Pitt | Swanson Engineering
Graduate Tracks

Graduate students seeking a Research M.S., Ph.D., or M.D./Ph.D. can select a program of studies from six different tracks:

 

 

 

Please refer to this Graduate & Professional Studies Catalog link for information about this track.

Track coordinators : Prof. Patrick Loughlin ( loughlin@pitt.edu ) and Prof. Tamer Ibrahim ( tibrahim@pitt.edu ).

 

The Bio-Imaging and Signals track is geared towards students with interests in any of the following areas:

 

  1. development and application of imaging devices;

  2. signal and image processing methods;

  3. biological/biomedical signal acquisition and analysis;

  4. computational modeling of biomedical signals and systems;

  5. biological/biomedical control systems; and/or

  6. biologically inspired signal and image processing.   

 

This track may be particularly attractive to students with undergraduate degrees in bioengineering/biomedical engineering; electrical engineering; computer science and engineering; math; and/or physics, but it is open to all bioengineering graduate students. 

 

Students who have not had "signals and systems" and/or "linear systems" courses at the undergraduate level, similar to BIOENG 1320, ECE 1552 or MEMS 1014 offered at Pitt, may find that they lack the prerequisites for many of the track courses.  Moreover, knowledge of the fundamentals of signals and systems provided in these courses will be required to pass the Preliminary Exam in the Bioimaging and Signals Track.  Accordingly, students lacking this background are strongly encouraged to audit or take one of these three courses prior to taking the prelim exam in the late Spring of the 1 st year.  (Note that undergraduate courses do not fulfill graduate degree requirements.)

 

Students in the Bioimaging and Signals Track must complete 9 credits (3 different graduate level courses) in order to satisfy track requirements.  At least one of these courses must be in the "bio-imaging" area, and at least one must be in the "signals and systems" area, as follows:

 

Signals and systems course requirements (choose at least one):

 

  • BIOENG 2005: RF (RADIOFREQUENCY) MEDICAL DEVICES AND APPLICATIONS OF ELECTROMAGNETICS IN MEDICINE  

  • BIOENG 2340: INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL IMAGING AND IMAGE ANALYSIS

  • ECE 2523: DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING

  • ECE 2646: LINEAR SYSTEM THEORY

 

Bio-imaging course requirements (choose at least one):

 

  • BIOENG 2330:  Biomedical Imaging

  • BIOENG 2340: INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL IMAGING AND IMAGE ANALYSIS

  • BIOENG 2505 - Multimodal Biomedical Imaging Technologies: Functional, Molecular, and Hybrid Imaging Techniques

  • BIOENG 2600 - Neuroimaging  

  • BIOENG 2630 - Methods in Image Analysis  

The third track course may be selected from the lists above, or from the list below of the variety of bioimaging and signals courses available through Pitt and CMU that fulfill track requirements.  However, the list is by no means comprehensive, and students are free and encouraged to explore course offerings from other science and engineering departments, at Pitt and CMU, including Electrical and Computer Engineering; Computer Science; Physics; and Neuroscience.  Coupled with two additional open electives, the track requirements provide flexibility for students, in consultation with their research mentor, to design an appropriate curriculum of graduate study to complement their research. 

Possible courses for the 3 rd required track course:

Note: courses not listed here require pre-approval by the Track Coordinators in order to fulfill track requirements.

  • BIOENG 2005: RF (Radiofrequency) Medical Devices and Applications of Electromagnetics in Medicine

  • BIOENG 2045: Computational Case Studies in Biomedical Engineering

  • BIOENG 2186 - Neural Systems Engineering

  • BIOENG 2330:  Biomedical Imaging

  • BIOENG 2340: Introducation to Medical Imaging and Image Analysis 

  • BIOENG 2383 - Biomedical Optical Microscopy

  • BIOENG 2505 - Multimodal Biomedical Imaging Technologies: Functional, Molecular, and Hybrid Imaging Techniques

