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Home > Academics > Graduate Programs
Graduate Programs
The graduate programs in biomedical engineering at Washington University are administered by the Department of Biomedical Engineering. We offer the M.S. or D.Sc. degree in Biomedical Engineering from the School of Engineering and Applied Science and a Ph.D. through the Graduate School. As of fall 2004 we are offering a new dual MS-BME/MBA degree with the Olin School of Business . In addition, we offer the combined MD/DSc degrees with the School of Medicine. Information about applying to this combined degree program is available from the Medical Scientist Training Program of the medical school.
The educational programs are implemented via the Institute of Biological and Medical Engineering (IBME) -- a joint enterprise of the schools of medicine and engineering. The IBME comprises a network of more than 80 faculty involved in biomedical engineering-related research. This unique entity is a manifestation of the strong collaboration between our two schools and provides students access to a diverse array of opportunities for research training via five IBME programs. Courses in the graduate curriculum are selected to ensure a breadth of formal training in the disciplines of most value to practicing biomedical engineers.
The goals of the Graduate Program are to use the University's innovative and nationally recognized research programs to train a new generation of biomedical engineers capable of directing novel applications of engineering science throughout biology and medicine in government, industry, and academia. We seek to prepare students for careers in teaching and basic or applied research by integrating basic biology with the advanced quantitative and analytical methods of engineering. We also emphasize integration not only from the single molecule level to that of the entire organism but also to take advantage of the new advances in the many disciplines involved in biomedical engineering research.
Hands-on research often motivates classroom learning, particularly before students fully understand the sometimes overwhelming array of opportunities in biomedical engineering. Hence, our department makes available research rotation opportunities for doctoral students before they choose a thesis topic. All entering doctoral students complete two research rotations during their first year. These generally last one semester and/or the first two months of the first summer. The research mentors are selected, by mutual agreement, from among the approximately 80 affiliate and full-time members of the BME faculty. These faculty are grouped into five programs, each of which is described here. Usually one of the research rotation laboratories will be that in which the thesis research will be performed. This decision is made after the rotations are completed and must be by mutual consent of the student and mentor.
There are several motivations for these rotations. First, they provide an opportunity for students to gain a broader view of BME research than if they began their dissertation research immediately upon matriculation. This provides those who do not yet have a clear idea of their specific research interest a chance to sample some different areas. The length of the rotation, however, provides sufficient depth that students are able to learn enough about a particular area to be useful. Thus, even for those who have a clear idea of their future dissertation research, the rotations will hopefully teach them complementary techniques and approaches that might be applicable during their thesis research, or even later in their careers. Finally, the rotations serve as a testing ground for both students and potential research mentors for the long-term affiliation that is associated with a doctoral dissertation research.
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Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis
One Brookings Drive, Box 1097, St. Louis, Missouri 63130
Office Location: Whitaker Hall, Phone: (314) 935-6164, Fax: (314) 935-7448 |
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