION AND DATA MINING [C.I.]the goal of the course is to provide the

POSTGRADUATE COURSES

Master of sciencesecond level degree in Biomedical engineering is a 2 year course and its fulfilment requi-res 120 credits (ects). the course requires a full time attendance and involves classroom and laboratory activities. four tracks are offered: clinical engineering, electronic tech-nologies, Biomechanics and Biomaterial, cell and tissue engineering and Biotechnolo-gies. depending on the track the following activities are fulfilled: deepening in math or sciences (math, statistics, informatics, biochemistry), 12 ects; bioengineering (basic, 30 ects; physiological systems, 10 ects; labs, 5 ects; advanced, 20 ects); engineering, in-dustrial or clinical management, medicine, bioengineering, 25 ects; and thesis, 18 ects. subjects offered by the Biomedical engineering course and by the other courses of the Politecnico permit to specialise in the fields proposed by suggested tracks enriched by a wide variety of interdisciplinary subjects. the master of science in biomedical engi-neering develops an advanced preparation choosing a specific application field in one of the bioengineering areas: biomedical signals and images, biomedical instrumentation and informatics, rehabilitation and ergonomics, biomechanics, artificial organs and bio-materials, tissue and cell engineering, clinical management. He/she can operate in r&d and industrial design, technical and commercial support to biomedical products, clinical engineering, consulting.

background for advanced modelling and data analysis, together with Kalman filter techniques for parameters and virtual sen-sors estimation. the course is also inten-ded to illustrate data mining concepts and methods, and to provide an introduction to optimization theory. the course has both a theoretical and a practical flavour, and is focused on the following topics: stationary stochastic processes generated as output of dynamic systems. arma and armaX models. Prediction. non-parame-tric models based on the spectral charac-teristics of a process. estimation methods based on minimum prediction error. model complexity analysis and parameters iden-tification. Virtual sensors: Kalman filter; extended Kalman filter for gray-box para-meters identification. data mining process. exploratory data analysis, data preparation

and feature selection techniques. classi-fication methods. clustering. association rules. introduction to linear optimization.MAThEMATICAL AND NUMERICAL ME-ThODS IN ENGINEERING [C.I.]the aim of the course is twofold: first we introduce and analyse some classical mo-dels of the continuum mechanics, com-plemented with the development of su-itable finite difference schemes for their numerical approximation. second, we aim to provide motivations, define and apply the variational formulation of boundary value problems. this part of the course is integrated with the study of the galerkin-finite element method for the numerical approximation. in general, all the course will be characterized by a strong interac-tion between modelling, analysis and nu-merical approximation.

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MASTER DEGREE - BASIC COURSES

10 ECTS

ANALYSIS AND ORGANIzATION OF hEALTh SYSTEMSHealth systems. History. greatness of he-alth and of health system. models and determinants of the health. factors of inequalities in health. representation and evaluation of health systems. the health systems in the principal industrialized countries: united states, united Kingdom, france, germany, spain, switzerland and other countries. the health system in italy: evolution and actual situation. national Health service and role of the regions. financing and expenditure. Health and hospital firms. accreditation and tools of government. the citizen. Health techno-logy assessment. errors in medicine and the risk management. the pharmaceutical sector. Hospital models. rights and infor-mation. conflicts of interest.

CELLULAR BIOENGINEERINGmolecular recognition mechanisms. Pro-tein folding and misfolding, and related diseases. cellular membrane: membrane models, mechanical properties, fluidic feature, functions, lipidic rafts, junctions. cytoskeleton filaments: structure, poly-merization and functions of microtubules, actin filaments and intermediate filaments, structures of cilia, flagella, and villi. tran-sport mechanism along filaments: role of motor proteins, generation of movement and conformational changes. mechani-

cal characterization of cytoskeleton fila-ments and biomolecules: experimental and analytical methods. Biopolymers: de-formation energy, flexural rigidity, persi-stent length, thermal fluctuations’ effects. cellular models. adhesion and migration mechanisms: analytical models and ex-perimental techniques for adhesive force measurements. experimental techniques for the analysis, manipulation and imaging of biomolecules: atomic force microscopy, optical tweezers, electron microscopy. force transducers, biomolecule adhesion mechanisms, data analysis. Biological and synthetic molecular machines. molecular actuators.

BIOMAChINES (wITh LABORATORY)Hints about anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system. energetics of the natural heart. interactions between

the cardiovascular and artificial systems. Haemolysis and coagulation. Biological and mechanical valvular prostheses. Pum-ps for intra- and extra-corporeal blood cir-culation. artificial devices for blood oxy-genation. Haemodialysis systems.numerical exercises deal with the solu-tion of design and setting of the studied systems.laboratory activities are devoted to prac-tical learning of systems and devices ma-naging.

BIOMATERIALS aim of the course is to illustrate state of the art, open problems and advanced so-lutions related to the use of biomaterials (metals, polymers, ceramics and composi-tes) for the manufacturing of biomedical implantable devices. the course considers the present biomaterials study and charac-terization techniques, and focuses on the role of biomaterials surface and interface with biological tissues, also considering the surface modification techniques. for any specific field of applications, reasons for success or failure of the device will be considered through case studies discus-sion, mainly analyzing the reasons connec-ted with biomaterials. the today and the future biomaterials improvement trends will be presented.the first part of the course (5 cfu) concerns the orthopaedic, dental and maxillofacial fields, while the second part (5 cfu) points up the applications in the cardiovascular, ophthalmologic and reconstructive surge-ry fields.

