UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE
MASTERS PROGRAM IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
ACADEMIC PROGRAM APPLICATION
January 2016
CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY………………………………………………………………………….. 3
PART I – UNIVERSITY FACULTY SENATE FORMS……………………..…………………. 4
PART II – RESOLUTION STATEMENT…………………………………..……………………. 8
PART III – PROGRAM POLICY STATEMENT………………………………………………… 10
PART IV – APPENDICES ………………………………………………………………………………….. 27
2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Biomedical Engineering is an emerging and rapidly expanding field where engineering and biological
disciplines converge. The outlook for biomedical engineers is incredibly promising. In May 2010, the
Bureau of Labor Statistics identified Biomedical Engineering as the fastest-growing occupational field,
with jobs over the next decade being expected to grow by over 70%. Major categories of employment
include medical equipment and supplies manufacturing, scientific research and development, and
pharmaceutical and drug manufacturing. This new MS program in Biomedical Engineering, together
with our existing PhD program, will train the next generation of researchers and professionals who will
play a key role in multi- and interdisciplinary teams that bridge the gap between engineering and the
biological sciences.
This multi-disciplinary graduate program will build upon the established biomedical research strength
at the University of Delaware, largely within the College of Engineering. It will serve students enrolled
in our existing PhD program who want a stepping-stone on the way to a full PhD, and will serve as
appropriate recognition of the coursework and research accomplishments of students who, for
whatever reason, cannot commit to the time required to complete the full requirements for the PhD.
The MS degree will be administered by the Biomedical Engineering Department and will be awarded
by the College of Engineering. It will be built on a first year core curriculum that includes the principles
of Biomedical Engineering, an advanced math course, a statistics course and an ethics course. The
elective curricula can be chosen from a variety of courses in engineering and the life sciences, in
consultation with the students graduate advisor. The students will have the option of completing a
Master’s thesis, or pursuing a non-thesis option.
If a student is pursuing a non-thesis option MS, the student will be advised by the Graduate Director,
or a BME-affiliated faculty member appointed by the graduate director. If a student is pursuing a
thesis-option MS, the student will be advised by the BME-affiliated faculty member most directly
involved in supervising the thesis research. Students are responsible for identifying potential faculty
advisors by meeting with faculty, attending faculty presentations, and attending research group
meetings. With the consent of both student and advisor, the Graduate Director will match the student
to a Faculty Advisor before work is begun on the thesis research.
This MS program will provide a necessary adjunct to our successful existing PhD program, and
increase our ability to support the careers of our excellent graduate students. This program will
enhance our offering of graduate education in a discipline essential for UD as a major research
university, providing a critical component to the University’s strategic priorities in life and health
sciences. It is also critical to UD’s Path of Prominence, aligning with the University’s strategic plan to
“engage closely with the critical issues of our day, to increase the global impact of the University, and
to raise its prominence in the world.”
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I
UNIVERSITY FACULTY SENATE FORMS
4
UNIVERSITY FACULTY SENATE FORMS
Academic Program Approval
This form is a routing document for the approval of new and revised academic programs. Proposing department
should complete this form. Detailed instructions for the proposal should be followed. A checklist is available
to assist in the preparation of a proposal. For more information, call the Faculty Senate Office at 831-2921.
Submitted by: ____Ryan Zurakowski__________________phone number___302-831-0331__
Department: ____Biomedical Engineering______________email address ryanz@udel.edu___
Date: ______Oct 16, 2015______________________________________
Action:
___Add Graduate Degree – Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering________________________________
(Example: add major/minor/concentration, delete major/minor/concentration, revise major/minor/concentration, academic unit
name change, request for permanent status, policy change, etc.)
Effective term_______16F_____________________________________________________________________________
(use format 04F, 05W)
Current degree__BS, PhD______________________________________________________
(Example: BA, BACH, BACJ, HBA, EDD, MA, MBA, etc.)
Proposed change leads to the degree of: ________MS________________________________
(Example: BA, BACH, BACJ, HBA, EDD, MA, MBA, etc.)
Proposed name:_____ Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering _______________________
Proposed new name for revised or new major / minor / concentration / academic unit
(if applicable)
Revising or Deleting:
Undergraduate major / Concentration:______________________________________
(Example: Applied Music – Instrumental degree BMAS)
Undergraduate minor:____________________________________________________
(Example: African Studies, Business Administration, English, Leadership, etc.)
