This exploratory study examines student engagement and learning outcomes in an intensive summer interdisciplinary course, Biomedical Device Design and Development. Originally offered as an 18-week, 2-credit course totaling 36 instructional hours, the program was condensed into a four-week summer format and structured through a modular design. The curriculum comprised four components: medical device regulations and risk management, artificial intelligence applications, biomedical sensor and microcontroller practice, and a Biodesign project emphasizing clinical needs. A total of 13 students from a research-oriented university in northern Taiwan participated, representing diverse academic backgrounds including biomedical engineering, physical therapy, electrical engineering, nursing, rehabilitation sciences, clinical medicine, occupational therapy, business management, and education. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining Likert-scale course evaluation surveys with students’ weekly learning reflections. Results show that students were actively engaged with the practical and project-based modules, particularly the biomedical sensor practice and Biodesign project, which were strongly associated with enhanced interdisciplinary perspectives and applied learning outcomes. However, challenges emerged in the regulations module, where students reported difficulties in comprehension, as well as issues related to limited programming foundations and unclear connections across modules. Qualitative feedback further highlighted students’ expectations for more case-based teaching, group discussions, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Overall, the study highlights both the value and challenges of intensive interdisciplinary programs in higher education and offers insights for refining curriculum design to enhance student engagement and learning effectiveness.

Authors:
Wei Hung Huang, National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan

About the Presenter(s)
Wei Hung, HUANG is a PhD student at the Graduate Institute of Science Education, National Taiwan Normal University.

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