  • BIOENG 2515 - Cardiovascular System-Dynamics and Modeling

  • BIOENG 2600 - Neuroimaging  

  • BIOENG 2630 - Methods in Image Analysis  

  • ECE 2372: PATTERN RECOGNITION

  • ECE 2373: ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS

  • ECE 2391: PROJECTS IN COMPUTER VISION

  • ECE 2521: ANALYSIS OF STOCHASTIC PROCESSES

  • ECE 2523: DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING

  • ECE 2646: LINEAR SYSTEM THEORY

  • ECE 2647: Introduction to Nonlinear Control Design

  • ECE 2654: Digital Control Systems

  • ECE 2671: OPTIMIZATION METHODS

  • ECE 3374: APPLICATIONS OF WAVELET TRANSFORMS

  • ECE 3395: ADVANCED TOPICS: IMAGE PROCESSING/COMPUTER VISION

  • ECE 3422: INFORMATION THEORY

  • ECE 3524: DIGITAL SPEECH PROCESSING

  • ECE 3526: MODERN SPECTRAL ESTIMATION

  • ECE 3528: TIME-FREQUENCY SIGNAL ANALYSIS

  • ECE 3530: DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS

  • ECE 3557: STATISTICAL SIGNAL PROCESSING

  • ECE 3595: ADVANCED TOPICS: SIGNAL PROCESSING

  • ECE 3647: OPTIMAL STOCHASTIC SYSTEMS

  • ECE 3648: NONLINEAR SYSTEMS THEORY

  • ECE 3650: OPTIMAL CONTROL

  • ECE 3695: ADVANCED TOPICS: CONTROL

  • MATH 3375 - Introduction to Computational Neuroscience (can be used as one track course OR fulfill BioE Math requirement)  

  • CMU 10-601: Machine Learning  

  • CMU 15-883: Computational Models of Neural Systems  

  • CMU 18-660: Numerical Methods for Engineering Design and Optimization

  • CMU 18-697: Statistical Discovery and Learning

  • CMU 18-698 / 42-590: Neural Signal Processing

  • CMU 18-781: Speech Recognition and Understanding

  • CMU 18-790: Wavelets and Multiresolution Techniques

  • CMU 8-792: Advanced Digital Signal Processing

  • CMU 36-746: Statistical Methods for Neuroscience (can be used as a track course OR fulfill the BioE STAT requirement)  

  • CMU 86-595 / 42-595 - Neural Data Analysis  

 

For additional track course possibilities, visit the University of Pittsburgh's

 

 

or  Carnegie Mellon University's

 

 

NOTES:

  1. Students electing to take courses from other departments are expected to abide by those departments' academic policies, including with regard to prerequisites and course eligibility.

  2. Students can not fulfill track requirements by taking very similar courses from different departments (e.g. such as a "statistical signal processing" course from Pitt and CMU).  Also, "special topics" courses may not be used to fulfill the 9-credit track requirements (although they can be taken to fulfill elective or other degree credit requirements).

  3. In choosing courses to complete the 9-credit track requirement, PhD students in the Bioimaging & Signals Track should keep in mind that they will be expected to demonstrate knowledge and understand the fundamentals of signals, systems and imaging throughout their PhD studies starting with the Preliminary Exam (typically taken the summer after the first two semesters of graduate study).

     

    Information on the "core knowledge" expected of students taking the preliminary exam in the biomaging and signals track can be found here (Imaging Track Prelim Core Knowledge). 

For further information or clarification, please contact the track coordinators.

 

Please refer to this Graduate & Professional Studies Catalog link for information about this track.

Track Coordinator: Richard Debski ( genesis1@pitt.edu )

This graduate track has a specific menu of courses to satisfy the 9-credit "Track Courses" requirement for the Research M.S. , Ph.D. , or M.D./Ph.D.

At the University of Pittsburgh there are broad and extensive research activities in Biomechanics. Application areas include cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, ergonomic, occupational, rehabilitation, and urological. Our educational goal is to expand on the fundamental knowledge gained at the undergraduate level of both biomechanics and the biological sciences, and demonstrate how they can be applied to solve basic and applied biomedical problems. We believe that biomechanics concentration students should be exposed to all areas of biomechanics, and not just their area of specialty. Further, since many areas of biomechanics share similar background material, our courses should present fundamental material first, followed by application examples to give the students a feel for "theory and application" in biomechanics. The fundamental philosophy of the approach is multi-scale, wherein Biomechanics is taught as a means to solve biomedical problems, regardless of problem scale (cell to whole body).

Due to the wide breadth of student interests, we offer the following two sub-tracks:

Sub-track I - Biosolid-fluid mechanics/Biological materials
Sub-track II - Biodynamics/Rehabilitation and Human Movement

Each sub-track has a set of three required courses (see below), as well as special options for a second/third life science courses that would be relevant to their area of interest.

Required courses for the biological materials and biofluids sub-track option:

BIOENG 2633 Biomechanics 4: Biomechanics of Organs, Tissues, and Cells

BIOENG 2675 Finite Elasticity of Soft Tissues

BIOENG 2067 Musculoskeletal Biomechanics

Required courses for the biodynamics/rehab sub-track option.

BIOENG 2632 Biomechanics 3: Biodynamics of Movement

BIOENG 2633 Biomechanics 4: Biomechanics of Organs, Tissues, and Cells

For the third track course, choose one of following two options:

1) BIOENG 2067 Musculoskeletal Biomechanics

2) An approved Human Movement/Rehabilitation course as listed below.