Graduate Program Policy statement change:______Attached____________________
(Must attach your Graduate Program Policy Statement)
Graduate Program of Study:______________________________________________
(Example: Animal Science: MS Animal Science: PHD Economics: MA Economics: PHD)
Graduate minor / concentration:___________________________________________
Note: all graduate studies proposals must include an electronic copy of the Graduate Program Policy
Document, either describing the new program or highlighting the changes made to the original policy
document.
List new courses required for the new or revised curriculum. How do they support the overall program
objectives of the major/minor/concentrations)?
BMEG 869 – Master’s Thesis.
5
Supply support letter from the Library, Dean, and/or Department Chair if needed
(all new majors/minors will need a support letter from the appropriate administrator.)
Supply a resolution for all new majors/programs; name changes of colleges, departments, degrees;
transfer of departments from one college to another; creation of new departments; requests for
permanent status. See example of resolutions.
Explain, when appropriate, how this new/revised curriculum supports the 5 goals of undergraduate
education: http://www2.udel.edu/gened/
N/A
Identify other units affected by the proposed changes:
(This would include other departments/units whose courses are a required part of the proposed curriculum. Attach
permission from the affected units. If no other unit is affected, enter “None”)
The Department of Biological Sciences teaches three courses required for this degree (BISC605, BISC606 and BISC643).
The Department of Applied Economics and Statistics teaches one course required for this degree (STAT 608). Note that
either BISC643 or STAT608 are required, but not both. All these courses are already required for the existing BME PhD
degree.
Describe the rationale for the proposed program change(s):
(Explain your reasons for creating, revising, or deleting the curriculum or program.)
The department of Biomedical Engineering has a very successful undergraduate BS and graduate PhD program. Our
current graduate students pursuing the PhD are interested in a MS option to provide a stepping-stone to the PhD, or
recognition of their coursework and research accomplishments should they need to leave the program before completing
the PhD requirements. To accommodate these identified needs, we are proposing a Master of Science in Biomedical
Engineering degree.
Program Requirements:
(Show the new or revised curriculum as it should appear in the Course Catalog. If this is a revision, be sure to indicate the
changes being made to the current curriculum and include a side-by-side comparison of the credit distribution before
and after the proposed change.) See example of side by side.
ROUTING AND AUTHORIZATION:
(Please do not remove supporting documentation.)
Department Chairperson
Date
Dean of College
Date
(By signing above, the Dean confirms that their college policies and bylaws have been followed correctly during
consideration of the request described in this form.
The approval actions that were taken at the college level were (check all that apply) :
____________college faculty vote; ___________college curriculum approval __________college senate approval
Chairperson, College Curriculum Committee___________________________________Date_____________________
Chairperson, Senate Com. on UG or GR Studies
Date
Chairperson, Senate Coordinating Com.
Date
Secretary, Faculty Senate
Date
Date of Senate Resolution
Date to be Effective
Registrar
Program Code
Date
Vice Provost for Academic Affairs & International Programs
Date
Board of Trustee Notification
Date
Revised 9/22/2015/khs
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II
RESOLUTION STATEMENT
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PROVISIONAL APPROVAL OF NEW PROGRAMS – RESOLUTION
MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
WHEREAS, the Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) in the College of Engineering has
offered successful programs for the BS and PhD in BME offering students skills to successfully work
as biomedical engineers and biomedical engineering researchers, and
WHEREAS, BME has received many inquiries over the last several years from individuals who
are seeking Master’s degrees in BME and
WHEREAS, BME has proposed a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering that will
provide students with graduate-level knowledge and skills in Biomedical Engineering without the time
commitment needed to pursue a doctoral-level program of independent research, and
WHEREAS, the existing PhD program in Biomedical Engineering already provides all the
courses and administrative framework for such a degree, and
WHEREAS, the proposed major contributes to one of the milestones on the University’s “path
to prominence” to achieve excellence in professional education; be it therefore
RESOLVED, that the Faculty Senate recommends provisionally for five years the approval of
the establishment of a new Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering.
