Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical engineering applies engineering and science methodologies to the analysis of biological and physiological problems and the delivery of healthcare. The biomedical engineer serves as an interface between traditional engineering disciplines and living systems, and may focus on either applying the patterns of living organisms to engineering design or engineering new approaches to human health. A biomedical engineer may use their knowledge of engineering to create new equipment or environments for such purposes as maximizing human performance or providing noninvasive diagnostic tools.

Degree Requirements

The degree of doctor of philosophy is conferred primarily in recognition of creative accomplishment and the ability to investigate scientific or engineering problems independently, rather than for completion of a definite curriculum. The program consists of advanced studies and research leading to a significant contribution to the knowledge of a particular problem. A student’s research may have analytical, computational or experimental components, or some combination of these. Each student is expected to complete an approved program of study beyond that required for a master’s degree as determined by the dissertation committee, pass the comprehensive examination (written/oral), present a dissertation proposal acceptable to the student’s committee, complete a program of significant original research, and prepare and defend a dissertation detailing the research.

The program consists of a minimum of 42 credit hours of study beyond the master’s degree, of which at least 18 shall be for dissertation registration. The comprehensive examination is given when, in the judgment of the student’s advisory committee, the student has completed significant coursework in the major area and mathematics and initiated doctoral research. The examination must normally be taken before the end of the student’s fourth academic semester after admission into the doctoral program. The written portion of the examination consists of individual parts given by each member of the advisory committee. The written portion of the comprehensive examination is followed by an oral component that provides the advisory committee an opportunity for a more in-depth assessment of the student’s readiness for doctoral candidacy. Subsequent to completion of both written and oral components of the comprehensive examination, a dissertation proposal must be submitted to the student’s advisory committee for evaluation. Upon determining the proposed research is of doctoral quality and completion is feasible, the student is advanced to candidacy for the doctoral degree.

Curriculum

The doctoral program of study must be approved by the student’s advisory committee and the program chair. Considerable latitude is allowable in course selection, although appropriate advanced courses are expected to form a part of the student’s program. Dissertation credits and coursework below represent a minimum and the committee may require additional credits if they believe sufficient work has not been completed.