• What is BME?
• Undergraduate Programs
• Graduate Programs
  • Advising
    • For M.S. Students
    • For M.E. Students
    • For Ph.D. Students
  • Programs of Study
  • Graduate Student Handbook
  • Specializations
  • Course Descriptions
• Faculty & Staff
• Research & Facilities
• Alumni Corner
• News & Events
• Student Resources
• About WPI
• Related Sites
  • Life Sciences & Bioengineering Center
• Gateway Park

For M.S. Students

Various advisors and committees are charged with monitoring and directing the progress of students in the M.S. program. These advisors and committees are summarized below:

• Academic Advisor - A core BME faculty member at WPI designated to provide the student with counsel and information during the early years in the Program. He/She advises the student from entry into the Program until a Research Advisor has been selected.
• Research Advisor (Thesis Mentor) - A BME Program Faculty Member charged with mentoring and supporting the thesis research project.
• Thesis Advisory/Examination Committee - An ad hoc committee formed to advise the student after a Research Advisor has been selected and to administer the M.S. Thesis Examination to the student.
• BME Graduate Studies Committee - A committee responsible for administering the M.S. Program.

In the sections that follow on the various advisors and committees, the following definitions hold:

• BME Program Faculty Member - a faculty member holding a primary appointment at WPI or the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) at UMMS and formally approved by the BME Graduate Studies Committee. Only a BME Program Faculty Member may serve as Research Advisor (Thesis Mentor).

Standards for All Advisors and Committees

Advisors and the Chair for the Thesis Advisory/Examination Committee shall keep records of all meetings with the student and send copies of these records to the BME Graduate Studies Committee. The BME Graduate Studies Committee shall distribute the records, after checking them for compliance with the rules and regulations, to the student and a copy shall be kept in the student's file in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at WPI.

Academic Advisor

Each student entering the M.S. Program is advised by an Academic Advisor. This advisor meets with the student at least twice yearly, normally just before each academic semester.

Duties of the Academic Advisor

• Meet with the incoming M.S. student during the orientation period to go over this Handbook in detail, making sure that everyone understands his/her responsibilities.
• Provide the student with counsel and information.
• Assist the student in selecting a sequence of coursework.
• Advise the student in the selection of a Research Advisor.
• Assess progress and approve alterations in proposed course work.
• Provide a written report of the student's status to the BME Graduate Studies Committee following each meeting. The BME Graduate Studies Committee shall distribute the records, after checking them for compliance with the rules and regulations, to the student and a copy shall be kept in the student's file in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at WPI.

Selection of the Academic Advisor

The BME Graduate Studies Committee shall appoint the Academic Advisor. This selection shall be based on common research interests and a potential for that individual to become the student's Research Advisor.

The Academic Advisor must be a core BME Faculty Member at WPI. The student may, at any later time, request a new Academic Advisor.

Research Advisor (Thesis Mentor)

The student selects a Research Advisor (or Thesis Mentor) no later than the end of the second semester, and preferably before the end of the first semester, in the M.S. Program. The Research Advisor must be an approved BME Program Faculty Member and must agree to mentor the student.

Duties of the Research Advisor

Must demonstrate a reasonable ability to provide adequate financial support for conducting the research project.

Thesis Advisory/Examination Committee

This committee shall advise the student after a Research Advisor has been selected and, as a terminal act, administer the M.S. Thesis Examination. The committee shall meet with the student at least once per semester and whenever requested by the chair, the student, or the BME Graduate Studies Committee.

Duties of the Thesis Advisory/Examination Committee

• Serves in an advisory capacity to the student prior to the M.S. Thesis Examination.
• Evaluates and approves a written thesis proposal presented to it by the student.
• Reviews and advises on research progress.
• Determines when the student is ready to begin writing the thesis.
• Monitors the progress of the writing of the thesis.
• Serves in an advisory capacity to student and Research Advisor if any conflicts arise between Research Advisor and student, in which case the mentor excuses him/herself from the committee proceedings.
• Conduct the M.S. Thesis Examination. The student passes the thesis examination if a majority of the committee members vote approval.

From the WPI / UMMS Biomedical Engineering Programs Graduate Student Handbook - Version Fall 2005 (page 41)

Maintained by webmaster@wpi.edu
Last modified: August 21, 2008 12:07:15