Upgrading the biomedical engineering undergraduate curriculum based on current trends in higher education

Abstract

This paper presents the reforming of the curriculum of the Department of Medical Instrumentation Technology at the Technological Educational Institution of Athens (TEI-A), as inspired by current trends in higher education. The reforming is taking place in the framework of the "Upgrading of Undergraduate Curricula of TEI-A" project The project-funded upgrading focuses on a core of eight laboratory sectors, with particular emphasis placed on student-centered learning, taking advantage of computer-enhanced educational environment. The existing and proposed curricula are compared. The student workload in the proposed curriculum is reduced, while maintaining an extensive set of basic and applied knowledge related to biomedical engineering. The overall aim is to provide a curriculum that will help in developing multi-skilled individuals that can relate to the demands of this field within a dynamic social and economical environment.