ENGLISH 202C: TECHNICAL WRITING

Internet Resource Guide

Online Resources for the Penn State Undergraduate Biomedical Engineering Student
Thomas Andrew Dougherty 2/12/2014

Table of Contents
Preface ............................................................................................................................................................ Contents .................................................................................................................................................... 2 Audience.................................................................................................................................................... 2 Assumptions .............................................................................................................................................. 2 Organization ............................................................................................................................................. 3 Tips for using this Guide ............................................................................................................................ 3 Internet Resource Guide ................................................................................................................................. Professional Journals................................................................................................................................... Annals of Biomedical Engineering......................................................................................................... 4 Government Resources ............................................................................................................................... Catalog of U.S. Government Publications ............................................................................................. 5 Statistical Abstract of the United States ............................................................................................... 6 General Internet Resources ......................................................................................................................... The Biomedical Engineering Society ..................................................................................................... 7 Biomedical News on IEEE Spectrum ..................................................................................................... 8 Penn State Department of Biomedical Engineering ............................................................................. 9 Penn State eCareer ............................................................................................................................. 10 Indexes to Periodical Literature .................................................................................................................. Engineering Village Compendex ......................................................................................................... 11

Preface Contents: This guide is a collection of online resources that can assist readers in obtaining a variety of technical information related to the expanding field of Biomedical Engineering. Resources in this guide can range anywhere from a professional, research-based journal all the way to a scientific news website including articles about the most groundbreaking biomedical advancements of the week, month, or year. Students can pursue employment information from a variety of medical device and pharmaceutical companies, or simply seek help on their current homework assignment. In providing such a widespread distribution of resources and knowledge, this guide can provide undergraduate students with a variety of tools that they will be able to use throughout their upcoming careers. Audience: Those who intend to benefit from this resource and all of its accompanying information should have at least a basic foundational knowledge of the healthcare industry, but this is not required. While some of the resources presented in this guide do go into depth on advanced biomedical technologies, there are also many resources included that require very minimal background knowledge. In this way, upperclassmen undergraduate students can focus on some of the more complex topics, while freshman and sophomore students can work their way up to this material. Generally, this guide is catered toward undergraduate students attending the Pennsylvania State University who have an interest in the biomedical engineering field. Assumptions: Readers are assumed to have a basic knowledge on how to navigate the internet. This knowledge includes clicking on URLs and navigating the various sources by using search tools and menu options. Aside from this, readers are expected to have a basic understanding of the engineering field, specifically biomedical engineering. These resources included are not included so that readers can fully understand all of the concepts discussed; however, readers should learn from the resources and become motivated to learn even more. A final assumption is that, for some of these resources, the reader has obtained a license to view the materials enclosed (for Penn State students this is not an issue since they are granted access through the university).

Organization: This guide begins with a Table of Contents on page 1 that provides the basic framework for this document, including the page numbers where the abstract of each resource is located. The main forms of resources in this guide are Professional Journals, Government Resources, Indexes to Periodical Literature, and General Internet Resources. Each abstract includes the link of the resource, a Reasons to use this Resource section, a general description of the resource, and a Tips section. Tips for using this Guide: In order to get the most out of this Internet Resources Guide, be sure to; Utilize the Table of Contents provided on page 1 of this guide to effectively and efficiently find specific sources of information that pertain to you Prior to reading the full abstract for a resource, look at the Reasons to Use this Resource section at the beginning of each description in order to gauge the potential usefulness of this source Read the Tips section at the end of each description in order to take full advantage of each resource

Internet Resource Guide Professional Journals

Annals of Biomedical Engineering

http://www.springer.com/biomed/journal/10439 Reasons to use this Resource Provides firsthand research conducted by leading members of the field Lists valuable references at the end of each article Journal has international reputation as being one of the most well-respected sources of knowledge in the biomedical engineering community

Description This professional journal is the premier source of knowledge for cutting edge research in the field of biomedical engineering. It is the official journal of the Biomedical Engineering Society which (as is discussed in the General Internet Resources section) is an international society dedicated to advancing human health through engineering and technology. The journal is a collection of online research articles that have been submitted by leading researchers, reviewed by the editorial board, and finally published. Each article begins with an abstract that summarizes the main motives and findings of the study, and then delves deep into the experimental observations. At the end of each article is a References section that opens the door to further information, information which the researchers actually used and cited throughout their study. While the content discussed in these articles can be very technical and advanced, most junior and senior undergraduate students should have had at least some exposure to the terminology being used. Students can use the information presented in this journal for potential graduate thesis topics, or simply to stay up to date with the most current biomedical research. And with over 42 volumes dating back to the year 1972, there is no shortage of information to obtain. Tips While the link provided above leads directly to the journal, Penn State students should search for it through the Penn State library catalog in order to receive unlimited free access Many articles include the emails of the researchers, so you can communicate with these leaders of biomedical research Many articles include over 30 reference links, so use these for more related information

