Course variations

Course summary

This program offers a nationally recognized PhD that is at the intersection of biology and engineering; that will be readily accessible to individuals with a wide range of science/ engineering undergraduate degrees; that will address contemporary biomedical/health research problems; and that will contribute significantly to meeting the workforce needs of allied biomedical industries. The program aims to provide its doctoral recipients with the following knowledge, skills, and abilities: ability to formulate/test multiple, original scientific hypotheses related to their dissertation research based on careful observations and a comprehensive review of past and current literature in their field; ability to design/carry out detailed experiments or develop theoretical models/ numerical simulations; competency in cutting-edge technical/ laboratory/computer skills related to a wide range of instrumentation/procedures; application of their research in solving current biomedical/health problems especially in relationship to new discoveries in nanoscience and technology; ability to function as independent researchers with strong critical thinking, inquiry-based analytical skills; ability to work on integrated problems in multidisciplinary research teams; ability to critically interpret their research results, synthesizing findings from other investigators/previous studies, that will serve as the basis for developing new hypotheses; Written/oral presentation skills resulting in publication of their findings and presentation of results at professional research conferences; development of advanced problem solving skills using a multidisciplinary approach; appreciation of the challenges of conducting/ publishing research associated with contemporary biomedical ethical issues; grantsmanship skills that will allow them to obtain pre-doctoral and post-doctoral extramural private/federal research funding; knowledge about intellectual property/ patents/regulatory issues; understanding of how theory/concepts are related to applied research; understanding of how applied research is conducted in an industrial setting.

Program modules

The modules are BMB 510 three credits Introduction to Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology, BMB 520 three credits Quantitative Physiology, BMB 530 three credits Instrumentation and Laboratory Experience, BMB 540 three credits Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology, BMB 570 three credits Applied Math for Life Scientists, BMB 573 three credits Graduate Directed Study, BMB 620 three credits Capstone Project, BMB 630 variable credits, Independent Research, BMB 710 one credit Doctoral Seminar, BMB 720 variable credits Doctoral Dissertation Research.

Entry requirement for international students

Students should have a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree (or the US baccalaureate equivalents from a foreign institution). They should have a background in life science, physical science, or engineering and must have taken a full year (two semesters or three quarter sequence) of calculus, and the successful applicants will normally have had undergraduate coursework in statistics/experimental design and in life science/biomedical science. They should have a minimum Graduate Record Exam (GRE) combined verbal plus quantitative score of 1100. International students must have obtained a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper version) or 213 (computer version).

Qualification

Doctoral

Awarding body

UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS DARTMOUTH

Department name

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth - Graduate Studies and Admissions

About University of Massachusetts Dartmouth - Graduate Studies and Admissions