 

Students may satisfy their life science course requirements for the PhD program with any of the courses from the BioE approved list of life science courses.

 

Recommended Engineering/Math/Related courses

ME (CMU) 759 Cell mechanics

BIOENG 2065 Introduction to cell mechanobiology

 

Cardiovascular

BIOENG 2310 Hemodynamics and Biotransport

BIOENG 2515 Cardiovascular system - dynamics and modeling

BIOENG 3025 Vascular Biomechanics and its role in pathobiology

 

Human Movement/Rehabilitation

BIOENG 2035 Biomechanical modeling of movement

BIOENG 2061 Ergonomics and Occupational Biomechanics

BIOENG 2703 Rehabilitation Engineering Design

BIOENG 2704 Fundamentals of Rehabilitation Engineering and Technology I

BIOENG 2709 Rehabilitation Biomechanics

BIOENG 2650 Human Motor Learning and Motor Control

BIOENG 2725 Design for Injury Prevention

 

Tissue engineering/Biomaterials

BIOENG 2072 Functional Tissue Engineering: Biomechanics of Engineered tissues

BIOENG 2370 Computational Simulation in Medical Device Design

BIOENG 2810 Biomaterials and Biocompatibility

BIOENG 3015 Scaffolds for Regenerative Medicine

 

Medical Imaging

BIOENG 2380 Medical Imaging Systems I

BIOENG 2382 Medical Imaging Systems II

BIOENG 2630 Methods in Image Analysis

 

Mechanical Engineering/Civil Engineering

CEN 12775 Finite Elements in Mechanics (CMU)

ME 2003 Continuum Mechanics

ME 2027 Advanced Dynamics

ME 2045 Linear Control systems

ME 2047 Finite Element Analysis

ME 2062 Orthopedic Biomechanics

ME 2074 Advanced Fluid Dynamics I

ME 2080 Introduction to MEMS

ME 3011 Non-linear elasticity

 

Math

BIOST 2049 Applied Regression Analysis

Math 2070 Numerical methods in scientific computing 1

Math 2071 Numerical methods in scientific computing 2

Math 2370 Matrices and linear operators 1

Math 2371 Matrices and linear operators 2

Math 3380 Mathematics in Molecular Biology

Math 2090 Numerical Solution of ODEs

Math 2500 Algebra 1

Math 2800 Differential Geometry 1

Math 2801 Differential Geometry 2

Math 2950 Methods in Applied Math

Math 2960 Computational Fluid Mechanics

Math 3070 Numerical solution of non-linear systems

Math 3071 Numerical solution of PDEs

Math 3072 The finite element method

Math 3075 Parallel Finite Element Method

Math 3370 Computational Models in Neurobiology

Math 3920 Non-linear methods in differential equations

Math 2601-2604 Advanced Scientific Computing 1-4

Math 2900-01 PDEs 1 and 2

Math 2920-21 ODEs 1 and 2

ME 2001 DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

ME 2002 LINEAR AND COMPLEX ANALYSIS

Stat 2220 Applied Regression

Stat 2661 Linear Models Theory 1

 

Electrical Engineering/Information Science

ECE 2646 Linear system theory

ECE 2671 Optimization methods

ECE 3648 Nonlinear systems theory

ECE 3650 Optimal control

ECE 2521 Analysis of stochastic processes

ECE 2523 Digital signal processing

ECE 2526 Modern spectral estimation

ECE 3528 Time-frequency signal analysis

INFSCI 2350 Human Factors In Systems

 

School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

SHRS 2710 Functional Neuromuscular Stimulation

SHRS 2867 Pathokinesiology of Orthopedic and Athletic Injuries

SHRS 3705 Wheelchair Biomechanics

SHRS 3897 Laboratory Techniques in Sports Medicine I

SHRS 3898 Laboratory Techniques in Sports Medicine II

 

CMU Robotics

CMU Robotics Institute 16-711 Kinematics, Dynamic Systems and Control

CMU Robotics Institute 16-720 Computer Vision

CMU Robotics Institute 16-721 Advanced Perception

CMU Robotics Institute 16-722 Sensing and Sensors

CMU Robotics Institute 16-741 Mechanics of Manipulation

CMU Robotics Institute 16-811 Mathematical Fundamentals for Robotics

CMU Robotics Institute 16-862 Introduction to Mobile Robot Programming

CMU Robotics Institute 16-684 Robotic Manipulation

CMU Robotics Institute 16-701 Machine Learning

 

Please refer to this Graduate & Professional Studies Catalog link for information about this track.

