University Catalog

Objectives

The Biomedical Engineering Program is jointly offered by The University of Texas at Arlington and The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas (UT Southwestern). Research and teaching efforts of various departments in the biological, engineering, mathematical, physical, and medical sciences of both institutions are coordinated through the Committee on Graduate Studies in Biomedical Engineering. The goal of the program is to prepare students for bioengineering careers requiring skills in research, development, and teaching in a variety of settings in industry, in hospitals, in research facilities of educational and medical institutions and in government regulatory agencies. Internships are aimed to further prepare students for careers in the bioengineering industry.

The program includes coursework and research in medical imaging, biosensors, physiological control systems, biomedical signal processing, biomedical instrumentation, rehabilitation, orthopedics, biomechanics, biomaterials and tissue engineering and neurosciences. Specifically, during the first year of their studies, students in the master's and doctoral programs must select one of the concentration tracks in Bioengineering:

1. Bioinstrumentation
2. Biomaterials/Tissue Engineering
3. Biomechanics
4. Medical Imaging
5. Nanomedicine/Nanoengineering

A track advisor is available to advise students on the relevant courses and the research opportunities in each track.

Master's Program

The master's program is based upon graduate level work in Bioengineering, life sciences and related physical sciences.

Doctoral Program

The doctoral program is based upon graduate level work in Bioengineering, and extensive graduate training in the life sciences and related physical sciences. The program is aimed at the development of professional biomedical engineers capable of independent research.

Combined Degree Plan: Bachelor of Science in Biology and Master of Science in Bioengineering

This five-year curriculum prepares students for careers in the fast growing biotechnology and Bioengineering industries. The curriculum also prepares students for medical school and advanced study. Students are required to take courses from engineering, life sciences and liberal arts, culminating in a five-year Master of Science Degree in Biomedical Engineering, including a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. The curriculum is offered jointly by the College of Engineering and the College of Science.

Fast Track Programs for a Master's Degree in Biomedical Engineering

The Fast Track program enables outstanding undergraduate students in either Biomedical Engineering, or Physics, or Biochemistry to receive dual undergraduate and graduate course credit leading to receiving both a Bachelor of Science Degree in either Biomedical Engineering, or Physics, or Biochemistry and a Master's Degree in Biomedical Engineering. See the departmental advisors for additional information on these programs.

Description

Bioengineers use quantitative methods and innovation to analyze and to solve problems in biology and medicine. Students choose the Bioengineering field to serve people, to partake in the challenge and excitement of working with living systems, and to apply advanced technology to complex problems of medical care. Through this program, students learn the essentials of life science, engineering theory, and the analytical and practical tools that enable them to be successful in the biotechnology and Bioengineering industries. The program includes coursework in the basic sciences, core engineering, Bioengineering, and advanced biotechnology disciplines. Both didactic classroom lectures and hands-on laboratory experience are emphasized. Additionally, students are required to take general educational courses in literature, fine arts, history, political science, and social science.

Career Opportunities

The program prepares students as biomedical engineers for careers in industry, in hospitals, in research facilities of educational and medical institutions, and in government regulatory agencies. It also provides a solid foundation for those wishing to continue for advanced degrees. For those planning to pursue a medical degree, this cross-disciplinary curriculum offers a solid foundation in engineering, which is an advantage in preparing for a medical career.

See the UT Arlington Undergraduate Catalog for a more detailed description of this program.

Continuation

The Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program has established certain policies to fulfill its responsibility to graduate highly qualified professional engineers. In addition to the requirements of the Graduate School listed in this catalog under Advanced Degrees and Requirements, each bioengineering graduate student who wants to continue in the program must:

1. Maintain at least an overall GPA of 3.0 from all coursework, and
2. Demonstrate suitability for professional engineering practice.

At such time as questions are raised by bioengineering graduate faculty regarding either of the above, the student will be notified and will be provided the opportunity to respond to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Bioengineering. The Committee on Graduate Studies will review the student's performance and make a recommendation concerning the student's eligibility to continue in the program. Appeal of a decision on continuation may be made through normal procedures outlined in the section of this catalog entitled "Grievances Other than Grades."

