Program in Biomedical Engineering School of Engineering Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Biomedical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

The Biomedical Engineering program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is one of the nation's most reputable programs of its kind, providing graduate students with biomedical expertise and hands-on experience alongside a dedicated faculty of highly distinguished academic leaders and research scientists.

The program focuses on 5 key areas of research: biomolecular science and engineering; multiscale modeling, imaging, and biocomputation; musculoskeletal engineering; neural engineering; and vascular engineering.

The Biomedical Engineering program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offers Master of Science (MS) and doctoral (PhD) degrees in biomedical engineering, and students have the opportunity to take part in the many generously funded research endeavors on topics ranging from tissue engineering to work on 3-D models for movements and structures.

Biomedical engineering was named the "Fastest Growing Occupation" by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2010, and the field is expected to experience a 72 percent job increase between 2008 and 2018.

Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

Students may pursue a Master of Science (MS) in Biomedical Engineering with or without a thesis. They will complete a minimum of 30 credit hours with one course in the life sciences and one course in advanced math. Students will each develop a plan of study in consultation with a faculty adviser to meet both the student's needs and the department's requirements.

Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering

Matriculation into the doctoral program is based upon prior demonstration of a high level of academic achievement in graduate and/or undergraduate work. Advanced study and research are conducted under the guidance of a faculty member of the Department of Biomedical Engineering and an interdisciplinary committee. A total of 72 credits (30 course work credits and 42 credits of research) satisfy the department's and the institutes' residency and thesis requirements. The coursework requirement includes one course in the life sciences and one course in advanced math. Each student will develop a plan of study in consultation with a faculty adviser to meet both the student's needs and the department's requirements.

Collaboration is Key

A central focus in the Biomedical Engineering program, like most other programs at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, is interdisciplinary collaboration. Graduate students work with experts not only in other departments, but within a broad range of external institutions.

The program has collaborations in place with the institute's Computational Center for Nanotechnology Innovation, the Center for Subsurface Sensing and Imaging, and the Center for Multiscale Science and Engineering, in addition to Albany Medical College, the New York State Department of Health's Wadsworth Center, the Genomics Institute, and several hospitals and medical centers around Boston, Connecticut, New York, and Rochester.

Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies

Many research efforts conducted through the Biomedical Engineering program take place in the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies. The center brings together researchers, faculty members, and students from departments ranging from biology and biomedical engineering to civil engineering, computer science, mathematical sciences, and physics.

Major research thrusts at the center include human health, biocatalysis, molecular bioprocessing, biocomputation and bioinformatics, systems biology, and bio-based energy.

In one recent project, researchers in the center sent bacteria into orbit aboard the space shuttle Atlantis, and in another, scientists developed a new method for decoding cell movements and accurately predicting how cells divide.

Computational Center for Nanotechnology Innovations

The Biomedical Engineering program is also involved with the Computational Center for Nanotechnology Innovations (CCNI), which represents a $100 million partnership between Rensselaer, IBM, and New York state. The center is designed to advance research on a wide range of computational simulations such as atomic and molecular interactions and the behavior of complete devices.

The center's supercomputer is one of the most powerful university-based supercomputers in the world. The equipment allows for research on next-generation semiconductor technology, as well as the pursuit of innovations in other fields, including energy, biotechnology, new materials, arts and medicine.

Groundbreaking projects underway at the CCNI include the simulation of next-generation, 3-D, massively parallel devices and the development of electronic design automation for multithreaded parallel computers.

Biomolecular Science and Engineering

Biomolecular science is one area in the life sciences which focuses on the understanding of cellular processes at the molecular level and modifications of extracellular matrix (ECM). Developing an understanding and using this knowledge for manipulating cell and matrix processes in order to predict, prevent or ameliorate medical conditions are key components of biomolecular science and engineering. Research in biomolecular science involves experimental and computational approaches with applications ranging from drug development and delivery, proteomics, tissue engineering and systems biology.

Multiscale Modeling, Imaging, and Biocomputation

Students involved in multiscale modeling, imaging, and biocomputation pursue studies and research involving the many aspects of visualizing cell and tissue structure.

Groundbreaking research projects recently begun in this field include development of a real-time simulation of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, and a physics-driven neural network-based system capable of simulating the nonlinear physics of deformable bodies at real-time rates.