BIOMEChANICAL DESIGNmechanical design and application to bio-mechanical devices. dimensioned drawing. technological and functional dimensions. failure theories. static and fatigue streng-th. friction, lubrication and wear. numeri-cal methods for the mechanical analysis. mechanical elements in biomechanical devices. Wringing and drive fits. morse tapers. screws. fluid containers and de-formable pipes. Biomechanical design and evaluation of some biomedical devices. Joint prostheses and trauma fixation de-vices. dental implants and bridges. Pipes, flow junctions and divisions. technical standards. experimental setups and simu-lators.

BIOMEDICAL SIGNAL PROCESSING AND MEDICAL IMAGESessential aspects of signal and image pro-cessing, methods of signal treatment, main imaging diagnostic systems and exam of various clinical and research application fields. from deterministic filtering to sto-chastic parametric identification: monova-riate ar/ma/arma models and parame-tric spectral analysis. Principal component method (Pca). entropy for signal and image treatment. automatic analysis and classification of ecg signal. autonomic nervous system: cardiovascular variabili-ty signals and interaction with respiration. fetal ecg, High resolution ecg. Ventri-cular late potentials. central nervous sy-stem: eeg signal processing and sensorial evoked potentials.

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Basic principles for image processing and reconstruction: 2d fourier transform, sam-pling and quantization, spatial filtering, equalization, geometric operations, to-mographic reconstruction. X ray images, transmission tomography (ct). emission images with radiotracers: scintigraphy, gamma-camera, sPect and Pet. magnetic resonance imaging (mri): basic acquisition sequences, t1 and t2 contrast, frequency and phase encoding. functional mri (brief remark). ultrasound (us) imaging: echogra-phy and doppler.

BIOMEDICAL ELECTRONICScharacteristics and architectures of bio-medical electronic instrumentation. de-vices based on analog and digital signals. analog active filters, electrical protection and isolation circuits. analog signal pro-cessing. ad-da converters, fPga, micro-processors, microcontrollers and dsPs. de-velopment tools and embedded operating systems. architectures for the real-time processing and the dsP. Power electronics for power supply and for driving actuators. data transmission systems: encoding, ban-dwidth requirements and communication channels. computers networks architec-tures and protocols and the iso/osi mo-del. Presentation of the most widely used data transmission protocols in biomedical instrumentation. telemetry and wireless data communication. study and design of few biomedical devices: vital functions monitors in the intensive care, mechanical ventilators, ultra-sound scanners, electro-surgery and thermo-ablation.

hOSPITAL PLANTS AND SAFETYHospital Plants and systems - introduc-tion to the most important Plants and sy-

stems in the hospital buildings to supply energy, fluids and information to medical equipments. telephone and communi-

cation networks, medical gases supply, sterilization units, electric supply plants, HVac, water supply and treatment, lifts,

elevators and automatic transportation, pneumatic tube systems, automatic guide vehicles, fire alert and protection, building

automation.Problems about interaction and depen-dence between networks and plants are emphazided.safety, technical filing (requirements & pro-cedures) and standards for medical equi-pment - electrophysiology and hazards. electric, rays and magnetic field effects. electromagnetic requirements for medi-cal equipment. standardization by law for medical devices, prostheses and instru-ments. rules for acceptance and release of equipments for hospital use. european directives and national laws. Quality ma-nagement systems based on requirements of iso 9000 applied to medical devices. risk analysis and requirements for medi-cal equipment; drafting of technical files for conformity assessment procedure, ce marking and placing on the market. MEDICAL INFORMATICSthe basic topics of health-care informa-tion and communication technologies are described for both the clinical and the bio-medical research settings. Part one: instruments - Querying of databa-ses; digital clinical records for the institu-tions and for the patient; healthcare smart card; consumer health web sites; medical terminology dictionaries; medical digital libraries; biosignal and bio-image archives; genomic databanks; computerized clinical practice guidelines; telemedicine and tele-health; medical data protection; standards for medical informatics.Part two: Processes - the information sy-stem supporting the patient pathway: the scenario of healthcare organization; infor-

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mation and communication needing; the modeling of processes applying unified modeling language (uml) and Workflow technologies; the Healthcare information and communication technology (Hi&ct) building yard with its roles, responsibili-ties, and co-operating operativenesses; elements for the internationalization of the scenario, the standards, and the mar-ket.

ENDOPROSThESESthe first part of the course give an over-view on implantable prostheses with the definition of their specifications in terms of anatomical, functional. biological and surgical compatibilities. the main tech-nological solutions are shown. Heart val-ve prostheses, vascular prostheses, joint prostheses, fracture management devices, dental implants will be shown.the second part enlightens the design path for endoprostheses which includes: defini-tion of functional requirements, technolo-gical solutions, material selection, protot-yping, preclinical evaluation, experimental tests, certification.

BIOMEDICAL SENSORS AND CLINICAL INSTRUMENTATIONBiomedical sensors: classification. Princi-ples of measurement: photoelectric, ter-moresistive, termoelectric, piezoelectric, pyroelectric, piezoresistive, magnetic, ra-diation-induced effects; adsorbance and absorbance of chemical species. technolo-gies: semiconductors, ceramics, polymeric films, optical fibres. structures: impedance,

semiconductor, acoustic waves, calorime-tric sensors, electrochemical cells, optical waveguide. applications in medicine and biology of electromagnetic, thermic, me-chanical, chemical sensors. structure of a measurement system. interface with the sensor, signal conditioning, a/d conver-sion. software for virtual instrumentation. Basic concepts of medical instrumentation: diagnostic, therapeutic, prognostic equip-ment and systems. generalized medical in-strumentation system approach in medical imaging systems, therapeutic and prosthe-tic devices, intensive care. active support systems to diagnosis and therapy. clinical engineering-organization,evaluation and maintenance of medical systems. applica-tion examples.

FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT AND MOTOR REhABILITATION Principles and definitions in rehabilitation. elements of functional anatomy of the musculo-skeletal system. instruments to measure human body kinematics, dynami-cs and muscle activity. Protocols for mo-vement and posture analysis: gait analysis, posturography, equitest. functional as-sessment of motor disabilities. definition of physiopatologic factors. assessment and treatment of the spasticity. H-reflex analysis. fes (functional electrical stimu-lation). elements of functional anatomy of the cardio-circulatory system. Bioe-lectrical activity of the hearth (ecg) and of the blood’s flow (echocardiography, arterial pressure). elements of functional anatomy of the respiratory system. spi-

rometry, air flow and gas concentration. elements of physiological mechanism of biologic energy production. direct and in-direct measures of atP, lactate, Vo2 con-sumption and co2 production. orthotics for limbs and trunk. lower limb prosthesis: structural components and biomechanics

of locomotion.. upper limb prostheses: body powered, externally powered, myo-electrically controlled. assistive devices for mobility: walking frames, weelchairs, systems to overcome arhitectural barriers, robotic systems.

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PhYSIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS(MOD) COURSES

5 ECTS

BIOFLUID DYNAMICSthe course aims at providing the students with theoretical and numerical tools use-

ful to describe and understand the fluid dynamic phenomena occurring in: i) the circulatory system (large arteries, veins, microcirculation), ii) the respiratory sy-stem (upper airways only), iii) in the most common biomedical devices. the course deals with: oscillatory and pulsatile flow patterns, flow in collapsible tubes, flow in porous media, turbulence models, flow in curved tubes and branched tubes, wall shear stress, non-newtonian fluids, blood rheology in the microcirculation, micro-fluid dynamics, particle transport in two-

phase flows. the multiscale approach to complex biofluid dynamic problems will be treated, too.

BIOENGINEERING OF AUTONOMICCONTROL AND RESPIRATORYSYSTEMS[C.I.]

Bioengineering approach to biologic con-trol systems. synthesis and analysis of con-trol systems (recalls). closed loop identifi-cation problems. general structure of the autonomic sympathetic and parasympa-thetic system. methods for the assessment of cardiovascular function. methods and models for the analysis of: baroreceptive regulation, peripheral circulation, blood volume. chemoreceptive mechanisms. regulation of brain circulation. metabolic regulation systems of temperature, thirst,

nutrition, glucose. structure and function of the respiratory system and its compo-nents. statics, kinematics, dynamics and energetics of ventilation. estimate of re-spiratory muscle action and respiratory system mechanical properties (resistive, elastic and inertial). modelling of respira-tory system: morphometric and functional models, lumped and distributed element models. measurement methods for pri-mary variables (volume, flow, pressure and gas concentration). methods for clinical investigation. mechanical ventilation. in-teraction with the cardiovascular system. control of ventilation.

BIOENGINEERING IN NEURO-SENSORY SYSTEMS [C.I.]general structure of neurosensory sy-stems. short introduction to the fun-ctional anatomy of the nervous system. comparison of functional evaluation me-thods. introduction to psychophysics. the auditory system. sound and speech. the external and medial ear. cochlea, basilar membrane, and ciliate cells. the spiral gan-glion. Brain stem nuclei and auditory cor-tex. auditory psychophysics and audiolo-gy. external and cochlear prostheses. the visual and oculomotor system. Photore-ceptors. extraction of contrast and move-ment characteristics in the retina. lateral geniculate body. structure of the primary and secondary visual cortex and visual fe-ature extraction. integration areas. Visual psychophysics. chromatic theories. Visual illusions. tridimensional and movement perception. diagnostic and therapeutic

methods in ophthalmology. aids, substi-tutive prostheses and retinal implants. somatosensory system: brief remarks on general structure and psychophysics. taste and smell (brief remarks).

BIOENGINEERING OF ThE MOTOR SYSTEMmotor programme generation and control strategies, cortical and spinale organisa-tion, muscular activation. muscular and joint moments and forces. equations of motion. myoelectric motor signals. elec-trodes. noise sources. signal amplifiers. emg distortion. motor external forces. Principles of force sensors. multi-axial transducing cells. sensed insoles and force plates. signal amplifiers. ground reaction processing. measures of body surfaces and volumes. generation of skin key-points. systems for body surface scanning and key-point grid detection. Key-point grid interpolation and skin surface reconstruc-tion. Kinematic measurement of human movement. Protocols for data capture. opto-electronic sensors and methods for object oriented recognition. fast signal processors and parallel structure. object classification and tracking. system calibra-tion. from 2-d images to 3-d object tran-sformation.

MEChANICS OF BIOLOGICAL STRUCTURESmechanics of soft tissues (vascular walls, tendons and ligaments): non linear kinematic and kinetics, models for anisotropic elastic materials, time dependence (viscoelasticity).

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mechanics of cartilage, spatially graded properties (graded composition/fun-ction), poroviscoelasticity.mechanics of bone tissue: anisotropic ela-sticity for bones, relationships between structure and properties, homogeneiza-tion of composite materials.laboratory tests for mechanical charac-terization of tissues and relevant models. self adaptive mechanical properties of tis-sues, growth and remodelling. mechanics of selected biomaterials: metal alloys and ceramic materials.solution methods for the mechanics of tissues and biomaterials.

hEALTh TEChNOLOGY ASSESSMENT (hTA) METhODOLOGIESselected topics and evaluation metho-dologies for value chain structured asses-sment of diagnosis-therapy Process cycle (dtP) and Health technologies in private and public Healthcare organizations. macroscale and microscale fundamental recaps: Health and Wellness. evans-stod-dard model for Health determinants. suc-cessful aging strategies. cellular Processes. Biological modelling relationship.diagnosis-therapy process cycle: dtP cycle reference model. decision under in-complete Knowledge. dtP cycle strategic role. Patient-client typing. system critical Path. Value creation and multiplication.Health technologies: from clinical to mo-lecular medicine. technology evolution. organizational evolution. structure evolu-tion. technology standards. organizatio-nal standards. structure standards.

