Toward a Curricular Reform Reimagining the Mechanical Design Foundation for Biomedical Engineering Education
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55578/fepr.2604.008Keywords:
Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Design Course, Curriculum reform, Problem-based teachingAbstract
This paper systematically explores directions for curriculum reform. It addresses two core issues: the disconnect between the "Fundamentals of Mechanical Design" course and BME students' professional needs, and the curriculum's tendency to be broad but shallow. First, it analyzes the conflict between the highly interdisciplinary nature of the discipline and limited instructional hours, revealing the current status characterized by content oversimplification, a disconnect between learning and application, and insufficient student motivation. Accordingly, a specific scheme for reconstructing the curriculum based on a "problem-oriented" approach is proposed. By integrating four interdisciplinary modules—Rehabilitation Engineering, Biomechanics, Sports Biomechanics, and Human Factors Engineering—the scheme deeply combines traditional mechanical principles with the practice of medical device design. The paper further discusses the pedagogical paradigm shift from "tool-oriented" to "problem-oriented" represented by this reform, and objectively analyzes the practical challenges regarding faculty, resources, and evaluation systems, as well as the potential impact on the disciplinary ecosystem. In conclusion, it is noted that this reform constitutes a systemic reconstruction of the curriculum system. It aims to cultivate interdisciplinary engineering talents capable of solving complex clinical problems, holding significant value for aligning with national strategic demands and promoting the specialized development of the major.
References
1. Zifan Che, Yue Zhang, Minhao Wu, et al. Bibliometric Analysis on the Development of Biomedical Engineering[J]. Science Focus, 2022, 17(05): 1-10.
2. Yuqing Wang. The Survey of Biomechanical Engineering Research[J]. Engineering Science, 2005(11): 16-20.
3. Lijun Hao, Geng Zhu, Xiupin Wu, et al. Construction of biomedical engineering specialty courses integrating “two natures and one degree” concepts:Taking “Principle and Application of Medical Instruments” as an example[J]. China Medical Education Technology, 2022, 36(02): 175-180.
4. Wanting Zheng, Liangliang Chen, Xin Zhang, et al. Exploration and Research on the Talent Cultivation Model for Biomedical Engineering under the Background of Emerging Engineering Education[J]. China Higher Medical Education, 2025(07): 1-3+6.
5. Tyler S. Love, Joshua P. Cysyk, Anilchandra Attaluri, et al. Examining Science and Technology/Engineering Educators’ Views of Teaching Biomedical Concepts Through Physical Computing[J]. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 2022, 32: 96-110.
6. University of Electronic Science and Technology of China. Biomedical Engineering (Medical-Engineering Intersection, Information Biology and Genetic Engineering)[EB/OL], 2025. https://zs.uestc.edu.cn/view/141.html?code=21&tid=14011.
7. Zhejiang University. The first session of Shengyi's "Career Express" - a graduate employment sharing session was successfully held[EB/OL], 2025. http://www.cbeis.zju.edu.cn/2025/0313/c63880a3027003/page.htm.
8. Tao Li. The college carried out internship research and visit work for the Biomedical Engineering major in five hospitals in Hangzhou[EB/OL], 2025. https://wzeye.cn/edu/news2/show-64947.html.
9. Southern Medical University. Notice on the Internship Arrangement for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students of the Class of 2026[EB/OL], 2025. https://portal.smu.edu.cn/swyxgcxy/info/1138/12737.htm.
10. Huijun Xue, Yang Zhang, Xiao Yu, et al. Research on the Project Teaching Reform of Circuit Principle Course of Biomedical Engineering Major[J]. EDUCATION AND TEACHING FORUM, 2022, No.567(16): 56-59.
11. Technology Queensland University of. EGH435 Modelling and Simulation for Medical Engineers[EB], 2024.
12. Lingyue Kong, Jing Zhang, Dongmu Tian, et al. The Wear on a Novel Motion Mode Hinged Knee Prosthesis: A Finite Element Analysis[J]. Journal of Medical Biomechanics, 2023, 38(01): 97-103.
13. Yu Qian, Xinwei Li, Bingze He, et al. Static Finite Element Analysis on Hip Disarticulation Prosthesis Socket-Residual Limb in Stance Phase[J]. Journal of Medical Biomechanics, 2021, 36(06): 923-928.
14. Qinying Song. A CiteSpace-Based Bibliometric Analysis of Domestic and International Research on Rehabilitation Assistive Devices[J]. China Social Welfare, 2025, No.647(05): 24-41.
15. Ying Zhu. Design and Development of a Lightweight Stiffness-Tunable Ankle-Foot Orthosis[D]. Donghua University, 2025.
16. Minghui Wang, Qingjun Nong, Yu Qian, Yinhui Huang, Yinhao Wang, Hongliu Yu, Design of Adjustable Frame-Type Prosthetic Socket for Lower Limb, IRBM, 2023.
17. Yingnan Hu, Wanwan Shi, Datao Wang. Blood cells and the occurrence and progression of osteoporosis: potential of biomarkers and emergingtherapeutic strategies[J]. Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research, 2025.
18. Taieb Messaad, Abdelghani Baltach, Mohammed El Sallah Zagane, et al. Biomechanical analysis of prosthetic liners in transfemoral amputees using finite element modeling[J]. Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering, 2025, 47.
19. Sergio Barroso Rosa, Kaushik Hazratwala, Matthew P. R. Wilkinson. Mismatch between trochlear coronal alignment of arthritic knees and currently available prosthesis: a morphological analysis of 4116 knees and 45 implant designs[J]. Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy, 2023, 31: 3116-3123.
20. M.Grigioni, C.Daniele, G.D''Avenio, et al. Wear patterns from fatigue life testing of a prosthetic heart valve[Z]: 1-6.
21. Rahul Talukdar, Ceby Saviour, Kaustubh Tiwarekar. Bone Remodeling Around Solidand Porous Interbody Cages in the Lumbar Spine[Z]: 1-12.
22. Andres R. Perez, Carlo Coladonato, Rahul Muchintala, et al. A systematic review of the biomechanical properties of suture materials used in orthopaedics[J]. Journal of Orthopaedics, 2024, 51: 122-129.
23. David G.Lloyd, Ilse Jonkers, Scott L.Delp, et al. The History and Future of Neuromusculoskeletal Biomechanics[Z]: 1-11.
24. Weilin Cai, Zhengyu Wang, Yi Wang, et al. Comfort perception on wheelchair lock actuating rod position in younger and older adults[J]. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 2025, 107: 103731.
25. Qihao Zhou, Dixin Liu. Research on Family Medical Bed Design Based on Multimodal Data Fusion[J]. Art & Design, 2024, No.378(10): 142-144.
Downloads
Published
Data Availability Statement
Data available on request from the authors.
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Minghui Wang, Shiqin Feng, Hongliu Yu (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.