Biomedical Equipment Technology

Bryan works with a student

Biomedical Equipment Technology is an area of study designed to provide students with a fundamental knowledge related to the use, acquisition, and maintenance of monitoring, diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical medical instrumentation. Examples of instrumentation include, electrocardiographs, defibrillators, pacemakers, ventilators, x-ray, and ultrasonic devices. This curriculum explores solutions to the problems encountered by physicians, nurses, and technicians when they work with medical devices. In addition, the basics of biopotentials, electrical safety, infection control, physiological transducers, and troubleshooting are presented. A model Technology Management Program is also analyzed which highlights the role of the various health care professionals in the process of acquiring, using, maintaining, and disposing medical devices. The importance of using such a program to ensure the safe and effective use of medical technology is also discussed. Students participate in a hands-on Lab which gives them an opportunity to work with specialized test equipment that allows them to safely operate and test many medical devices.

Graduates from this specific curriculum find work repairing, installing, selling, and managing technology within the medical industry. Annual starting salaries for this type of work range from $26,000 to $36,000. Graduates from this program can work in hospitals or corporations like Hewlett Packard, Siemens, or General Electric.

The first two years of the Electronic Systems Technologies program is designed to give all students a background in fundamental electronics technology. Formal and informal articulation agreements with community colleges ensure the transfer student a smooth transition into the program. Previous coursework, military, and work experiences are evaluated on an individual basis. Faculty and the student work together in order to determine the most appropriate point of entry into the program. The final two years of study include a blend of advanced technical, university core, and electronics management courses. Below is a listing of the courses recommended to provide an excellent, well rounded program of study in Biomedical Equipment Technology.

Career Prerequisites-36 hours

Four-semester sequencing of electronics theory begins in the first fall semester. Students enrolled in laboratory courses are required to purchase electronic components for the purpose of constructing, analyzing, and evaluating electronic circuits. The total cost of theses components is estimated to be at least $200.

  • EST 101-3 DC-AC Circuit Analysis
  • EST 111-3 DC-AC Circuit Analysis Laboratory
  • EST 102-3 Electronic Circuits Theory
  • EST 112-3 Electronics Circuits Laboratory
  • EST 201-3 Digital Circuits Theory
  • EST 211-3 Digital Circuits Laboratory
  • EST 202-3 Industrial Process Control Theory
  • EST 212-3 Industrial Process Control Laboratory
  • EST 221-3 Introduction to Electronic Communications
  • ISAT 121-3 Installing and Upgrading Computer Systems
  • ISAT 224-3 LAN Installation and Administration
  • IST 209-3 Introduction to Programming

Core Mgmt & Tech Requirements-9 hours

All majors take the following professional development classes.

  • EST 305-3 Electronic Troubleshooting and Maintenance
  • EST 451-3 Current Trends in Elec. Sys. Technologies
  • ISAT 366-3 Applications of Technical Writing

Biomedical Equipment Technology Concentration Courses - 21 hours

  • EST 301-3 Introduction to Biomedical Instrumentation
  • EST 311-3 Biomedical Instrumentation Laboratory
  • EST 340-3 Application of Solid State Devices
  • EST 341-3 Digital Circuit Applications
  • EST 411-3 Imaging and Info Syst. in Healthcare
  • ISAT 335-3 WAN Installation and Administration
  • EST 319A-3 Biomedical Internship

Electives - 13 Hours

Students may choose from the following general electives or other EST program option courses to complete hours.

  • EST 306-3 Technical Drawing
  • EST 342-3 Microcontroller Applications Lecture
  • ISAT 365-3 Data Applications and Interpretation
  • TRM-332-3 Labor-Management Problems
  • TRM 361-3 Fiscal Aspects of Technical Management
  • TRM 362-3 Legal Aspects of Technical Management
  • TRM 364-3 Work Center Management
  • TRM 383-3 Data Interpretation (Same as ISAT 365)
  • TRM 421-3 Professional Development

More information as to course description and program requirements may be found in the Abbreviated EST Course Descriptions and EST Program Requirements.

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