Internet Resource Guide Government Resources

Catalog of U.S. Government Publications

http://catalog.gpo.gov/F Reasons to use this Resource Information from government organizations such as the National Institute of health can be found through this catalog Many of the publications found through this site are free to the general public Federal laws and regulations regarding medical devices can be found using this resource

Description The Catalog of U.S. Government Publications is comprised of various publications from the United States federal government. Dating all the way back to July 1976, this resource has nearly 500,000 documents available for the average person to access, with even more documents being added every day. Users can search for publications by using a keyword, title, author, or subject, and additional specifications can be made under the Advanced search tab. This U.S. government catalog is divided into several subset catalogs: Congressional Serial Set, Congressional Publications, Historical Shelflist, Internet Publications, and Serials. An undergraduate biomedical engineering student can benefit greatly from this resource since the catalog allows them to learn about what federal laws have been issued on certain design specifications for biomedical devices or pharmaceuticals. For example, when medical devices is searched for under the Congressional Publications subset, 77 records are listed with one specific publication titled The impact of medical device and drug regulation on innovation, jobs, and patients. If a student deemed this source helpful, all they would have to do is add it to a Bookshelf feature and it would be saved there permanently. Tips Make sure to save documents that you intend to view later under the Bookshelf tab Use a specific search catalog (such as Historical Shelflist) to greatly narrow down a search Try to be as specific as possible when searching for a specific document, i.e. using quotation marks around a specific phrase that is found in the document

Internet Resource Guide Government Resources

Statistical Abstract of the United States

http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/ Reasons to use this Resource Allows students to prepare for future by revealing statistics on how many people directly enter industry as opposed to how many attend graduate school Data can be accessed from previous years, so growth of the field can be revealed

Description The Statistical Abstract of the United States is a standard summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States, and it is regarded as the authoritative source for this information. The abstract has been published since the year 1878, and it is updated each and every year. Individual statistical data is grouped among various Browse Sections, which are displayed in a column along the left-hand side of the websites interface. Some example categories include Population, Agriculture, and Manufacture. Statistical information can also be manually searched using the Search function located on the top right-hand corner of the webpage. Much of the data on this site has been collected by various government agencies including the Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics; however, private organizations are also responsible for some of the information included. A biomedical engineering student could really find some of this statistical data useful, especially information on employment and research in various engineering and healthcare fields. For example, under the Health and Nutrition category, the subcategory Health Risk Factors could provide a great starting point for research on various diseases and how to effectively design devices to combat them. Tips Data abstracts can be viewed in either Microsoft Excel or pdf format, so choose the most useful for your needs Remember to select from different categories to simplify search Select Earlier Editions along the top of the page to view abstracts from previous years

Internet Resource Guide General Internet Resources

The Biomedical Engineering Society

http://bmes.org/ Reasons to use this Resource Students can connect to a widespread biomedical engineering community Allows members to post their resumes and search for jobs through a Career Connections section Information for local industry and student chapter is provided so that members can meet faceto-face with small subsets of the society

Description This resource is the main website for the Biomedical Engineering Society, or BMES. It contains a wealth of information on the biomedical engineering community, and invites visitors of the site to join the society and become a lifelong member. The mission statement for the group states that the Mission of the BMES is to build and support the biomedical engineering community, locally, nationally and internationally, with activities designed to communicate recent advances, discoveries, and inventions; promote education and professional development; and integrate the perspectives of the academic, medical, governmental, and business sectors. This site contains a lot of resources including access to biomedical engineering-specific journals (including Annals of Biomedical Engineering described above), career connections, blogs and online news bulletins, and online learning. The amount and variety of information on this page makes it a valuable resource for undergraduate students since it provides an easy way for them to become exposed to the biomedical engineering community. Tips Simply spend a lot of time exploring the site; there is much information to absorb Follow the society on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube by clicking on News/Pressroom at the top looking at the right-hand side of the page View the calendar of BMES events by clicking on Calendar at the top right-hand side of the webpage

Internet Resource Guide General Internet Resources

Biomedical News on IEEE Spectrum

http://spectrum.ieee.org/biomedical Reasons to use this Resource Most articles include the names of the researchers whom conducted the studies, so their other work can be traced down Has an online news article format that most internet users are well versed in maneuvering around A vast array of biomedical advances are covered