Track Coordinators: William J. Federspiel (wfedersp@pitt.edu) and Kilichan Gurleyik (gurleyik@pitt.edu)

The PhD track in Medical Product Engineering (MPE) emphasizes preparation for an industrial or academic career in medical product research and development. The MPE track introduces students to principles of engineering innovation targeted to the identification of and the solution to important challenges and unmet clinical needs in health care technology and delivery. The program of study emphasizes education in medical product design and development, the development of advanced engineering skills, and knowledge of cellular and systems level physiology pertinent to the healthcare field in which the student is doing research. 

Life Science Requirements (2 courses, 6 credits)

MPE track students are required to take one cellular level physiology course and one systems level physiology course to satisfy their Life Science Requirement. These courses should be chosen based on a student's interest and research from the following list:

Cellular Level

BIOENG 2520 Molecular and Cell Biology and Biophysics

MSCMP 2830 Cellular and Molecular Physiology

NROSCI 2002 Cell and Molecular Neuroscience

Systems Level

Any systems (organ) level physiology course. Must be approved by track coordinator. Some examples not requiring approval include:

BIOENG 2022 Cardiovascular Dynamics

BIOSC 2070 Immunology

HRS 2771 Functional Anatomy and Physiology

NROSCI 2011 Functional Neuroanatomy 

MSNBIO 2070 Human Physiology

NROSCI 2102 Systems Neuroscience

 

Track Courses Requirement (3 courses, 9 credits)

BIOENG 2150 Medical Product Ideation

BIOENG 2151 Medical Product Engineering

The third track course elective must be selected from the following list based on the student's interest and research:

BIOENG 2630 Methods in Image Analysis 

BIOENG 2633 Biomechanics 4 

BIOENG 2055 Biomedical Fluid Mechanics (available Spring 2016)

BIOENG 2230 Cardiovascular Organ Replacement

BIOENG 2330 Biomedical Imaging

BIOENG 2515 Cardiovascular System Dynamics and Modeling

BIOENG 2186 Neural Engineering

CH E 2301 Fundamentals of Transport Proc.

ECE 2523 Digital Signal Processing

ECE 2654 Digital Control Systems

CMU 42- 698C Introduction to Biomedical Signal Processing

CMU 42-624 Biological Transport and Drug Delivery

   

Electives (2 courses, 6 credits)

Students can take any two appropriate courses for their electives but the following courses are highly recommended:

Any track course elective above not already taken

BIOENG 2165 Medical Product Entrepreneurship

BIOENG 2170 Clinical Bioengineering

BIOENG 2171 Medical Product Prototyping

BIOENG 2230 Cardiovascular Organ Replacement

BIOENG 2703 Rehabilitation Engineering Design

BIOENG 2810 Biomaterials and Biocompatibility

BIOENG 3020 Design & Synthesis of Biomaterials

BSEO 2531 Entrepreneurship and New Venture Initiation

BSPP 2111 Commercializing New Technologies

ECE 2646 Linear System Theory

ENGR 2051 Product Realization

ME 2045 Linear Control Systems

ME 2080 Introduction to MEMS

IE 2003   Engineering Management

IE 2006 Introduction to Manufacturing Systems

IE 2012 Manufacture of Structural Nano-Materials

IE 2039   Entrepreneurship for Engineers

IE 2051 Computer Aided Manufacturing

IE 2076   Total Quality Management

IE 2098 Finite Element Analysis in Product Design

 

 

Medical Product Engineering (MPE) Professional MS

For further information, contact Alan Hirschman, PhD (alh138@pitt.edu) and visit engineering.pitt.edu/cmi

The Medical Product Engineering emphasizes preparation for a career in the medical device industry through hands-on, practical experience in medical product design and development, development of advanced engineering skills, and instruction in professional affairs and practices in medical engineering. The program focuses on the application of engineering innovation to the identification of and solution to challenges in health care delivery in the medical industry. 

The coherent program of study is designed to assure mastery of specific knowledge and skills, rather than a random accumulation of a specified number of courses. Each student in the program will have a curricular advisor (the Educational Program Director of the Center for Medical Innovation) and a project advisor to guide the student's individualized educational experience. A thorough grounding in the principles of medical device innovation and development compliant with regulatory requirements is provided through a three-semester sequence that starts with immersion in the medical/hospital environment and ends with a first generation prototype. The curriculum also provides a strong foundation in ethics, analysis, design principles, and principles of entrepreneurship as applied to medical device innovation.

Full-time program students are required to have internship (or co-op) experience starting with their second semester until completing the program.

NOTE : Professional MS students in the Medical Product Engineering track must comply with all Swanson School of Engineering (SSoE) requirements for access to clinical sites within the UMPC system.