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III
PROGRAM POLICY STATEMENT
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PROGRAM POLICY STATEMENT CONTENTS
I. PROGRAM HISTORY………………………………………………………………………………... 11
A. Rationale…………………………………………………………………………………………… 11
B. Date of Permanent Status………………………………………………………………………...12
C. Degrees Offered…………………………………………………………………………………...12
II. ADMISSION…………………………………………………………………………………………... 12
A. Admission Requirements………………………………………………………………………… 12
B. Application Deadlines…………………………………………………………………………….. 12
C. Admission Categories……………………………………………………………………………. 12
D. Change of Classification…………………………………………………………………………. 12
III. ACADEMIC…………………………………………………………………………………………… 12
A. Degree Course Requirements……………………………………………………………………12
B. Course Curriculum………………………………………………………………………………... 13
C. Committees and Director………………………………………………………………………… 16
C.1 BME Graduate Committee……………………………………………………………... 16
C.2 Graduate Director……………………………………………………………………….. 16
D. Satisfactory Progress…………………………………………………………………………….. 16
D.1 Faculty Advisor…………………………………………………………………………...16
D.2 Academic Load………………………………………………………………………….. 16
D.3 Transferability……………………………………………………………………………. 17
D.4 Annual Progress Report…………………………………………………………………17
D.5 MS Requirements………………………….…………………………………………… 17
D.5a Thesis Committee…………………………………………………………….. 17
D.5b Master’s Thesis…..……………………………………………………………. 17
D.6 Grade Requirements……………………………………………………………………. 18
D.7 Consequences of Unsatisfactory Progress……………………………………………18
D.8 Standards of Student Conduct………………………………………………………… 18
D.9 Dismissal……………………………………………………………………………........ 18
D.10 Graduate Student Grievance Procedure……………………………………………. 18
D.11 Attendance at Conferences and Professional Meetings…………………………... 18
IV. FINANCIAL AID……………………………………………………………………………………… 18
A. Financial Awards………………………………………………………………………………….. 19
B. Continuation of Financial Aid……………………………………………………………………. 19
V. IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION…………………………………………………………. 19
A. Implementation Plan……………………………………………………………………………… 20
B. Assessment Plan…………………………………………………………………………………. 21
B.1 Program Objective………………………………………………………………………. 21
B.2 Curricular Map and Learning Outcomes……………………………………………… 21
B.3 Assessment Plan…………………………………………………………………………21
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I. Program History
A. Rationale
This is a proposal for a new MS degree in Biomedical Engineering to be offered in the College of
Engineering as part of the Biomedical Engineering Program.
Biomedical Engineering is an emerging and rapidly expanding field where engineering and biological
disciplines converge. According to the National Institutes of Health, Biomedical Engineering is defined
as follows:
“Biomedical Engineering integrates physical, chemical, mathematical, and computational sciences
and engineering principles to study biology, medicine, behavior and health. It advances fundamental
concepts, creates knowledge from the molecular to the organ systems levels, and develops
innovative biologies, materials, processes, implants, devices, and informatics approaches for the
prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, for patient rehabilitation, and for improving health.” From www.nibib.nih.gov
The outlook for biomedical engineers is incredibly promising. In May 2010, the Bureau of Labor
Statistics identified Biomedical Engineering as the fastest-growing occupational field, with jobs over
the next decade being expected to grow by 72%. Major categories of employment include medical
equipment and supplies manufacturing, scientific research and development, and pharmaceutical and
drug manufacturing.
We propose to offer a MS in Biomedical Engineering to train the next generation of researchers and
professionals who will play a key role in multi- and interdisciplinary teams that bridge the gap between
engineering and the biological sciences. This MS program will build upon the successful foundation of
the PhD degree program in Biomedical Engineering, sharing with it a common first year core
curriculum with advanced curricula that allow appropriate specialization.
Students will have the option of completing a thesis or a non-thesis option. If a student is pursuing a
non-thesis option MS, the student will be advised by the BME Graduate Director, or a BME-affiliated
faculty member appointed by the graduate director. If a student is pursuing a thesis-option MS, the
student will be advised by the BME-affiliated faculty member most directly involved in supervising the
thesis research. Students are responsible for identifying potential faculty advisors by meeting with
faculty, attending faculty presentations, and attending research group meetings. With the consent of
both student and advisor, the Graduate Director will match the student to a Faculty Advisor before
work is begun on the thesis research. The MS degree will be administered by the Biomedical
Engineering Department and will be awarded by the College of Engineering.
This multi-disciplinary graduate program will build upon the established biomedical research strength
at the University of Delaware, largely within the College of Engineering. There are currently 11
primary faculty in the Biomedical Engineering Department, and 52 affiliated faculty from multiple
departments. This MS program will provide a necessary adjunct to our successful existing PhD
program, and increase our ability to support the careers of our excellent graduate students. This
program will enhance our offering of graduate education in a discipline essential for UD as a major
research university, providing a critical component to the University’s strategic priorities in life and
health sciences. It will offer academic rigor, as well as flexibility, to meet the needs and interests of
students from different backgrounds and of their faculty advisors from different research areas. This
program will also provide a foundation for educational funding and training grant opportunities.
