Department of Biomedical Engineering

Ordinary Professors Peter Lum
Associate Professors Otto Wilson, Jr.; Sang Wook Lee; Christopher Raub, Chair
Clinical Associate Professors Gregory Behrmann
Assistant Professors none
Lecturers Christy Foreman, Jeffrey Hooper, Kristen Miller
Adjunct Associate Professors Christopher Danek
Research Associate Professor Bidhan Chandra Bandyopadhyay, Li-Yueh Hsu
Research Ordinary Professor Harold Szu, Ugo Della Croce

The Department of Biomedical Engineering offers graduate programs leading to the degrees of Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering, and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) The focus of graduate education is to provide biomedical engineers with the principles and tools of modern engineering, applied to solving problems in medicine or biology.

Courses are offered in the following areas of concentration: Biomaterials and Biotechnology, Biomechanics, Rehabilitation Engineering, Bioinstrumentation & Medical Imaging, Home Care Technologies & Telemedicine, Clinical Engineering.

The Biomedical Engineering Program has strong interaction with the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in terms of course offerings and research activities. Graduate students may follow one of two tracks-thesis or coursework designed for two distinct groups of students. The first track offers both master's and doctoral programs and is directed at those students pursuing research activities that will culminate in a thesis or dissertation. The coursework requirements are intended to prepare the student for research.

The second track offers only a master's degree program intended for recent graduates, practicing engineers and/or medical professionals interested in specialized areas pertinent to career objectives. These professional degree programs enable the engineer or scientist to become familiar with new developments and advances in technologies. These programs allow flexibility in course selection, including those outside the department.

Qualified CUA undergraduate students are encouraged to pursue graduate studies via the accelerated master’s program.

Admission

In addition the school's admissions guidelines (under Special Regulations) for regular admission status to the master’s and doctoral degree programs in biomedical engineering, students will be admitted based upon enrollment availability and their ability to meet the following recommended entrance requirements:

Students must have received a bachelor's degree in engineering, science or mathematics from an accredited institution and, in addition must satisfy:

  1. All minimum university requirements
  2. A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least a 3.0 out of 4.0 (master's) or 3.4 out of 4.0 (doctoral)

Students not meeting the above minimum requirements may receive conditional admission (master's only) as recommended by the graduate committee and/or department chair. Performance of conditionally admitted students will be reviewed after one semester of graduate study for transfer to regular admission status.

Students from non-engineering disciplines may be required to take prerequisite courses (e.g., statics, dynamics, electrical circuits, differential equations, fluid mechanics, etc.), as appropriate.

Master's Degree

Graduate students plan their program in consultation with an advisor and may elect to pursue a broad master's degree program without specific concentration or to major in one of the areas identified above. Maximum flexibility in scope of studies is afforded by utilization of courses offered in other departments of the university or other local universities through the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area.

Requirements for the master's degree programs follow those established for the school. Please refer to Degree Requirements.

Doctoral Degree

Requirements for the doctoral degree program follow those established for the school. Please refer to Degree Requirements.

Courses Offered

Consult Cardinal Station for information about courses and to determine course offerings by semester.