 

The distinctive educational core of the professional MS program in Medical Product Engineering is four courses directed toward developing knowledge and skill sets important to the practicing engineer. Two didactic courses explore the concepts and practices of Medical Product Ideation (BIOENG 2150) and Medical Product Development (BIOENG 2151). Both courses are also part of the Certificate in Medical Innovation and open to any interested student, with the intent that interactions between engineers, health scientists, business students, and, potentially, law students will enrich the learning environment. The other two core courses focus on hands-on experiences developing expertise in medical device development. Clinical Bioengineering ( BIOENG 2170 ) and Medical Product Prototyping (BIOENG 2171) implement concepts from BIOENG 2150 and BIOENG 2151 through clinical immersion and subsequent prototype development. Enrollment in the hands-on courses is restricted and requires instructor approval.

 

In addition to the four Core Classes (12 credits), the Medical Product Engineering program requires an additional 18 credits (Bioethics - 3 credits, Graduate Engineering Mathematics or Statistics - 3 credits, Advanced Graduate Engineering - 12 credits) for a total of 30 credits. The Certificate in Medical Innovation requires an additional 6 credits. All elective courses must be approved by the curricular advisor to ensure the student obtains a coherent program:

          Medical Product Core Curriculum (12 credits)
                    6 Credits - Medical Product Innovation
                              BIOENG 2150: Medical Product Ideation (3 credits)
                              BIOENG 2151: Medical Product Development (3 credits)
                    6 Credits - Medical Product Prototyping
                              BIOENG 2170: Clinical Bioengineering (3 credits)
                              BIOENG 2171: Medical Product Prototyping (3 credits)

          Bioethics (3 credits)
                   BIOENG 2241: Societal, Political, and Ethical Issues in Biotechnology
                   BIOENG 2242: Societal, Political, and Ethical Issues in Biotechnology
                   BIOETH 2661: Theoretical Foundations
                   BIOETH 2664: Bioethics

          Graduate Engineering Mathematics or Statistics (3 credits)
                   Graduate Engineering Mathematics
                            IE 2086 : Decision Models
                            CHE 2410 : Mathematical Methods in Chemical Engineering
                            ME 2001: Differential Equations
                            ME 2060: Numerical Methods
                            BIOENG 2351: Computer Applications
                   Graduate Statistics
                            BQOM 2401: Statistical Analysis
                            IE 2007 : Statistics and Data Analysis
                            STAT 2081: Modern Data Analysis for Research Workers
                            BIOENG 2525: Applied Biostatistics
                            CLRES 2020: Biostatistics: Statistical Approaches in Clinical Research

                   Advanced Engineering Graduate Electives (12 credits)
                            BIOENG 2016: Fundamental Principles of Biodegradable Metallic Alloys
                            BIOENG 2035: Biomechanical Modeling of Movement
                            BIOENG 2061: Ergonomics and Occupational Biomechanics
                            BIOENG 2067: Musculo-skeletal biomechanics
                            BIOENG 2075: Advanced Biomaterials
                            BIOENG 2080: Biomechanics of Organs, Tissues, and Cells - 1
                            BIOENG 2220: Cardiovascular Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
                            BIOENG 2230: Cardiovascular Organ Replacement
                            BIOENG 2310: Hemodynamics and Biotransport
                            BIOENG 2515: Cardiovascular System-Dynamics and Modeling
                            BIOENG 2703: Rehabilitation Engineering Design
                            BIOENG 2704: Fundamentals of Rehabilitation Engineering and Technology 1
                            BIOENG 2709: Rehabilitation Biomechanics
                            BIOENG 2721: Human movement biomechanics
                            BIOENG 2810: Biomaterials and Biocompatibility
                            BIOENG 3020: Design & Synthesis of Biomaterials
                            ChE 2752: Introduction to Polymers
                            ENGR 2051: Product Realization
                            ME 2003 : Continuum Mechanics
                            ME 2027 : Advanced Dynamics
                            ME 2045 : Linear Control Systems
                            ME 2047 : Finite Element Analysis
                            ME 2062 : Orthopedic Biomechanics
                            ME 2074 : Advanced Fluid Dynamics I
                            ME 2080 : Introduction to MEMS
                            ME 3011 : Non-linear Elasticity
                            HRS 2867: Pathokinesiology of Orthopedic and Athletic Injuries
                            IE 2006 : Introduction to Manufacturing Systems
                            IE 2012 : Manufacture of Structural Nano-Materials
                            IE 2051 : Computer Aided Manufacturing
                            IE 2098 : Finite Element Analysis in Product Design

            Typical three-semester sequence: 

                   