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B. Date of Permanent Status
This program will begin in fall of 2016. Since enrollment will only be open to students already
enrolled in the BME PhD program, we do not have an initial anticipated class size. We anticipate this
program eventually graduating 2-4 MS students per year.
C. Degrees Offered
The Biomedical Engineering program will offer a Master of Science Degree (MS) in the College of
Engineering.
II. Admission
A. Admission Requirements
Students may not apply directly to the MS program, nor will students be permitted to transfer into this
program from another major. Admission to the M.S. degree will be restricted to students previously
admitted to the Ph.D. program in Biomedical Engineering.
B. Application Deadlines
Students may not apply directly to the MS program, nor will students be permitted to transfer into this
program from another major. Admission to the M.S. degree will be restricted to students previously
admitted to the Ph.D. program in Biomedical Engineering.
C. Admission Categories
Students may be admitted into the MS program in BME with regular status.
Regular. Regular status is offered to students who meet all of the established entrance requirements,
who have a record of high scholarship in their fields of specialization, and who have the ability,
interest, and maturity necessary for successful study at the graduate level in a degree program.
D. Change of Classification
Students that are currently matriculated in other degree programs within the University of Delaware
should complete a “Change of Classification” Form to seek approval to be admitted into the BME
Program. The BME GC will evaluate the change in classification requests on a case-by case basis to
determine if the applicant will need to complete a full application form to submit to the Office of
Graduate and Professional Education.
III. Academic
A. Degree Course Requirements
The tables below list the credit requirements for a MS degree in BME.
MS requirements in Biomedical Engineering (Thesis option): 30 credits total
5 Core courses
Principles of Biomedical Engineering
6 credits
(2 courses)
Advanced Math
3 credits
Statistics
3 credits
Communication and Ethics
3 credits
3 Technical electives (minimum)
9 credits
Thesis
6 credits
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MS requirements in Biomedical Engineering (non-Thesis option): 30 credits total
5 Core courses
Principles of Biomedical Engineering
6 credits
(2 courses)
Advanced Math
3 credits
Statistics
3 credits
Communication and Ethics
3 credits
5 Technical electives (minimum)
15 credits
B. Course Curriculum
Core Courses (15 credits)
BMEG 605 Principles of Biomedical Engineering I: Molecular and
Principles of
cellular systems (allow BISC 605 Advanced Mammalian Physiology
Biomedical
as a substitute)
Engineering
BMEG 606 Principles of Biomedical Engineering II: Tissue and
(6 credits)
organ systems (allow BISC 606 Advanced Mammalian Physiology II
as a substitute)
Advanced Math
MATH 607 Survey of Scientific Computing
(3 credits)
MATH 616 Introductions to Applied Mathematics I
Choose 1
MEEG 690 Intermediate Engineering Mathematics
ELEG 671 Mathematical Physiology
Statistics
BISC 643 Biological data analysis
(3 credits)
STAT 608 Statistical research methods
Choose 1
Communication
and Ethics
BMEG 801 Communication and Ethics in Biomedical
Engineering
(3 credits)
Technical Electives
Technical Electives can be chosen from courses offered across engineering departments. Classes may be
chosen from the list approved for the PhD program. Courses not on the Technical Elective list can be
substituted with permission of the Faculty Advisor and the Graduate Director. Students electing the non-thesis
option may use up to 6 credits of BMEG 868 (Research) toward the 15 unit technical elective requirement.
Check for updated lists periodically.
