Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering

The Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering offers a Graduate Certificate in Medical Device Commercialization, a Graduate Certificate in Engineering Education, a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering, a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Technology and Commercialization, a Master of Science degree in Engineering Education, a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biomedical Engineering, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Chemical Engineering.

• M.S. in Biomedical Technology Commercialization
• M.S. in Biomedical Engineering
• M.S. in Engineering Education
• Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering
• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering

Master of Science Degree in Biomedical Technology Commercialization

A Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Biomedical Technology Commercialization (BTC) at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is a joint graduate program between the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering in the Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design and the Department of Information Systems and Cyber Security in the Carlos Alvarez College of Business. This is a non-thesis degree program, and the M.S. degree will be awarded to candidates who have satisfactorily completed all degree requirements for the program.

The regulations for this degree comply with the general University regulations (refer to Student Policies, General Academic Regulations, and the Graduate Catalog, Master’s Degree Regulations).

Admission Requirements

Students who hold an undergraduate degree in engineering, sciences, or business administration may apply to the program. The minimum requirements for admission to the Master of Science degree in Biomedical Technology Commercialization program are described below. Note that satisfying these requirements does not guarantee admission.

• Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or better in the last 60 semester credit hours of coursework with a major in a recognized science, engineering, or business discipline. Students with borderline grade point average (between 2.9 and 3.0) will be required to satisfactorily complete selected courses as a condition of acceptance.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores are not required for admission consideration.
• A minimum of one letter of recommendation attesting to the applicant’s readiness for graduate study must be submitted.
• Students whose native language is not English must achieve a university-wide minimum score on either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The current university-wide minimum score for TOEFL iBT is 79 and IELTS is 6.5. Students are encouraged to review the Graduate Catalog for any changes in the university-wide minimum scores for TOEFL/IELTS. Note that TOEFL/IELTS scores older than two years are not valid or accepted. This test score is waived for international students from countries where English is the official language, or for students who have earned an accredited bachelor’s degree or higher in the United States or in countries where English is the official language, as indicated in the Graduate Catalog.

A complete application includes the application form, official transcripts, letter(s) of recommendation, and English Proficiency test (TOEFL or IELTS) scores, if applicable.

Degree Requirements and Program of Study

The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Biomedical Technology Commercialization (BTC) will consist of at least 30 semester credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree. Undergraduate courses, general education courses, and prerequisites for graduate courses cannot be counted toward this total. For transferring students, course credit allowed for transfer will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the program director and the admissions committee for Biomedical Technology Commercialization. If recommended by the program director and admissions committee, the request will then be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School for approval. The required curriculum for all students is as follows:

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
A. Core courses		18
Required Core Courses offered in the College of Engineering:
BME 6123	Medical Device Design
BME 6403	Biomedical Terminologies for Entrepreneurs
BME 6413	Working Knowledge in the Biomedical Industries
Required Core Courses offered in the College of Business:
MOT 5053	Technology Commercialization
MOT 5243	Essentials of Project and Program Management
MOT 5343	Financial Aspects of Management of Technology
B. Electives		9
A minimum of 9 semester credit hours of prescribed courses selected from approved courses below or substitution of appropriate courses by the program director:
BME 6303	Introduction to Python with Applications to Biomedical Industries
BME 6723	Bioinstrumentations
BME 6913	Biomaterials II
BME 6943	Biomaterials and Cell Signaling
BME 6953	Biomaterials for Drug Delivery/Pharmacology
MOT 5213	Organizational Systems for Management of Technology
MOT 5253	Starting the High-Tech Firm
C. Final Project		3
The final project, in the area of Biomedical Technology Commercialization, is a one semester project and will be conducted under the guidance of an instructor and approved by the program. Students may opt for a comprehensive exam in lieu of a final project. Students opting for comprehensive exam will need prior approval from the program director. Project/exam will be documented and filed with the student’s dossier, indicating successful completion of the project/exam.
BME 6133	Biomedical Project II
Total Credit Hours		30

Master of Science Degree in Biomedical Engineering

A Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Biomedical Engineering (BME) at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is offered through a joint graduate program with The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio). A matrix of academic tracks is offered based on segments of biomedical engineering and/or areas of clinical emphasis. Specifically, the program has emphases in the following areas: biomaterials, biomechanics, and bioimaging. The biological areas covered are orthopedics/dental tissues, cardiovascular systems, and neural systems. The M.S. degree in Biomedical Engineering (Thesis Option or Non-Thesis Option) will be awarded to candidates who have displayed an in-depth understanding of the concepts that are necessary for critically judging the scientific literature, for formulating novel hypotheses, designing experimental protocols to test the hypotheses, interpreting their results, and demonstrating their ability to make an original contribution to knowledge in the biomedical field.

The regulations for this degree comply with the general University regulations (refer to Student Policies, General Academic Regulations, and the Graduate Catalog, Master’s Degree Regulations).

Admission Requirements

Students who hold an undergraduate degree may apply to the program. The minimum requirements for admission to the Master of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering program are described below. Note that admission is competitive, and satisfying these requirements does not guarantee admission.

• Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or better in the last 60 semester credit hours of coursework with a major in a recognized science or engineering discipline. All students should have had sufficient background in engineering, chemistry, biology, and physics prior to being admitted to the program. It is expected that these students will have a bachelor's degree with an emphasis in either engineering, physical science, or biological science disciplines. All students are required to have completed at least one year of engineering physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics (up to Differential Equations I or Applied Engineering Analysis I). Students with deficiencies in the above courses will be required to satisfactorily complete selected courses as a condition of acceptance.
• Students whose native language is not English must achieve a university-wide minimum score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The current university-wide minimum score for the TOEFL iBT is 79 and IELTS is 6.5. Students are also encouraged to review the Graduate Catalog for any changes in the university-wide minimum scores for TOEFL/IELTS. This test score is waived for international students from countries where English is the official language or for students who have earned an accredited bachelor’s degree or higher in the United States or in countries where English is the official language, as indicated in the Graduate Catalog.
• A minimum of two letters of recommendation are required (three are preferred) to attest to the applicant’s readiness for graduate study.
• A complete application includes the application form, official transcripts, letters of recommendation, GRE scores, a résumé, English proficiency test (TOEFL or IELTS) scores if applicable, and a statement of the applicant’s research experience, interests, and goals. Starting for Fall 2024 admission cycle, GRE test scores will no longer be required.