Master's Admission

Application for admission should be made at either UT Arlington or UT Southwestern.  Normally, the institution through which the student applies and is admitted is the student's home institution.  In addition to admission requirements of the Graduate School, the bachelor's degree held by applicants to the program may be in engineering, biological, physical, or mathematical sciences. Depending on the applicant's background, some preparatory coursework may be required, prior to admission into the program. The UT Arlington Biomedical Engineering Program uses the following guidelines in the admission review process:

Unconditional Admission

1. Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of undergraduate work in an engineering discipline as calculated by the Graduate School.
2. GRE with total score (quantitative plus verbal) equal to or greater than 301 is preferred.  Applicants from non-ABET accredited programs are required to take the GRE.  Applicants from ABET accredited programs are not required to take the GRE.  However, taking the GRE is strongly recommended for consideration of potential financial assistance. 
3. A total TOEFL score of 79 or better for Internet-based testing for international applicants whose native language is not English.

Probationary Admission

1. If an applicant meets any one of the above items 1, or 2 and also provides three letters of recommendation from persons with relevant academic credentials. 
2. A total TOEFL score of 79 or better for Internet-based testing for international applicants whose native language is not English.

Provisional Admission

An applicant who is unable to supply all required documents prior to the admission deadline, but who otherwise appears to meet admission requirements may be granted provisional admission.

Deferral

If an applicant does not present adequate evidence of meeting admission requirements, the admission decision may be deferred until admission records are complete or the requirements are met.

Denial

A candidate may be denied admission if he/she has less than satisfactory performance in two out of the three admission criteria, excluding TOEFL.

Degree Requirements

Master of Science Degree Plans

Students in the Thesis Degree plan must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours, including 6 hours of thesis.  Students in the Thesis-Substitute Degree plan must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours as specified below.

After completion, the student will receive his or her Masters Degree in Biomedical Engineering. 

Doctoral Admission

In addition to admission requirements of the Graduate School, the bachelor's degree held by applicants to the program may be in engineering, biological, physical, or mathematical sciences. Depending on the applicant's background, some preparatory coursework may be required, prior to admission into the program.  The UT Arlington Biomedical Engineering program uses the following guidelines in the admission review process:

Unconditional Admission

1. 1. Minimum GPA of 3.4 in the last 60 hours taken in the major field of study of engineering or physical sciences as calculated by the Graduate School.
2. GRE Total (quantitative plus verbal) must be greater than 308 with a verbal score of 146 or better.
3. Three favorable letters of recommendation.
4. A total TOEFL score of 79 or better for Internet-based testing for international applicants whose native language is not English.

Probationary Admission

1. If an applicant meets any two of the above items 1, 2, and 3.
2. A total TOEFL score of 79 or better for Internet-based testing for international applicants whose native language is not English.

Provisional Admission

An applicant who is unable to supply all required documents prior to the admission deadline, but who otherwise appears to meet admission requirements may be granted provisional admission.

Deferral

If an applicant does not present adequate evidence of meeting admission requirements, the admission decision may be deferred until admission records are complete or the requirements are met.

Denial

A candidate may be denied admission if he/she has less than satisfactory performance in two out of the three admission criteria, excluding TOEFL.

Fellowship

No additional requirements besides the information published by the Graduate School.

Degree Requirements

Doctor of Philosophy Degree Plan

The Ph.D. degree program consists of a minimum of 47 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree level and includes the courses as specified below.

Although qualified applicants may be accepted into the Ph.D. program without earning the Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering, all students must satisfactorily pass BE 6194 DOCTORAL DIAGNOSTIC EXAMINATION. This examination will cover all relevant coursework taken by the student. The examination may be written, oral, or both and consists of a timed, written analysis of a major problem in the student's general area of research interest, followed by an oral examination covering the same material. Elements of engineering, physical and biological science, mathematics, computer science and statistics may be included in this examination.

For completion of doctoral degree, a minimum of 38 semester hours of graduate coursework is expected for students entering with an appropriate master's degree, or a minimum of 47 semester hours of graduate coursework is expected for student's entering with a bachelor's degree, as approved by the Committee on Graduate Studies.  Additional coursework may be required by the student's doctoral dissertation committee.   

For additional information, applicants and students should contact the BE Graduate Advisor for a copy of the "Information Brochure" for related and amplified information about the graduate program. The information can also be found at http://www.uta.edu/bioengineering/.

After completion, the student will receive his or her PhD in Biomedical Engineering.