Biomedical Engineering, MSBME

Program Description:

The Department of Biomedical, Industrial, and Human Factors Engineering offers a program of graduate study leading to a Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) degree with a major in biomedical engineering. The MSE program is broad in scope and covers all engineering disciplines represented at Wright State University. However, the specialization in Biomedical Engineering allows a very flexible program of study that involves all research areas covered by the program.

Admissions Requirements:

To be considered for admission to the MSE-Biomedical Engineering program, students must first satisfy basic requirements of the Graduate School. This includes having a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related area with an overall undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.7 (on a 4.0 scale) or an overall undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.5 with an average of 3.0 or better for the last 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) earned toward the undergraduate degree. International students must have a TOEFL score of at least 550/213 or an IELTS score of at least six. In addition, the program requires students from non-ABET accredited undergraduate programs to submit general GRE test scores. Program admission decisions are based on complete application information including overall academic performance and standardized test scores where applicable.

Facilities:

Graduate students have access to a wide range of computer systems interconnected by local and wide-area networks. Access is available to high-end graphics workstations, multi-processor image-analysis systems, central file servers, and personal computers. Access is also available to the Ohio Supercomputer via the Ohio Academic and Research Network (OARNET). In addition, each graduate faculty member has a well equipped research laboratory with a network of heterogeneous computers and peripherals. Please visit http://www.cs.wright.edu/bie/ for details. Also see section on Computing and Telecommunications Services (CaTS).

Faculty:

Professors

Caroline G.L. Cao, human factors engineering, minimal invasive and robotic surgery, medical device and instrumentation design and evaluation, simulation training and teamwork

Thomas N. Hangartner (Chair), biomedical engineering, medical imaging, computed tomography, CT scanning, instrumentation, biomedical computers

Ping He, biomedical engineering, medical imaging, ultrasonics, instrumentation, biomedical signal processing

Chandler A. Phillips, human control systems, biomechanical modeling, orthotic and ergonomic engineering

Blair A. Rowley (Emeritus), biomedical engineering, rehabilitation enginering, computer applications to augmentative communication, instrumentation, bioelectric effects of low-level electrical currents on tissue growth and healing, engineering education methodologies

Affiliated Professor

Marvin Miller, bone strength and density in infants and children, radiological imaging, biomechanical bone mechanisms, medical genetics

Associate Professors

Tarun Goswami, developing wear prediction models for longer lasting total joint replacements, developing materials for such applications

David B. Reynolds, prosthetics/orthotics engineering, biomechanics, biomimetics, pneumatic muscle, biofluid mechanics

Assistant Professor

Nasser Kashou, medical imaging, image processing, computer vision, magnetic resonance imaging, diffuse optical tomography, functional imaging, neurosciences

Senior Lecturer

David M. Kender, biomedical electronics, human factors engineering

Program Requirements:

Students must plan a program of study in consultation with a faculty advisor. The approved program of study must be submitted by the time the student completes 9 credit hours of graduate study. Any changes to the program of study must be approved in advance by the faculty advisor.

The following requirements must be met for the Master of Science in Engineering degree:

Completion of 30 graduate credit hours in courses that have prior approval by a BIE graduate advisor.
Completion of BME 6010 (1 credit hour) Ethics and Academic Integrity.
At least 15 of the 30 graduate credit hours must be BIE department courses numbered 7000 or above.
At least 6 of the total 30 graduate credit hours must be approved courses in mathematics, statistics, or computer science.
Students may choose either a thesis option or a 30 credit hours graduate advanced course work option. The thesis option consists of a research project satisfying all requirements of the School of Graduate Studies. The final report (thesis) must be completed and successfully defended in an oral examination before the major committee. Up to 8 credit hours of 7950, Thesis, may count toward degree requirement of 30 graduate credit hours.

Dept Core and Electives

I. Mathematics: Min. 6 Hours

Department-approved courses with a mathematics or statistics content.

II. Department Courses: Min. 15 Hours

7000 level and above

III. Thesis Option: Max 8 Hours

BME 7950 - M.S. Thesis Research in Biomedical Engineeringneering Credit Hour(s): 1 to 8

IV. Ethics and Academic Integrity: 1 Hours

BME 6010 - Ethics in Engineering Research and Practice Credit Hour(s): 1

Total: 30 Hours

Research/Areas of Expertise:

Research in biomedical engineering currently encompasses two main areas: medical imaging and biomechanical engineering. Included are orthotic/prosthetic engineering, orthopedic engineering, soft-tissue biomechanics, applied biomaterials, medical ultrasound related to soft tissue characterization, specialized computed tomography with emphasis on quantitative assessment of bone. Facilities include laboratories at the university and at area hospitals. The BioMedical Imaging Laboratory and the Air Force Research Laboratory offer unique opportunities for research projects involving instrumentation, mechanics, and computers applied to medical and industrial-government problems. Graduate students in biomedical engineering work on real-life problems.