Biomedical Engineering
Offered jointly with University of South Dakota (USD). Biomedical engineering (BME) is concerned with the application
of engineering and science methodologies to the analysis of biological and physiological problems and to the delivery of
health care. The biomedical engineer serves as an interface between traditional engineering disciplines and living
systems and may work in either direction, applying the patterns of living organisms to engineering design or engineering
new approaches to human health.
Both the master of science and doctor of philosophy degrees are cross-disciplinary degrees. The objective of the M.S. program is to prepare a student for research and development careers in biomedical industry and further research at the
doctoral level.
Current focus areas of faculty activity within the program are (1) biomaterials (nanomaterials, bioadhesives, tissue engineering, etc.), (2) computational biomedical engineering (biomechanics, imaging, advanced modeling/simulations, etc.), (3) assistive technology/rehabilitation engineering (advanced prosthetics, control, biomimetrics, etc.), and (4) biomolecular and genetic engineering. Students in the programs may be associated with one or more of several SDSM&T research centers and laboratories.
Admission will be based on the established graduate admission standards at the South Dakota School
of Mines and Technology. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE), three letters of recommendation, and a GPA of
3.00 or better are expected of all applicants for the program. The TOEFL exam is required for students whose
native language is not English. Students seeking exceptions warranted by special circumstances are requested to contact
the biomedical engineering graduate program coordinator.
Students completing their M.S. degrees will graduate with a high level of competence in
- the application and characterization of various forms of biomaterials;
- the acquisition and processing of medical signals and images;
- the computation and simulation of phenomena in biomechanical systems; and
- transferring their understanding of biomaterials, biomechancis, and signal processing to the creation of new
applications.
Courses are offered at both SDSM&T and USD campuses, and students may elect either campus as their campus of
residence. Courses offered at SDSM&T are relayed to students at USD by video, and vice versa.
Financial Support
The Biomedical Engineering program has a limited number of Research Assistantships. All students admitted to the program are automatically considered for financial support. Financial support is dependent upon maintaining good academic standing and acceptable research progress in the laboratory.