MEDICAL AND BIOLOGICAL (MED) COURSES

10 ECTS

CLINICAL ORThOPEDICS AND TRAUMATOLOGYcourse of the medical school of the “uni-versità degli studi di milano” open to a limited number of graduate students in Biomedical engineering. the main topics of clinical orthopedics and traumatology are introduced by class and are integrated by an autonomous study of the relevant basic elements in anatomy and physiolo-gy, lab visits, and widening over specific instrumental tests.

CLINICAL OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGYcourse of the medical school of the “uni-versità degli studi di milano” open to a limited number of graduate students in Biomedical engineering. the main topics of clinical obstetrics and gynecology are introduced by class lectures and are in-

tegrated by an autonomous study of the relevant basic elements in anatomy and physiology, lab visits, and widening over specific instrumental tests.

DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING AND RADIOThERAPYcourse of the medical school of the “uni-versità degli studi di milano” open to a li-mited number of graduate students in Bio-medical engineering. the main topics of radiology and nuclear medicine and their diagnostic and therapeutic applications are introduced by class lectures. specific widening is devoted to instrumentation.

NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES course of the medical school of the “”uni-versità degli studi di milano”” open to a limited number of graduate students in Biomedical engineering. the main topics of clinical neurology are introduced by class lectures and are integrated by an autono-mous study of the relevant basic elements in anatomy and physiology, lab visits, and widening over specific instrumental tests.

SEMIOTICS AND SYSTEMATICS OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASEcourse of the medical school of the “uni-versità degli studi di milano” open to a li-mited number of graduate students in Bio-medical engineering. the main topics of clinical cardiology are introduced by class lectures and are integrated by an autono-mous study of the relevant basic elements in anatomy and physiology, lab visits, and widening over specific instrumental tests.

ADVANCED (SPEC) COURSES 10 ETCS

ADVANCED DATA ANALYSIS IN MEDICI-NE AND BIOINFORMATICSthe course introduces some advanced data and signal processing methods, by in-tegrating the modelling approach with the information processing methods in order to obtain relevant physiological and clini-cal fallouts. further, specific mathematical, statistical and computational methods will be developed for the processing of experimental data in post-genomic era in Biology and medicine, for the molecular characterization of physiological and pa-thological mechanisms. methods. time/frequency, time/scale and wavelet analy-ses. time invariant stochastic parametric approach: Wiener filter and time variant parametric approach : adaptive filters and Kalman filters. complexity in biomedical systems and signals: basic definitions in non-linear dynamic systems. Higher order

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analysis: bispectrum and bicoherence. in-tegration of information in multivariate, multisystem, multiscale, multimodal fra-mes. applications. relevant to the central nervous system, the autonomic nervous systems, the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system and their interactions. computational genomics and Proteomics. dna: structure-to-function paradigm. ac-cess to biological databases and integra-ted tools. sequence analysis: alignment, similarity and ho-mology, consen-sus sequences and motifs. models of evolution. infor-mation theory in molecular biology. Phylogenetics and comparative geno-mics. information treatment in prote-omics. assessment of gene expression through microarray technologies. Basics of genetics

BIOTEChNOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS AND BIOREACTORSthe course will provide the basis for stu-dying experimental systems used in biotechnology research. the course will introduce the fundamentals of rna, dna (chromoso-mes and genes), proteins (intracellular, transmembrane, extracellu-lar). embryonic development: growth differentiation and morphoge-

nesis. the three paradigms of biological development. genetic control of the sha-pe of the body. this course will provide basics in current molecular techniques and eukaryotic cell culture, highlighting their most important characteristics, requirements, and useful-ness in bioreactor sciences. therapeutic cloning and tissue engineering. control and design of bioreactors for vessels, bone

cartilage, muscle engineering. exam-ples to illustrate this course will be drawn from state-of-the-art scientific literature.”

BIOMIMETICSAND TISSUE ENGINEERINGthe biomimetics module concerns the application of

advanced structures, purposely designed, to substitute or recreate tissues or parts of the human body. “Biomimetic” structu-res are intended those that imitate aspects and functions of living structures. topics: types and preparation of bioartificial and biomimetic structures. Biointegrable and biodegradable materials: types and strate-gies for application. 2d and 3d matrices: main preparation methods. synthetic and hybrid scaffolds for tissue engineering. methods of characterization and in vitro evaluation. response of the human body to the implantation of bioartificial and

biomimetic structures. systems for con-trolled release of drugs and biomolecules.the tissue engineering module provides design criteria for the generation of bio-artificial tissue, within the context of re-generative medicine. specific quantitative aspects related to the in vitro generation of tissue will be deepened, as regards to cell origin and as regards to fluid dynamics and mass transport. the clinical context (pathology, limits of the conventional the-rapy, clinical application, ethical and regu-latory aspects) in which engineered tissue is developed, used and evaluated will also be deepened.”

E-hEALTh METhODS AND APPLICATIONSthe course is the final one of the Biome-dical informatics and e-Health track in the Biomedical engineering curriculum. so, the course is widely grounded on the other previous courses on the same track. ne-vertheless, the absence of such grounding does not deny to attend the course. the methods part deals with some insights si-gnificantly relevant in developing wide im-pact applications. such are biolanguages and bioarchives. Biolanguages target medi-cal ontology, focusing the healthcare cli-nical and family environments. Bioarchives are for the large healthcare information systems, both institutional and geographi-cal. as for the applications part, sustaina-bly exhaustive case studies are presented as examples of services, widespread and relevant for their user. these can be the patient, his physicians and other clinical

assistants, the institutional or governmen-tal administrators.

