Biomaterials are essential for something as simple as stitching up a wound to something as complex as restoring blood flow to a damaged heart.  Without biomaterials it would be impossible to restore movement to an arthritic hip, or grow a new nerve to return sensation to a limb, or heal a burn.  To solve the medical problems confronted by hematologists, oncologists, immunologists, orthopedists, and cardiologists, biomaterial engineers must function and innovate in a rapidly evolving interdisciplinary environment, integrating knowledge of materials science, chemistry, mechanics, and tissue engineering.  During the semester we will explore the special properties of materials currently used in medical practice in a series of medical case studies and use these insights to analyze novel and emerging medical therapies. In brief, we will learn what it takes for a 'mere' material to become a 'biomaterial'!