BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING, PHD
Biomedical Engineering
PhD Program
Students entering the doctoral program will possess a BS, MS, or be currently enrolled in the DMD/PhD or MD/PhD program at UAB.
PhD students normally have earned a bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering, another engineering discipline, or a closely-related field. Students with undergraduate degrees in the physical sciences, life sciences, or mathematics will also be considered for admission; however, such students must demonstrate preparation for the BME graduate curriculum.
Admission to the BME PhD program is competitive. Successful applicants have a 3.5 or greater GPA from their previous degree(s) (on a 4-point scale) and significant research experience. Scores on the GRE General Test are not required but are accepted.
Students admitted to the doctoral program typically receive a competitive stipend that includes payment of tuition.
In addition to completing coursework requirements (see below), doctoral students must form a Graduate Dissertation Committee consisting of at least five faculty members, including the primary research mentor. At least one committee member must have a primary BME appointment and two must have a primary appointment outside of BME. A written dissertation proposal must be orally presented to the committee and approved, at which time the student is admitted to candidacy. This must take place at least two semesters before the student may graduate. A written dissertation embodying the results of the student’s original research must then be publicly defended, approved by the committee, and submitted to the Graduate School.
Publication Requirement. Original peer-reviewed research articles in reputable journals are the standard for demonstrating scientific productivity. The research conducted by BME doctoral students is expected to result in such publications. Before the degree is awarded, students are required to have at least one “first-author” journal article that has been published (or accepted for publication) and a second that has been submitted to a journal. Typically, a student’s doctoral research will result in at least three first-author articles. Many students will be co-authors on collaborative research articles and may also share authorship on review
articles, book chapters, conference proceedings, and other forms of scientific communication. Although these works bolster the student’s scientific credentials, they do not count toward the BME publication requirement. In some cases, first-authorship of an article is shared among multiple individuals. In these cases, the article may count toward the publication requirement of only one BME doctoral student.
Additional Academic Policies
Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.20 to remain in good academic standing in the BME Graduate Program.
Special Topics (590/690/790) courses and Independent Study (591/691/791) courses are reviewed for degree applicability for each program in the School of Engineering. No more than 6 combined hours of Special Topics and/or Independent Study courses will be applied to the PhD without appeal to and approval from the Program Director.
The School of Engineering offers similar courses at the 400/500 and 600/700 levels. While the higher numbered course has more advanced content, there is a significant overlap in topics. Therefore, students are not allowed to take a 500-level or 700-level course for credit if they have previously taken the related 400-level or 600-level course, respectively.
Coursework for PhD After BS Degree
Students entering the PhD program with a BS degree are required to complete at least 72 semester hours of graduate work.
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| BME 617 | Engineering Analysis | 3 |
| or ME 661 | Math Methods in EGR I | |
| BME 770 | Quantitative Physiology | 3 |
| BST 621 | Statistical Methods I | 3 |
| GRD 717 | Principles of Scientific Integrity | 3 |
| BME 773 | Lab Rotation | 3 |
| BME Elective 500+ level | 6 | |
| BME/EGR/Science Elective 500+ level 1, 2 | 9 | |
| Life Science Elective 500+ level | 6 | |
| BME 701 | Seminar in Biomedical Engineering | 6 |
| BME 798 | Non-Dissertation Research 3 | 6 |
| BME 799 | Dissertation Research 4 | 24 |
| Total Hours | 72 | |
| 1 |
One 3 hour course from another discipline (e.g., MBA) may substitute for 3 of these hours with approval of the BME Graduate Program Director |
| 2 |
Students in the Graduate Certificate in Technology Commercialization and Entrepreneurship program are encouraged to choose BME 630 Engineering Design and Commercialization as an elective |
| 3 |
BME/EGR/Science Electives (500+ level) may substitute |
| 4 |
12 hours may be substituted with BME 798 hours taken before candidacy. 12 hours must be taken after admission to candidacy over at least two semesters |
Coursework for PhD After MS Degree
Students entering the PhD program with an MS degree or those entering the PhD portion of the DMD/PhD or MD/PhD program are required to complete at least 51 additional semester hours of graduate work.
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| BME 617 | Engineering Analysis 1 | 3 |
| or ME 661 | Math Methods in EGR I | |
| BME 770 | Quantitative Physiology 1 | 3 |
| BST 621 | Statistical Methods I 1 | 3 |
| GRD 717 | Principles of Scientific Integrity 1 | 3 |
| BME 773 | Lab Rotation | 3 |
| BME Elective 500+ level 2 | 3 | |
| BME Science Elective 500+ level | 3 | |
| BME 701 | Seminar in Biomedical Engineering | 3 |
| BME 798 | Non-Dissertation Research 3, 4 | 3 |
| BME 799 | Dissertation Research 4 | 24 |
| Total Hours | 51 | |
| 1 |
If these classes were taken as part of an MS degree at UAB, they may be substituted with BME/EGR/Science Electives (500+ level) |
| 2 |
Students in the Graduate Certificate in Technology Commercialization and Entrepreneurship program are encouraged to choose BME 630 Engineering Design and Commercialization as an elective |
| 3 |
3 hours of BME/EGR/Science Elective (500+ level) or a 3 hour course from another discipline (e.g., MBA, with approval of the Graduate Program Director) may substitute |
| 4 |
12 hours may be substituted with BME 798 hours taken before candidacy. 12 hours must be taken after admission to candidacy over at least two semesters |
