On behalf of the Biomedical Engineering faculty and staff, thank you for your interest in discovering the educational opportunities available in our department. Biomedical Engineering is a dynamic discipline in great demand thanks to significant strides in research, medicine and technology. This broad field applies engineering principles and techniques to the life sciences and medicine. From biomedical applications of mechanical engineering to electrical engineering, a wide spectrum of activities comprise the opportunities of work and study, such as: development of artificial organs and limbs, implantable medical devices, medical instrumentation, computing in medical research and diagnosis, signal and image processing, clinical engineering, rehabilitation engineering, tissue mechanics and bioengineering, hemodynamics, and cardiovascular, neurological, and respiratory devices.
The Biomedical Engineering (BME) Department at the University of Miami emphasizes excellence in education and research, while keeping in par with the growing technology. Due to favorable relative numbers of faculty and students, individual students receive personal attention.
The faculty of the Biomedical Department are internationally recognized leaders in their fields and conduct sponsored research annually. Areas of active research within the department include Biomedical instrumentation and devices, Biomedical signal and image processing, Applications of computers to diagnostic and therapeutic systems, Neurosensory and neuromuscular systems and devices, Biomedical optics and lasers, Tissue engineering, Biomechanics, Biofluid dynamics and Rehabilitation engineering.
The University of Miami Department of Biomedical Engineering offers opportunities to study engineering and scientific principles leading to the above applications. The BME program was introduced in 1967 as a MS option in the Electrical Engineering Department. In 1979, the Department of Biomedical Engineering was formally created with an MS program, and the PhD curriculum was initiated in 1981. The growing interest in the field led to the establishment of the undergraduate program and graduated the first BSBE students in 1993. The Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited the undergraduate program in 1997. Students are offered a Bachelor of Science degree with three distinct tracks: electrical, mechanical, biomaterials and tissue and pre-medical.
Graduate programs leading to a MSBE and PhD are available to students continuing their Biomedical Engineering studies or wishing to embark upon studies in the field. Unique opportunities are available to graduate students through the interdisciplinary programs and research offered in conjunction with the University of Miami School of Medicine; The MSBE (thesis and non-thesis options) program prepares the student for a career in industry or research. The Doctor of Philosophy curriculum requires the completion of at least 60 credits beyond the B.S. degree, a qualifying examination, the oral defense and submission of an approved dissertation.
Both undergraduate and graduate students conduct research in our laboratories located on the Coral Gables and/or Medical School campus. Our faculty and students collaborate with the research activities at the University of Miami Medical School, such as: The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Diabetes Research Institute, and Ear Institute in addition to other research endeavors in local area hospitals and industry. Research in our department is concentrated in the following areas:
- Applications of computers to diagnostic and therapeutic systems
- Biomaterials, tissue and cellular engineering
- Biomechanics, biofluid dynamics, hemodynamics
- Biomedical instrumentation and devices
- Biomedical optics and lasers
- Biomedical signal and image processing
- Brain-computer interface/Neural prostheses
- Medical Imaging
- Medical physics and engineering
- Rehabilitation and neural engineering
Upon completion of their degrees, our students continue their biomedical engineering studies in graduate school, enter a career in industry, medical school, law school, or health-related graduate programs. With our low student to faculty ratio, our department graduates students prepared for their next endeavor. Our faculty members are internationally renowned researchers who closely mentor the students and have an open door policy of teaching. In addition to obtaining prestigious research grants from government agencies and corporations, they have published articles in well-respected journals, and written books. They have all made valuable contributions to the biomedical engineering field as well as to medicine and society.
In the approaching months, we anticipate further enhancements to our department to meet the demands of this growing field. Already, we have established an internship program to enable students to explore industry prior to graduation. Undergraduate students are placed in a biomedical company and have the opportunity to apply their engineering knowledge while gaining practical experience.
I invite you to explore this unique and fulfilling field of study, which truly has an impact upon science, medicine and society. Please contact us if we may be of any assistance or if you would like more information.
Sincerely,
Fabrice Manns, Professor and Chair