Degree Requirements and Program of Study – Thesis Option

The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Biomedical Engineering (BME) will consist of at least 32 semester credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree. Undergraduate courses, general education courses, and prerequisites for graduate courses cannot be counted toward this total. For transferring students, course credit allowed for transfer will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the Biomedical Engineering Committee on Graduate Studies (COGS). If recommended by the COGS, the request will then be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School for approval. Since this is a joint graduate program, some courses are offered at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health). To enroll in UT Health courses (UT Health Catalog), students must register through the UT Health website. Any questions concerning registration at UT Health should be directed to the BME Program Office at UT Health. The required curriculum for all students in the Thesis Option is as follows:

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
A. Core courses		14
Required Core Courses offered at UTSA:
BME 6033	BME Engineering Analysis
BME 6703	Biomedical Imaging
BME 6803	Experimental Biomechanics
BME 6903	Biomaterials
Required Core Courses offered at UT Health :
BIME 6004	Biology for Bioengineers 1
BIME 6006	Physiology for BME 1
TSCI 5070	Responsible Conduct of Patient-Oriented Clinical Research
1 Select one of these two courses to satisfy core requirements.
B. Research seminar		3
BME 6011 (or BIME 6090 at UT Health) is required for three semesters, in order to satisfy the requirements for the Master’s degree program in Biomedical Engineering.
C. Elective courses		9
A minimum of 9 semester credit hours of elective courses selected from the list below. Courses not on this list may be taken with the approval of the BME Program.
UTSA Prescribed Elective Courses:
BME 6053	Independent Study in Biomedical Engineering (or BME 6052, BME 6051)
BME 6093	Topics in Biomedical Engineering
BME 6123	Medical Device Design
BME 6143	Biomedical Device Development
BME 6203	Physiology for Engineers
BME 6213	Cellular Engineering
BME 6233	Cardiovascular Bioengineering
BME 6723	Bioinstrumentations
BME 6733	Microfabrication and Application
BME 6743	Biophotonics
BME 6753	Biosensors: Fundamentals and Applications
BME 6793	Topics in Image and Signal Processing
BME 6823	Advanced Biomechanics
BME 6843	Tissue Mechanics
BME 6893	Topics in Biomechanics
BME 6913	Biomaterials II
BME 6923	Tissue Engineering
BME 6933	Tissue-Biomaterials Interactions
BME 6943	Biomaterials and Cell Signaling
BME 6963	Fundamentals to Polymer Science with Select Biomedical Applications
ME 5713	Mechanical Behavior of Materials
MOT 5163	Management of Technology
MOT 5243	Essentials of Project and Program Management
UT Health Prescribed Elective Courses:
BIME 5091	Independent Study
CSAT 5022	Interprofessional Human Gross Anatomy
CSAT 5095	Experimental Design and Data Analysis
INTD 5007	Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology
INTD 6033	Cell Signaling Mechanisms
MICR 5051	Introduction to Immunology
PHAR 5013	Principles of Pharmacology
RADI 6016	Physics of Diagnostic Imaging II
RADI 6051	Statistical Parametric Imaging
D. A minimum of 6 semester credit hours of biomedical engineering Master’s Thesis Research is required.		6
BIME 6098	Thesis
BME 6981	Master's Thesis Research
BME 6982	Master's Thesis Research
BME 6983	Master's Thesis Research
BME 6986	Master's Thesis Research
Total Credit Hours		32

¹

Only one course is needed to satisfy the core requirement.

The entire program of study must be recommended by the student’s Master’s Thesis Advisor, Master’s Thesis Committee, and the COGS and must be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School for approval. The courses taken by students are intended to focus and support the individual’s mastery of his or her particular area of specialization.

Advancement to Candidacy

The student should seek recommendations from the COGS for advancement to candidacy. The COGS reserves the right to deny recommendation of the student’s admission to Master’s candidacy based on the student’s academics and proposed research. Upon recommendation from the COGS, all students are admitted to candidacy after successfully defending their proposed research, recommended by his/her Master’s Thesis Committee, and approved by the Dean of the Graduate School. Students should also consult the University Master’s Degree Regulations in this catalog for the other pertinent requirements.

Thesis Defense

A thesis, which is an original contribution to scholarship, based on independent investigation (graduate research) in the major area, is required of every candidate. The Master’s thesis research will be conducted by the student under the guidance of the Supervising Professor and the advice of the Master’s Thesis Committee. Prior to starting the thesis research, each student will submit a research proposal to the COGS for approval. The thesis will be the responsibility of the student and the Supervising Professor. Registration for thesis credit hours must be for a period of more than one semester. During each semester that a student receives advice and/or assistance from a faculty member or supervision by the Master’s Thesis Committee or uses UTSA or UT Health resources, he or she will be required to enroll for credit in the appropriate Master’s degree course. The form and format of the thesis should follow the guidelines and rules already in effect at UTSA or UT Health.

Composition of the Master’s Thesis Committee

The Master’s Thesis Committee is made up of at least four members. The committee should consist of the Supervising Professor, one BME Graduate Faculty member from UTSA, one BME Graduate Faculty member from UT Health, and one external member. The student’s thesis proposal and the proposed composition of the Master’s Thesis Committee will be evaluated and approved by the COGS.

