Biomedical Engineering

Graduate Programs

Biomedical Engineering Graduate Programs offer advanced degrees in biomedical innovation and healthcare technology, including options for accelerated pathways, master’s, and doctoral studies.

graduate coordinator

Thomas Schwartz

Associate Professor Associate Director, Forest Bioproducts Research Institute Graduate Program Coordinator

Key Admissions Deadlines

Program Offerings

The Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering prepares students to conduct research involving the application of engineering to biological systems.

  • Examples of research projects are sensors to detect specific biological molecules or pathogens in food or water, imaging of cells or proteins, conformation of biological molecules at membrane surfaces, controlling the interaction of microbes and cells with surfaces as well as environmental risk assessment modeling.
  • Alliances with several governmental agencies and other organizations:
  • Instrumentation Laboratories, the Jackson Laboratory, IDEXX, MDI Biological Labs, and Eastern Maine Medical Center, increase research opportunities related to genetics and biomedical issues in engineering. Cooperation with the Laboratory for Surface Science and Technology gives access to tools related to surface analysis.
  • Required core courses are CHE 510 (Transport Phenomena) and CHB 460 (Biochemical Engineering). One course in advanced mathematics, such as CHE 580, is required. Three technical electives, approved by the thesis committee, and two semesters of the graduate seminar course are required.
  • A thesis and a total of 30 hours of graduate credits are needed to fulfill the master’s degree requirements.
  • Masters of Science in Biomedical Engineering
  • PhD in Biomedical Engineering
    • The doctoral program in Biomedical Engineering is housed within The Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering (GSBSE).
    • Program Requirements
      • During their first year, Ph.D. students complete four core modules (BMS 625). Individual programs of study are then developed for each student with coursework relevant to their research topic. In addition to core coursework, during their first year in the program Ph.D. students undertake a minimum of three laboratory research rotations hosted by faculty members in at least two of the five partner institutions. Students also have the option to do a fourth rotation. At the end of or during the rotation sequence, students identify their dissertation mentor and project.
      • Research findings are disseminated through national and international conferences, publication in high-profile scientific journals, and the patent literature. Numerous research opportunities and a generous stipend combine to create a highly competitive GSBSE Ph.D. program. Interested applicants are encouraged to request further information.
      • Advising
        • Orientation for new graduate students will be scheduled the week before the start of the Fall semester. New students should plan to attend.
        • Once accepted into the Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering program, and prior to the identification of a dissertation mentor, students will be advised by the First Year Advisory Committee (FYA). There is a FYA committee member at each partner institution, a listing of the committee composition may be found here. Issues and questions relating to laboratory rotations and coursework should be discussed with a FYA committee member. This FYA faculty member will maintain a role as an informal adviser and graduate student advocate, and will offer guidance throughout the student’s program, as necessary.

Questions or issues regarding registration for classes should be directed to the GSBSE office at gsbse@maine.edu.

By the time the student has completed three or four rotations, the student will have chosen a home laboratory and assembled a dissertation committee. The role of advising in the academic programs will then fall to the mentor.

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