Graduate Program Requirements

Upon enrolling in the master's or the doctoral program in Biomedical Engineering, students should select their area of specialization.

The Biomedical Engineering faculty then design the curriculum and research program to address the specific student goals. This will include courses in engineering, biology, mathematics, and medicine, all of which are integrated with research laboratory experience. Consult the Graduate School Bulletin for further details.

Master's of Science

In the Master of Science program, students are required to complete thirty semester credit hours, including three credit hours of physiology and six credit hours of thesis research. Students are also required to complete a thesis and pass a comprehensive exam.

Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy degree is conferred in recognition of marked ability and high attainment in the advancement of knowledge and pursuit of truth. The comprehensive knowledge expected of students in their major field is such that the requirements for the degree usually take not less than four years of full-time work, or the equivalent, beyond the baccalaureate degree. The dissertation represents an original research contribution showing high attainment and clear ability to do independent research. A program of study leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree is prepared by the student's Dissertation Advisor in consultation with the student.

Credit Hours
Normally, the total doctoral course program, exclusive of dissertation, will be sixty semester hours beyond the baccalaureate degree. A minimum of thirty semester hours of course work beyond the master's degree is normally required. All doctoral students must complete a minimum of three credit hours of graduate level physiology.

Qualifying Examination
The Ph.D. Qualifying Examination, which includes written and oral components, is to be administered in a timely manner after the student has completed a minimum of 42 graduate credit hours beyond the Bachelor's Degree.

Dissertation Defense
A public defense of the dissertation (final oral examination) is conducted after the student has completed all other formal requirements for the Ph.D. degree and has submitted a completed doctoral dissertation to his/her doctoral committee. The dissertation defense is held in the format of a departmental seminar.