Faculty: Health Sciences This major focuses on designing and fitting orthotic and prosthetic devices to enhance mobility and quality of life for individuals with physical impairments. Students explore biomechanics, materials science, anatomy, and rehabilitation engineering. The program emphasizes technical skills, clinical knowledge, and engineering principles to create customized solutions. Graduates are prepared for careers in orthotic and prosthetic clinics, rehabilitation centers, and medical device manufacturing. **Learning Objectives:** - Understand orthotic and prosthetic design and fabrication. - Develop skills in biomechanical analysis, materials selection, and device fitting. - Learn techniques for assessing patient needs and designing customized devices. - Explore rehabilitation engineering to improve patient outcomes. - Understand regulatory standards, ethical considerations, and patient care. - Analyze challenges and opportunities in orthotic prosthetics. - Develop teamwork and problem-solving skills for clinical and engineering projects. **Major Outline:** 1. **Introduction to Orthotic Prosthetics** - Overview of orthotic and prosthetic devices and their applications. - Fundamentals of biomechanics, anatomy, and materials science. 2. **Biomechanics** - Principles of biomechanics and techniques for biomechanical analysis. 3. **Materials Science** - Fundamentals of materials science and techniques for material selection and fabrication. 4. **Anatomy and Physiology** - Principles of anatomy and physiology relevant to orthotic and prosthetic design. 5. **Orthotic Design and Fabrication** - Principles of orthotic design and techniques for designing and fitting orthotic devices. 6. **Prosthetic Design and Fabrication** - Principles of prosthetic design and techniques for designing and fitting prosthetic devices. 7. **Rehabilitation Engineering** - Methods for integrating engineering principles with rehabilitation practices. 8. **Clinical Assessment and Patient Care** - Principles of clinical assessment and techniques for patient-centered care. 9. **Regulatory Standards and Ethical Considerations** - Understanding regulatory standards and ethical practices in orthotic prosthetics. 10. **Emerging Trends** - Analysis of innovations such as 3D printing and advanced materials. 11. **Capstone Project** - Real-world project to apply learned skills in designing or fitting orthotic and prosthetic devices. **Assessment Methods:** - Orthotic and prosthetic design projects, biomechanical analyses, clinical assessment plans, research papers, group projects, and internships. **Recommended Textbooks:** - "Orthotics and Prosthetics in Rehabilitation" by Phil Stevens. - "Biomechanics of the Musculoskeletal System" by Richard N. Hinrichs. - "Materials Science and Engineering" by William D. Callister Jr. **Prerequisites:** Basic knowledge of biomechanics, materials science, anatomy, and engineering principles. Suitable for students in biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, physical therapy, and related fields. **Major Duration:** Typically 4 years for a bachelor's degree, including coursework, projects, and internships. **Certification:** Graduates may receive a degree in Orthotic Prosthetics and pursue certifications such as Certified Orthotist (CO) or Certified Prosthetist (CP). **Target Audience:** Aspiring orthotists, prosthetists, biomedical engineers, and rehabilitation specialists seeking to specialize in orthotic and prosthetic device design and fitting. This major equips students with the skills needed to excel in orthotic prosthetics, supporting advancements in rehabilitation engineering and patient care.