Doctorate In Biomedical Engineering

Overview

The Ph.D. in a biomedical engineering degree program is jointly offered by UTA and UT Southwestern Medical Center. Research and teaching efforts in the biological, engineering, mathematical, physical, and medical sciences departments of both institutions are coordinated through the Committee on Graduate Studies in Biomedical Engineering.

About The Program

Students in the biomedical engineering doctoral program develop in-depth, interdisciplinary expertise in engineering and life sciences that enable them to be successful in biotechnology and biomedical engineering industries or pursue academic research.

The 47-hour curriculum leads to a Ph.D. degree in biomedical engineering. Significant additional time is spent inside a faculty investigator's laboratory to perform doctoral thesis research.

Career Opportunities

• Biomedical research in academia (postdoc, faculty)
• Government regulatory agencies
• Biodata analytics
• Image processing and modeling

Degree Options

Medical Imaging and Bioinstrumentation Concentrations

This track offers courses for students who wish to focus their studies on bio instrumentation and/or human performance. Topics covered include biophotonics, bio instrumentation, digital signal processing, human physiology, biostatistics, biologic materials and mechanics, transport phenomena, and medical imaging. A large selection of additional courses is available in the Bioengineering Department and from other College of Engineering and College of Science departments for students to select according to their research interests.

Bioengineering, Tissue Engineering, and Nanomedicine Concentrations

This track offers courses for students who wish to focus their studies on biomaterials, tissue engineering, and nanomedicine. Topics offered include nano biomaterials, biologic materials and mechanics, implant-blood compatibility, and drug delivery. A large selection of additional courses is available in the Bioengineering Department and other College of Engineering and College of Science departments for students to select according to their research interests.

Bioengineering and Biomechanics Concentrations

This track offers courses for students who wish to focus their studies on biomaterials, tissue engineering, and nanomedicine. Topics offered include biologic materials and mechanics, transport phenomena, implant-blood compatibility, and computational biomechanics. A large selection of additional courses is available in the Bioengineering Department and other College of Engineering and College of Science departments for students to select according to their research interests.

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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.

Required Bioengineering

• BE 5101 -- Seminar in Bioengineering -- 1

Ph.D. Seminar for at least two semesters:

• BE 6103 -- Ph.D. SEMINAR IN BIOENGINEERING -- 1
• BE 6103 -- Ph.D. Seminar in Bioengineering -- 1
• Laboratory Course (BE 5324, BE 5365, BE 5373 or BE 5382) -- 3

Elective Bioengineering -- 15

• Elective
• Elective
• Elective
• Elective
• Elective

Elective Other (3 credit hours)

• One Three-Hour-Course from other engineering departments or a life science course with the approval of the Graduate Advisor -- 3

Life Sciences (9 Credit Hours)

• BE 5309 -- Human Physiology In Bioengineering -- 3

Select one of the following: -- 3

• Cell Physiology
• Neuroscience
• Tumor Physiology

Select one of the following: -- 3

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Immunology

Mathematics, Statistics, Computer, and Physical Sciences

One Three-Credit-Hour Biostatistics course as approved by the Graduate Advisor.

Ph.D. Examinations and Dissertation

All doctoral students must satisfactorily complete the following exams at the semester in which the student expects to submit and defend the dissertation:

• BE 6194 -- Doctoral Diagnostic Examination -- 1
• BE 6195 -- Doctoral Comprehensive Examination -- 1
• BE 6999 -- Dissertation -- 9

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.

Why Choose Us?

• Benefit from a well-designed curriculum that balances coursework and practical skills
• Collaborate with students from different engineering disciplines in interdisciplinary research projects
• Engage in cutting-edge research projects that are funded by the university, industry, and governmental agencies
• Learn from well-established faculty who work closely with industry
• Join a network of alumni who hold positions in leading companies and institutions such as those located in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex including Alcon, Abbott, Medtronic, GE, Intel, FDA, FEMA, and others

Admission Requirements

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.