Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Biomedical Engineering Admissions Requirements
Admissions requirements include: a baccalaureate or master’s degree in a natural science or engineering discipline, competitive academic history (minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0), references, optional Graduate Record Exam (GRE), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) [international applicants only], three letters of recommendation, a statement of applicant’s research experience(s) and interest in graduate study in BME. A typical successful applicant will have completed one year of calculus-based/engineering Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics (up to Differential Equations or Engineering Analysis I). Students deficient in one or more of these will be required to take selected courses as a condition of acceptance. All facets of each applicant are considered in the admission process. Application to this joint degree program is managed through a central application process through UTSA. All applicants are required to follow UTSA’s admissions requirements, and the requirements of UT Health San Antonio (background checks, GRE scores, immunizations and international transcript review/translation/certification).
Students whose native language is not English must achieve a minimum score of:
- 79 on the Internet based version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam,
- 550 on the Paper based version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam, or
- 6.5 on the IELTS exam
Those who do not meet the minimum English proficiency scores may be considered for the graduate pathway.
Minimum scores are based on UTSA's minimum required scores for international applicants. English language proficiency requirements can be viewed on UTSA graduate admissions site or UTSA international admissions site.
The applicant’s performance on a standardized test will be considered in addition to other criteria for admission or competitive scholarship awards and will not be used as the sole criterion for consideration of an applicant.
International applicants who have completed or will complete their degree prior to matriculation at an accredited U.S. institution may be exempted from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement.
Biomedical Engineering Degree Requirements
A minimum of 82.0 credit hours and a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 are required for the Ph.D. degree in Biomedical Engineering. Undergraduate courses, general education courses, and prerequisites for graduate courses cannot be counted toward this total. For students with a master's degree, course credit allowed for transfer will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the Biomedical Engineering Committee on Graduate Studies (COGS). If recommended by the COGS, the request will then be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School for approval. In addition, all doctoral candidates must register for the Dissertation course (BME 7099) for at least two semesters in order to graduate; only one of the terms may be a summer session. The student is required to demonstrate intellectual command of the subject area of the graduate program and capability to carry out independent and original investigation in the area. The student must successfully defend a dissertation and be recommended by their program COGS for approval of their degree to the Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
Biomedical Engineering Plan of Study
* Please note that courses with the prefix BME are taken at The University of Texas at San Antonio.
UT Health San Antonio Course Offerings
| CSAT 5095 | Experimental Design And Data Analysis | 3 |
| TSCI 5070 | Responsible Conduct of Research | 2 |
| BIME 6006 | Human Physiology for Bioengineers | 3 |
| BIME 6004 | Biology For Bioengineers | 3 |
| BIME 6071 | Supervised Teaching | 1 |
| BIME 6090 | Seminar | 1 |
| BIME 6097 | Research | 1-12 |
| BIME 7099 | Dissertation | 1-12 |
UTSA Course Offerings
BME 6703- Biomedical Imaging
BME 6033- BME Engineering Analysis
BME 6903- Biomaterials
BME 6803- Experimental Biomechanics
BME 6021, 6022, 6023- Supervised Teaching
BME 6001- BME Seminar
BME 7951, 7952, 7953, 7956- Research
BME 7991, 7992, 7993, 7996- Doctoral Dissertation
Biomedical Engineering Objectives/Program Outcomes
- BME students will demonstrate their understanding of biology concepts for biomedical applications. Fundamental knowledge of biology is evaluated.
- BME students will demonstrate their understanding of biomaterials concepts. Fundamental biomaterials knowledge and the students' ability to apply knowledge of biomaterials are evaluated.
- BME students will demonstrate their understanding of biomechanics concepts. Fundamental knowledge of biomechanics is evaluated.
- BME students will be able to design and carry out research experiments. Foundation of knowledge, application of knowledge, and research skills are evaluated.
- BME students will be able to communicate research findings to diverse audiences.
- BME students will be able to teach and disseminate knowledge.
- BME students will conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner in all biomedical engineering research.
- BME students will critically evaluate scientific literature.
BIME 6004. Biology For Bioengineers. 3 Credit Hours.
This course provides a broad background in biological concepts with specific attention given to biological processes important in bioengineering. Topics will include biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, cell biology and physiology. Applications will enhance understanding cellular processes important in bioengineering, such as gene therapy and tissue repair and regeneration.
Prerequisites: permission of the instructor Open for Cross Enrollment on Space Available Basis.
BIME 6006. Human Physiology for Bioengineers. 3 Credit Hours.
The objective of this course is to introduce students to human physiology with emphasis on physical principles, guiding rules and quantitative approaches. The course will focus on cellular function and physiological processes as applied to human systems including cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, nervous, digestive, renal, reproductive and endocrine. An undergraduate biology course or an equivalent to it is required prior to registering for this course. Open for Cross Enrollment on Space Available Basis.
BIME 6071. Supervised Teaching. 1 Credit Hour.
Supervised teaching of undergraduate, graduate, medical/dental students, or clinical residents will be required for at least one semester. For example, students may be required to lecture at undergraduate courses at UTSA or lecture to orthopedic/dental residents about implants and materials at the HSC. The exact nature of the teaching will be determined based on each student's program of study. Prerequisites for this course include admission to candidacy and consent of the supervising professor, program director, and Committee of Graduate Studies chair.
BIME 6090. Seminar. 1 Credit Hour.
Students will have the opportunity to hear presentations from outside speakers, BME faculty and peers. As a prerequisite, Graduate (Ph.D.) students are required to enroll in this course during fall and spring semesters during doctoral studies.
BIME 6097. Research. 1-12 Credit Hours.
This course consists of independent, original research under the direction of a faculty advisor.
BIME 7099. Dissertation. 1-12 Credit Hours.
Registration for at least two semesters (12 SCH) after a student has been admitted to candidacy for the doctoral degree. This course is required for Ph.D. candidates. Prerequisites include admission to candidacy for Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biomedical Engineering and consent of supervising professor, program director and Committee of Graduate Studies chair.
CSAT 5095. Experimental Design And Data Analysis. 3 Credit Hours.
The purpose of the course is to provide an introduction to experimental design and statistical analysis. The emphasis of the course will be on the selection and application of proper tests of statistical significance. Practical experience will be provided in the use of both parametric and nonparametric methods of statistical evaluation. Among the topics to be covered are: data reduction, types of distributions, hypothesis testing, scales of measurement, chi square analysis, the special case of the comparison of two groups; analysis of variance; a posteriori multiple comparisons tests, tests of the assumptions of parametric analyses, advanced forms of the analysis of variance, linear regression, and correlation analysis. This course involves the use of statistical software; therefore, access to a laptop or a computer with web access for classes and examinations is required.
TSCI 5070. Responsible Conduct of Research. 2 Credit Hours.
This foundational course introduces students to core ethical content necessary for responsible research conduct. Through interactive seminars, students will learn about (1) scientists as responsible members of society (contemporary ethical issues in biomedical research and environmental/social impacts of research), (2) policies for research with human subjects and vertebrate animals, (3) collaborative research, (4) conflicts of interest (personal, professional, financial), (5) data acquisition and laboratory tools (management, sharing, ownership), (6) responsible authorship and publication, (7) mentor/trainee responsibilities and relationships, (8) peer review (9) research misconduct (forms of misconduct and management policies) (10) informed consent, privacy regulations, good clinical practice, and special populations in clinical investigations.
Other courses may be chosen from prescribed electives. Additional courses are only offered at UTSA. Please refer to plan of study and BME joint website for more details.