Washington University in St. Louis
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Overview
Founded in 1853, Washington University is a medium-sized, independent institution known internationally for its commitment to excellence in teaching, research and service to society. The eight schools of the University offer nearly 1,600 courses in traditional as well as interdisciplinary fields leading to bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in more than 80 degree programs. The enrollment of about 11,000 represents all 50 states and more than 100 nations and is nearly equally divided between undergraduate and graduate students. The Hilltop and Medical campuses, comprising 228 acres and more than 150 major buildings, are separated by St. Louis' famed Forest Park — one of the nation's largest metropolitan parks.
The Community
St. Louis was recently named by Fortune Magazine as one of the six best cities to live and work in the United States. Four of St. Louis' most distinctive, well-established suburbs surround the school and offer an affordable, comfortable environment for students and their families. Beyond the immediate neighborhood, St. Louis offers a wealth of sports, cultural and recreational activities. Many scenic rivers, parks and campgrounds are within easy driving distance of campus. The Gateway Arch on the Mississippi Riverfront symbolizes the area's role in the settlement of the western United States.
Programs of Study and Degree Requirements
The Department of Biomedical Engineering grants the MS and DSc. degrees in biomedical engineering from the School of Engineering and Applied Science. Doctoral candidates are required to complete 72 credits, with a minimum of 36 credits of graduate-level courses. These are comprised of 18 credits of a core curriculum (computer science, engineering, mathematics and two areas of biology), 9 distribution credits from among the five research programs and 9 credits from a program of specialization (see below). The remaining credits are research credits earned during the course of completing a doctoral dissertation.
Research experience begins immediately, either through affiliation with a research laboratory upon admission, or through rotations in several laboratories. Rotations can last up to a semester each and typically involve at least two different laboratories over the first three semesters of graduate study. Laboratory rotations prepare students for an affiliation with a research supervisor in whose lab doctoral dissertation research will be conducted, upon successfully passing the qualifying examinations. The biomedical engineering research programs focus on five areas: Biomedical and Biological Imaging, Cardiovascular Engineering, Cell and Tissue Engineering, Computational Molecular Biology and Computational Neuroscience. These programs are administered jointly by the Institute of Biological and Medical Engineering, a network of faculty from the Schools of Medicine and Engineering and focus on areas of strength and collaboration. New programs will be added as opportunities for biomedical engineering expand.
Candidates for the master's degree can elect either a course only option or a thesis and course option. The former requires 30 credits of graduate courses structured similarly to the doctoral program. The latter requires 24 credits of courses and 6 thesis credits.
Facilities and Resources
Pending completion of a building (plans are currently being formulated), the Department of Biomedical Engineering is currently housed in about 4800 sq. ft of space on the fifth floor of the Lopata Engineering Building on the Hilltop campus. The laboratories for the full-time faculty are located in 1000 sq. ft of space in Jolley Hall as well as a suite of rooms comprising about 2,500 sq. ft. on the fourth floor of the Steinberg Building in the Barnes-Jewish Hospital North complex in the medical school complex.
The joint and adjunct faculty involved in biomedical engineering research and teaching are housed in extensive, state-of-the-art facilities at various locations on the Hilltop and Medical campuses. Among these facilities is a world-class imaging center that opened in 1994. Other national centers housed at Washington University are two of the seven NIH Genome Science and Technology Centers, the Genome Sequencing Center, the Center for Genetics in Medicine, the Institute for Biomedical Computing, and the recently established Army Research Office National Center for Imaging. In addition, six of the eight departments in the School of Engineering have assigned space to biomedical engineering research.
Expenses and Aid
Tuition costs for are $1,695 per credit hour.
The University owns several apartment complexes with a total of more than 250 apartments available for graduate students to rent. These apartments are connected to the University's telephone and computing systems. Graduate students also live in privately owned and maintained apartments and houses. Rents in the area range from $600 to $800 per month.
Financial support is available on a competitive basis; offers will be stated upon notification of admission. Every effort is being made to provide full-time students with tuition support and a stipend.
How to Apply
An applicant's undergraduate program should have included courses in advanced calculus, differential equations, probability theory, general and organic chemistry, physics, introductory computer science and basic biology. The department is particularly interested in those students with previous laboratory research experience. Three letters of recommendation, a complete transcript of all academic work, GRE scores, and a personal statement are required for consideration to the program. Admitted students generally have total general GRE scores of 2,000 or above. International students must submit TOEFL scores earned within the past two years. Typically, successful applicants have a score of 600 or greater. There is an application fee of $25.
Who to Contact
Admissions Coordinator, Biomedical Engineering
Washington University in St. Louis
One Brookings Drive, CB 1097
St. Louis, MO 63130-4899 USA
Tel: (314) 935-6164
Fax: (314) 935-7448
E-mail: admissions@biomed.wustl.edu
Application deadline: February 1, for admission to fall semester
The Faculty and Major Research Interests
The faculty of the Department of Biomedical Engineering consists of five full-time members, 18 with joint appointments and many others who have adjunct appointments. All are actively involved in biomedical engineering-related research and can serve as dissertation mentors. Faculty are listed by program. Some are involved in more than one program.
