School of Engineering - Department of Bioengineering

Jerome S. Schultz, Chair

Web site: http://www.engrng.pitt.edu/~wwwbiotc/graduate/

The Department has an active, interdisciplinary graduate bioengineering program in conjunction with faculty from the School of Medicine, the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, and the clinical staffs at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center hospitals.

This graduate program is directed toward engineering and life science education and research, with particular emphasis on the PhD. Its scope is broadly defined to incorporate the application of engineering principles, methods, and technology in two broad areas: scientific inquiries into fundamental biological phenomena; and development of instrumentation, materials, devices, and systems relative to application in the biological sciences and medicine. Thus, the bioengineering faculty is applying various forms of engineering principles, mathematics computation, technology, and methodology to a broad variety of medical and life sciences problems.

Active, externally funded areas of research include: computer processing of biologically derived signals; computer analysis of radiographic, ultrasonic, and nuclear magnetic resonance images; development of prostheses, artificial organs, and implantable sensors; development of medically related instrumentation; mathematical modeling of physiological systems; tissue engineering; environmental control technology using biological and physical chemical techniques; biomaterials; orthopedic biomechanics and sports medicine; vascular mechanics and bioseparations.

Contact Information

Department of Bioengineering

University of Pittsburgh

749 Benedum Hall

Pittsburgh, PA 15261

Web site: http://www.engrng.pitt.edu/~wwwbiotc/graduate/

Master of Science Programs

The Master of Science in Bioengineering is primarily designed for students with an undergraduate degree in engineering, although students with other backgrounds can be accommodated with specially designed programs. Course work in the program includes both life sciences and engineering. A master's thesis is required for the research MS; course requirements for the research MS are detailed below. In addition, a 30-credit, non-thesis, professional MS degree program is available for those qualified students who are employed in industry. Interested students should contact the Bioengineering Graduate Coordinator, Harvey Borovetz (borovetzhs@msx.upmc.edu).

Research MS Program

The Research MS program requires a total of 36 credits, including the following:

• Graduate Engineering Mathematics - three credits
• Statistics for Bioengineers - three credits
• Societal, Political, and Ethical Issues in Bioengineering - three credits
• Life Sciences - six credits
• Three of the following four courses (nine credits):

  BIOENG 2064 Biomechanics of Tissues and Organs

  BIOENG 2310 Hemodynamics and Biotransport

  BIOENG 2510 Biomedical Signal Processing and Analysis

  BIOENG 2810 Biomaterials and Biocompatibility

• Graduate Electives - six credits
• MS Thesis - six credits

Doctor of Philosophy Program

Students pursuing the PhD degree are required to pass a preliminary examination based on the Bioengineering coursework at the end of their first year of graduate study. Students pursuing the PhD are also required to complete two one-semester TA assignments.

A PhD proposal (comprehensive examination) is presented, generally at the end of the second year. A final, public PhD defense is made by each PhD candidate based on the student's research work.

PhD Requirements

The course requirements for the PhD in Bioengineering include the following:

• Graduate Engineering Mathematics - six credits
• Statistics for Bioengineers - six credits
• Societal, Political, and Ethical Issues in Bioengineering - three credits
• Life Sciences - six credits
• Three of the following four classes (nine credits):

  BIOENG 2064 Biomechanics of Tissues and rgans

  BIOENG 2310 Hemodynamics and Biotransport

  BIOENG 2510 Biomedical Signal Processing and Analysis

  BIOENG 2810 Biomaterials and Biocompatibility

• Graduate Electives - six credits
• Advanced Biological Science and Engineering - 12 credits
• Doctoral Dissertation Research - 24 credits

Bioengineering Graduate Courses