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"Chemical Engineering Modeling" is a first-semester graduate course traditionally taught in a lecture format at Oklahoma State University. The course as taught by the author for the past seven years focuses on numerical and mathematical methods as necessary skills for incoming graduate students. Recent changes to the course have included Visual Basic for Applications (VBA)/Excel and MATLAB demonstrations, activities, and assignments. These computer tools were employed by the students in solving algebraic, ordinary differential equations (initial value and boundary value) and partial differential equations (parabolic and elliptic). During the Fall of 2006, components were added to the course to expose students to case studies, active problem solving, teamwork, and experimentation with an overall aim of promoting creative and critical thinking as students identify and practice the art of modeling. The 13 graduate students during the Fall 2006 course were tasked with a semester project to "Design an encapsulated drug (of your group's choice) that effectively delivers an appropriate dose for an appropriate number of hours. Select the most cost-effective method." The students began by creating an initial experimental protocol for their physical model (equipment/supplies needed, data collection procedure), developing computer modeling/numerical methods appropriate for solving the mathematical model, necessary simplifications made to begin the research, and expectations of future considerations that more appropriately model the real system. Throughout the semester the students improved their physical and mathematical modeling abilities to give them appropriate tools to reach the goal of successfully designing and presenting encapsulated drugs. Assessments are presented examining the effectiveness of the team-based, active-learning experience. Modeling, experimental design, experimental procedure and competence, and proficiency in applied numerical methods and computer programming are evaluated. (Contains 3 figures and 7 tables.)

REACH (Reaching Engineering and Architectural Career Heights) is a weeklong summer academy outreach program for high school students interested in engineering, architecture, or technology. Through module-­based instruction, students are introduced to various engineering fields. This report describes one of the modules focused on introducing biomedical/biochemical engineering principles and practice. The approach taken in presenting biochemical/biomedical engineering is described along with the effectiveness of the approach. Pre-­ and post-assessment surveys found that the students were interested in the materials presented, actively involved in the experimental procedure, and the module successfully increased the students' interest in the field of biochemical/biomedical engineering.

Use of biodegradable scaffolds to engineer new tissues has become an attractive option in various transplantation protocols. In particular, small intestinal submucosa (SIS) has generated immense interest in various tissue engineering applications because of its diverse favorable properties. However, it is a natural matrix, which leads to problems in large‐scale preparations and contains sample to sample heterogeneity. In this study, we explored the formation of synthetic matrix mimicking the characteristics of the SIS. Three‐dimensional composite structures were developed by sandwiching 50:50 PLGA film between porous chitosan matrices. The outer chitosan layers provide biological activity while the inner PLGA layer provides mechanical strength. PLGA films were initially perforated at 1 cm distance, and the porous chitosan matrix was formed sequentially on each side by controlled rate freezing and lyophilization technique at −80°C. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed a layered microarchitecture with chitosan filling the perforations of PLGA membrane. Urea permeability studies confirmed that the perforations were filled (negligible urea transfer across composite over 8 h). Tensile strength analysis showed that the matrices formed using 160 kDa PLGA had sufficient break stress (∼4.5 MPa). Degradation analysis over 8 weeks in the presence of 10 mg/L lysozyme showed a 50% decrease in total weight and an 80% decrease in PLGA molecular weight. When cellular adhesion and actin distribution of mouse embryonic fibroblasts were evaluated, for 7 days, cells showed their typical spindle shape and redistribution of actin fibers on composite matrices. Viability studies and MMP‐2/MMP‐9 activity showed that the cells were viable and functional, similar to tissue culture plastic. Further, canine bladder smooth muscle cells also showed similar cell adhesion and spreading on the composite matrix. In summary, composite structures mimicking SIS were constructed and show potential as a tissue engineering material. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the reconstructed graduate course in Chemical Engineering Modeling course offered at Oklahoma State University, based on the use of problem-solving learning (PBL). Students who took the course were also introduced to case studies, teamwork and experimentation to promote creative and critical thinking as students identify and practice the art of modeling. They were put in groups based on experience, gender and ethnicity. The course was assessed based on a survey approved by the University Institutional Board.

The article focuses on use of a new module in which K-12 students were introduced to biomedical and biochemical engineering in the U.S. The main objective was to expose students to various activities in bioengineering. Other purposes of the module include teaching students good research methodology and presentation skills. Both deductive and inductive learning styles were used in the activities to maximize teaching effectiveness and successful completion of the module goals.