Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering

This degree is awarded in recognition of a high level of mastery in subject matter and a significant original research contribution in biomedical engineering. The Ph.D. recipient will be capable of a continuing effort toward the advancement of knowledge and achievement in research and other scholarly activities and may pursue a career in a medical, industrial, or academic environment.

A minimum of 72 credit hours is required for the Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering. Students who have received an M.S. degree from another university may petition for transfer of up to 32 credit hours applicable toward the Ph.D. degree. Students must pass the Ph.D. qualifying examination within the first year of full-time Ph.D. studies. This is a written and oral examination intended to explore both the depth and breadth of the student’s academic abilities. Within two and one-half years of matriculation, students will be required to defend their thesis research proposal (comprehensive examination). A written dissertation and oral defense are also required for receiving the doctoral degree. Dissertation format and deadlines are established by the Graduate College.

There are no specific courses that are required for the doctoral degree in biomedical engineering. However, a minimum of three courses in life science, three courses in mathematics, and six courses in biomedical engineering or other engineering-related courses are required. The specific courses selected to meet these requirements will depend on the entering qualifications of the student and the nature of the thesis research proposal. In general, the student’s thesis committee will determine the specific course requirements necessary for graduation. Graduate students should consult with their advisers to plan their curriculum.

Curriculum

Minimum Credits Required 72
Maximum 400-Level Credit 9
Maximum Transfer Credit 32
Life Science Courses (9-10)
Select a minimum of three courses from the following:9-10
Biochemistry4
Genetics for Engineering Scientists3
Concepts of Cancer Biology3
Human Physiology3
Cell Biology3
Advanced Biochemistry3
Molecular Biology3
Immunology and Immunochemistry3
Bioinformatics3
Mathematics Courses (9)
Select a minimum of three courses from the following:9
Applications of Mathematics to Chemical Engineering3
Computational Techniques in Engineering3
Fourier Series and Boundary-Value Problems3
Statistics3
Partial Differential Equations3
Partial Differential Equations3
Complex Analysis3
Linear Algebra3
Stochastic Processes3
Introduction to Time Series3
Tensor Analysis3
Applied Statistics3
Computational Mathematics I3
Computational Mathematics II3
Finite Element Method3
Engineering Analysis I3
Engineering Analysis II3
Advanced Engineering Analysis3
Computational Fluid Dynamics3
Methods of Theoretical Physics I3
Methods of Theoretical Physics II3
Biomedical Engineering or Other Engineering-Related Courses (11-20)
Select a minimum of six courses from the following:11-20
Introduction to Biomedical Engineering3
Communication Skills in BME3
Mathematical and Statistical Methods for Neuroscience I2
Neurobiology2
Mathematical and Statistical Methods for Neuroscience II2
Computational Neuroscience II: Vision3
Cognitive Neuroscience2
Mathematics and Statistics for Neuroscience III2
Vertebrate Neural Systems3
Reaction Kinetics for Biomedical Engineering3
Medical Imaging3
Mathematical Methods in Biomedical Engineering3
Cell Biomechanics: Principles and Biological Processes3
Quantitative Aspects of Cell andTissue Engineering3
Inverse Problems in Biomedical Imaging3
Medical Imaging Science3
Biostatistics3
Magnetic Resonance Imaging3
Introduction to Molecular Imaging3
Neuroimaging3
Wave Physics and Applied Optics for Imaging Scientists3
Advanced Concepts in Image Science3
Bioinstrumentation and Electronics3
Physiological Signal Processing and Control Theory2
Control Systems for Biomedical Engineers3
Advanced Quantitative Physiology3
Neuromechanics of Human Movement3
Fluid Mechanics for Biomedical Engineers3
Advanced Mass Transport for Biomedical Engineers3
Computational Models of the Human Cardiovascular System3
Seminar in Biomedical Engineering3
Special Problems1-6
Polymer Processing3
Polymer Rheology3
Bioprocess Engineering3
Interfacial and Colloidal Phenomena with Applications3
Pharmaceutical Engineering3
Drug Delivery3
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence3
Advanced Database Organization3
Topics in Machine Learning3
Probabilistic Graphical Models3
Analysis of Random Signals3
Computer Vision and Image Processing3
Machine and Deep Learning3
Statistical Signal Processing3
Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics4
Dynamics of Viscous Fluids4
Computational Fluid Dynamics3
Advanced Materials Processing3
General Electives (0-18)
Select 0-18 credit hours of electives from BME 400-799 to fulfill minimum total credits0-18
Ph.D. Research (24-36)
BME 691Research and Thesis PHD24-36

Minimum degree credits required: 72