Biomedical Engineering

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biomedical Engineering prepares graduates to review technical literature related to a biomedical engineering research problem and communicate those results through oral presentations and written publications.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university, and of the College of Engineering, students must meet the requirements specified below.

The doctoral degree program in biomedical engineering program of study is selected in consultation with a faculty advisor and the graduate program director. A minimum of 22 credits of course work beyond the bachelor’s degree is required in addition to doctoral dissertation research. No more than 6 credits of 400-level courses may be counted towards the degree requirements.

Student’s must complete the following:

1. All of the following core courses:BME    803    Research Methods        3
   BME    841    Translational Innovations Laboratory        3
   BME    892    Biomedical Engineering Seminar        1
2. Complete 24 credits of BME 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research.
3. Successful completion of a dissertation and final oral examination in defense of the dissertation.

For admission to the doctoral degree in biomedical engineering on regular status, the student must:

1. Have a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering or related field;
2. Have a grade-point average that would indicate success in graduate study.
3. Upload Resume/CV
4. Upload personal and academic statements 
5. Manage Letter of Recommendations
6. Send Messages to Graduate Secretary and Graduate Director
7. Copy of your official transcripts (undergraduate and graduate)
8. Official GRE scores 
9. Official TOEFL or IELTS scores. We strongly encourage taking the TOEFL iBT (internet-based test). Admitted international students typically achieve a total score of 95 or above on the iBT with speaking and writing scores of 24 or above.

Applicants who are admitted without a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering may be required to complete collateral course work to make up deficiencies. Collateral course work will not count towards the fulfillment of degree requirements.

Scholarships

The BME Departmentstrives to provide financial support to all Ph.D.students and Plan A master’s students. Several types of financial support are available, including fellowships, research assistantships and teaching assistantships. Continued financial support is contingent upon the student’s making satisfactory progress toward completion of the degree. The department’s criteria for satisfactory progress includes courses completed, the nature of the courses, grades received, passing the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination, and progress in completing master’s thesis or Ph.D. dissertation research. Funding is also dependent on the total number ofsemesters the student has been supported, availability of funds, and the needs of the department for particularservices. 

• Fellowships: Fellowships provide financial support that is not associated with specific tasks other than making satisfactory progress toward completion of the degree. Fellowships are assigned based on availability of funds and the student’s qualifications and performance. Receipt of externally funded fellowships by students who have written their own grant applications and worth at least $24,000 (direct costs) makes the student eligible for in-state tuition rate. The instate tuition rate applies only to the semesters during which the student issupported by the fellowship. This policy applies only to grants funded through a competitive process by a US or international institution/agency/foundation. Funds obtained through non-competitive processes (e.g., need-based fellowships) do not qualify the student for in-state tuition rates.
• Research Assistantships: Research assistantships are assigned by the research advisor based on criteria including the availability of research funds and the student’s qualifications, interests, and past performance. Students on research assistantships perform work needed to complete a funded research project. Often, but not always, the work isrelated to the student’sthesis/dissertation topic. Renewal of research assistantships is based on satisfactory performance and availability of funds.
• Teaching Assistantships: Teaching Assistantships (TA) are assigned by the chairperson based on criteria including prior commitment to provide support, availability of other forms ofsupport, number of semesters of previous support, and the student’s knowledge of the course material, teaching ability, and interest in teaching as a career option.
• Tuition Waiver, Fees, and Health Insurance: Research assistantships and teaching assistantships include a tuition waiver (nine credits for fall and spring semesters and five for summer semester) matriculation and energy fees, and health insurance.