Final Oral Examination (Defense of Thesis)

A satisfactory final oral examination is required for the approval of a thesis. Acceptance of the thesis will be contingent upon approval of the respective Master’s Thesis Committee. The thesis defense consists of a seminar presentation by the candidate to the general public. A closed-door examination by the Master’s Thesis Committee follows and covers the general field of the thesis and other parts of the student’s program as determined by the respective committee. Members of the Master’s Thesis Committee must be satisfied that the student has:

1. Completed the research approved by the Master’s Thesis Committee.
2. Passed all examinations required by the COGS, including the successful defense of the thesis.
3. Completed the required coursework.
4. Completed a thesis that is an independent investigation in the biomedical engineering field and constitutes a contribution to the respective discipline.

Upon successful completion of the aforementioned requirements, the Master’s Thesis Committee members will sign the approval forms for the Master’s Thesis and make an official recommendation to the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at UT Health or to the Graduate School at UTSA that the Master’s degree be awarded.

Degree Requirements and Program of Study – Non-Thesis Option

The Non-Thesis Option is not offered to new incoming students. All students enrolled in the Non-Thesis Option will require approval from the Program Director and the Graduate Advisor of Record. The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Biomedical Engineering (BME) (Non-Thesis Option) will consist of at least 36 semester credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree. Undergraduate courses, general education courses, and prerequisites for graduate courses cannot be counted toward this total. For transferring students, course credit allowed for transfer will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the Biomedical Engineering Committee on Graduate Studies (COGS). If recommended by the COGS, the request will then be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School for approval. Since this is a joint graduate program, some courses are offered at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health). To enroll in UT Health courses (UT Health Catalog), students must register through the UT Health website. Any questions concerning registration at UT Health should be directed to the BME Program Office at UT Health. The required curriculum for all BME students in the Non-Thesis Option is as follows:

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
A. Core Courses:		18
Required Core Courses offered at UTSA: (All courses listed below.)
BME 6033	BME Engineering Analysis
BME 6703	Biomedical Imaging
BME 6803	Experimental Biomechanics
BME 6903	Biomaterials
BME 6961	Comprehensive Examination
Required Core Courses offered at UT Health:
BIME 6004	Biology for Bioengineers 1
BIME 6006	Physiology for BME 1
TSCI 5070	Responsible Conduct of Patient-Oriented Clinical Research
1 Select one of these two courses to satisfy core requirements.
B. Research seminar		3
BME 6011 (or BIME 6090 at UT Health) is required for three semesters, in order to satisfy the requirements for the Master’s degree program in Biomedical Engineering.
C. Electives		15
A minimum of 15 semester credit hours of prescribed elective courses selected from the Thesis option above. Courses not on this list may be taken with the approval of the BME Program.
Total Credit Hours		36

Master of Science Degree in Engineering Education

The Master of Science (M.S.) degree program in Engineering Education is a graduate program designed by the Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design and the College of Education and Human Development. It promotes the integration of both research and practice in engineering education and engineering through collaboration among professors in the two colleges. It provides a platform for students who plan to conduct fundamental research in engineering teaching and learning, as well as those interested in investigating issues in equity, inclusion, and diversity in engineering spaces and teaching engineering or pre-engineering subjects in high schools, community colleges, or four-year engineering programs. The program focuses deeply on an inclusive and critical pedagogy that values the wide diversity of students and their unique strengths while offering mentorship and support. The interdisciplinary nature of the program also allows for the integration of both theory and application of pedagogical approaches in formal, informal, and corporate settings. The M.S. degree program in Engineering Education can prepare graduate student educators to strengthen their students’ opportunities for academic success and workforce and career preparation in the STEM fields.

The program offers both a thesis and a non-thesis degree option. Engineering Education M.S. students must take a minimum of 30 semester credit hours beyond their bachelor’s degree.

The thesis M.S. program option requires students to:

1. Complete a minimum of 30 semester credit hours in required courses, including: 9 credits in Engineering Education core courses, a 1-credit seminar course, a 2-credit practicum, a minimum of 6 credits in Engineering Education elective courses, 6 credits in defined core research theory courses, and a minimum of 6 credits in Master’s thesis research courses.

2. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 during graduate study. 

The non-thesis M.S. program option requires students to:

1. Complete a minimum of 30 semester credit hours in required courses, including: 9 credits in Engineering Education core courses, a 1-credit seminar course, a 2-credit practicum, a 3-credit graduate project course, and a minimum of 15 credits in Engineering Education elective courses or 9 credits in Engineering Education elective courses and a minimum of 6 credits of elective graduate level courses, primarily from the Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design and from the various departments in areas such as biomedical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, materials engineering, and mechanical engineering.

2. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 during graduate study. 

The M.S. degree will be awarded to candidates who have satisfactorily completed all degree requirements for the program.

The regulations for this degree comply with the general University regulations (refer to Student Policies, General Academic Regulations, and the Graduate Catalog, Master’s Degree Regulations).

Admission Requirements

Students who hold an undergraduate degree or will complete their undergraduate degree before enrollment may apply to the program. The minimum requirements for admission to the Master of Science degree in Engineering Education program are described below. Note that satisfying these requirements alone does not guarantee admission.

• Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or better in the last 60 semester credit hours of coursework with a major in a recognized science, engineering, or STEM education discipline. It is expected that applicants will have a bachelor's degree with an emphasis in one or more of the following disciplines: engineering, engineering technology, computer science, science, mathematics, education (with specialization in mathematics, earth science, elementary science, biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, general science or other STEM-related education), or certification in teaching STEM subjects.
• Official transcripts will need to be submitted prior to admission. For international applicants or applicants that have completed their degree outside of the USA, please provide an officially translated transcript certifying course-by-course equivalence with the US grading system and showing cumulative GPA.
• GRE scores are not required.
• Students whose native language is not English must achieve a university-wide minimum score requirement on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The current university-wide minimum score requirement for the TOEFL iBT is 79 and IELTS is 6.5. This test score is waived for international students from countries where English is the official language or for students who have earned an accredited bachelor’s degree or higher in the United States or in countries where English is the official language, as indicated in the Student Policies admission section.
• A minimum of two letters of recommendation are required to attest to the applicant’s readiness for graduate study.
• A statement of purpose, between 500 and 1,000 words, is required and must convey who you are, present your academic and professional interests, discuss what you expect to gain from this graduate program, and how you will add value to the graduate program community.