Technical Elective Courses (12 credits minimum, choose 4 minimum)
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BISC 602
BISC 605
BISC 612
BISC 625
BISC 626
BISC 627
BISC 639
BISC 660
BISC 671
BISC 675
BISC 806
Molecular Biology of Animal Cells
Advanced Mammalian Physiology
Advanced Cell Biology
Cancer Biology
Advanced Neuroanatomy
Advanced Neurophysiology
Developmental Neurobiology
Environmental Physiology
Cellular and Molecular Immunology
Cardiovascular Physiology
Advances in Cell and Organ Systems
BMEG 610
BMEG 662
BMEG 665
BMEG 679
BMEG 695
Tissue Biomechanics & Modeling
Engineering Biomedical Nanostructures
Tissue Biomechanics and Modeling
Introduction to Medical Imaging Systems
Computational Systems Biology
CHEG 620
CHEG 621
CHEG/CHEM 649
CHEG 650
CHEG 801
CHEG 825
CHEG 827
CHEG 828
CHEG 842
CHEG 845
Biochemical Engineering
Metabolic Engineering
Molecular Biophysics
Biomedical Engineering
Process Control and Dynamics
Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
Chemical Engineering Problems
Statistical Thermodynamics
Selected Topics in Biochemical Engineering
Advanced Transport Phenomena
CHEM 641
CHEM 642
CHEM 643
CHEM 645
CHEM 646
CHEM 647
CHEM 648
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Intermediary Metabolism
Protein Structure and Function
DNA-Protein Interactions
Biochemical Evolution
Membrane Biochemistry
CISC 642
Intro to Computer Vision
CISC 681
Artificial Intelligence
CISC/BINF 689
Topics: Artificial Intelligence
CISC/BINF 849
Advanced Topics in Computer Applications
CISC 852
CISC 887
ELEG 630
Computer Network Performance
Internet Information Gathering
Information theory
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ELEG 631
Digital signal processing
ELEG 636
Statistical signal processing
ELEG 671
Mathematical Physiology
ELEG 675
Image processing with biomedical applications
ELEG 679
ELEG 680
ELEG 801
Intro to medical imaging systems
Immunology for engineers
Advanced topics in biomedical engineering
MATH 529
MATH 611
MATH 617
MATH 630
MATH 660
Fundamentals of Optimization
Introduction to Numerical Discretization
Introductions to Applied Mathematics II
Probability Theory and Applications
Intro to Systems Biology
MEEG 612
MEEG 624
MEEG 682
MEEG 683
MEEG 684
MEEG 685
MEEG 686
MEEG 862
Biomechanics of human movement
Control of dynamic systems
Clinical biomechanics
Orthopedic biomechanics
Biomaterials and tissue engineering
Control of human movement
Cell and tissue transport
Advanced Engineering Analysis
MSEG/CHEG 601
MSEG 625
MSEG 630/CHEG 600
MSEG 633/833
MSEG 635/835
MSEG 660
MSEG 803
MSEG 804
MSEG 817
MSEG/CHEG 823
MSEG 832
Structure and Properties of Polymer Materials
Entrepreneurship and risk: meeting the challenges
Introduction to Polymer Science and Engineering
Polymer Synthesis and Characterization Laboratory
Principles of Polymer Physics
Biomaterials and Tissue engineering
Equilibria in Materials Systems
Kinetics in Materials Systems
Composite Materials
TEM in Materials Science
Principles of Polymerization
STAT 609
Regression and Experimental Design
Other Courses (12 credits minimum)
Research
BMEG 868 Research
Thesis
BMEG 869 Master’s Thesis
Description of new BMEG courses:
BMEG 869: Master’s Thesis (1-6)
15
Supervised laboratory study conducted for the purpose of contributing new data and theory in the
field of Biomedical Engineering.
C. Committees and Director
C.1 BME Graduate Committee (BME GC)
This committee consists of at least 5 BME-affiliated faculty. It is responsible for 1) reviewing
applications, 2) recommending student visits and admissions, 3) matching students to an advisor, 4)
developing and approving the curriculum, 5) reviewing annual Progress Reports, 6) assigning
Qualifying Exam committee, 7) reviewing and approving Dissertation Committee members and chair,
8) dealing with petitions for course substitutions, and 9) dealing with petitions for the extension of
Candidacy and Dissertation Defenses.
Current BME Graduate Committee:
Member
College
Ryan Zurakowski
Engineering
(Graduate Program Director)
Jason Gleghorn
Engineering
Emily Day
Engineering
Fabrizio Sergi
Engineering
David Burris
Engineering
Department
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
C.2 Graduate Director
The BME Associate Director for Graduate Studies chairs the BME GC and is called the Graduate
Director. He/she will be responsible for the overall implementation, quality and progress of the degree
program, advised by the BME GC. He/she will also act as advisor to the student during the first
semester until the student has a Faculty Advisor. At the end of the MS program, he/she will approve
the application for the degree upon verifying that the student has successfully completed the
requirements. This position will have a three-year renewable term. The Graduate Director may
appoint a coordinator to provide day-to-day program management and to assist with student
recruitment, admission, advising, and progress assessment.
D. Satisfactory Progress
D.1 Faculty Advisor
If a student is pursuing a non-thesis option MS, the student will be advised by the Graduate Director,
or a BME-affiliated faculty member appointed by the graduate director. If a student is pursuing a
thesis-option MS, the student will be advised by the BME-affiliated faculty member most directly
involved in supervising the thesis research. Students are responsible for identifying potential faculty
advisors by meeting with faculty, attending faculty presentations, and attending research group
meetings. With the consent of both student and advisor, the Graduate Director will match the student
to a Faculty Advisor before work is begun on the thesis research.