BIOMEDICAL IMAGES AND COMPUTER AIDED SURGERY METhODSBiomedical images – introduction: impor-tance of 3d, multimodal, and functional imaging. reconstruction from projection methods: 3d, numerical, statistical. magne-tic resonance imaging (mri) principles and instrumentation. non ideal factors and ar-tefacts in mri. in vivo mri spectroscopy. mri angiography. diffusion weighted mri and tractography. functional mri and sta-tistical parametric mapping. non linear and 3d echography. cardiac imaging.computer assisted surgery – design of computer asisted surgery (cas) sy-stems. Pre-operative phase: 4-d imaging; methods for 2-d and 3-d segmentation; modelling and rendering of surfaces and volumes; surgical simulation and planning: conventions for position and orientation representation; mapping and spatial tran-sformations. surgical robotics: kinematic chains; direct and inverse kinematic pro-blem. intra-operative phase: stereotactic surgery and image guided surgery. the registration problem: point-based registra-tion; surface registration; acquisition and registration of intra-operative images; tar-get registration error. surgical navigation. management of organ motion events; me-thods of deformable registration. example of applications in neurosurgery, orthopae-dic surgery, radiosurgery.

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NEUROENGINEERINGthe goal of the class is to introduce to the basics of neuroengineering, presen-ting both the methods and the applica-tions. the approach is doublefold. from neuroscience, the models and the com-putational methods are derived from the human cognition and sensorimotor con-trol, such as reasoning methods, neural networks, genetic algorithms and kalman filters. from engineering, the models and the technologies are derived aiming at un-derstanding and supporting neuromotor and neurosensory system functions, with special focus on neuroprostheses in reha-bilitation, models of the visual system and perception and optoelectronic interfaces for the communication to neurons in vitro and in vivo.

DESIGN OF LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMSinsight in the technology and design of life support systems partially or totally sustai-ning vital internal organs functions toge-ther with the evaluation of patient to ma-chine interaction. Based on the transport phenomena involved, design criteria will be defined and optimised with reference to the following temporary or permanent support systems: respiratory and ventila-tion support, blood circulation support, ventricular assist devices, artificial heart, renal support, pancreatic function sup-port. differences among intra-, extra-, pa-ra-corporeal systems and indication to use in relation to the kind of application and implant duration will also be discussed..each topic will be addressed focusing design specification criteria, materials, regulation strategies, energy sources and

transfer, control features, in relation to application duration of the support. Hints will be given about international regulato-ry standards.TEChNOLOGIES FOR MOTION ANALY-SIS AND VIRTUALIzATIONthe course describes in detail the core technologies for detection and interacti-ve virtualization of human motor acts. the topics include: technologies for measures of myoelectric activity: signal generation; electrodes; biological and environmen-tal noise; amplifiers; sources of signal di-stortion. technologies for measures of subject-environment forces: sensors and signal conditioning units; amplifiers; pres-sure maps; sources of signal distortions. technologies for measures of motion ki-nematics: interfacing features; sensors; information recognition and extraction; signal processors; noise identification and suppression; off-line and real time tracking; calibration and 3d reconstruction. techno-logies for 3d virtual interaction subjects-environment: maps and surface key points; 3d surface reconstruction; multiple object worlds and integration; real time interac-tion; animation; virtual prototyping and simulation.

ECONOMICS AND MANAGE-MENT (GES)COURSES

10 ETCS

MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIzATIONAL DESIGNfirm: definition and objectives, organi-zation, elements of corporate governan-

cedecisions and decision criteria : steps and resposibility in decision makingProject management strategy: strategy definition and value creation, main classification of strategic decisions, competition and verti-cal integration, differentiation and portfo-lio analysis methodologies.

hEALTh CARE MANAGEMENTthe course focuses on Health care. stu-dents learn about health care sector and factors that significantly influence deci-sion making both at the policy level and at the level of the firm or organization. this course examines the structure of health care system in italy, focusing on financing, reimbursement, delivery sy-stems and adoption of new technologies; it introduces management of health care organizations: accounting, planning, asses-sing quality using outcomes data; risk ma-nagement. the course is organized around a number of readings, cases, presentations, and a required project.

LABORATORY (LAB) COURSES 5 ETCS

(laboratory teachings are reserved to a finite number of students; pre-iscription to these courses ends 15 days before the last date for study-plan submission. the admission classification is based on a va-luation modality that will be published at the department didactics secretary not beyond the pre-iscription date.)

LABORATORY OF BIOCOMPATIBILITYAND CELL CULTURE

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+ LABORATORY OF MICRO AND NANO STRUCTURES [C.I.]“laboratory of biocompatibility and cell culturetheory: Biomaterial-biological environ-ment interaction; normative: biological agents and laboratory classification; eva-luation of the risks; safety rules; good la-boratory practice; Biological validation of the biomaterials: models and assays (in vitro and in vivo); normative. cell culture techniques; Biochemical assays for cell response assessment. laboratory: descrip-tion of equipments and techniques com-monly used in a cell culture laboratorylaboratory of micro and nano structurestheory: optical and electron microscopy. morphological and chemical characteri-sation of biological substrata by scanning electron microscopy (sem and esem) and chemical microanalysis (eds); scanning probe microscopy (afm, etc.) and its ap-plications in the study of nanostructures. complementary techniques for surface characterisation . laboratory: applica-tion of the described techniques for the analysis of materials used for biological assays. Procedure for preparation of bio-logical samples and analysis by scanning electron microscope and scanning probe microscope.

