Biomedical engineering is a discipline which integrates the engineering sciences with biology and medicine. The field of biomedical engineering has seen a dramatic escalation in activity over the past 20 years leading to the development of a wide variety of medical devices, medical procedures, and a basic understanding of biological processes. Engineering approaches are becoming increasingly important in modern biological and medical research and in the development of new technologies that stem from recent discoveries. The University of Arizona has established strengths in medical and biological engineering with faculty members providing education and research opportunities from nearly every scientific discipline on this campus.

During the first year, course work includes foundation BME core courses and introduction to research opportunities in faculty laboratories. Continued studies and research are flexible and include advanced graduate courses in engineering and life sciences, research methods, thesis credits (M.S.), dissertation credits (Ph.D.) and a research seminar series. Each student's course of study is developed with the guidance of a mentor and advisory committee. Students are also encouraged to participate in clinical and industrial internships which provide experience in state of the art applications of biomedical engineering.

The strength of the Biomedical Engineering Program derives largely from the flexibility afforded by the broad biomedical engineering research interests of the interdisciplinary faculty who participate in the Program. This allows each student the freedom to design a unique program of study to meet individual career goals.

Doctor of Philosophy Requirements:
Doctoral students must complete a minimum of 67 units of graduate credit, and meet the Graduate College’s minimum units of courses in which regular grades (A, B) have been earned. Requirements include 15 units of the core BME courses; 15 units in the major; a minimum of 9 units in the minor; all required seminar and student forum courses (6 units of which count towards degree requirements); 2 units in a BME approved ethics course; 3 units of laboratory rotations (BME 597G) and 18 units of BME 920 (dissertation).

Students entering the program with a M.S. degree may petition to apply previous graduate coursework to the Ph.D. degree requirements. The Graduate College requires that at least 30 units of graduate credit must be completed at the University of Arizona.

Specific M.S. and Ph.D. degree requirements and examination procedures are described in the Biomedical Engineering Program Graduate Handbook.

Master of Science Requirements
All master’s students in the program must take a minimum of 36 units of graduate credit including the following courses:(a) five Biomedical Engineering core courses; (b) 2 units of a BME approved ethics course; (c) BME seminar and student forum every semester offered, but only four units will count towards the degree; (d) 2 units of Research methods in Biomedical Engineering (lab rotations); (e) 7 units in graduate engineering, life or physical sciences, or mathematics courses; and (f) 6 units of BME Thesis. The remaining units may be chosen by the student to supplement their plan of study. A final thesis defense is required. The Master of Science program is an unfunded, two-year program. The student is expected to pay all expenses.

Accelerated Master's Program (AMP)
The BME GIDP offers an Accelerated Master's of Science program for exceptional students enrolled at the University of Arizona for both their bachelor's and master's degrees. Students obtain a B.S. in Biosystems or Systems Engineering and a M.S. in Biomedical Engineering. The M.S. is completed in one year beyond the B.S.

General requirements for Accelerated Master's Programs are set by the office of Academic Affairs, and can be found at: http://www.registrar.arizona.edu/programs/Accelerated_Masters_Program_Proposal.html

Qualified students apply to the program nominally in the second semester of their junior year (i.e. with two full semesters remaining in their undergraduate program). Application deadlines are February 1 for students who will graduate in May of the following year, and September 15 for those who will graduate in December of the following year.

Students take twelve units of BME courses in their senior year, these courses apply towards both the bachelor's and master's degrees. After completion of all bachelors requirements and awarding of a "B" or better in the BME courses, students will be granted graduate status and enter the masters program.
Students may choose to complete a master's thesis or master's report. Students may find that the report, which does not require original laboratory research, is more compatible with the accelerated nature of this program, but theses are encouraged if appropriate.

Financial support from the program is not normally provided to students in the accelerated masters program. Students are encouraged to obtain a relevant position at UA or industry that can provide the experience necessary for the master's thesis or report. Such positions may be paid or students can obtain course credit (e.g. industrial/clinical internship BME 693). Due to the accelerated nature of the program, outside employment not related to the masters thesis or report is strongly discouraged.

Biomedical Engineering Minor
Ph.D. candidates in other disciplines may select a minor in Biomedical Engineering.

Effective Fall 2008, the doctoral minor is 12 units: 9 units of approved BME core courses (BME 510 and 511, and one of BME 516, 566, 586, or 561), and 3 units of either Research methods in Biomedical Engineering (lab rotations) or BME Independent Study.

Completion of these courses with a "B" average for the required units is necessary for granting of the minor. The doctoral student's dissertation committee should contain at least one faculty member in the BME Program.

Application Questions:
Debbi Howard
(520) 626-9134
dhoward@u.arizona.edu