Biomedical Engineering & Biotechnology Program
The Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell and Worcester campuses of the University of Massachusetts offer a joint PhD degree program in Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology.
The program’s purpose is to offer a nationally recognized PhD that is at the intersection of biology and engineering; that will be readily accessible to individuals with a wide range of science/engineering undergraduate degrees; that will address contemporary biomedical/health research problems; and that will contribute significantly to meeting the workforce needs of allied biomedical industries.
All students in the program enter with qualifications for and an intention to complete a PhD degree. A MS degree is awarded on the way to the doctorate. The program aims to provide its doctoral recipients with the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- The ability to formulate/test multiple, original scientific hypotheses related to their dissertation research based on careful observations and a comprehensive review of past and current literature in their field;
- The ability to design/carry out detailed experiments or develop theoretical models/numerical simulations;
- Competency in cutting-edge technical/laboratory/computer skills related to a wide range of instrumentation/procedures;
- The application of their research in solving current biomedical/health problems especially in relationship to new discoveries in nanoscience and technology;
- The ability to function as independent researchers with strong critical thinking, inquiry-based analytical skills;
- The ability to work on integrated problems in multidisciplinary research teams;
- The ability to critically interpret their research results, synthesizing findings from other investigators/previous studies, that will serve as the basis for developing new hypotheses;
- Written/oral presentation skills resulting in publication of their findings and presentation of results at professional research conferences;
- The development of advanced problem solving skills using a multidisciplinary approach;
- Appreciation of the challenges of conducting/publishing research associated with contemporary biomedical ethical issues;
- Grantsmanship skills that will allow them to obtain pre-doctoral and post-doctoral extramural private/federal research funding;
- Knowledge about intellectual property/patents/regulatory issues;
- The understanding of how theory/concepts are related to applied research;
- The understanding of how applied research is conducted in an industrial setting;
- The understanding of how industry applies experimental research to equipment design/ manufacturing/product development.