Fall Semester (1):
  • [Core Didactic]: BIOENG 2150 - Medical Product Ideation
  • [Elective]: BIOENG 2166 - Managing Medical Product Research & Development
  • [Elective]: Graduate Engineering Mathematics or Statistics Course*
  • [Elective]: Advanced Graduate Engineering Course*
  • [Optional]: Business/Law Course**
Spring Semester:
  • Full-Time Students are required to complete part-time internship (paid, unpaid, or for credit) with an industry partner or related entity
  • [Core Didactic]: BIOENG 2151 - Medical Product Development
  • [Core Hands-on]: BIOENG 2170 - Clinical Bioengineering 
  • BIOENG 2242: Medical Ethics*
  • [Elective]: BIOENG 2165 - Medical Product Entrepreneurship
  • [Elective]: BIOENG 2175 - Human Factors Engineering and Medical Devices
  • [Elective]: BIOENG 2230 - Cardio Organ Replacement
  • [Elective]: Advanced Graduate Engineering Course* 
Summer Semester:
  • Full-Time Students are required to complete full-time internship (paid, unpaid, or for credit) with an industry partner or related entity

Fall Semester (2):
  • Full-Time Students are required to complete part-time internship (paid, unpaid, or for credit) with an industry partner or related entity
  • [Core Hands-on]: BIOENG 2171 - Medical Product Prototyping
  • BIOENG 2241: Medical Ethics*
  • [Elective]: Advanced Graduate Engineering Course*
  • [Elective]: Advanced Graduate Engineering Course*
  • [Optional]: Business/Law Course**

 

While the typical three-semester sequence focuses heavily on medical product design and development, the student has an opportunity to develop depth in an area of interest through proper choice of the four Advanced Graduate Engineering Courses. The Optional Business/Law Courses are directed toward gaining an appreciation for the special entrepreneurial and law challenges associated with the typical small businesses that are on the forefront of medical product engineering and will qualify the student to earn the  Graduate Certificate in Medical Product Innovation  as well as the Professional MS.

 

Admission to the Professional MS in Bioengineering - Medical Product Engineering program is by application only. Class size is limited. Accepted students will have a curricular advisor and a project advisor to guide the student's individualized educational experience. Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA to remain in good standing in the program. The Professional MS in Bioengineering - Medical Product Engineering is not intended for students pursuing the PhD and admission to the program does not guarantee continuation on to the PhD program. Students interested in pursuing the PhD must complete the PhD application process.

 

To apply, please visit the Graduate Admissions Page on the Swanson School of Engineering website.

To schedule a meeting with Dr. Kilichan Gurleyik make an appointment using his Acuity Scheduling Calendar

For questions on CMI Research contact Dr. Alan Hirschman at alh138@pitt.edu

 

Please refer to this Graduate & Professional Studies Catalog link for information about this track.

Track coordinators:    Partha Roy ( par19@pitt.edu ) and Ipsita Banerjee ( ipb1@pitt.edu )

 

This is a newly established Bioengineering graduate track (as of Sep 1, 2015). Faculty research interests in this track are quite broad including but not limited to fundamental understanding of cellular processes (example: cell migration, cell adhesion, cell cycle control) in physiology and pathology (example: cancer, sickle cell disease), stem cell engineering, tissue morphogenesis, vascular engineering, modeling of signal transduction and cardiac mechanics. Students in this track are expected to have core competency in either cell biology or physiology and biomedical imaging. The following curriculum enables the students in this track to meet the core competency criteria and expand their knowledge in bioengineering, computational biology and molecular regulation or deregulation of biological events in physiology and pathology. Note that in addition to the following category of courses, students in this track will need to satisfy their general requirements in math, statistics, ethics, and electives as mandated by the graduate program .

 

All listed courses are 3 credits unless specified otherwise

 

Life Science (6 credits): At least one cell biology or physiology course

 

  • Cell and Molecular Biology (6 credits - BIOE 2520)
  • Cell and Molecular Physiology (2 credits - MSCBMP 2830)
  • Human Physiology (4 credits - MSNBIO 2070)

 

Track courses (9 credits):

 

Course #1-Category 1: Biomedical Imaging

 

  • Multimodal Biomedical Imaging technique (BIOE 2505)
  • Biomedical Optical Microscopy (BIOE 2383)
  • Methods in Image analysis (BIOE 2630)
  • Multiparametric microscopic imaging (MSCBMP 2860)
  • Imaging cell biology in living system (MSCBMP 2885)

 

Course #2- Category 2: Analytical/ Engineering / design courses

 

