University Curriculum

The Quality of Life Technology (QoLT) Center creates a motivational and compelling opportunity to influence the future direction of engineering education, outreach and career preparation.  Our education and outreach vision evolved from the recognition of unique characteristics of QoLT: real-life narratives, integration across multiple disciplines, and direct impact on diverse stakeholder groups.  Our vision embodies the transformation of all stakeholders from technology and technology artifact users to technology inventors and influencers.  We aim for a transformation with far greater efficacy and diversity in the means by which technology has a truly measurable impact on quality of life.

Our education and outreach goals are to:

1. Develop, enhance and disseminate curricula that emphasize participatory design, teamwork and cross-disciplinary training
2. Inspire and motivate students along the pipeline to pursue QoLT and instill in them a strong sense of service to humanity
3. Empower people, especially individuals with disabilities, to be able to improve their own lives and the lives of people they know, through the application of engineering and design principles in concert with lateral and multi-disciplinary problem solving

To be part of QoLT, students must be mentored by a QoLT faculty member and enrolled in a QoLT-affiliated degree program.  Through this connection, the student becomes part of the QoLT research team, providing them access to our growing community of engineers, scientists, clinicians, practitioners, and consumers.  This experience enables the student to be intellectually prepared and motivated to create, assess and apply technology to benefit people with disabilities and older adults.  The Center also has a Student Leadership Council (SLC) that supports the QoLT ERC and promotes dialog and community surrounding research in assistive technologies.

Affiliated University Programs

Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University
The Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University conducts basic and applied research in robotics technologies relevant to industrial and societal tasks. Seeking to combine the practical and the theoretical, the Robotics Institute has diversified its efforts and approaches to robotics science while retaining its original goal of realizing the potential of the robotics field.     http://www.ri.cmu.edu

School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh
Through academic research, technology design, and rigorous training, the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences educates the next generation of health professionals who will help others reach their fullest potential. The many departments and programs offer undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs. A close working relationship with UPMC, as well as research labs and clinics throughout the University, means unique opportunities. http://www.shrs.pitt.edu/cms

Computer Science Department, Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon is known worldwide for their broad vision of computer science. They act quickly to explore new directions. They are fearless in pushing the frontiers of their field. Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon is also distinctive for their research style, their educational programs, and their success at diversity, their culture, and their organizational structure. It is the union of all these features, rather than any one of them, that truly distinguishes their program.     http://www.cs.cmu.edu

Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University
Firmly rooted in engineering and the life sciences, the Biomedical Engineering Department in the Carnegie Institute of Technology encourages creativity and entrepreneurship. The programs match the technological expertise of the engineer with the growing needs of the healthcare field as represented by hospitals, universities, and industry. Students pursue coursework and research in the following areas: bioimaging, biomechanics and devices, biomaterials and regenerative medicine, and cellular and molecular systematics. Master's and Ph.D. programs are available.     http://www.bme.cmu.edu
 
Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh
The Department of Bioengineering at the School of Engineering combines hands-on experience with the solid fundamentals students need to advance themselves in research, medicine, and industry. The Department has a long-standing and unique relationship with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and other academic departments at the University of Pittsburgh as well as neighboring Carnegie Mellon University.     http://www.engr.pitt.edu/bioengineering/main

Human Computer Interaction Institute, Carnegie Mellon University
The Human Computer Interaction Institute (HCII) is an interdisciplinary community of students and faculty at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). This community is dedicated to research and education in topics related to computer technology in support of human activity and society.   http://www.hcii.cs.cmu.edu

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh
The Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with limited mobility and physical disabilities. Physicians and scientists are involved in the latest research in the areas of traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, diseases and disorders of the musculoskeletal and peripheral nervous systems, and many other conditions that affect function and mobility. Research consists of lab and clinical investigations of initiatives such as neuroprosthetics, neuroimaging, gene therapy and assistive technology.     http://www.rehabmedicine.pitt.edu

University of Pittsburgh Institute on Aging (UPIA)
The University of Pittsburgh Institute on Aging (UPIA) provides access to a multidisciplinary network of comprehensive clinical care, one of the nation’s largest and most diverse portfolios of aging-related research, and one of the most extensive geriatric and gerontologic education programs in the country. UPIA also acts as a referral resource, connecting users with information on aging-related topics, educational programs, research studies, and services.     http://www.aging.pitt.edu

Electrical and Computer Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University
Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) is a broad discipline involved in creating many of the computing and communication systems that are revolutionizing the world in which we live. New discoveries in physical phenomena and algorithms are enabling higher performance systems, as well as totally new engineering applications. The penetration of technology into our lives is also changing the nature of the engineering profession, creating more opportunities — and more social responsibility.     http://www.ece.cmu.edu

Institute for Complex Engineered Systems, Carnegie Mellon University
The Institute for Complex Engineered Systems (ICES) is a strategic initiative for pursuing multidisciplinary research on Complex Systems both within the College of Engineering and across colleges at Carnegie Mellon. ICES researchers seek to develop enabling technologies and systems that seamlessly connect people with their physical and information environments.     http://www.ices.cmu.edu

Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh
The Department of Neurobiology currently has 19 tenure stream and 6 non-tenure stream faculty with substantial research strengths in neural development, circuit function, computation, cellular communication through receptors, channels and synapses and neurological and psychiatric diseases.   http://www.neurobio.pitt.edu