Academics

Engineers who understand biology and who can apply their knowledge and skills to improve human health are increasingly in demand. A professional degree in biomedical engineering (BME) prepares students to fill this critical need.  The M.Eng. is usually completed in two semesters. The curriculum offers advanced training, is practice-oriented, and is designed to assist engineers in development of their professional careers. Completion of the M.Eng. degree requires a design project rather than thesis research. The M.Eng. provides the technical expertise and leadership skills needed in business, government, and industry.

Educational Goal
We prepare students for professional practice in BME. Students in the program acquire a broad perspective of the biomedical engineering discipline that complements their undergraduate training in engineering or science, and an in-depth knowledge of an essential area in biomedical engineering. Graduates are equipped to design biomedical devices and develop therapeutic strategies.  In addition, graduates appreciate the implication of health care economics, needs of patients and physicians, the regulatory environment for medical devices and pharmaceuticals, and stringent ethical standards of biomedical engineering practice.

Expected Applicant Background
Students from a wide variety of backgrounds in engineering and science may obtain admission and are encouraged to apply.

All students will satisfy the following requirements:

• BS degree or equivalent in engineering or science
• Calculus-based physics (8 credits), mathematics starting with calculus (12 credits) and an introductory computer science course or equivalent
• Knowledge of molecular- and cellular-based biomedical engineering and biomedical engineering analysis of physiological systems at the level of BMEP 301, 302, 401, and 402.  Students lacking this background may need to complete additional courses (beyond the normal 30 credits) to demonstrate appropriate knowledge in these two subject areas.  M.Eng. students not having completed these courses as undergraduates or not having successfully completed the diagnostic exam cannot count BMEP 301, 302, 401 and 402 toward the M.Eng. credit requirements.

Curriculum Requirements
All students complete the following courses:

• BMEP 550 – Product Engineering and Design in Biomedical Engineering – 3 credits
• BMEP 591 – BME Design Project – 3 to 6 credits
• BMEP 501 – Bioengineering Seminar – 1 credit
• Biomedical Engineering Foci (12 credits minimum)

In addition, students choose one of the three areas below as an area of concentration and demonstrate knowledge in the other two:

Biomedical Mechanics and Materials
Bioinstrumentation/Diagnostics
Drug Delivery and Cellular/Tissue Engineering

• Students with educational background in engineering or physics must demonstrate knowledge in: (a) biochemistry/genetics, and (b) physiology. Students with an educational background in biology need to have or gain knowledge in basic engineering courses associated with (a) biomechanics, (b) biomaterials, (c) drug delivery/tissue engineering, or (d) instrumentation.

The precise program requirements must be agreed upon by the student and the M.Eng. faculty coordinator.

Courses
Generally courses numbered 600 and 700 are intended for PhD students but are available to M.Eng. students (sometimes requiring instructor’s permission). Courses numbered 500 level are primarily intended for M.Eng. students. Classes at the 300 and 400 level are designed for juniors and seniors, but they may be taken by M.Eng. students with their advisor’s approval.

The M.Eng. Design Project
The M.Eng. project is a 3 to 6 credit project usually done over two terms. Students may work in teams. The project emphasizes design, and it typically involves an economic evaluation of a process or product. Projects may be generated by BME faculty, industrial colleagues, or clinicians in the medical or veterinary colleges. It may be a “paper” study or it may involve laboratory projects to explore a new idea or make a prototype of a device, produce CAD drawings, or design a process.  We encourage students to select a project by mid-September and work on it over two terms.