Description This resource is an online version of the worlds leading engineering magazine, IEEE Spectrum, which reveals some of the most groundbreaking current advances in various disciplines including biomedical engineering. The biomedical section of this site is reached from the homepage by clicking on the Topics tab at the top of the interface and then clicking Biomedical, or by simply clicking on the link above. After this page is reached, articles can be sorted by most recent, amount of views, or number of user comments. A wide range of topics are covered throughout this resource, from various medical devices to the effects of different diets on the body. Various subtopics, including Bionics and Imaging, can be accessed at the top of the page in order to narrow down this range of information. Articles included on this site focus on succinctly relaying information to the reader, and they have a far less academic tone than some of the other resources discussed in this guide. Because of this, newer undergraduate biomedical students would most likely find this source helpful since it does not delve too deep into complex ideas; rather it simply touches the surface of many current biomedical advances. Tips Make use of the various subtopics that are listed in order to narrow down articles At the end of each article is a Learn More section where you can find related articles on the related topics

Internet Resource Guide General Internet Resources

Penn State Department of Biomedical Engineering

http://www.bioe.psu.edu/ Reasons to use this Resource Is the principle source for knowledge on the Penn State Department of Biomedical Engineering Provides contact information for researchers and advisors Includes necessary curriculum for both undergraduate and graduate students at Penn State

Description This resource is the main website for the Department of Biomedical Engineering in the College of Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University. It highlights the various activities of the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Intercollege Graduate Degree Program. Some of these activities include both undergraduate and graduate curricula, areas of research, upcoming seminars, internships, clubs, and many more. The website is neatly laid out with the top panel consisting of the following tabs: Home, Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Researchers, Industry, Alumni, and Safety. After a specific tab is selected, a column of links along the left-hand side of the webpage consists of different subsections within that given section. Overall, this resource is essential for Penn State students, faculty, researchers, funding and industry organizations, and alumni who are interested in learning about the most recent updates for the departments. For undergraduate student specifically, this resource would be essential for scheduling information and faculty contacts, as well as many more reasons. Tips This site is connected to the general Penn State website, so use the Search panel at the top right-hand corner of the webpage in order to navigate to other Penn State departments and locations The undergraduate tab will most likely be used most for undergraduate students, but also be sure to click on the graduate tab to learn more about potential future opportunities

Internet Resource Guide General Internet Resources

Penn State eCareer

https://eng-psu-csm.symplicity.com/students/ Reasons to use this Resource Efficient way to search for internships, co-ops, full-time positions, and research opportunities

Description This resource is a career services website, which is provided by the Pennsylvania State Universitys Career Services. This website is specifically designed for Penn State students, both at the undergraduate and graduate level, to be able to post their resumes, cover letters, and any other necessary documents and have them reviewed by a Career Services representative. Students are encouraged to create a personal profile, which includes both academic and personal information. After resumes and other documents have been approved by a representative, students can utilize the job searching features of the site to locate internships, co-ops, full-time jobs, and research positions for both national and international organizations. These features include direct job postings by various companies related to a students major as well as upcoming interviews or information sessions coming to campus. All of these events are organized under the Calendar tab on the top of the webpage, and applications for positions can be directly submitted via either the Jobs or Interviews tabs. Clearly, this resource is absolutely critical for Penn State undergraduate biomedical engineering students, as it allows them to search for various positions and, hopefully, secure a future job. Tips Students must develop a profile with this website before any of its functions can be utilized (a username and password must be created) Advanced searches are available so that only the most relevant positions are returned Make sure to constantly update all documents before submitting them to companies

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Internet Resource Guide Indexes to Periodical Literature

Engineering Village Compendex

http://www.engineeringvillage.com/search/quick.url Reasons to use this Resource Contains an extensive range of information across numerous engineering disciplines Information can be used for scholarly purposes, or to obtain business and economic reports on the biomedical industry

Description This resource is an index to periodical literature that searches for various engineering journals based on the input search criteria. It contains a vast expanse of journals, conferences, and trade publications dating back to the year 1884. When it was first established, the Engineering Village Compendex was instead called the Engineering Index, and its materials were assembled by hand. Nowadays, the index contains over 15 million records, with nearly 1 million records now added annually. Searches for specific materials can either be conducted through a Quick Search, an Expert Search, or a Thesaurus Search, or they can also be browsed by author, publisher, language, document type, and many more by utilizing the right-hand column of the webpage. This index searches through many different engineering disciplines, but proper search criteria can yield materials for that are biomedical engineering specific. Undergraduate Students can make great use of the incredible array of information that can be obtained from this index, and they can apply this information to their studies. Tips Individual materials can be saved for future use under the Selected Records tab at the top of the webpage, so make sure to utilize this helpgul feature Use the preview feature before loading an entire document so that time spent searching for materials is reduced Make sure to access this resource through the Penn State libraries website so that it is free to use (it is listed under Databases on the library webpage)

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