Program Description
The UTHSC College of Graduate Health Sciences together with the Department of Biomedical Engineering at The University of Memphis offers a joint graduate program leading to the Master of Science (MS) degree in Biomedical Engineering (BME). As a special field, BME applies engineering, physical sciences, and mathematical methods to problems involving health care; it demands close integration of many areas and forms of knowledge including the areas listed above, the life and health sciences, and current practice in clinical care.
The program’s primary faculty are divided between the two campuses and offer academic and research activities that focus on engineering aspects of four major sub-disciplines: (1) Biomechanics and Movement Science (2) Biomaterials and Regenerative Technology; (3) Biosensors and Electrophysiology and, (4) Cellular Biomechanical Responses. These sub-disciplines are bolstered by collaborations with secondary and adjunct faculty at the two universities and other affiliated institutions.
Admission and Selection
Admission as a full-time student requires a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent with an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 from an accredited college or university and a combined score totaling at least 300 for the verbal and quantitative sections of the revised Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). Individuals with a professional or graduate degree in science from an accredited US/Canadian institution, or with scores from other commonly recognized standardized graduate admissions exams, may petition for an exception. Three letters of recommendation from previous instructors or persons capable of judging the applicant’s qualifications for graduate study are also required. Any applicant to the graduate program whose first language is not English and who has earned neither a bachelor’s nor a master’s degree from a college or university in an English-speaking country must have achieved a TOEFL score of at least 213/79 on the computer-based/Internet-based exam or an IELTS score of 6.5 (earned within 2 years prior to application). Any applicant to the CGHS whose first language is not English but who has earned a baccalaureate or master’s degree from a college or university in an English-speaking country where instruction was in English may be exempted from the requirement for the TOEFL or IELTS examination.
Technical Standards and Accommodations
The minimum abilities for eligibility to participate successfully in educational programs and activities by students enrolled in the College of Graduate Health Sciences are listed below. All persons who wish to enter one of the programs in the College should be aware of the minimum abilities required for success. Admission decisions for the College programs do not take disabilities into consideration; students may disclose their disabilities after admission to request accommodations to the UTHSC Office of Student and Academic Support Services.
Minimum abilities are as follows:
- To make proper assessments and ethical judgments regarding research and professional decisions.
- To communicate effectively with colleagues and professional staff.
- To acquire necessary information developed through classroom instruction, laboratory experience, independent learning, and consultation.
- To search and evaluate articles in the scientific literature.
- To obtain, interpret, and accurately document research data.
- To complete computer-based assignments and use computers.
- To understand and carry out safety rules and precautions in the laboratory.
- To handle emergencies in the laboratory, including fire, exposure to dangerous agents, and explosions.
These abilities may be accomplished through direct student response, use of prosthetic devices, or personal assistance (e.g., readers, signers, and note takers). Purchase of prosthetic devices to aid the student in meeting these requirements is the responsibility of the student. On a case-by-case basis and upon written request of the student, the college may assist in providing attending services.
Graduation Requirements
Students may elect to graduate from the Joint Program with a Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering through either a thesis or a project option.
Thesis Option: Students must complete 30 credit hours, 21 hours graduate course work (or The University of Memphis equivalent). All students are required to take 6 credit hours in the life sciences area (BIOM 811 and BIOM 821), 6 credit hours in mathematics and its applications (BIOM 801 and another course selected from a list of mathematics courses approved by the Joint Program), 6 credit hours of thesis, and 12 credit hours of engineering electives, of which one course must be BIOM 815 or BIOM 894. Oral defense of the thesis to their graduate committee and an oral exam are required. NOTE:
Project Option: Students will be required to complete 33 credit hours, 24 hours of which must be graduate course work (or The University of Memphis equivalent). All students are required to take 6 credit hours in the life sciences area (BIOM 811 and BIOM 821), 6 credit hours in mathematics and its applications (BIOM 801) and another course selected from a list of mathematics courses approved by the Joint Program, and 18 credit hours of engineering electives, including BIOM 815 and BIOM 804. Oral defense of the project to their graduate committee and a written comprehensive exam are required.
