About the Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering
The Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering are jointly offered between UT Health San Antonio and The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). The primary objective of this program is to broadly train students in the principles of biomedical engineering so they are well prepared to participate in the development of new approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases.
As the program is multidisciplinary, the curriculum is designed to provide a synergistic combination of formal courses, seminars, teaching opportunities, interactions with clinicians, and individualized biomedical engineering research experiences in the laboratories of the biomedical engineering faculty. All students are required to take core courses in the areas of Biomaterials, Biomechanics, Bioelectronics/Imaging and Biology, Physiology, as well as Responsible Conduct of Research, and Experimental Design and Data Analysis. In addition to the basic core curriculum, students are required to take additional coursework in the area of specialization. Students have access to the bioengineering and biosciences laboratories at both UT Health San Antonio and UTSA. This provides a unique opportunity to have learning experiences in medical, dental, bioscience, and engineering environments.
Biomedical Engineering Objectives/Program Outcomes
- BME students will demonstrate their understanding of biology concepts for biomedical applications. Fundamental knowledge of biology is evaluated.
- BME students will demonstrate their understanding of biomaterials concepts. Fundamental biomaterials knowledge and the students' ability to apply knowledge of biomaterials are evaluated.
- BME students will demonstrate their understanding of biomechanics concepts. Fundamental knowledge of biomechanics is evaluated.
- BME students will be able to design and carry out research experiments. Foundation of knowledge, application of knowledge, and research skills are evaluated.
- BME students will be able to communicate research findings to diverse audiences.
- BME students will be able to teach and disseminate knowledge.
- BME students will conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner in all biomedical engineering research.
- BME students will critically evaluate scientific literature.
Biomedical Engineering Degree Requirements
A minimum of 82.0 credit hours and a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 is required for the Ph.D. degree in Biomedical Engineering. Undergraduate courses, general education courses, and prerequisites for graduate courses cannot be counted toward this total. For students with a master's degree, course credit allowed for transfer will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the Biomedical Engineering COGS. If recommended by the COGS, the request will then be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School for approval. In addition, all doctoral candidates must register for the Dissertation course (BME 7099) for at least two semesters in order to graduate; only one of the terms may be a summer session. The student is required to demonstrate intellectual command of the subject area of the graduate program and capability to carry out independent and original investigation in the area. The student must successfully defend a dissertation and be recommended by their program COGS for approval of their degree to the Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.