University of Kentucky - College of Engineering - Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

The Graduate Center for Biomedical Engineering offers master's and doctoral degrees in Biomedical Engineering. This graduate program emphasizes the application of engineering principles to the areas of medicine and biology and covers the broad aspects of mechanics, materials, fluids, signal processing, systems analysis, instrumentation, physiology, cellular processes, and laboratory experimentation. Students in the program are provided with educational and research opportunities through the facilities and faculty of the Center and its ideal geographic location and close ties with other units of the University, ranging from engineering to basic science to clinical departments.

Areas of research include

• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Cardiopulmonary mechanics and controls
• Clectromagnetic stimulation of tissue magnetic resonance imaging
• Orthopedic biomaterials and bone tissue engineering
• Orthopedic biomechanics
• Respiratory dynamics

The Center is located in the Wenner-Gren Research Laboratory that provides the framework for multidisciplinary research. Faculty and staff of the Center collaborate with investigators from other units of the University, including Anatomy & Neurobiology, Biochemistry, Biology, Cardiovascular Medicine, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Center for Applied Energy Research, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Neonatology, Nephrology, Neurosurgery, Oral Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Otolaryngology, Pediatric Cardiology, Periodontics, Pharmacy, Physiology, and Plastic Surgery. Center faculty and staff provide opportunities and support for graduate students, medical residents, and selected undergraduates. Graduates of the program enter careers in research institutes, academia, hospitals, and the biomedical industry.

Admission Requirements

Entering students are expected to have a baccalaureate degree in engineering. Some course work in the biological sciences is desirable but not required. Applicants with degrees purely in the physical or biological sciences may be required to complete select course work in the undergraduate engineering curriculum before being admitted to the graduate program. Admission to the biomedical engineering graduate programs normally requires a GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 for all graduate and undergraduate work and Graduate Record Examination scores of at least ≥650 (Quantitative), ≥500 (Verbal) and ≥4.0 (Analytical). Additional application materials to be submitted to the Center include a statement describing your reasons for wanting to pursue graduate education in Biomedical Engineering and letters of recommendations from (3) three faculty members who are familiar with your academic record. There is no specific form that is required for these letters. Satisfying the above requirements does not guarantee admission to the biomedical engineering graduate program.

Master of Science

The Master of Science degree provides students with a combination of experiences in basic research, design, development, and practical applications. The M.S. degree requires successful completion of the core curriculum (26 credit hours) plus an acceptable thesis. In special cases, a non-thesis option consisting of 31 credit hours is available for students with significant previous research or design experience or those who are con-currently employed in a biomedical engineering related industry. Enrollment in the non-thesis option requires approval of the Director of Graduate Studies and must be requested within the student's first 9 credit hours of graduate course work.

Professional Master of Biomedical Engineering

The Professional Master of Biomedical Engineering degree seeks to develop a unique combination of managerial, technical and leadership skills for those who will direct the future course of biomedical technology. The P.B.M.E. degree requires successful completion of 42 credits, including the capstone Advanced Study Project, and a summer internship.

Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy is a research degree granted on the basis of broad knowledge of engineering applications in biology and medicine and an in-depth study in a specific area leading to a dissertation reflecting original and independent work by the candidate. Applicants to the Ph.D. program are generally expected to have a master's degree. Under special circumstances, exceptional students may bypass the M.S. and be admitted directly to the Ph.D. program upon approval of the biomedical engineering faculty. Courses for advanced study are determined in consultation with an advisory committee and will be selected from the areas of engineering, mathematics, life sciences, and chemistry.

To earn a Ph.D. degree, students must:

1. Meet the requirements of the Graduate School.
2. Successfully complete PGY 502.
3. Pass the Qualifying Examination. This exam, consisting of written and oral components, is designed and administered by the student's Doctoral Advisory Committee.
4. Present and satisfactorily defend a dissertation documenting independent and comprehensive scholarship.

Further information about the graduate programs may be obtained by writing to the Director of Graduate Studies, Center for Biomedical Engineering, Wenner-Gren Research Lab, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506-0070, by e-mail at cbmedgs@uky.edu , or by visiting our Web site athttp://www.cbme.uky.edu/index.htm.