A complete application includes the application form, official transcripts, letters of recommendation, English proficiency test (TOEFL or IELTS) scores, if applicable, and the statement of purpose.

Degree Requirements – Thesis Option

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
A. Core Courses (select 3 courses from below)		9
EGR 6183	Engineering Education Methods
EGR 6283	Mentored Teaching in Engineering
EGR 6973	Special Problems: Becoming an Engineering Educator
or CI 6973	Special Problems
B. Seminar		1
EGR 6991	Research Seminar
C. Core Research Theory (a minimum of 6 credit hours)		6
EGR 6653	Foundations of Engineering Education Research Methodologies
EGR 6853	Advanced Engineering Education Research Methodologies
(or other approved research methods course from within the College of Education and Human Development. Recommended: 3 hours of qualitative research methodology and 3 hours of quantitative research methodology)
D. Masters Research (a minimum of 6 credit hours)		6
EGR 6983	Master's Thesis Research (repeated to reach 6 semester credit hours)
or EGR 6981	Master's Thesis Research
or EGR 6982	Master's Thesis Research
E. Practicum		2
EGR 6932	Engineering Education Practicum
F. Engineering Education Electives (select 2 courses from below)		6
EGR 6293	Professional Development in Engineering Education
EGR 6313	Teaching Engineering through Spatial Visualization
EGR 6453	Engineering for Social Justice
EGR 6463	Engineering Social Responsibility and Ethics
EGR 6513	Human Centered Design and the Impact of Modern Technologies
EGR 6653	Foundations of Engineering Education Research Methodologies
EGR 6853	Advanced Engineering Education Research Methodologies
EGR 6913	Advanced Topics in Interdisciplinary STEM Education
CI 6613	Nature and Meaning of Interdisciplinary STEM Education
CI 6623	Inquiry in Interdisciplinary STEM Education
CI 6633	Equity, Agency, and Participation in Interdisciplinary STEM Education
CI 6643	Assessment in Interdisciplinary STEM Education
Total Credit Hours		30

Degree Requirements – Non-Thesis Option

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
A. Core Courses (select 3 courses from below)		9
EGR 6183	Engineering Education Methods
EGR 6283	Mentored Teaching in Engineering
EGR 6973	Special Problems: Becoming an Engineering Educator
or CI 6973	Special Problems
B. Seminar		1
EGR 6991	Research Seminar
C. Graduate Project		3
EGR 6943	Graduate Project
D. Practicum		2
EGR 6932	Engineering Education Practicum
E. Engineering Education Electives		9
EGR 6293	Professional Development in Engineering Education
EGR 6313	Teaching Engineering through Spatial Visualization
EGR 6453	Engineering for Social Justice
EGR 6463	Engineering Social Responsibility and Ethics
EGR 6513	Human Centered Design and the Impact of Modern Technologies
EGR 6653	Foundations of Engineering Education Research Methodologies
EGR 6853	Advanced Engineering Education Research Methodologies
EGR 6913	Advanced Topics in Interdisciplinary STEM Education
CI 6613	Nature and Meaning of Interdisciplinary STEM Education
CI 6623	Inquiry in Interdisciplinary STEM Education
CI 6633	Equity, Agency, and Participation in Interdisciplinary STEM Education
CI 6643	Assessment in Interdisciplinary STEM Education
F. Engineering Education or Engineering Electives		6
Students may take an additional 6 hours of Engineering Education Electives (see previous section). The degree program (non-thesis option) also offers the opportunity to take 6 semester credit hours of engineering elective courses. These elective courses will be graduate level courses primarily from the Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design from various departments in areas such as biomedical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, materials engineering, and mechanical engineering.
Total Credit Hours		30

Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Biomedical Engineering

A Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biomedical Engineering (BME) at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is offered through a joint graduate program with The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio). A matrix of academic tracks is offered based on segments of biomedical engineering and/or areas of clinical emphasis. Specifically, the program has emphases in the following areas: biomaterials, biomechanics, and bioimaging. The biological areas covered are orthopedics/dental tissues, cardiovascular systems, and neural systems. The Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering will be awarded to candidates who have displayed an in-depth understanding of the concepts that are necessary for critically judging the scientific literature, for formulating novel hypotheses, designing experimental protocols to test the hypotheses, interpreting their results, and demonstrating their ability to make an original contribution to knowledge in the biomedical field.

The regulations for this degree comply with the general University regulations (refer to Student Policies, General Academic Regulations, and the Graduate Catalog, Doctoral Degree Regulations).

Admission Requirements

Students who hold a bachelor's or master’s degree may apply to the program. The minimum requirements for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering degree program are described below. Note that admission is competitive and satisfying these requirements does not guarantee admission.

• Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or better in the last 60 semester credit hours of coursework with a major in a recognized science or engineering discipline. All students should have had sufficient background in engineering, chemistry, biology, and physics prior to being admitted to the program. It is expected that these students will have bachelor's degrees with emphasis in either engineering, physical science, or biological science disciplines. All students are required to have completed at least one year of engineering physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics (up to Differential Equations I or Applied Engineering Analysis I). Students with deficiencies in the above courses will be required to satisfactorily complete selected courses as a condition of acceptance.
• Applicants with a master’s degree must have a grade point average of 3.0 or better in their master’s degree program. Applicants with a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering or in a related field may apply a maximum of 30 semester credit hours of previously earned graduate credit (except research and thesis hours) toward their doctoral degree. The Committee on Graduate Studies (COGS) will evaluate each student’s transcript, and credit will be recommended for transfer on a course-by-course basis to satisfy the formal coursework requirements of the doctoral degree.
• Students whose native language is not English must achieve a university-wide minimum score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The current university-wide minimum score for TOEFL iBT is 79, and IELTS is 6.5. Students are also encouraged to review the Graduate Catalog for any changes in the university-wide minimum scores for TOEFL/IELTS. This test score is waived for international students from countries where English is the official language or for students who have earned an accredited bachelor’s degree or higher in the United States or in countries where English is the official language, as indicated in the Graduate Catalog.
• A minimum of two letters of recommendation are required (three are preferred) to attest to the applicant’s readiness for graduate study.
• A complete application includes the application form, official transcripts, letters of recommendation, GRE scores, a résumé, English proficiency test (TOEFL or IELTS) scores if applicable, and a statement of the applicant’s research experience, interests, and goals. Starting for Fall 2024 admission cycle, GRE test scores will no longer be required.

Degree Requirements and Program of Study

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biomedical Engineering (BME) will consist of at least 82 semester credit hours for students with a bachelor’s degree. Undergraduate courses, general education courses, and prerequisites for graduate courses cannot be counted toward this total. For students with a master’s degree, course credit allowed for transfer will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the Biomedical Engineering COGS. If recommended by the COGS, the request will then be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School for approval. Since this is a joint graduate program, some courses are offered at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health). To enroll in UT Health courses (UT Health Catalog), students must register through the UT Health website. Any questions concerning registration at UT Health should be directed to the BME Program Office at UT Health.

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Students with an M.S. degree in Biomedical Engineering will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. All students who have obtained an M.S. degree in Biomedical Engineering from UTSA are required to complete the following courses:
CSAT 5095	Experimental Design and Data Analysis (at UT Health)
One prescribed BME elective
Course requirements in Sections B, D (5 credits), E, and F of doctoral program

Students matriculating into the doctoral program with a B.S. degree will be required to complete a minimum of 82 hours. The minimum required curriculum for all students is as follows:

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
A. Core Courses:		19
Required Core Courses offered at UTSA:
BME 6033	BME Engineering Analysis 1
BME 6703	Biomedical Imaging 1,3
BME 6803	Experimental Biomechanics 1
BME 6903	Biomaterials 1
Required Core Courses offered at UT Health:
BIME 6004	Biology for Bioengineers 1,2
BIME 6006	Physiology for BME 1,2
CSAT 5095	Experimental Design and Data Analysis
TSCI 5070	Responsible Conduct of Patient-Oriented Clinical Research
RADI 5015	Physics of Diagnostic Imaging I 1,3
1 Select any four (4) courses to satisfy the core requirements.
2 Only one of these courses may be counted toward the core requirements.
3 Only one of these courses may be counted toward the core requirements.
B. Research seminar		8
BME 6011 (at UTSA) or BIME 6090 (at UT Health) must be registered for during each Fall and Spring semester while in the BME Doctoral program. With the approval of the Program Director, Ph.D. students are not required to register for the seminar if they are in their fifth year of the program as a full-time student and have registered for the Fall and Spring semester seminars during the preceding four years.
C. A minimum of 9 semester credit hours of elective courses selected from the list below. Courses not on this list may be taken with the approval of the BME Program.		9
UTSA Prescribed Elective Courses:
BME 6043	Critical Thinking and Writing for BME
BME 6053	Independent Study in Biomedical Engineering (or BME 6051, BME 6052)
BME 6093	Topics in Biomedical Engineering
BME 6123	Medical Device Design
BME 6143	Biomedical Device Development
BME 6213	Cellular Engineering
BME 6233	Cardiovascular Bioengineering
BME 6723	Bioinstrumentations
BME 6733	Microfabrication and Application
BME 6743	Biophotonics
BME 6753	Biosensors: Fundamentals and Applications
BME 6793	Topics in Image and Signal Processing
BME 6823	Advanced Biomechanics
BME 6843	Tissue Mechanics
BME 6893	Topics in Biomechanics
BME 6913	Biomaterials II
BME 6923	Tissue Engineering
BME 6933	Tissue-Biomaterials Interactions
BME 6943	Biomaterials and Cell Signaling
BME 6963	Fundamentals to Polymer Science with Select Biomedical Applications
ME 5713	Mechanical Behavior of Materials
NDRB 5433	Systems Neuroscience
NDRB 5483	Computational Neuroscience
UT Health Prescribed Elective Courses:
BIME 5091	Independent Study
CSAT 5022	Interprofessional Human Gross Anatomy
IBMS 5000	Fundamentals of Biomedical Science
INTD 5007	Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology
INTD 6033	Cell Signaling Mechanisms
MICR 5051	Introduction to Immunology
PHAR 5013	Principles of Pharmacology
PHAR 5014	Integrated Physiology and Therapeutics
RADI 6016	Physics of Diagnostic Imaging II
RADI 6051	Statistical Parametric Imaging
D. Supervised Teaching		1
A minimum of 1 semester credit hour of Supervised Teaching is required to satisfy the degree's requirement. Students may take up to 3 semester credit hours. (1-3 semester credit hours)
BIME 6071	Supervised Teaching
E. Doctoral Research and Dissertation		12
A minimum of 12 semester credit hours of Doctoral Research and Doctoral Dissertation are required.
1. Doctoral Research requires a minimum of 6 semester credit hours.
BME 7951	Doctoral Research
BME 7952	Doctoral Research
BME 7953	Doctoral Research
BME 7956	Doctoral Research
BIME 6097	Research
2. Doctoral Dissertation requires a minimum of 6 semester credit hours.
BME 7991	Doctoral Dissertation
BME 7992	Doctoral Dissertation
BME 7993	Doctoral Dissertation
BME 7996	Doctoral Dissertation
BIME 7099	Dissertation
F. Electives		33
Select a maximum of 33 semester credit hours of electives.
The remainder of the hours can be BME approved graduate level courses or research credits.
Students in the program must complete at least 82 semester credit hours for graduation. The entire program of study must be recommended by the student’s Dissertation Advisor, Dissertation Committee, and COGS and must be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School for final approval. The courses taken by students are intended to focus and support the individual’s mastery of their particular area of specialization.
Total Credit Hours		82

Advancement to Candidacy

All students seeking a doctoral degree must be admitted to candidacy after passing a doctoral qualifying examination. Students should consult Doctoral Degree Regulations in this catalog for the other pertinent requirements.

