Biomedical Engineering

Academic Director: Gene R. DiResta

Goals and Objectives

The goal of the MS in Biomedical Engineering program is to give students an in-depth, advanced education that provides them with the analytical tools to perform fundamental and applied research in biomedical engineering. Alternatively, students gain the requisite technical knowledge to apply to management, marketing, sales and other entrepreneurial activities related to biomedical engineering. Specific objectives include the following:

Enrolling students who come from many disciplines and bring different skill sets to solve a broad range of biomedical-engineering problems. The program accommodates students with a BS or a more advanced degree in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, computer engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, premedical, bioengineering and biotechnology.
Providing students with a cutting-edge program that integrates quantitative-engineering skills with biological and medical sciences. Students acquire the skills to engage in technological innovations that give people longer, healthier and more productive lives.
Merging the leadership and talents found at the Institute in chemistry, biology, engineering, computer science, mathematics, management and humanities with the expertise in medical sciences at the NYU School of Medicine, NYU School of Dentistry, NYU Courant Institute and SUNY Downstate Medical Center.
Giving students an opportunity to focus on a wide range of contemporary topics critical to biomedical engineering. Students choose courses in topics that include biomedical instrumentation, biomaterials, drug delivery, orthopedic biomechanics and devices, protein engineering, anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, immunology, bioinformatics, systems analysis and mathematics, medical imaging and material science.
Giving students the option of doing research in laboratories at NYU-Poly, NYU Medical and Dental Schools, NYU-affiliated hospitals or SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Students may also substitute research credits with course electives.

In the years ahead, health and human productivity can be improved vastly through major advances in medicine. The successful, seamless integration of biology and modern engineering will drive those advances. Scientists anticipate future breakthroughs ranging from the design of drugs customized to an individual’s genome to the perfection of artificial implantable organs. Aggressive and intelligent integration of engineering with the biological and medical sciences will hasten the realization of these and other innovations, leading to longer, healthier and more productive lives. Scientists now can visualize internal structures with a level of clarity thought impossible only a decade ago. With the improved diagnosis that comes from these advances and those that follow, science will discover further treatments.

Today, miniature devices can be manipulated through endoscopes, making it possible to perform minimally invasive surgery that reduces patient trauma. In the future, the micro-fabrication of biomedical devices at Polytechnic and elsewhere will enhance surgical technology and increase the functionality and quality of life of the physically-impaired in applications ranging from congenital defects to improving major organ function (heart, kidneys and liver). Other areas show similar promise. Breakthroughs in human tissue research point to the possibilities of replacing damaged or diseased bone, cartilage and other tissues with newly engineered materials. Bioresorbable materials will substitute for permanent implants to allow tissue recovery followed by clearance of the degraded implant material. New imaging modalities are emerging that provide advanced information and monitoring capabilities. Wireless technology will integrate medical devices and home-care systems with primary healthcare providers, and facilitate the storage and retrieval of patient data. Over the coming decades, these and other extraordinary developments will dramatically affect lives.

By merging Polytechnic’s leadership and talents in its programs in engineering, chemistry, biology, computer science, management and humanities programs with NYU’s and SUNY Downstate’s expertise in medical sciences, the Polytechnic Biomedical Engineering Program provides students with a broad range of research opportunities. The partnership between Polytechnic, NYU and SUNY Downstate is dedicated to this new model of biomedical education and to developing students with practical and fundamental knowledge. Students move freely among the institutions, taking advantage of faculty and associated research programs. Polytechnic’s goal is to provide the best in-classroom and laboratory education to develop the skills to succeed in a wide range of opportunities after graduation.

A Perfect Formula for a Successful Biomedical Engineering Program

Polytechnic’s Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering program originated in a strategic alliance between the Institute and SUNY Downstate Medical Center. The two institutions developed extensive research interests with complementary technological expertise. Common areas of scientific investigation include Biosensors, Telemetry, Neurorobotics, Optical Imaging, Bioresorbable Biomedical Materials, Drug Delivery, Protein and Glycolipid Therapeutics, Tissue Engineering and Microchip Sensors. These collaborations remain a vital program component. With the merging of NYU and the Institute, research opportunities are expanded dramatically.

Full- and Part-time Students

Students entering this master’s program may wish to complete their degree rapidly by taking a full course load, or proceed at a slower pace if they are working professionals who have other full- or part-time commitments. The curriculum structure and class schedule accommodates part-time and full-time students. Thus, most 3-credit courses are given as two-and-a-half hour lectures one evening a week during a 15-week semester. Evening research opportunities are available.

Admission and Degree Requirements

The Master of Science degree is for students from various backgrounds seeking the in-depth knowledge and quantitative skills required for biomedical engineering. Students may apply to the master’s program if they have one or more of the following: (1) BS or a more advanced degree in any engineering discipline, (2) BS or more advanced degree in mathematics or (3) BS or more advanced degree in any of the natural sciences. Entering students should have a minimum of two semesters of college-level calculus (see Polytechnic course descriptions for mathematics courses MA 1024 and MA 1124 ), two semesters of college-level physics (see Polytechnic course descriptions for physics,

PH 1013

PH 2023

PH 2033

), two semesters of college-level chemistry (see Polytechnic course descriptions for Chemistry, CM 1014 and CM 1024). For students focusing on the Biomaterials track, additional background in organic chemistry and biochemistry is desirable. For those choosing the Medical Imaging or Bioinstrumentation track, additional advanced mathematics courses (e.g., Polytechnic courses MA 2132, ordinary differential equations; and MA 2112/MA 2122 multi-variable calculus) are recommended. Students lacking undergraduate courses described above may be admitted contingent upon the student’s satisfying courses necessary for success in the program. To help students raise their level of knowledge in chemical and biochemical concepts specific to advanced courses in the Medical Imaging or Bioinstrumentation tracks, the program developed BE 6653 Principles of Chemical and Biochemical Systems for Engineers. A program adviser reviews with successful applicants what undergraduate courses, if any, they must take. Such courses do not count toward the master’s degree.

Advanced Certificate Programs

The Biomedical Engineering Program administers two certificate programs: Biomedical Materials Graduate Certificate and Bioinstrumentation Graduate Certificate . The Advanced Certificates in Biomedical Materials and Bioinstrumentation are for students from various backgrounds seeking in-depth knowledge in a specialty within biomedical engineering. Students may apply to the certificate program if they have one or more of the following:

(1) BS or a more advanced degree in any engineering discipline, (2) BS or more advanced degree in mathematics and/or (3) BS or more advanced degree in any natural science. The program adviser reviews with successful applicants prerequisites that may be required for successful completion of certificate courses. A certificate program requires four courses (12 credits) that are for working professionals seeking advanced training in a specific area within the Biomedical Engineering Program. Students must achieve an average of B or better in all graduate courses. Upon completion of a sequence with an average grade of B or better, students are issued Advanced Certificates. Those who choose to work toward the master’s degree in biomedical engineering are able, upon admission, to apply all courses taken toward a certificate to fulfill the degree program. Additional information may be obtained from the department. To satisfy the requirement for the Advanced Certificate in Biomedical Materials, students must complete a minimum of 12 credits.

Programs

Graduate Certificate

Master of Science