Postgraduate Courses

This course will present some of the most common ethical issues encountered in biomedical research and biotechnology. Students will engage in active discussion to provide deeper understanding of each issue. The objective of this course is to raise awareness of the ethical issues around biomedical/bioengineering research, and encourage critical and responsible consideration of research conduct. Topics covered will fall into three categories: 1) Research integrity, 2) Applied ethics in biological research and biotechnology, and 3) Contemporary ethical issues arisen from emerging biotechnologies. Graded P or F.

The course introduces the fundamental concept of synthetic biology which includes the principles of biocatalysis, directed evolution and metabolic engineering. It also covers the molecular mechanisms of cell death, applications of stem cells in biomedical research, and the aspects of epigenetics in relation to developmental genetics. The information will be presented through case studies such as the application of genetic manipulation in solving biological problems to illustrate how these techniques can be integrated in specific engineering research with specific practical consideration.

Cellular structure and function; molecular mechanisms of cell function; membrane transport; cell division and cell cycle; cell-cell signaling; molecular and cellular control; control of cell differentiation and morphogenesis; electrical, mechanical and chemical transduction in tissues.

Bioengineering is an interdisciplinary field that integrates biological sciences, physics, chemistry, medicine and engineering. This course will provide a survey of bioengineering research areas to provide our research postgraduate students a broad appreciation of different areas. Topics are to be chosen from the following areas: bioinformatics; medical imaging and analysis; molecular, cell and tissue engineering; biomaterials and drug delivery; biochemical engineering; lab on chip and biosensors; and medical devices. The course aims to help student recognize and understand how knowledge from science and engineering interface in this interdisciplinary application.

Introduction to miniaturization & BioMEMS; Overview of microfabrication materials & techniques; microfluidic principles; miniaturized sensors & actuators for medicine and biology; micro total analysis system (µTAS) & lab-on-a-chip (LOC) for in-vitro diagnostics & drug discovery applications.

This one-credit course aims at providing research postgraduate students with basic training in teaching skills, research management, career development, and related professional skills. This course consists of a number of mini-workshops and seminars. Some department-specific workshops/seminars will be coordinated by Bioengineering Program. Graded PP, P or F.

Seminar topics presented by students, faculty and guest speakers. Students are expected to attend regularly and demonstrate proficiency in their seminar presentation in accordance with the program requirements. Graded P or F.

Selected topics of current interest. May be repeated for credit if different topics are covered.

Master's thesis research supervised by a faculty member. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.

Original and independent doctoral thesis research. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.