The Faculty Advisor will be the primary contact of the student for questions and advice on his/her
thesis research throughout the remainder of the program. The student will develop a plan of study for
the program with the Faculty Advisor by the end of the second semester of their first year. Any
changes to a student’s program of study must be approved by the Faculty Advisor and the BME
Graduate Director.
D.2 Academic Load
16
Full-time students are expected to complete the MS program in 2-3 years. The program may be
completed over a longer time frame for part-time students. Students must be enrolled in at least 9
credit hours or in sustaining credit to be considered full-time students. Those enrolled for fewer than 9
credit hours are considered part-time students, although students holding assistantships are
considered full-time with six credits. Students are expected to take 9 credit hours of course work for
the first semester in order to be funded. All graduate students are expected to register for research
credits during the summer term but not the winter term. Generally, a maximum load is 12 graduate
credit hours in spring and fall; however, additional credit hours may be taken with the approval of the
student's adviser and the Office of Graduate and Professional Education.
D.3 Transferability
Courses approved for transfer to satisfy BME PhD requirements may also be used to satisfy BME MS
degree requirements. Both the Faculty Advisor and the BME Graduate Director must approve
petitions for course substitution.
D.4 Annual Progress Report
The student’s progress toward his/her MS will be monitored annually by the BME GC. Before July 1st
each year, the student must submit a Progress Report Form to the Graduate Director that is signed
by the Faculty Advisor. This form includes a checklist of course requirements, research
accomplishments, self assessment, advisor feedback, and verifications that annual Dissertation
Committee meetings are occurring.
D.5 MS Requirements
The MS program in Biomedical Engineering consists of 30 credits of graduate level course work,
including 6 credits of Masters Thesis if electing the Thesis option. The program allows for
considerable flexibility in course selection. The MS program with thesis option also requires
completion of an approved Masters Thesis. Specific course requirements are described above in
Section III B, Course Curriculum. MS students must also complete a written Master’s Thesis (D.5b).
D.5a Dissertation Committee
Before beginning work on the thesis research, the student must establish a Thesis Committee. The
Thesis Committee is selected by the Faculty Advisor and the student, and must have a minimum of 3
members including the advisor and at least 2 additional faculty. 2 members must have an
appointment in BME (Primary, Joint, or Affiliated), at least one member must hold a Primary or Voting
Joint appointment in BME. The student must submit a 1-2 page research plan approved by the
committee to the graduate director. The research plan should contain a brief description of the
student’s proposed research area including major questions to be addressed, a brief summary of
research accomplishments so far, one paragraph justifying the committee composition, and a
preliminary timeline for the completion of the degree. The Graduate Director must approve the
committee, chair, and research plan, and any subsequent changes in committee members.
D.5b Master’s Thesis
To complete the MS with thesis option, students must submit a correctly formatted thesis meeting the
University formatting rules, presenting novel, publishable research that has been reviewed and
approved by the student’s thesis committee. The thesis committee may, at their discretion, require a
formal presentation of the thesis as a condition of approval. The student will be responsible for
making corrections to the thesis document and for meeting all Graduate School deadlines for
submission. Student must complete the thesis within 5 years of matriculation or must petition the
Graduate Director for an extension.
17
D.6 Grade Requirements
Only graduate courses completed with a grade of B- or higher will count towards the requirements of
the BME program. Students must maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in the
courses in the curriculum to receive the degree. If student does not achieve a B- or higher in a core
course, he/she must retake the course (or any of the optional core courses in that category), and if
the retake is below a B-, the student will be recommended for dismissal. If student achieves lower
than a B- on an elective course, he/she can retake the course or replace it with another elective
course. University of Delaware has a No Replacement policy so both grades of a repeated course are
included in the cumulative GPA and the University requires that this GPA must be over 3.0. However,
the cumulative GPA for the courses that lead to the MS degree only use the higher grade of the
repeated course.
D.7 Consequences of Unsatisfactory Progress
The BME GC will meet at least once each year to evaluate each student's progress. To monitor this
progress, the student must annually submit a Progress Report Form to the Graduate Director before
July 1. If the student does not complete a Progress Report, fall registration is cancelled and funding
is stopped until it has been completed. If the student is failing to make satisfactory progress towards a
degree, the committee will recommend suitable action to the BME Graduate Director. Possible
actions include (but are not limited to): (i) requirement for additional courses, (ii) suspension of
financial support, and (iii) recommendation for dismissal.
