Micro- and Nano-structured Devices for Biological and Biomedical Applications

A person holds a handful of small blue plastic circles

The micro- and nano-structured devices for biological and biomedical applications (MNDBBA) option focuses on the science, design, and manufacturing of and biological and/or biomedical systems and devices using specialized electronic, optical, and polymeric materials. The foundational and technical electives prepare students for careers in novel medical devices, wireless electronic communications, advanced optoelectronics, thin films for optics, photonics, and plasmonics. In addition, it prepares students for applications of biological materials and devices such as wearable and/or stretchable electronics, sensors, medical imaging, and health monitoring. Graduates with this option could find employment at companies such as those working on optoelectronic devices, biotech companies, or start-up companies.  

The core foundational electives (FE) courses represent foundational electives for MNDBBA. The student must select a minimum of two of these courses. The alternate FE courses provide pathways to specialties within MNDBBA and form the foundation for the listed technical electives. As with all our options, a student can petition another course for either the core, alternate FE, or the TE. One or more members approve these of our undergraduate curriculum committee. 

The FE courses aim to provide some flexibility in the junior year while maintaining a high level of technical content (i.e., not intro/overview courses), providing a breadth of topics covered, and supporting potential deeper study in the senior year. 

A total of five FE courses are required. Some courses on these lists are suitable as technical electives, but each course can be used to fill one degree requirement. No more than one 100-level course may be used. 

Core Foundational Electives (6-12 cr.) 

Recommended Alternate Foundational Electives (0-6 cr.)

Recommended Technical Electives (9-12 cr)   

Technical electives are from the Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Engineering Science and Mechanics, Materials Science and Engineering, Math, and Physics. 

Senior Thesis (6 cr)

 
 

About

The Penn State Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics (ESM) is an internationally distinguished department that is recognized for its globally competitive excellence in engineering and scientific accomplishments, research, and educational leadership.

Our Engineering Science program is the official undergraduate honors program of the College of Engineering, attracting the University’s brightest engineering students. We also offer graduate degrees in ESM, engineering mechanics, engineering at the nano-scale, and an integrated undergraduate/graduate program.

Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics

212 Earth and Engineering Sciences Building

The Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA 16802

Phone: 814-865-4523