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KU Bioengineering Graduate Program


Graduate Entrance Requirements

Admissions to the KU BioE Graduate Program is granted to students who have a superior record of achievement in their previous studies and demonstrate a strong potential for success in advanced level studies. Applicants normally have a Bachelors of Science degree or a Masters of Science degree in an engineering discipline, physical sciences (e.g. Chemistry, Physics, etc.), the life sciences (e.g. Biology, Biochemistry, etc.), or a closely related field. Successful applicants will have strong academic credentials, some formal research experience, and demonstrated potential for advanced study by performance at the baccalaureate level. Highly qualified undergraduate students may apply for admission directly into our Ph.D. program after completing their B.S. degree.

Conditional Admittance

Students may enter the Bioengineering Graduate Program prior to meeting all the prerequisites if approved by the Admissions Committee. These students must plan to complete the prerequisites during their enrollment in the program in addition to the requirements for the MS and PhD degrees in Bioengineering. See the Academic Director or a Track Director for information on courses which would satisfy the requirements. Course credits from prerequisites are not applied toward the graduate degree.

General Coursework Prerequisites

  1. Mathematics: Mathematics through differential equations and linear algebra:
    • Calculus I, MATH 121 (5 credits) or equivalent
    • Calculus II, MATH 122 (5 credits) or equivalent
    • Applied Differential Equations, MATH 220 (3 credits) or equivalent
    • Elementary Linear Algebra, MATH 290 (2 credits) or equivalent
  2. Physics: One year of calculus-based physics:
    • General Physics I, PHSX 211 (4 credits) or equivalent
    • General Physics II, PHSX 212 (4 credits) or equivalent
  3. Chemistry: One course in general chemistry
    • College Chemistry, CHEM 125 (5 credits), OR
    • Foundations of Chemistry, CHEM 184 (5 credits) or equivalent
  4. Biology: One course in molecular/cell/human biology:
    • Principles of Biology, BIOL 100 (3 credits), OR
    • Principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology, BIOL 150 (4 credits), or equivalent

Track Specific Coursework Prerequisites

The prospective student should have the following track specific undergraduate preparation prior to entering the program:

Bioinformatics Track

  1. Proficiency in at least one applied programming language and Software Engineering concepts: EECS 448 (or equivalent) (3).
  2. Algorithms, Data Structures, Fundamentals of Analysis of Algorithms: EECS 560 (or equivalent) (3).
  3. Automata Theory, Grammars, Theory of Computability: EECS 510 (or equivalent) (3).
  4. Probability and Statistics: Math 526 (or equivalent) (3).

Biomechanics and Neural Engineering Track

  1. Statistics: MATH 365/465 (or equivalent) (3).
  2. Statics, Mechanisms and Mechanics of Materials: ME 201/CE 201, ME 420 and ME 311/CE 310 (or equivalent); or ME 633 Basic Biomechanics (as part of the graduate program) (3).
  3. Science of Materials: ME 306 (or equivalent) (3); or ME 765 Biomaterials (as part of the graduate program) (3).
  4. Computer Programming: ME 208/EECS 138/CPE 121 (or equivalent) (3).
  5. Circuits/Electronics: EECS 316 & EECS 318 (or equivalent) (3).
  6. Instrumentation: ME 455 (or equivalent) (3).
  7. Fluids: ME 510/CPE 511/AE 345 (or equivalent) (3) or ME 756 Biofluids (as part of the graduate program) (3).

Biomedical Product Design and Development Track

  1. Science of Materials: ME 306 (or equivalent) (3); or ME 765 Biomaterials (as part of the graduate program) (3).
  2. Computer Programming: ME 208/EECS 138/CPE 121 (or equivalent) (3).
  3. Engineering Design: ME 501, CPE 613, EECS 501 (or equivalent) (3).
  4. One of the following three options:
    • Statics, Mechanisms and Mechanics of Materials: ME 201/CE 201, ME 420 and ME 311/CE 310 (or equivalent); or ME 633 Basic Biomechanics (as part of the graduate program) (3).
      or
    • Circuits/Electronics: EECS 316 & EECS 318 (or equivalent) (3) OR Instrumentation: ME 455 (or equivalent) (3).
      or
    • Fluids: ME 510/CPE 511/AE 345 (or equivalent) (3) or ME 756 Biofluids (as part of the graduate program) (3).

Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Track

  1. Science of Materials: ME 306 (or equivalent) (3).
  2. Organic Chemistry (CHEM 622/624 or equivalent)

Biomolecular Engineering Track

PhD Students with deficiencies in areas critical to the program may be required to complete additional courses in preparation for the qualifying exam. These include deficiencies in any of the Ph.D. prerequisites for admission. Depending on the research project and the student’s background, the advisor may recommend additional deficiency courses. Examples of such courses include:

  1. Organic Chemistry: CHEM 622/624/625 (or equivalent) (3).
  2. Science of Materials: ME 306 (or equivalent) (3).

Bioimaging Track

Students with deficiencies in areas critical to the program may be required to complete additional courses in preparation for the qualifying exam. These include deficiencies in any of the program prerequisites for admission. Depending on the research project and the student’s background, the advisor may also recommend additional remedial courses.