D.8 Standards of Student Conduct
All graduate students are subject to University of Delaware regulations regarding academic honesty.
Violations of the UD regulations regarding academic honesty or other forms of gross misconduct may
result in immediate dismissal from the Program.
D.9 Dismissal
The procedures for dismissal as detailed in the University Catalog will be followed. Briefly, the BME
GC will report its recommendation and reason for dismissal to the BME Graduate Director. He/she
will make a recommendation to the Office of Graduate Studies, who will decide whether to dismiss
the student. The student may appeal this decision to the Office of Graduate Studies, following the
procedure given in the University Catalog.
D.10 Graduate Student Grievance Procedure
Students who feel that they have been graded inappropriately or have received what they perceive as
an unfair evaluation by a faculty member may file grievances in accordance with University of
Delaware policies. Students are encouraged to contact the Director of the BME Program and/or the
Graduate Director prior to filing a formal grievance in an effort to resolve the situation informally.
D.11 Attendance at Conferences and Professional Meetings
The BME program encourages students to attend conferences and professional meetings. They
provide opportunities to meet future employers and colleagues, and can offer specialized training
beyond course work.
IV. Financial Aid
A. Financial Awards
Financial assistance is awarded on a competitive basis to the pool of admitted applicants. The
University of Delaware’s policies apply to all forms of financial aid. Please refer to the University
Policies for Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships.
18
Students pursuing a terminal MS degree are not generally funded by the department, but may be
supported on research contracts and grants as deemed appropriate by the PI on those projects. MS
students may also be appointed as Teaching Assistants at the discretion of the graduate committee
chair.
Students in the Biomedical Engineering Master’s may be provided Graduate Assistantships:
 Research Assistants (RAs) are generally funded by research grants and contracts provided by
external funding agencies. Students should be supported as an RA through their Faculty
Advisor's research funds once they are matched (beginning in November 1 of the student’s
matriculating year). RAships provide full tuition and a stipend.
 Teaching Assistants (TAs) are offered for graduate students to perform teaching and other
instructional activities. The amount of service may vary from week to week but the average is
usually expected to be 20 hours per week. A TAship provides full tuition and a stipend. In
accordance with University of Delaware regulations, TAs must fulfill the requirements detailed in
Section III D.5a in order to qualify for this type of assistantships.
B. Continuation of Financial Aid
Students who are awarded financial aid must maintain satisfactory academic progress with
satisfactory performance of assistantship duties (see below). Satisfactory academic progress includes
maintaining full-time status as detailed in Section III D.2 above, and maintaining the grade
requirements detailed in Section III D.6.
The Faculty Advisor will establish the Research Assistant (RA) responsibilities and performance
standards. In the event of an unsatisfactory performance by an RA, the Faculty Advisor will notify the
BME Graduate Director and the student of the problem in writing. The Advisor will give the student a
performance appraisal that lists the specific areas that need improvement and a timeline by which to
rectify the situation (typically 1 to 3 months) before the assistantship is terminated.
The director of the course in which the student teaches will establish the Teaching Assistant (TA)
responsibilities and performance standards. In the event of an unsatisfactory performance by a TA,
the course director will notify the student and the BME Graduate Director in writing detailing the
specific areas that need improvement. If the student does not rectify the situation (typically within 2-4
weeks), the BME Graduate Director may recommend termination of the assistantship.
During the student’s time in the graduate program, the student must fill out a graduate student
contractile responsibility form (GSCRF) to show how he/she is being funded. This may be done once
a year (if funding source is constant) or separately for spring, summer, and fall (if funding source
varies). Changes in status from TA to RA or from full time to sustaining require updating with a new
form. Once the GSCRF has been approved, a Student Funding Accountability Form (SFAF) must be
completed in order to put the student into the payroll system.
V. Implementation and Evaluation
A. Implementation Plan
The MS program in Biomedical Engineering (BME) is planned for an official start in the Fall semester
of 2016. The Biomedical Engineering Graduate Committee will establish policies of its operation and
for the program, and it will coordinate with participating departments about course offerings.
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Simultaneous with this proposal, Faculty Senate approval will be sought for new or revised courses
required for the curriculum, as submitted to the Course Challenge list.
B. Assessment Plan
B.1 Program Objective
The graduate program in BME aims to train the next generation of researchers and professionals
who will play a key role in multi-disciplinary teams, bridging engineering, life sciences and medicine.
