Biomedical Engineering, Ph.D.

I. Contact Information

Bahram Parvin, Ph.D., Graduate Program Director
(775)784-6927
bparvin@unr.edu

Mailing Address:

University of Nevada, Reno
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Mail Stop 0260
1664 North Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89557

II. Brief Introduction

Biomedical engineering is an interdisciplinary program offered by the College of Engineering. The program culminates in the doctor of philosophy degree. Students also participate in the M.D./Ph.D. program (Refer to the “Combined M.D./Ph.D.” description in the Division of Health Sciences section of this catalog.) In this research-oriented program, advanced scientific and engineering techniques are utilized to address modern problems in medicine and biology.

III. Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

1. Student will be able to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.
2. Student will be able to design and conduct experiments as well as to analyze and interpret data.
3. Student will be able to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability.

IV. Admission Requirements

Candidates must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School  as well as additional requirements of the program.

V. Program Requirements

The curriculum is centered around “areas of proficiency” related to research activities. Students must demonstrate proficiency in four areas, where at least one area is in the engineering or physical sciences and at least one other area is in the medical or life sciences.

In addition to Graduate School requirements, all students must pass an oral defense of dissertation research and the following course, which will acquaint them with the broad field of biomedical engineering:
BME 601 - Introduction to Biomedical Engineering (3 units) 

Doctoral students must complete additional requirements including:

• a research rotation,
• communications courses,
• presentation of work at a national or international scientific meeting, and
• a 1 credit comprehensive examination consisting of writing and presenting a grant proposal.

Note: The comprehensive exam credit will count towards the 30 credits of required 700-level course work.

All courses of study must be approved by a student advisory committee and the program director. Students are encouraged to identify research interests and faculty mentors as early as possible during the program.

VI. Total Units (72 units)

VII. Notes

For more information, write to: Biomedical Engineering, Mail Stop 0260, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, 89557. The e-mail address is bmeadmin@unr.edu.  Call (775) 784-6927.

VII. Undergraduate Prerequisites

Ideally, the applicant’s background would include:

• two semesters of biology or physiology,
• two semesters of physics or biophysics,
• two semesters of chemistry or biochemistry,
• calculus (including differential equations) and
• proficiency in at least one computer programming language.

Students who are admitted with a deficiency in any academic area must complete required courses early in the graduate program.