Biomaterials are used in biomedical applications including medical devices, implants, scaffolds for tissue engineering, drug delivery systems and biosensors. A variety of materials can be used as biomaterials including synthetic/natural polymers, metals, ceramics, and composites. Materials selection criteria for a particular biomedical application and biological environment will be emphasized. Various aspects of physiology, such as the nature of the cell, cell functions, immunity, and cell-material interactions, will also be described to provide a context for selection and use of materials. Background on materials and properties relevant to structural components in the human body will be given with the objective of discussing the bases for materials selection and the processes for preparing biomaterials with optimal properties for specific applications such as hard and soft tissue replacement, drug delivery and tissue engineering. Regulatory issues related to medical devices will also be presented.

Behrend Program Outcomes:
This course is designed so that the material, delivery, and activities strongly support the following Behrend program outcomes. After completing this course, a student should:
1. Have a fundamental understanding of materials science related to biomedical technologies.
2. Have a firm understanding of the selection criteria and requirements for materials used in medical devices, implants, diagnosis and tissue
engineering.
3. Understand the effects of the various biological environments on the performance and properties of materials as well as the cell/tissue responses to different materials.
4. Be familiar with the general regulatory issues associated with the development of medical devices.
5. Be able to specify biomaterials selection criteria for a variety of biomedical devices and manufacturing/processing methods for these biomaterials.