LABORATORY OF BIOFLUID DYNAMICSthe course deals with the laboratory techniques for the analysis of biofluid-dynamic problems related to cardio-vascular physiopathology, surgery and biomedical devices. chair lessons: -de-

sign criteria for biofluid-dynamic expe-riments; measurement of hydrodynamic and rheologic quantities; -lab pumping systems; -methods for the development of hydraulic mock loops. laboratory ac-tivities consist in tackling practical cases, chosen among different fields of inte-rest for biofluid dynamics: -analysis and discussion of the proposed case; -expe-rimental design (literature analysis, set-ting-up of the experimental equipment, protocol drafting); -carrying out of the experimental campaign; discussion and reporting.

LABORATORY OF BIOMATERIALS + LABORATORY

OF INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS [C.I.]the laboratory of instrumental analysis describes the most used investigation techniques for chemico-physical, mor-phological and mechanical characteriza-tion of materials, with particular attention to the techniques used in the biomedical field. the students have the possibility to perform the analyses with some of the de-scribed techniques in an experimental and guided path aimed to the investigation of commercial or experimental biomedical devices. the main techniques described and used are: optical and electron mi-croscopy, atomic force microscopy (afm, stm), laser profilometry, static and dyna-mic contact angle, X-rays diffractometry,

infra-red spectroscopy (ft-ir, atr ft-ir), liquid chromatography analyses (HPlc, gPc), intrinsic viscosity, thermal analyses (dsc, tga), thermo-dynamic mechanical analysis (dma), mechanical characteriza-tion (tensile, compression, creep).

COMPUTATIONAL BIOMEChANICS LABORATORY [C.I.]the course introduces to the numerical techniques currently adopted for the de-sign and evaluation of biomedical devices and to the assessment of physio-patholo-gic states and surgical procedures. along the course, the student will practice with two standard commercial codes aimed at the strucure and fluid dynamic analysis, respectively. in detail, the course will fo-cus on the following topics: introduction to computational mechanics: discretisa-tion methods; numerical method for the solution of partial derivative equations. structural mechanics: the aBaQus code; modelling of elastic hyperelastic and ani-sotropic materials; contact mechanics. fluid mechanics: the fluent code; lami-nar and turbulent flows; steady and tran-sient flows. multiphysic problems: moving boundary, complex boundary conditions; fluid-structure interactions.

LABORATORY OF TISSUEChARACTERISATIONlectures. measuring instruments measures of length and displacement. measures of strains. measures of force, torque and pres-sure. measures of viscosity. measures of flow. measures of temperature. testing ma-

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chines and grips for tissue characterization. mechanical properties of soft collagenous tissues. Hard tissues. Poroelastic tissues. Vi-scoelasticity of tissues. laboratory. testing machines. calibration of transducers. design and manufacture of a strain gage load cell. Viscosimeters. . storage and preparation of specimens. force and strain measurements on compliant tissues. tests on tissues and whole organs. tensile tests on collagenous tissues (ligaments, biological membranes). Biaxial tests on anisotropic membranes. tests on hard tissues (bone). compression tests on biphasic tissues (articular cartilage). Viscosity of biological fluids. LABORATORY OF BIOMEChANICAL DESIGNlectures. methods for the biomechani-cal design. technical standards for tests on medical devices and prostheses. ex-perimental approach based on mock-up simulators. design of mock-up simulators for artificial ventricles and endomedulla-ry nails. design of measurement systems: viscometer for bone cements, friction he-ating in prosthetic joints, fatigue tests on multiple samples. mechanical reliability of endoprostheses. theoretical evaluation of osteosyntesis devices and modular pro-stheses. laboratory. experimental tests on medical devices and prosthesis. computa-tional simulation of medical devices and prosthesis.

BIOMEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING LABORATORYthe course is based on a presentation of basic concepts related to the biomedi-

cal image processing: transforms, image enhancement, spatial filtering, non linear image processing techniques, color image processing, interpolation, morphological filters, image segmentation techniques, 3d reconstruction, surface rendering, image compression. during the laboratory lessons, the applica-tion of the basic concepts presented abo-ve to different biomedical images (mri, ul-trasounds, rX, tac, etc.) will be discussed, pointing out the processing techniques available to address the major problems, and the methods applied to extract quan-titative parameters utilized in the clinical practice as an aid to the qualitative inter-pretation.

LABORATORY OF MEDICAL INFORMATICS AND DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMSthe course, held in the informatics room, is devoted to the experimental deve-lopment of “learning by doing” educa-tional Projects of medical informatics, Bioinformatics, telemedicine, and te-leteaching. educational purpose of the projects consists of allowing students to acquire satisfactory professional le-vels - intended as the set of knowledge, friendliness competence, and ability of critical analysis - about some specific Web applications of distributed systems for medicine and Biology. operative purpose of the projects - in support of the educational aim and to practically demonstrate its results - focuses on the design and implementation of dynamic

Web sites, connected to a database, de-voted to provide educational contents and implement interactive services via intranet/internet in clinic, Healthcare, Bioinformatics, telemedicine, and tele-teaching fields, time by time oriented to researchers, doctors, patients, citizens. the aim is training students to be a hu-man resource of immediate use value that makes easier to find useful and ap-preciated job roles, either in business or in research. more information at: http://www.medinfopoli.polimi.it/corsi/

BIOMOLECULAR MODELLING LABORATORYthe aim of the course is to familiarize students with modern methods of bio-molecular modelling. Both theoretical and computational activities will be developed. from the practical side the theoretical aspects will be used to study proteins, lipids, and saccharides and to address practical issues such as diffusion phenomena, determination of nanoscale mechanical properties, drug design, etc.). the main aspects covered in this course are: base concepts of molecular model-ling approach; molecular mechanics, defi-nition, features, and force field definition and parametrization; optimization techi-niques; molecular dynamics; coarse grain approach for biomolecules.