Satisfactory Performance on the Doctoral Qualifying Examination for Admission to Candidacy

The qualifying examination will be administered before the student commences the ­chosen dissertation research. This examination will be comprehensive in nature and may be written, oral, or both. Topics covered will include not only information provided in courses taken by the student but also basic knowledge necessary for research in the student’s chosen area of study. The Committee on Graduate Studies (COGS) will determine the format of the examination and the composition of the Qualifying Examination Committee (QEC), with the provision that BME faculty from both UTSA and UT Health will be included. The QEC will administer the examination, evaluate the student’s performance, and report its judgment to the Committee on Graduate Studies. A student is allowed to take the qualifying examination twice. Admission to candidacy will be contingent on passing the qualifying examination. Students who do not pass the qualifying examination may be accommodated with a terminal Master’s degree after completing additional prescribed courses and/or research approved by the Supervising Professor, Program Director, and the COGS.

Doctoral Dissertation

A dissertation, which is an original contribution to scholarship, based on independent investigation (doctoral research) in the major area, is required of every candidate. The doctoral research will be conducted by the student under the guidance of the Supervising Professor and the advice of the Dissertation Committee. Prior to starting the doctoral research, each student will submit a dissertation proposal to the COGS for approval. The doctoral dissertation will be the responsibility of the student and the Supervising Professor. Registration for dissertation credit hours must be for a period of more than one semester. During each semester that a student receives advice and/or assistance from a faculty member or supervision by the Dissertation Committee or uses UTSA or UT Health resources, he or she will be required to enroll for credit in the appropriate dissertation course. The form and format of the dissertation should follow the guidelines and rules already in effect at UTSA or UT Health.

Composition of the Dissertation Committee

The Dissertation Committee is made up of at least five members. The committee should consist of the Supervising Professor, one BME Graduate Faculty member from UTSA, one BME Graduate Faculty member from UT Health, one member of the graduate faculty outside of the BME Graduate Faculty from either UTSA or UT Health, and one member from outside both institutions. In addition, there is a minimum of 50 percent dissertation committee membership from UTSA for students with a Supervising Professor from UTSA. The student’s dissertation proposal and the proposed composition of the Dissertation Committee will be evaluated and approved by the COGS.

Final Oral Examination (Defense of Dissertation)

A satisfactory final oral examination is required for the approval of a dissertation. Acceptance of the dissertation will be contingent upon approval of the respective Dissertation Committee.

The dissertation defense will consist of a seminar presentation by the candidate to the general public. A closed door examination by the Dissertation Committee follows and covers the general field of the dissertation and other parts of the student’s program as determined by the respective committee. Members of the Dissertation Committee must be satisfied that the student has:

1. Completed the research approved by the Dissertation Committee.
2. Passed all examinations required by the COGS, including the successful defense of the dissertation.
3. Completed the required coursework.
4. Completed a dissertation that is an independent investigation in the biomedical engineering field and constitutes a contribution to the respective discipline.
5. Submitted an abstract for publication in Dissertation Abstracts International that meets with the approval of University requirements.

Upon successful completion of the aforementioned requirements, the Dissertation Committee members will sign the approval forms for the doctoral dissertation and make an official recommendation to the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at UT Health or to the Graduate School at UTSA that the Doctoral degree be awarded.

Students should note that the above is a summary of the requirements for the Doctoral degree and are advised to consult the University (UTSA) Doctoral Degree Regulations as well as the BME Student Handbook, which contains details specific to the UTSA/UT Health Joint Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering.

Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Chemical Engineering

The Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering offers opportunities for advanced studies and research leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Chemical Engineering. The Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering will be awarded to candidates who have displayed an in-depth understanding of the concepts that are necessary for critically judging the scientific literature, for formulating novel hypotheses, designing experimental protocols to test hypotheses, interpreting their results, and demonstrated the ability to make an original contribution to knowledge in their field of specialty.

The regulations for this degree comply with the general University regulations (refer to Student Policies, General Academic Regulations, and the Graduate Catalog, Doctoral Degree Regulations).

Admission Requirements

Students who hold a bachelor's or master’s degree may apply to the program. The minimum requirements for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering degree program are described below. Note that admission is competitive and satisfying these requirements does not guarantee admission.

In addition to satisfying the University-wide graduate admission requirements, applicants must:

• Hold a Bachelor of Science or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering or a related field. The degree must be from an accredited institution. If the degree of an applicant is in an area other than Chemical Engineering, they may be required to take foundation courses. Successful Chemical Engineering Ph.D. candidates must have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 in upper-division and graduate courses.
• Submit official transcripts.
• Non-native English speakers must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). TOEFL minimum scores are 79 or 550 for Internet or paper versions, respectively. IELTS minimum score is 6.5.
• Submit three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant’s academic potential.
• Submit a statement of research/specialization interest.
• Submit a résumé/curriculum vita.

