Doctoral Program Biomedical Engineering

Mission Statement

To promote human health through education and research that bridges the gap between medicine and engineering. Our faculty and students play leading roles ranging from basic science discovery to the creation, clinical translation, and commercialization of new technologies, devices and therapies. In short, we are Engineering Better Health.

Manner in which Program Addresses Needs of the State or Region

The BME PhD program has gained national recognition for developing visionary and innovative leaders and highly skilled workforce in biomedical research and biotechnology industry.  Research breakthroughs and technology innovations have also led to the formation of new companies.  The department has successfully attracted funding to establish programs of biomedical and biotechnology research in the areas of medical imaging, neural engineering, biomaterials and tissue engineering, etc.  Average research expenditure per tenure-track faculty was $704.574 in 2008.  Many research projects are collaborations between Case, non-profit research organizations, and Ohio companies, leading to commercialization and long-term improvements to human health and patient care.

National Recognition of Programs

• Whitaker Foundation Integrated Program for Structural and Functional Cardiovascular & Neural Engineering, 07/1996-12/2009
• NIH Integrated Engineering and Rehabilitation Training Program, 07/1999-06/2009
• NIH Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need, 08/2004-08/2009
• NIH Interdisciplinary Biomedical Imaging Training Program, 09/07-08/13
• Fellowship for Medtronic Scholars, 07/2004-06/2010
• NIH Northeastern Ohio Animal Imaging Resource Center, 09/01/04-08/31/09
• NIH Center for Modeling Integrated Metabolic Systems (MIMS), 07/2002-06/2008
• Coulter Translational Research Partnership Program, 12/2005-12/2010

State Economic Development Grants

• Peckham, “Ohio Neurostimulation and Neuromodulation Partnership”, 07/2003 – 06/2007, $7,868,103
• Peckham, “Ohio Neurostimulation and Neuromodulation Partnership Continuation”, 05/2006 – 05/2009, $7,999,998
• Basillion, “Therapeutic DNA Nanoparticles and Molecular Imaging”, 08/2008 – 09/2011, $3,976,689
• Duerk, “Ohio in-vivo cellular and molecular imaging consortium”, 07/2002-06/2008, $1,500,000
• Wilson, “The Biomedical Structure, Functional and Molecular Imaging Enterprise”, 07/2003-01/2010, $3,494,058

Admission Standards

Students admitted to our BME graduate education program typically have a B.S. or M.S. in engineering, natural sciences, or mathematical sciences. A minimal mathematical background includes calculus through differential equations. A minimal science and engineering background includes a combined total of three years of physical, chemical, and engineering sciences. Undergraduate course grades should average higher than a B or undergraduate class ranking should be in the top 20 percent. In previous graduate studies, course grades should average at least a B+. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Quantitative score should be at least in the 80th percentile or higher. For students whose first language is not English, a minimum TOEFL score of 600 is required for unconditional admission. Each year, selected students are invited to an open house in February/March where they can learn about the department, meet faculty members and students, tour the department and adjacent medical facilities, and be interviewed by faculty members. Acceptance decisions are made based on a collective evaluation by faculty members in the corresponding field.

Placement Objective for Students

To place all our students in professional careers with the academy, industry, government agencies, or forming new companies through entrepreneurial activities.