  • Cellular and System Modeling ( CMU 02-730/MSCBIO/CMPBIO 2040)  
  • Cardiovascular systems and dynamic modeling (BIOE 2515)
  • Transport Phenomena for Biomedical and Chemical Engineers  (BIOE 2040)
  • Biomaterials and Biocompatibility (BIOE 2810)
  • Synthetic Biology: Engineering Living Systems (BIOENG 2820)
  • An introduction to systems biology (CMU 02-730 & PITT CMPBIO/MSCBIO 2040)
  • Introduction to Computational Structural Biology MSCBIO 2030/CMPBIO 2030
  • Systems approach to inflammation (2 credit - MSCMP 3780)

 

Course #3- Either one additional course from category 2 or one from the following list:

 

a)  Angiogenesis: Molecular pathways and Pathophysiological functions (MSCMP 3750)

 

  • Biology of signal transduction (MSMPHL 2360)
  • Cancer Biology and therapeutics (MSCMP 3710)
  • Stem Cell (MSCMP 3740)
  • Molecular mechanism of Tissue Growth Differentiation (MSCMP 2730)
  • Cell therapy (MSCMP 3770)
  • Extracellular matrix in tissue biology and bioengineering (MSCMP 3735)
  • Comprehensive immunology (MSIMM 2210: 2 credits) - this will be a good companion course for "Systems approach to Inflammation")
  • Introduction to Tissue Engineering (BIOE 1620)

 

Please refer to this Graduate & Professional Studies Catalog link for information about this track.

Neural engineering is an exciting new field applies engineering techniques to understand, repair, replace, enhance, or otherwise exploit the properties of neural systems. The neural engineering track is designed to prepare the students the fundamental understanding of both neuroscience and engineering principles.

This graduate track has a specific menu of courses to satisfy "Life Science" and "Track Courses" requirement for the Ph.D. , or M.D./Ph.D.  

Life Science Requirements : Neural track students are required to take one cellular level and one systems level neuroscience courses to fulfill their life science requirement. 

For molecular neuroscience, choose between 1) NroSci 2100 and 2101 (Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology I and II, 8 credits) and 2) CMU 03-762  (Advanced Cellular Neuroscience, 4 credits), both are offered in the Fall. 

For systems neuroscience, choose between 1)  NroSci 2102  (Systems Neurobiology, 6 credits) and 2) CMU 03-763  (Systems Neuroscience, 4 credits) Both are offered in the Spring. 

These courses are typically taken at the first year. Students without a biology background will need to take remedial biology courses (e.g. BIOENG 2520, Fall) before taking NROSCI 2100, NROSCI 2101, and NROSCI 2102. Students who have taken graduate-level equivalent neuroscience courses can petition to take other more advanced life science courses. 

  

Track Courses Requirement : please select at least 3 track courses from the following courses:  

  • BIOENG 2186 - Neural Systems Engineering
  • BIOENG 2540 - Neural Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
  • BIOENG 2580 - Biomedical Applications of Signal 
  • BIOENG 2600 - Neuroimaging  
  • BIOENG 2615 - Intro to Neural Engineering
  • BIOENG 2630 - Methods in Image Analysis  
  • BIOENG 2650 - Learning and Control of Movement   
  • BIOENG 2709 - Rehabilitation Biomechanics  
  • BIOENG 2810 - Biomaterials and Biocompatibility  
  • BIOENG 3528 - Time Frequency Signal Analysis 
  • NROSCI 2011 - Functional Neuroanatomy  
  • NROSCI 2012 - Neurophysiology  
  • NROSCI 2005 - Cognitive Neuroscience
  • NROSCI 2039 - Processing in Neural Circuits
  • NROSCI 3059 - Neuroplasticity in Sensory and Motor System  
  • MSNBIO 2632 - Advanced Neurophysiology  
  • ECE 2696 - Adaptive Control  
  • ECE 3650 - Optimal Control  
  • ECE 2646 - Linear system theory
  • MATH 3375/CMU 36-759 – Statistical Model of the Brain (Can be used as a track course, can NOT be used to fulfill the math requirement, and can possibly be used to fulfill the statistics requirement.  Please see the list of Approved Statistics Courses, and ask the Graduate Coordinator if you have any questions about this requirement.) 
  • CMU 10-601 - Machine Learning  
  • CMU 15-883 - Computational Models of Neural System  
  • CMU 42-590 / 18-699 - Neural Signal Processing  
  • CMU 36-746 - Statistical Methods for Neuroscience (can be used as a track course and can possibly be used to fulfill the statistics requirement.  Please see the list of Approved Statistics Courses.  Please ask the Graduate Coordinator if you have any questions about that requirement.)  
  • CMU 86-595 / 42-595 - Neural Data Analysis  
  • CMU 18-612 - Neural Technology: Sensing and Stimulation
 

Elective Courses Requirement: minimum of 6 credits are required in this category. By taking the track specific life science courses, (total of 14, or 12 or 10 credits depending on which option you take), the students in this track would satisfy the 6 life science credits with extra credits that can be counted as elective credits. Any additional graduate level courses approved by the adviser can be considered as electives.