Degree Requirements and Program of Study

 The required curriculum for the Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering is as follows:

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
A. Core Courses		12
CME 6103	Chemical Engineering Kinetics and Reactor Design
CME 6203	Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
CME 6303	Transport Phenomena
CME 6403	Mathematical and Numerical Methods in Chemical Engineering
B. Research Seminar		4
CME 6601	Chemical Engineering Research Seminar (repeated)
The seminar course must be taken every semester for the first two years in the program.
C. Prescribed Elective Courses		9-20
A minimum of 9 semester credit hours must be selected from the list below:
Chemical Engineering electives
CME 5503	Chemical Engineering Ethics and Leadership
CME 6113	Heterogeneous Catalysis and Surface Science
CME 6123	Electrochemical Engineering
CME 6133	Biochemical Engineering
CME 6703	Electronic and Local Atomic Structure using Synchrotron Methods
CME 6803	Introduction to Polymer Science and Engineering
CME 6813	Self-healing Polymers
CME 6903	Fundamentals of Interfaces, Nanoparticles, and other Colloids
CME 6943	Chemical Engineering Internship
CME 6953	Independent Study in Chemical Engineering
or CME 6951	Independent Study in Chemical Engineering
or CME 6952	Independent Study in Chemical Engineering
CME 6973	Topics in Chemical Engineering
Other electives
BME 6033	BME Engineering Analysis
BME 6043	Critical Thinking and Writing for BME
BME 6093	Topics in Biomedical Engineering
BME 6123	Medical Device Design
BME 6213	Cellular Engineering
BME 6303	Introduction to Python with Applications to Biomedical Industries
BME 6403	Biomedical Terminologies for Entrepreneurs
BME 6703	Biomedical Imaging
BME 6743	Biophotonics
BME 6803	Experimental Biomechanics
BME 6843	Tissue Mechanics
BME 6893	Topics in Biomechanics
BME 6903	Biomaterials
BME 6933	Tissue-Biomaterials Interactions
BME 6963	Fundamentals to Polymer Science with Select Biomedical Applications
CE 5383	Water Resources Planning and Management
CE 5613	Environmental Chemistry
CE 5623	Advanced Treatment Processes for Water Quality Control
CE 5643	Sustainable Energy Systems
CE 5673	Environmental Microbiology
or ES 5063	Environmental Microbiology
CE 5733	Special Topics in Environmental Engineering
CE 6383	Global Change
or ES 5043	Global Change
CE 6603	Fate and Transport of Contaminants in the Environment
CHE 5483	Inorganic Solid State Materials
CHE 6973	Special Problems
MATE 5103	Principles of Materials Engineering: Fundamentals of Structure, Chemistry, and Physical Properties
MATE 5113	Functions, Evaluations and Synthesis Technology of Advanced Materials
MATE 5213	Sensing and Sensor Materials
MATE 5223	Structure-Chemistry-Property Relations in Materials Science and Engineering
MATE 5253	Magnetic Materials and Electromagnetic Engineering
ME 5233	Advanced Quality Control
ME 5273	Alternative Energy Sources
ME 5453	Advanced Strength of Materials
ME 5473	Viscoelasticity
ME 5483	Finite Element Methods
ME 5503	Lean Manufacturing and Lean Enterprises
ME 5643	Green and Sustainable Manufacturing and Enterprise Systems
ME 5653	Computational Fluid Dynamics
ME 5743	Composite Materials
ME 6413	Elasticity
D. Doctoral Research and Dissertation		36-47
1. Doctoral Research (minimum of 18 semester credit hours required):
CME 7101	Doctoral Research
CME 7102	Doctoral Research
CME 7103	Doctoral Research
CME 7106	Doctoral Research
2. Doctoral Dissertation (minimum of 18 semester credit hours required):
CME 7201	Doctoral Dissertation
CME 7202	Doctoral Dissertation
CME 7203	Doctoral Dissertation
CME 7206	Doctoral Dissertation
Total Credit Hours		72

Advancement to Candidacy

All students seeking a doctoral degree must be admitted to candidacy after passing a doctoral qualifying examination. Students should consult Doctoral Degree Regulations in this catalog for the other pertinent requirements.

The following describes the Chemical Engineering Ph.D. program examination steps required for the advancement to the Ph.D. candidacy, the dissertation, and its final defense examination.

Oral Comprehensive Examination

Students must take their oral comprehensive examination within four long semesters of entering the program. The oral comprehensive examination is a dissertation proposal defense and will also serve as a qualifying exam. The dissertation proposal should describe the topic, the literature review, the proposed methodology, and experimental approach, as well as highlight the novelty and potential contribution of the topic to the scientific field. The student’s Dissertation Committee will consist of a chair from the faculty, approved to supervise Chemical Engineering dissertation work; two additional faculty from the department; one UTSA faculty member from outside the department; and one external member. No more than two attempts to pass the comprehensive examination are permitted. The results of the comprehensive examination are reported to the GSC and the Dean of the Graduate School.

Upon successful completion of the comprehensive examination, students advance to the Ph.D. candidacy and are allowed to take Doctoral Dissertation credit hours.

Dissertation

Candidates must demonstrate their ability to conduct independent research by completing an original dissertation. The Dissertation Committee guides, critiques, and finally approves the candidate’s dissertation. The format of the dissertation must follow the doctoral degree regulations of the Graduate School as documented under the most recent Graduate Catalog.

Final Oral Dissertation Defense

The final oral defense consists of a public presentation of the dissertation work by the Doctoral candidate, followed by a question/answer period by his/her Dissertation Committee.  The student must notify the Graduate School in writing two weeks prior to the final scheduled oral defense.  Results of the oral defense are reported to the Dean of the Graduate School.  Awarding of the degree is based on the approval of the candidate's Dissertation Committee and the recommendation of the Dean of the Graduate School, who certifies the completion of all University-wide requirements.

• Graduate Certificate in Engineering Education
• Graduate Certificate in Medical Device Commercialization

Graduate Certificate in Engineering Education

The Graduate Certificate in Engineering Education is a 9-semester-credit-hour program offered as a collaborative effort between the Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design and the College of Education and Human Development. The program will have an emphasis on engineering curriculum development, instruction, and assessment methods to support student learning outcomes. It covers history and attributes of different engineering fields. The proposed program also promotes the integration of mathematics and science in the context of engineering.