MEDICAL ROBOTICS AND TEChNOLOGIES FOR COMPUTER ASSISTED SURGERY

the aim of the course is to introduce students to the current use of mecha-tronics and robotics in the medical field. focus will be on computer assisted sur-gery (cas) and technologies for minimal-ly invasive interventions. students will be provided with mathematical and techno-logical foundations needed for designing and building robotic systems for neuro-surgery, orthopedic surgery, laparoscopy and rehabilitation devices. Procedures and problems related to navigated and image guided surgery (igs) will be presented and discussed. Practical software and hardware design will be done with the collaboration of clinical partners.

BIOSIGNAL PROCESSING LABintroduction to software tools for scienti-fic computing and their use for the design of biosignal processing algorithms. data analysis. data fitting, criteria for model se-lection and identification, lms estimation. interpolation. signal analysis. fft and har-monic analysis of biosignals. design of fir and iir filters for biomedical applications, detection of waves and patterns. spectral estimate: parametric and non-parametric methods, application to eeg and Heart rate Variability signals. enhancement of evoked potentials: averaging and single sweep approach. advanced topics of bio-signal processing will be exploited throu-gh specific project assignment. Project topics range from multi-variate parametric estimate, optimal filters, time-frequency transform, to non-linear analysis, synchro-nization and coupling. Biomedical signal

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and data to be analysed: electrocardio-gram (ecg) blood pressure, respiration, elettroencephalogram (eeg) and evoked potentials, otoacustic emission, voice si-gnals, dna sequences.

LABORATORY OF ELECTRONIC TEChNOLOGIES AND BIOSENSORSdesign and implementation in an elec-tronic laboratory of a biomedical device choosed between a list of projects. during the course several semiconductor-based devices will be introduced: operational amplifiers, filters, a/d-d/a converters and insulation and protection circuits. sensors conditioning. amplification of bioelectrical signals. digital electronics, fPga, microprocessors, microcontrollers, dsP and their development tools. design, implementation and testing of electronic

devices. data transmission in biomedi-cal environment: digital networks. serial communication protocols for wired and wireless networks. Biosensors. Wearable computing and wearable sensors. the

projects proposed will include devices for the following applications: diagnostic de-vices, life-support systems, critical patient monitoring, ultrasonografic imaging and computer aided surgery, functional elec-trical stimulation, home monitoring and human computer interface.

LABORATORY OF FUNCTIONAL EVALUA-TION1. introduction to postural and movement evaluation for clinical applications. the aim of quantitative evaluation of functional li-mitation related to the pathology.2. the laboratory of human movement analysis.

equipments. technical aspects and project criteria. the organization and the manage-ment of a movement analysis lab in clinic. the italian and international labs. 3. main protocols for data collection , data elabo-

ration, data analysis and reports. models4. the gait analysis analysis. Protocols.nor-mal and pathological walking.5. functional evaluation in children with cerebral palsy, down syndrome, mielomenigocelis. fun-ctional evaluation in adults with Parkinson disease, obesity, orthopedic pathologies. 6. the use of movement and posture analy-sis for rehabilitation. Pre /post surgery, or-thosis, pharmacological treatments?.

PROTEOMICSa review of basic concepts: acid-base pro-perties of amino acids; the peptide bond; the alpha helix; primary to quaternary

structures on proteins. introduction: some definitions; the proteome complexity; the tools of the trade. strategies in chromato-graphic protein purification.

ion-exchangers. gel filtration. reversed-Phase, High Performance liquid chromato-graphy (rP-HPlc). Hydrophobic interaction chromatography (Hic). affinity chromato-graphy. chromatofocusing. electrophore-tic techniques. disc electrophoresis. sds Page (sodium dodecyl sulphate polyac-rylamide gel electrophoresis). isoelectric focusing (ief) - immobilized pH gradients (iPg). isotachophoresis. capillary zone electrophoresis. sample preparations: ex-pected and unexpected artifacts.

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DOCTORAL PROGRAMS

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1 1,2 Master Courses from the Engineering Master Degree of the Politecnico di Milano

5-10 No Courses proposed by the Doctoral School (see brochu-re of the year) Courses organized by the PhD track in Bioengineering

5-10 Yes Courses Organized by the PhD track in Bioengineering or, in case, course chosen by the advisory board among not mandatory courses in Biomedical engineering master program

0-10 Overview study and definition of the Ph.D. rese-arch theme.

15

2 National School of the GNB - CNR 1 5 Yes* No Participation to conferences and schools

Didactic seminars

30 Activity presentation and discussion with Tutor and Board. Report

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2 1,2 Analysis and Synthesis of the Human movement 7,5 No Si

Biomaterials and tissue engineering 5 Yes

Cellular and molecular biomechanics 5 Yes Experimental laboratory activity dedicated to the development of the Ph.D. project.

