Implementation and assessment of a curricular module on the history and philosophy of reverse engineering in biological systems

Abstract

With the current prominence of systems biology and the prevalent application of reverse engineering techniques to biological systems, there is wide recognition of the need, not only for proper methodology, but also for background information, which would serve to guide these activities, and help to place them in an appropriate context. The reverse engineering of biological systems has a long and distinguished history, from Galen and DaVinci, to William Harvey and E.O. Wilson. In addition, consideration of the moral and philosophical underpinnings and implications of such work provides biomedical engineering students with a useful arena in which to wrestle with questions regarding how their academic discipline integrates with their larger worldview. Under the direction of faculty members from engineering, biology and philosophy, a multidisciplinary team of undergraduate honors students is developing a curricular module on the history and philosophy of reverse-engineering. In keeping with the mission of the institution, learning objectives and educational outcomes are carefully defined to assist with assessment of student learning. This module is currently being implemented among a group of engineering students in a course on the history of quantitative thought. Assessment activities are being conducted in an effort to determine if objectives and outcomes are being met. It is anticipated that both the students taking the course, and the students developing the curricular module, will significantly benefit from these experiences. Current engineering graduates will live and work in an age where humanity is in danger of technologically outpacing its ability to wisely implement futuristic ideas. And yet, who better to assist in leading this complex society than problem solving engineers who have been educated in the history and wisdom of technological development. This is especially true in the fields of biomedical engineering and systems biology where strong leadership is needed to channel the vast expansion of new knowledge in a way that accomplishes the most good, and avoids the pitfalls resulting from limited human understanding. Combining historical and philosophical perspectives in systems biology allows students to view past technological achievements in a moral context, which should provide them with insights into current ethical dilemmas in biomedical engineering. It also provides students with a clearer understanding of reverse engineering techniques and the philosophical implications of the significant and repeated successes of such an approach to biological systems. © American Society of Engeneering Education, 2013.