This program is targeted for both engineering students wishing to prepare as future engineering instructors in a college or university and for teachers in the field (or future teachers) interested in preparing to teach engineering at the middle and high school level in formal and informal educational settings. It provides a training platform for those educators who plan to teach engineering or pre-engineering subjects. This unique program also allows for the collaboration of students and faculty from both technical and educational fields as peers.

Program Objectives

The Graduate Certificate in Engineering Education will inspire engineering educators at all levels to succeed and excel in the following ways:

Objective 1: To advance the development of innovative approaches to engineering education.

Objective 2:  To provide access and opportunity for engineering educators to improve their teaching skills and classroom management.

Objective 3: To promote a broad and diverse community of engineering educators that engages all members to share new ideas and best practices.

Admission Requirements

Applicants with a bachelor's degree in an engineering, sciences, or education discipline may apply to the certificate program.

A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 for the last two years of work toward the bachelor’s degree is required.

To maintain enrollment in the certificate program, students should maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout their tenure in the program.

To meet the curricular requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Engineering Education, students must complete 9 semester credit hours as indicated below. Courses may be taken in any order.

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
EGR 6183	Engineering Education Methods	3
EGR 6283	Mentored Teaching in Engineering	3
EGR 6973	Special Problems: Becoming an Engineering Educator	3
or CI 6973	Special Problems
Total Credit Hours		9

Graduate Certificate in Medical Device Commercialization

The Graduate Certificate program in Medical Device Commercialization (MDC) is administered by the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering in the Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design. This certificate is for students who are interested in gaining entry into the biomedical industry workforce. The MDC graduate certificate will be awarded to candidates who have satisfactorily completed all the requirements for the program and are in good academic standing.

The certifiate is also offered in a 100 percent online format. Students pursuing the 100 percent online format must fulfill all degree requirements in the same manner as residential students.

The regulations for this certificate comply with the general University regulations (refer to Student Policies, General Academic Regulations, and the Graduate Catalog, Master’s Degree Regulations).

Admission Requirements

Undergraduate and graduate students who are currently enrolled in an engineering, science, or business discipline, or those who hold a bachelor's degree in one of these areas, may apply to the certificate program. The minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate Certificate program in Medical Device Commercialization are described below. Note that satisfying these requirements does not guarantee admission.

• All applicants (graduate and undergraduate students) must have a grade point average of 3.0 or better in the last 60 semester credit hours of coursework with a major in a recognized science, engineering, or business discipline. Students with deficiencies in the above courses will be required to satisfactorily complete selected courses as a condition of acceptance.
• Current undergraduate students must be in the final three semesters of their program and must have a grade point average of 3.0 or better in their discipline. Students may only register for 6 semester credit hours of the certificate courses, and these courses should not be counted toward their undergraduate degree. The final 6 semester credit hours required for the award of the certificate should be taken after completing their undergraduate program.
• Current undergraduate or graduate students must be in good academic standing, that is, having a grade point average of 3.0 or better.
• Applicants who have already completed their undergraduate degree program of study, are currently not in a graduate program, and are not working in the medical device industry must have a grade point average of 3.0 or better in the last 60 semester credit hours of coursework with a major in a recognized science, engineering, or business discipline. Students with a borderline grade point average (between 2.9 and 3.0) will be required to satisfactorily complete selected courses as a condition of acceptance.
• Applicants who are currently employed in the medical device industry and do not meet the 3.0 grade point average needed for admission will have their work experience taken into account. A 0.5 grade point average credit will be applied to students for every full-time year of experience in the medical device industry. For example, if a candidate has a 2.0 grade point average with two years of industry experience, the grade point average will be considered to be 3.0 (given the two years of work experience) at the time of application.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores are not required for admission consideration.
• A minimum of one letter of recommendation attesting to the applicant’s readiness for this certificate program is required.
• Students whose native language is not English must achieve a university-wide minimum score on either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The current university-wide minimum score for TOEFL iBT is 79, and IELTS is 6.5. Students are encouraged to review the Graduate Catalog for any changes in the university-wide minimum scores for TOEFL/IELTS. Note that TOEFL/IELTS scores older than two years are not valid or accepted. This test score is waived for international students from countries where English is the official language or for students who have earned an accredited bachelor’s degree or higher in the United States or in countries where English is the official language, as indicated in the Graduate Catalog. 

A complete application includes the application form, official transcripts, letter(s) of recommendation, and English Proficiency test (TOEFL or IELTS) scores, if applicable.

Certificate Requirements and Program of Study

The Graduate Certificate in Medical Device Commercialization consists of at least 12 semester credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree. Undergraduate courses, general education courses, and prerequisites for graduate courses cannot be counted toward this total. For transferring students, course credit allowed for transfer will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the program director and the admissions committee for this certificate program. If recommended by the program director and admissions committee, the request will then be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School for approval. The required curriculum for all students is as follows:

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
12 hours of coursework chosen from the following, in consultation with your graduate advisor:		12
BME 6213	Cellular Engineering
BME 6143	Biomedical Device Development
BME 6153	Medical Device Project Management
BME 6073	Professional Science Master's Practicum 1
BME 6133	Biomedical Project II
BME 6163	Medical Technology Regulatory
BME 6173	Biomedical Commercialization and Entrepreneurship
BME 6303	Introduction to Python with Applications to Biomedical Industries
BME 6723	Bioinstrumentations 2
BME 6953	Biomaterials for Drug Delivery/Pharmacology
Total Credit Hours		12

¹

Students currently working in the biomedical industry or undertaking biomedical industry experiences have the option to request experiential credits using a competency-based exam. Students will have to register for BME 6073 and must submit a written request to take the competency-based exam. Three (3) semester credit hours will be award for the course upon passing the competency-based exam. The administration of the exam and the period of experiences needed to qualify for the exam will be the responsibility of the program director.

²

One of BME 6203, BME 6723, or BME 6953 can be taken as a specialization elective if desired to fit industry-specific technical competency. Students can only count one of these courses toward the certificate program.