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 Ph.D. program will prepare a student for a career as a researcher who advances the frontiers of biomedical science and engineering with attention to generating new ideas for commercialization.
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, biomimetics, etc.), (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 Ph.D. 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.
Doctoral students will possess a high level of expertise in their specialized area of research - biomaterials, computational biomedical engineering, rehabilitation engineering/assistive technology, or biomolecular/genetic engineering. This competency will be developed through focused research, which culminates in the doctoral dissertation. Graduates of the program will also demonstrate:
- the ability to communicate effectively in written and oral presentations,
- intellectual honesty when working with data and ideas, and
- the ability to make an original contribution to their field.
Ph.D. students are expected to participate in the creation of new knowledge and applications in biomedical engineering.
Courses are offered at both SDSM&T and USD campuses. 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.
Note(s):
Elective courses in the area of the student’s intended research are to be selected in consultation with the student’s advisory committee.
*A list of possible BME electives can be found in the course description section of this catalog.
**Each Ph.D. program of study is individually designed to meet the goals of the student. Courses from a variety of areas, including materials and metallurgical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry, electrical and computer engineering, genetics and molecular biology, and mathematics and computer science, may be used to fulfill the elective requirements in a manner intended to complement the student’s research.
Each student is also required to pass a comprehensive examination and defend the dissertation. There is no language requirement for the BME Ph.D. program. Detailed information on examination policies, admission to candidacy, and defense of dissertation may be found in the Graduate Education section of this catalog and the BME Graduate Handbook.
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