Musculoskeletal Engineering

Graduate students work with researchers in musculoskeletal engineering on projects that focus on issues such as the regeneration of bone, muscle, tendons, ligaments, and skin.

Musculoskeletal engineers develop expertise in cell and tissue engineering, stem cells, regenerative medicine, and proteomics.

In the lab of Professor Douglas B. Chrisey, for instance, research focuses on the manipulation of matter on the nanometer scale and the development of laser-based techniques to rapidly form idealized three-dimensional constructs.

Neural Engineering

Students of neural engineering are trained in the areas of molecular control of neurite guidance, complex multi-cellular models of injury and repair, proteomics, neural stem cells, cell and tissue engineering, and rational biomaterial design.

In the Gilbert Laboratory, for instance, research is focused on development of translational biomaterial approaches to spinal cord repair, and the Thompson Laboratory focuses on functional repair of injuries to both the central and peripheral nervous system with an emphasis on Neuronal-Glial Interactions.

Vascular Engineering

Researchers in vascular engineering are dedicated to the development of diagnostic and therapeutic agents for treating vascular disease, the leading cause of heart attacks.

Professor Guohao Dai's lab, for instance, focuses on the vascular endothelium, and projects have included the development of a 3-D robotic tissue composer that can precisely place cells and extracellular matrix in a pre-designed 3-D pattern, allowing researchers to construct tissues with hierarchical structures.

Rensselaer--Rigorous Science Education for Nearly 200 Years

Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is not only the country's oldest technical university, but it also consistently ranks among the country's best. The institute's School of Engineering was ranked 31st in the country in the 2010 edition of the "US News and World Report" list of Best Graduate Schools.

Distinguished faculty members at the institute include a Nobel laureate, National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award winners, and members of the National Academy of Sciences.

• Degrees Offered
• Major Degree Levels Offered
• Doctor of Engineering (D Eng)
  Master of Science (MS)
  Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

• Degrees Awarded
• Master's Degrees 9
• Doctoral Degrees 3
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported
• * Shows the number of degrees awarded for the last academic year that data was reported.

• Earning Your Degree
• Part-time study available? No
• Evening/weekend programs available? No
• Distance learning programs available? No
• Terminal master's degree available? Yes

• Degree Requirements
• Master's Degrees Optional
• Doctoral Degrees Required
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied130
• Accepted4
• Acceptance Rate3%
• Enrolled3
• Applying
• Application Fee - Domestic $75
• Application Fee - International $75
• Electronic applications accepted? Yes
• Applications processed on a rolling basis? Yes
• Application Deadlines
• Type Domestic International Priority Date
• Fall deadline January 1st Not Reported Yes
• Winter deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Spring deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Entrance Requirements
• Master's DegreesGRE, minimum GPA of 3.0
• Doctoral's DegreesGRE, minimum GPA of 3.0
• First-Professional's DegreesNot Reported
• Other Advanced DegreesNot Reported
• International DegreesTOEFL required, 620 paper based, TOEFL iBT

• Tuition & Fees
• In-state tuition *$39,600
• Out-of-state tuition *$39,600
• International student tuitionNot Reported
• * Tuition for full-time graduate student per academic year
• Fees
• Per-academic year fees$1,896.00
• Per-term feesNot Reported
• One-time feeNot Reported
• * Fees for full-time graduate students
• Financial Support
• Financial award applicants must submitNot Reported
• Application deadlines for financial awardsFebruary 1
• Types of financial support availableResearch Assitantships, Teaching Assistantships, Career or Field-Related Internships, Institutionally-sponsored Loans

• Gender
• Total Graduate Students38
• Female Percentage39%
• Male Percentage61%
• Participation
• Total Graduate Students38
• Part-time Percentage3%
• Full-time Percentage97%
• Ethnicity
• Hispanic / Latino0%
• Black / African American0%
• White / Caucasian47%
• American Indian / Alaskan Native0%
• Asian18%
• Native Hawaiian / Other Pacific Islander0%
• Two or more races0%
• Unknown35%

• Faculty Breakout
• Total Faculty13
• Full-time Percentage85%
• Part-time Percentage15%
• Female Percentage8%
• Male Percentage92%

• Existing Research
• Focus of faculty researchComputational biomechanics, cellular and tissue bioengineering, biofluids and cellular bioengineering, functional tissue engineering, orthopedic biomechanics
• Externally sponsored research expenditures last yearNot Reported