Doctor of Philosophy Degree, Ph.D. in Bioengineering
No formal course requirements are prescribed for
attainment of the doctoral degree. The degree is awarded based upon
completion of a doctoral dissertation and the sequence of candidacy,
comprehensive and final oral examinations, as detailed in the Graduate
School Bulletin. Each student is expected to pursue a level of study that
builds a strong foundation in a traditional engineering discipline, and
demonstrates accomplishment in an additional area of technical
specialization, mathematics and the life sciences. To this end, the
student is expected to demonstrate a level of academic achievement that
includes material covered by courses required for the M.S. degree, and to
take a minimum of five courses in bioengineering, five graduate level
courses in engineering, mathematics and physics, and at least two
advanced graduate level life science courses. Each doctoral student is
expected to register at least twice as a participant in the
Bioengineering Colloquium.
Candidacy examination
Covering general course material and consisting of a
written test of factual knowledge. The examination is given
at the end of the spring semester of the first year, after
the student has completed the required basic courses.
Test of competency in English
Demonstrating a high level of English proficiency prior
to the admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree.
Graduates of English-speaking colleges or universities will
be expected to have such skill prior to admission.
International students whose native language is not English
will demonstrate competence by achieving a score of at least
550 in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or
its equivalent.
Comprehensive examination
Consisting of a written proposal on a research problem
and an oral defense at the beginning of the third year.
Ph.D. thesis defense
Admission to candidacy for the
Ph.D. occurs upon successful completion of the candidacy exam
and demonstration of research potential and maintenance of no
less than a 3.0 GPA in academic courses. The written exam is
given to students at the end of their first year of study. The
Comprehensive Examination must be taken prior to completion of
the fifth semester. You will prepare a research proposal for
which you will be evaluated. The Thesis Defense is your final
required examination. Each Ph.D. candidate must present his or
her thesis work in a public seminar. You are expected to answer
questions raised by the committee or by visitors. The thesis work of a student must be described in a
single integrated document. The format of the thesis must conform to
the regulations set out in the Thesis Guide published by the thesis
office of the graduate school. Submission of an approved Thesis in
accordance with all of the requirements of the departmental doctoral
committee and the Graduate school is usually the final step prior to
graduation. Master of Science Degree, MS in Bioengineering
A course of study for each student is tailored to build
upon their undergraduate strengths in traditional engineering disciplines
and their area of research specialization. Courses
are selected from the
life sciences, engineering, and bioengineering. Required courses include BIOE 401, 402 and 403 plus two 500 level courses in bioengineering, six
credits in the life sciences (usually including upper division or
graduate level physiology) and six credits in technically oriented
courses outside bioengineering. For students entering the program without
a background in engineering or the physical sciences, such as biology or
other life science disciplines, up to 24 credits of additional
undergraduate engineering courses may be required. A thesis is required
for the M.S. degree and the student must register for at least six
credits of directed thesis research. Each student is required to register
at least once, as a participant in the Bioengineering Colloquium (BIOE
590) and give a presentation on their research. Requirements for the M.S.
degree may be completed within one to two years, depending on the
individual.
MD-Ph.D. Program
In collaboration with the College of Medicine at Penn
State Hershey Medical Center, the Bioengineering Program offers the
opportunity for medical students to pursue a program of study leading to
the Ph.D. in Bioengineering. Students in the program take the medical
school core curriculum during the first two years of study. Years 3 to 5
are devoted to completing graduate school requirements and thesis
research leading to the Ph.D. in Bioengineering, and years 6 and 7 focus
on clinical rotations. Application to the MD-Ph.D. program is made by
expressing an interest in the dual degree program when applying for
admission to the College of Medicine. Further information may be
obtained from the Office of Student Affairs, P.O. Box 850, Hershey, PA
17033 or from the Bioengineering Program. |
