Programs of Study
Master's Degree Program
There are three master's options in BME: the Master of Science (MS) in Biomedical Engineering, the Master of Engineering (ME) in Biomedical Engineering, and the Master of Engineering (ME) in Clinical Engineering. While the expected levels of student academic performance are the same for all options, they are oriented toward different career goals. The Master of Science option in BME is oriented toward the student who wants to focus on a particular facet of biomedical engineering practice or research. The Master of Science requires a thesis and can serve as a terminal degree for students interested in an in-depth specialization.
The Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering and the Master of Engineering in Clinical Engineering are non-thesis graduate degrees and are normally considered to be terminal professional degrees. The clinical engineering Master of Engineering program is for those individuals primarily interested in employment in hospitals or other clinical environments. This subspecialty involves a close interaction with patients and the health care delivery system and an internship experience is required of all students.
For additional information...
- Graduate Student Handbook - Provide students, faculty, and staff with an up-to-date source of information on the different Biomedical Engineering (BME) graduate programs at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), including the Master's degree programs at WPI.
Ph.D. Programs
There are two Ph.D. options in BME: The Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at WPI and the Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering and Medical Physics offered jointly by WPI and UMMS. In both programs, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is conferred on candidates in recognition of high attainments and the ability to conduct original independent research. Graduates of either program will be prepared to affiliate with academic institutions and the growing medical device and biotechnology industry, which have become major economic factors in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the United States.
The Joint WPI/UMMS Ph.D. Program employs the advanced technical knowledge and expertise of engineering and medical faculty to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to apply engineering and scientific principles to medically-related problems. A unique aspect of this program is that it utilizes the expertise and resources available from a public university with a medical school and a private institution of higher education in a synergistic manner to train students in the application of engineering to medical research. The Ph.D. degree in this program is awarded jointly by WPI and UMMS, with appropriate designation on the diploma.
The table below briefly outlines the major differences between the two Ph.D. Programs in BME.
| WPI Ph.D. Program in Biomedical Engineering | WPI/UMMS Joint Ph.D. Program in Biomedical Engineering and Medical Physics |
|---|---|
| Applicants are expected to have an undergraduate degree and a strong background in engineering and mathematics. Programs are available at WPI to make up for a lack of course work in these areas. | Applicants are expected to have an undergraduate degree and a strong background in engineering AND to have had one semester of organic chemistry, a full year of biology, and mathematics through differential equations. |
| Program places a greater emphasis on the engineering principles and their application to biomedical engineering and industry. | Program places a greater emphasis on the life sciences and its application to medical and biomedical research. |
| Acceptance into the program and financial aid are not coupled. A consideration of financial aid is separate from acceptance into the program. | Acceptance and financial aid are coupled. Students accepted into the program will receive institutional stipend and tuition support for the first two calendar years in the program. Support in subsequent years is derived from the student's Research Advisor. |
| Students must satisfy WPI degree requirements for the doctorate. | Students must simultaneously satisfy both WPI and UMMS degree requirements for the doctorate. |
| The Ph.D. degree is awarded by WPI. | The Ph.D. degree is awarded jointly by WPI and UMMS, with appropriate designation on the diploma. |
For additional information...
- Graduate Student Handbook - Provide students, faculty, and staff with an up-to-date source of information on the different Biomedical Engineering (BME) graduate programs at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), including the Joint Ph.D. Program administered both by WPI and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS).
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Last modified: August 21, 2008 10:33:57