Robert L. Spilker, Sc.D.

  Professor, Biomedical Engineering

Educational Initiatives

Modeling of Biomedical Systems

A new undergraduate course has been introduced for all Biomedical Engineering undergraduates and is usually taken during the Spring semester of the sophomore year. The course introduces students to several differenet mathematical models appropriate to a variety of physiological problems. Using a series of bomedical engineering challenges, students learn to formulate the proper mathematical equations to model the system. Where possible, closed-form solutions are obtained, but in most practical physiological problems, numerical methods are needed. Students learn methods such as the finite difference method, finite element method, and lumped parameter methods. Both the theoretical underpinnings and the practical application of the methods are presented. Commerical software, including COMSOL Multiphysics and MATLAB are used for problems and projects.

Advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in this area are also planned within the Biomedical Engineering Department, and there are a range of outstanding finite element courses available at Rensselaer in both the School of Engineering and the School of Science.

Other Educational Projects

Efforts are planned to introduce mathematical and compuational modeling activities within several of our biomediical engineering courses. We anticipate that these will use the commerical modeling tools COMSOL Multiphysics, MATLAB, and Mathematica.

Mathematics and Its Application in Engineering and Science: Building the Links

The studio model of educational delivery, pioneered at Rensselaer, replaces the traditional lecture-discussion format within interactive learning environment in which students and instructors actively engage in the learning process. It is an integral part of a five-year NSF grant awarded to the School of Science and the School of Engineering at Rensselaer (Mark H. Holmes and Robert L. Spilker, co-Directors). Project Links focuses on the integration of mathematics throughout the science and engineering curricula. We are developing linked browser-based modules of basic mathematical concepts and applications focusing on discipline-specific areas of engineering (such as biomedical, mechanical, electrical, civil and chemical) and science (physics, chemistry and biology). Modules are being developed in the following mathematical areas: calculus, differential equations, linear systems, probability and statistics, and advanced mathematical methods will develop the hyper-linked modules. Designed to be used in a studio classroom or in a computer laboratory with the interaction of instructors and students, each of the modules has been tested in an appropriate mathematics and engineering or science course.

The quality of our modules has been recognized by our selection for the Premier Courseware 2000 Award. We are proud of our faculty and technical staff development team, and hope that you will visit our site and try some of our modules in your courses.