The Master of Science degree will prepare students for a biomedical engineering professional career
in academics, industry, business, government agencies, or non-profit organizations.
B.2 Curricular Map and Learning Outcomes
This MS program has 4 major curriculum components:
1) Core courses in BME, Math and Statistics.
2) Communication and Ethics core
3) Electives in Engineering and Life Sciences
4) Thesis Research in BME
The curricular map indicates the following learning outcomes addressed in the curriculum:
 Core competency in BME
 Knowledge of scientific/biomedical ethics
 Advanced knowledge of BME and related disciplines
 Competence in scientific communication
 Independent mentored research experience in BME
 Experience working with interdisciplinary teams, bridging engineering, life sciences and
medicine.
Learning Outcomes
Experience working with
interdisciplinary teams
Competence in scientific
communication
Independent research
experience
Advanced knowledge of BME&
related disciplines
2) Communication &
Ethics Core
3) Engineering & Life
Science Electives
6) Thesis Research
Knowledge of ethics
1) Science Core
Core competency in BME
Curriculum
X
x
x
x
x
x
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x
x
B.3 Assessment Plan
Evaluation of the MS program will be coordinated with the existing assessment procedures for the
PhD program. The results of the assessment measures described below will be shared with the
Biomedical Engineering Executive and Graduate Committees.
Objectives
Strategic
Measures
Short-term
Long-term
Activities
Outcomes
Impact
Train students in
Recruit excellent
Number and
Retention and
Students gain
the science
applicants and
demographic data
time to degree
employment in
disciplines
matriculate
of student
statistics
BME field
pertinent to BME
students with
applicants and
credentials similar matriculated
to those in UD
students
engineering
graduate
programs
Course work
Faculty evaluation
Course work
Graduates enjoy
covering the
of student’s
helps students
long term success
disciplines related progress in course secure initial
in academic or
to BME (Core and work; Survey
employment;
professional
Electives)
Faculty Advisors;
Graduates report careers
Survey graduate
applying
students in the
knowledge from
program and postcourses to work
graduation
settings
Provide training in Course work
Survey students on Graduates report Graduates enjoy
science/biomedical addressing these
their experiences in applying
long term success
related ethics and issues
these classes;
knowledge from
in academic or
communication
Survey graduates
course to work
professional
to determine the
settings
careers
utility of these
classes to their
career; Faculty
evaluation of
student’s progress
in course work
Provide
Thesis research;
Survey students on Experiential
Graduates enjoy
experiential
Seminars on
their research
training prepares long term success
training to prepare specialized topics experiences in their students for their in academic or
students for the
and cutting edge
theses; Survey
workplace and
professional
expectations of the developments;
graduates to
helps them
careers
workplace
Teaching
determine the use
secure their first
requirement
of their experiential post-graduation
provides training
training in their
position
for giving lectures careers; Faculty
and presentations Advisor evaluation
of dissertation and
teaching
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IV
APPENDICES
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APPENDIX I
Letters of Approval from Contributing Departments
College of Arts & Sciences:
1) Dr. Robin Morgan, Chair, Department of Biological Sciences
College of Agriculture & Natural Resources
1) Dr. Thomas Ilvento, Chair, Department of Applied Economics and Statistics
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Robin W. Morgan, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair
Department of Biological Sciences
118C Wolf Hall
Telephone (302) 831-4296
Fax No. (302) 831-1033
E-mail: morgan@udel.edu
December 18, 2015
Ryan Zurakowski, Ph.D.
Graduate Director, Biomedical Engineering
University of Delaware
Dear Dr. Zurakowski:
The Department of Biological Sciences has considered your request that we support your application to establish
a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering. In accordance with the Department of Biological
Sciences by-laws, this proposal has been considered by the Graduate Affairs Committee and approved by vote of
the department faculty at a duly scheduled faculty meeting.
The Biological Sciences Department faculty will support a new M.S. in Biomedical Engineering with the
restriction that students may not apply directly to the M.S. program nor be permitted to transfer into the program
from another major. That is, admission to the M.S. degree program will be restricted to students previously
admitted to the Ph.D. program in Biomedical Engineering.
Best regards,
Robin W. Morgan
Professor and Chair
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APPENDIX II
Letters of Support from Deans of Participating Colleges
1) Dr. Babatunde A. Ogunnaike, Interim Dean, College of Engineering
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27
APPENDIX IV
BME Graduate Student Handbook
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