Drug Delivery, Pharmacokinetics, and Artificial Organs

Catalog description

CHE 455 is an elective course that examines the application of chemical engineering principles (thermodynamics, transport, and kinetics) to the analysis of a number of medically related phenomena and devices. Specific topics include drug delivery systems, pharmacokinetics, artificial organs, biological transport phenomena, and temperature regulation. One of the important goals of the course is to understand how chemical engineers go about developing appropriate physical models for complex biological systems. Emphasis will be placed on identifying the key physical / biological phenomena governing the system behavior. Where appropriate, the course will also examine some of the social, political, and economic implications of medical technology in our society, e.g., the artificial kidney program. Students do not need a background in biology or physiology -- the key biological phenomena will be covered at appropriate places throughout the semester.