Ph.D. Program

Source: https://www.cmu.edu/bme/Academics/graduate-programs/phd_program.html Parent: https://www.cmu.edu/bme/

Coursework

Formal coursework for a Ph.D. must cover at least three out of five core areas: physiology and cellular/molecular biology, biomaterials and tissue engineering, biomechanics, biomedical imaging and bioinformatics, and neuroengineering; Each of these core courses must be of 9 units or more. Graduate level introductory courses in each core area are available for students who are unfamiliar with the subject area. Aside from the core area requirement, considerable flexibility is allowed in the selection of courses to adapt to diverse interests, educational backgrounds, and career plans. Students are also allowed to take a certain number of upper-level undergraduate courses to broaden their background.

Research

Students start thesis research within a few weeks of matriculation. Research during the first year defines the theme for the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination at the beginning of the second year. The purpose of the Qualifying Examination is to ensure that the student is sufficiently prepared and motivated to complete Ph.D. thesis research. Students submit a research document and take an oral examination with questions centered around the subject of the document. The questions may range from fundamental knowledge, prior research, to future prospect. By passing the Qualifying Examination, the student is formally accepted as a Ph.D. candidate.

The ensuing Ph.D. research must demonstrate the student’s ability to conduct an original, coherent, and independent investigation, to abstract principles, and to interpret the results in a logical manner. The student must pass a Ph.D. Proposal Examination, designed to assess the plan for completing the Ph.D. research, within the first three years of residence. Ph.D. dissertation and oral defense must be completed within six years of passing the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination.

Other Requirements

All students are required to take Biomedical Engineering Seminar (42-701) or (42-801) during each semester of residence. All Ph.D. students must also complete three semesters of Teaching Assistantship. Detailed requirements are described in the Graduate Student Handbook.