Biomedical and Biological Imaging
A. A. Amini, Ph.D., Michigan, 1988. Cardiac magnetic-resonance imaging. C. H. Anderson, Ph.D., Harvard, 1962. Neuroscience of the visual system. R. M. Arthur, Ph.D., Pennsylvania, 1968. Ultrasonic imaging, cardiac imaging. G. J. Blaine, D.Sc., Washington Univ., 1974. Digital electronic radiology. J.-A. Conchello, Ph.D., Dartmouth College, 1990. Microscopy systems. T. E. Conturo, Ph.D., Vanderbilt, 1989. Magnetic-resonance imaging. J. R. Cox, Jr., Sc.D., MIT, 1954. Communication networks for medical imaging. P. D. Cutler, Ph.D., California, Los Angeles, 1992. Positron-emission-tomography imaging. D. R. Fuhrmann, Ph.D., Princeton, 1984. Statistical image processing and compression. B. K. Ghosh, Ph.D., Harvard, 1983. Biomedical imaging. E. M. Haacke, Ph.D., Toronto, 1978. Magnetic-resonance imaging. J. W. Lichtman, M.D., Ph.D., Washington Univ., 1980. Microscope imaging for neuromuscular development. W. Lin, Ph.D., Case Western Reserve Univ., 1993. Magnetic-resonance imaging; C. H. Lorenz, Ph.D., Vanderbilt, 1992. Cardiovascular magnetic-resonance-imaging. J. G. Miller, Ph.D., Washington Univ.,1969. Ultrasonic imaging. T. R. Miller, Ph.D., Stanford, 1971; M.D., Univ. of Missouri, 1976. Nuclear medicine imaging. J. M. Ollinger, D.Sc., Washington Univ., 1986. Positron-emission and magnetic-resonance tomographic imaging. J. A. O'Sullivan, Ph.D., Notre Dame, 1986. Tomographic imaging. M. E. Raichle, M.D., Univ. of Washington (Seattle), 1963. Functional brain imaging. W. D. Richard, Ph.D., Missouri, Rolla, 1988. Ultrasonic imaging. F. U. Rosenberger, D.Sc., Washington Univ., 1969. Image Processing. D. L. Synder, Ph.D., MIT, 1966. Tomographic imaging. D. C. Van Essen, Ph.D., Harvard, 1971. Functional brain-mapping. J. W. Wallis, M.D., Stanford, 1980. Nuclear medicine imaging. M. J. Welch, Ph.D., Univ. of London, England, 1965. Radiopharmaceutical chemistry for imaging agents. M. V. Wickerhauser, Ph.D., Yale, 1985. Wavelets and image compression. S. A. Wickline, M.D., Hawaii, Honolulu, 1980. Cardiac magnetic-resonance imaging.
Cardiovascular Engineering
A. A. Amini, Ph.D., Michigan, 1988. Medical computer vision. R. M. Arthur, Ph.D., Pennsylvania, 1968. Forward and inverse problems of electrocardiography; high-resolution electrocardiography. P. V. Bayly, Ph.D., Duke, 1993. Nonlinear dynamics; quantitative characterization and modeling of atrial and ventricular fibrillation. J. P. Boineau, M.D., Duke, 1959. Mapping and surgical treatment of arrhythmias. M. E. Cain, M.D., George Washington Univ., 1975. Electrocardiography; cardiac electrophysiology. E. L. Elson, Ph.D., Stanford, 1966. Mechanics of cardiac myocytes. S. E. Fischer, Ph.D., Swiss Federal Inst. of Technology, 1994. Magnetic resonance imaging of myocardial deformation and perfusion. J. M. Guccione, Ph.D., California, San Diego, 1990. Biomechanics; regional mechanical properties of myocardium; muscle mechanics. E. M. Haacke, Ph.D., Toronto, 1978. Magnetic resonance imaging of coronary vasculature. S. J. Kovacs, Ph.D., Caltech, 1977; M.D., Miami, 1979. Cardiovascular biophysics and mathematical modeling of diastolic function. C. H. Lorenz, Ph.D., Vanderbilt, 1992. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, ventricular mechanics and perfusion, MR angiography. J. G. Miller, Ph.D., Washington Univ., 1969. Physical acoustics, cardiac material properties and mechanics, cardiac biophysics. R. J. Okamoto, D.Sc., Washington Univ., 1997. Regional mechanical properties of myocardium. M. K. Pasque, M. D., Oklahoma, 1978. Regional mechanical properties of myocardium. R. B. Schuessler, Ph.D., Clemson, 1977. Quantitative characterization of atrial fibrillation; mapping of cardiac arrhythmia. J. M. Smith, Ph.D., MIT, 1985; M.D., Harvard, 1987. Electrocardiography; cardiac electrophysiology; modeling and quantitative analysis of arrhythmias. S. P. Sutera, Ph.D., Calif. Inst. of Technology, Pasadena, 1960, Hemodynamics, mechanically assisted circulation. B. A. Szabo, Ph.D., State Univ. of NY, 1968. Finite element analysis; regional mechanical properties of myocardium. L. A. Taber, Ph.D., Stanford, 1979. Mechanics of cardiovascular development. S. A. Wickline, M.D., Hawaii, 1980. Physical acoustics, cardiac and vascular material properties and mechanical function. Frank C. P. Yin, Ph.D., California, San Diego, 1970; M.D., California, San Diego, 1973. Biomechanics, cell and tissue mechanics. G. I. Zahalak, Sc.D., Columbia, 1972. Continuum mechanics; biomechanics; muscle mechanics.