Scientific publications concerning research themes others than the Ph.D. research

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Experimental Biomechanics 5 Yes

Bioreactors and regenerative medicine 5 Yes

Advanced processing of biomedical signal and data 5 Yes

Biomedical databasesi: query and management 5 Yes

Innovation in Digital Public Helthcare Systems 5 Yes

Computational nonlinear mechanic for biological tissues and materials

5 Yes

Methods for biomaterials characterization 5 Yes

Microscopy and molecular imaging 5 Yes Scientific publications concernig researches directly related to the PhD subject

0-15

Biological measures 5 Yes

Neuroengineering 5 Yes

Experimental project and statistical analysis 5 Yes

Electronic technologies in biomedical engineering 5 Yes

Tecnologie per la qualità dei processi diagnostico-terapeutici

5 No

2 National School of the GNB - CNR 2 5 Yes* No Activity presentation to the Ph.D. Board. Report.Revision of the Reserch project

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3 1 Scientific publications concernig researches not directly related to the PhD subject

Experimental laboratory activity for thesis 25

Scientific publications concerning the Ph.D. rese-arch theme

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2 National School of the GNB - CNR 3 5 Yes* No

Thesis Revisions and presentations to the Ph.D. Board. Final version of the thesis.Public seminar

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TOT CREDITS 0-25 TOT CREDITS 40 TOT CREDITS 30 TOT CREDITS 110

]* Duribg the three years program two National Schools are mandatory

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DOCTORAL PROGRAMScoordinator: Prof maria gabriella signorini

the doctoral Program in Bioengineering trains graduate students through a strong inter-disciplinary education on engineering, mathematics, medical and biological knowledge to develop high level engineering problem-solving abilities in life sciences inside a rese-arch group or in private or public industrial contexts. students are involved in research works in fields currently ongoing at the Bioengineering department of Politecnico di milano which organizes the Phd track.Phd students in Bioengineering are about 15 per year, around 50 in the three year course. research themes include modelling and analysis of physiological data, signals and sy-stems; biomedical imaging processing and technologies; technologies and instrumen-tation for movement analysis, rehabilitation, ergonomics and sports; therapeutic devi-ces and life support systems in cardiology, cardio/surgery and pneumology; design and assessment of prostheses; computer aided surgery and surgery optimization through modelling; cardiovascular fluid dynamics; molecular, cellular and tissue engineering for biomaterials and prostheses; neuro-engineering and nanobiosystems; genomic and pro-teomic data analysis; bioinformatics. stage periods in distinguished research institutes in italy and abroad are an essential feature of the student training.the educational offer includes ad hoc advanced courses specifically projected for the Ph.d. among them, the school of the national Bioengineering group is held every year since 1981 for one week in Bressanone (BZ). the content of the school is focused on the-mes of the bioengineering research and knowledge and it is organised with the support of national and international qualified teachers in the specific field coming both from academic and industrial research.the school is also a unique opportunity to put together students from different docto-ral Programs coming from the entire country. this allows exchanging ideas and experien-ces also representing a very useful educational event.

some themes of the recent past editions:2004 • advanced methodsof biomedical signal processing 2005 • Biomaterials: from protesic implants to regeneretive medicine 2006 • neuro-robotics. neuroscience e robotics for the development of intelligent machines 2007 • computational genomics & Proteomics 2008 • Wearable intelligent devices for Human Health and Protection

scientific and research Ph.d activities receive a strong support by laboratories located inside and outside the department in cooperation with other research bodies and uni-versity hospitals: • laboratory of 2d-3d analysis and modelling of neural and sensory systems and bioelectromagnetism• Biomaterials laboratory • laboratory of biocompatibility and cell culture -Biocell • laboratory of Biological structure mechanics – laBs • laboratory of computational Biomechanics • the “luigi divieti Posture and movement analysis laboratory • laboratory of micro and bio fluid dynamics • Biomedical signal Processing laboratory • medical informatics laboratory • Biomedical technologies laboratories. the Phd in Bioengineering has an Advisory Board which has in charge all the student activities

FAMILY NAME FIRST NAME POSITION INSTITUTION DEPARTMENT

signorini maria gabriella coordinator Politecnico di milano Bioengineering

Baselli giuseppe fP Politecnico di milano Bioengineering

cerutti sergio fP Politecnico di milano Bioengineering

dubini gabriele fP Politecnico di milano structural engineering

ferrigno giancarlo fP Politecnico di milano Bioengineering

fumero roberto fP Politecnico di milano structural engineering

Pedotti antonio fP Politecnico di milano Bioengineering

Pietrabissa riccardo fP Politecnico di milano structural engineering

Pinciroli francesco fP Politecnico di milano Bioengineering

santambrogio giorgio cesare fP Politecnico di milano Bioengineering

tanzi maria cristina fP Politecnico di milano Bioengineering

redaelli alberto aP Politecnico di milano Bioengineering

Bianchi anna maria re Politecnico di milano Bioengineering

mantero sara re Politecnico di milano Bioengineering

Biondi emanuele ot Politecnico di milano

ravazzani Paolo ire national res. council

rizzo giovanna ire national res. council

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the External Reference Committee is a fundamental link toward the industrial research, the clinical applications with an european and international perspective.

dott. gatti emanuele, fresenius medical care, Bad Homburg, germany

dott. carlo mambretti, assoBiomedica, milano

Prof. Paolo francescon, direttore u. o. fisica sanitaria, ospedale s. Bortolo, dipartimen-to di neuroscienze, Vicenza, italy

Prof. ferdinando grandori, Head istituto ingegneria Biomedica cnr, milano, italy

dr. ivan martin, Head of laboratory, university Hospital Basel, institute for surgical rese-arch and Hospital management, Basel- switzerland

the interest toward the activities of the Ph.d in Bioengineering is demonstrated also by the external financing of Phd fellowships. some recent supporters besides the Bioengi-neering department, of our Phd are

italian institute of technology, iit foundationistituto di ingegneria Biomedica isiB del cnristituto ortopedicogaleazzi , milanofondazione giovanni e annamaria cottino, torino.ircss ospedale Pediatrico Bambino gesù, romairccs fondazione don carlo gnocchi, milanoBroncus corp, canadafondazione medea – Bosisio Pariniistituto di Bioimmagini e fisiologia molecolare (iBfm) cnr- segrate