Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering (GRAD)

Introduction

The Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program is administered by the combined biomedical engineering graduate faculty from both North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The joint program also has close working relations with the Research Triangle Institute and industry within the Research Triangle area. These associations enable students to obtain research training in a wide variety of fields and facilitate the selection and performance of dissertation research. Thus, the department, provides students with excellent opportunities to realize the goal of enhancing medical care through the application of modern technology.

Biomedical engineering is a dynamic field stressing the application of engineering techniques and mathematical analysis to biomedical problems. Faculty research programs are key to the program, and they include five primary research directions: rehabilitation engineering, regenerative medicine, biomedical imaging, biomedical microdevices, and pharmacoengineering. The department offers graduate education in biomedical engineering leading to the master of science (M.S.) and doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees.

Students typically enter this program with backgrounds in engineering, physical science, mathematics, or biological science. Curricula are tailored to fit the needs and develop the potential of individual students. In addition, courses in statistics, mathematics, life sciences, and engineering provide a well-rounded background of knowledge and skills.

Admission Requirements

Students must satisfy all entrance requirements for The Graduate School of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or the Graduate School at North Carolina State University, and must demonstrate interest and capability commensurate with the quality of the biomedical engineering program. Prospective students may apply to the graduate school at either UNC–Chapel Hill or NC State. All applicants are considered together as a group. Generally, applications should be submitted by December 12 for consideration for admission in the coming fall semester. Students are no longer required to submit their GRE scores. Admitted students are expected to have an average grade of B (cumulative GPA 3.30) or better and are encouraged to have undergraduate research experience. The program requires that a one-to-three page personal statement about research interest and background be submitted.

Students should have a good working knowledge of mathematics at least through differential equations, plus two years of physical or engineering science and basic courses in biological science. Deficiencies in preparation can be made up in the first year of graduate training.

Doctoral Degree Requirements

A minimum of 52 semester hours of graduate work is required (beyond the bachelor's degree). Degree candidates in this program are expected to obtain experience working in a research laboratory during their residence and to demonstrate proficiency in research. The Ph.D. dissertation should be judged by the graduate committee to be of publishable quality. The student must meet the Graduate School’s residency requirement at UNC-CH or NC State as appropriate. Further information on the BME Ph.D. program can be found on the department website.

Required and Highly Recommended Courses

Students must complete six credits of graduate engineering topics, six credits of graduate life science topics, three credits of engineering mathematics, and three credits of statistics. Nine credits of technical electives are also required. Students may choose from a number of courses to meet these requirements. Such choices are made in consultation with the student's academic advisor and the Director of Graduate Programs/Studies.

Students are required to take a BME Seminar each semester which is offered at both UNC-CH and NC State. Students must also complete a Mentored Teaching Experience and a Professional Development Seminar.

Comprehensive and Qualifying Examinations

Doctoral students qualify for the Ph.D. degree by meeting grade requirements in their core courses, and then advance on to written and oral preliminary exams before admission to candidacy. Details can be found on the department website.

Degrees

Courses

Numbered 400-999:

Biomedical Engineering (BMME)

Biomedical Engineering, Master's Degree (M.S.)

The M.S. Biomedical Engineering Program in MedTech Innovation + Entrepreneurship is an 11-month (early June to early May) program for students interested in acquiring the skills necessary to lead biomedical-related early-stage ventures or to drive new product development in healthcare industries. Our curriculum utilizes clinical immersion to identify healthcare innovation opportunities, teaches path-to-market concepts, including regulatory aspects unique to medical devices and pharmaceuticals and facilitates the development of commercialization strategies for innovative biomedical technologies. Students receive mentorship from biotech entrepreneurs, legal scholars and venture partners.

Biomedical Engineering, Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.)

The Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program is administered by the combined biomedical engineering graduate faculty from both North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The joint program also has close working relations with the Research Triangle Institute and industry within the Research Triangle area. These associations enable students to obtain research training in a wide variety of fields and facilitate the selection and performance of dissertation research. Thus, the department provides students with excellent opportunities to realize the goal of enhancing medical care through the application of modern technology.

Biomedical engineering is a dynamic field stressing the application of engineering techniques and mathematical analysis to biomedical problems. Faculty research programs are key to the program, and they include five primary research directions: rehabilitation engineering, regenerative medicine, biomedical imaging, biomedical microdevices, and pharmacoengineering. The department offers graduate education in biomedical engineering leading to the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees.

Doctoral students qualify for the Ph.D. degree by meeting grade requirements in their core courses and then advancing to written and oral preliminary exams before admission to candidacy. Details can be found on the department's website. Degree candidates in this program are expected to obtain experience working in a research laboratory during their residence and to demonstrate proficiency in research. The Ph.D. dissertation should be judged by the graduate committee to be of publishable quality.

Recommended Checklist

Students can review a recommended checklist here.

Department Chair

Paul Dayton

Associate Chairs

Lianne Cartee, Associate Chair for Education
Shawn Gomez, Associate Chair for Research

Directors

Lianne Cartee, Director of Undergraduate Studies
Matthew Fisher, Director of Graduate Studies

Associate Director

Naji Husseini, Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies

Distinguished Professors

Ashley Brown, Lampe Distinguished Professor
Lianne Cartee, Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor

Jacqueline Cole, Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor

Paul Dayton, William R. Kenan Jr. Distinguished Professor
Greg M. Forest, Grant Dahlstrom Distinguished Professor
Caterina Gallippi, William R. Kenan Jr. Distinguished Professor
Harvinder Gill, Ronald B. and Cynthia J. McNeill Term Professor 
He (Helen) Huang, Jackson Family Distinguished Professor 
Weili Lin, Dixie Lee Boney Soo Distinguished Professor
Roger Narayan, Distinguished Professor
Koji Sode, William R. Kenan Jr. Distinguished Professor
George (Rick) Stouffer, Ernest and Hazel Craige Distinguished Professor

Professors

Ashley Brown
Lianne Cartee
Jacqueline Cole
Michael Daniele
Paul Dayton
Matthew Fisher
Greg M. Forest
Jason Franz
Caterina Gallippi
Harvinder Gill
Shawn Gomez
Helen Huang
Derek Kamper
Weili Lin
Scott Magness
H. Troy Nagle
Roger Narayan
Ginamarco Pinton
Koji Sode
George (Rick) Stouffer
David Zaharoff

Associate Professors

Rahima Benhabbour
Yevgeny Brudno
Bob Dennis
Brian Diekman
Kenneth Donnelly
Uzay Emir
Oleg Favorov
Donald Freytes
Michael Gamcsik
David Hill
Devin Hubbard
Naji Husseini
David Lalush
Wesley Legant
Ming Liu
Jeffrey Macdonald
Virginie Papadopoulou
Matthew Penny
Ross Petrella
William Polacheck
Imran Rizvi
Nitin Sharma
Anka Veleva
Bruce Wiggin

Assistant Professors

Amy Adkins Alvarez
Joseph Burclaff
Silvia Ceballos
Phillip Durham
Alon Greenbaum
Geoffrey Handsfield
Kennita Johnson
Margo MacDonald
Varun Nalam
Hayley Richardson
Rinku Roy
Francisco Santibanez
Sarah Shelton
Cameron Taylor
James Tsuruta
Michael Wilkins
Amol Yadav