Cell and Tissue Engineering
P. C. Bridgman, Ph.D., Purdue, 1980. Basic cellular properties of developing nerve and muscle with emphasis on relating structure to function. M. L. Dustin, Ph.D., Harvard, 1990. Dynamic regulation of integrin interactions in the immune system. E. L. Elson, Ph.D., Stanford, 1966. Mechanical and dynamic properties of cells and tissues; functions of cytoskeletal components. W. A. Frazier, III, Ph.D., Washington Univ., 1978. Regulation of cellular phenotype by extracellular matrix. J. M. Guccione, Ph.D., California, San Diego, 1990. Mechanics of cardiac muscle, ventricular mechanics. J. G. McNally, Ph.D., Chicago, 1983. Mechanisms of cell motion. R. P. Mecham, Ph.D., Boston, 1976. Extracellular matrix and its influence on the phenotype of cells. C. M. Rovainen, Ph.D., Harvard, 1967. Brain blood vessels. M. J. Silva, Ph.D., MIT, 1996. Bone mechanics, tendon mechanics and repair. S. P. Sutera, Ph.D., California Institute of Technology, 1960. Erythrocyte mechanics, hemorheology. L. A. Taber, Ph.D., Stanford, 1979. Mechanics of development. T. A. Woolsey, M.D., Johns Hopkins, 1969. Structure, function, and development of the central nervous system. Frank C. P. Yin, Ph.D., California, San Diego, 1970; M.D., California, San Diego, 1973. Tissue engineering, cardiac mechanics. G. I. Zahalak, Sc.D., Columbia, 1972. Contractility, cell mechanics.
Computational Molecular Biology
D. A. States, M.D., Ph.D., Harvard, 1983. Computational molecular biology and genome analysis. R. H. Waterston, M. D., Ph.D., Chicago, 1972. Mapping and sequencing the C. elegans genome. S. Eddy, Ph.D., Colorado, 1991. Computational molecular biology and genome analysis. W. Gish, Ph.D., 1988, California, Berkeley. Computational molecular biology and genome analysis. J. W. Ponder, Ph.D., Harvard, 1984. Molecular design and molecular biophysics. M. S. Zuker, Ph.D., MIT, 1976. Algorithms for RNA structure prediction and molecular sequence analysis.
Computational Neuroscience
C. H. Anderson, Ph.D., Harvard, 1962. Modeling neurobiological systems. A. H. Burkhalter, Ph.D., Univ. of Zurich, 1977. Synaptic mechanisms and organization of forward and feedback circuits in visual cortex. H. Burton, Ph.D., Wisconsin, 1968. Anatomy and physiology of the somatosensory system. B. K. Ghosh, Ph.D., Harvard, 1983. Microcircuits in turtle visual systems; motion prediction; feedback circuits, and learning. J. L. Goldstein, Ph.D., Rochester, 1965. Quantitative models of cochlear nonlinear sound analysis and psychophysical behavior. S. M. Highstein, M.D., Maryland, 1965, Ph.D., Univ. of Tokyo Faculty of Medicine, 1976. Motor learning in the vestibulo-ocular reflex of squirrel monkeys. J. Huettner, Ph.D., Harvard, 1987. Physiology of glutamate receptor-mediated signaling in the nervous system. J. W. Lichtman, M.D., Ph.D., Washington Univ., 1980. Optical methods to utilize synaptic structure and function. S. Misler, Ph.D., New York Univ., 1976; M.D., New York Univ., 1978. Modulation of quantal release by neuroendocrince cells. S. E. Petersen, Ph.D.,Calif. Inst. of Technology, 1982. Human functional neuroimaging of vision, attention, memory and language. M. E. Raichle, M.D., Univ. of Washington (Seattle), 1963. Central nervous system of humans and non-human primates. D. L. Snyder, Ph.D., MIT, 1966. Processing of sensory information for goal-directed eye and arm movements in primates. S. Soatto, Ph.D., Caltech, 1996. Dynamic vision; modeling of human and computer vision. J. H. Steinbach, Ph.D., California, San Diego, 1973. Channels gated by neurotransmitters; molecular events underlying synaptic transmission. T.-J. Tarn, D.Sc. Washington Univ., 1968. Modeling, identification, and control of robot systems with human performance. W. T. Thach, Jr., M.D., Harvard, 1964. Neurophysiology and modeling of learning and control of movements in macaques and humans. D. C. Van Essen, Ph.D., Harvard, 1971. Information processing in the primate visual system, suing physiological, anatomical and computational approaches.