 

Center for Neural Basis of Cognition ( http://www.cnbc.cmu.edu/): Majority of NE track students are members of CNBC and participate in the CNBC graduate training program ( http://www.cnbc.cmu.edu/training/ ). All three of the CNBC core courses can be considered track or elective courses. If you are in CNBC, you must satisfy both BioE and CNBC requirements before graduation.

For more information, please contact the Track Coordinator Professor Tracy Cui. A list of faculty doing research in the area of neural engineering can be found at the Neural Engineering Program website.

PROFESSIONAL MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOENGINEERING - FOCUS ON NEURAL ENGINEERING

Download our Professional MS in Bioengineering - focus on Neural Engineering information sheet.

Program Coordinator: Prof. Neeraj Gandhi (msne@pitt.edu)

WHY STUDY NEURAL ENGINEERING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH?

Pitt is a recognized leader in the emerging discipline of Neural Engineering. Our core faculty and clinical collaborators offer courses that prepare students to work in this exciting and dynamic field. Neural Engineering, which encompasses neural prosthetics, brain-computer interface systems, epilepsy monitoring, deep brain stimulation, engineering approaches to psychiatric disorders, and brain-inspired computation and device design, is a fast-growing field that provides clinical and technological benefits.

The program is offered by Pitt’s nationally ranked Department of Bioengineering (#18 U.S. News and World Report). Instruction will be in-person and online. The 30-credit program can be completed in one year of full-time study. Students will garner a deep knowledge of the biology of the nervous system, and how, from an engineering perspective, to treat disorders, build clinical devices, and build computational models. The non-thesis program is designed to provide excellent training for industry in Neural Engineering or related fields such as Medical Devices or Data Science.

CONCENTRATIONS

Neural engineering students will pursue didactic coursework that builds core competency in at least two of the following areas:

  • Brain-computer interfaces
  • Neural tissue interface
  • Neural imaging and signals
  • Neural devices and neuromorphic engineering

The concentrations for core competency will be selected in consultation with the program director and will take into consideration the student’s previous training and career aspirations.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PROFESSIONAL MS (30 CREDITS, TYPICALLY 10 COURSES)

  • 12 credits in Concentration 1
  • 9 credits in Concentration 2
  • 3 credits in life sciences
  • 3 credits in Mathematics/Statistics
  • 3 credits in Medical Ethics
Concentration Area: Brain-Computer Interfaces
Class Number Class Name Semester (typically)
BIOENG 2186 Neural Engineering Fall
CMU 42-595 Neural Data Analysis Fall
ECE 2195 Machine Learning Fall
BIOENG 2650 Learning and Control of Movement Spring
CMU 42-590 Neural Signal Processing Spring
BIOEN 2586 Quantitative Neuroscience Spring
ECE 3195 Advanced Machine Learning & Deep Learning Spring
     
Concentration Area: Neural Tissue Interface
Class Number Class Name Semester (typically)
BIOENG 2615 Introduction to Neural Engineering Fall
BIOENG 3735 Extracellular Matrix Tissue Engineering Fall
BIOENG 2540 Neural Materials & Tissue Engineering Spring
BIOENG 2810 Biomaterials and Biocompatibility Spring
     
Concentration Area: Neural Signals & Systems
Class Number Class Name Semester (typically)
BIOENG 2005 RF Medical Devices Fall
BIOENG 2505 Multimodal Imaging Fall
BIOENG 2330 Biomedical Imaging Fall
BIOENG 2340 Introduction to Medical Imaging & Image Analysis Fall
ECE 2390 Image Processing & Computer Vision Fall
BIOENG 2630 Methods in Image Analysis Spring
ECE 2523 Digital Signal Processing Spring
     
Concentration Area: Neural Devices & Neuromorphic Engineering
Class Number Class Name Semester (typically)
BIOENG 2005 RF Medical Devices Fall
BIOENG 2150 Medical Product Ideation Fall
ECE 2192 VLSI Design Fall
BIOENG 2151 Medical Product Development Spring
BIOENG 2170 Clinical Bioengineering Spring
BIOENG 2175 Human Factors Engineering & Medical Devices Spring
ECE 2264 Flexible Electronics Spring
     
Life Science Course
Class Number Class Name Semester (typically)
NROSCI 2005 Cognitive Neuroscience (Olson) Fall
NROSCI 2039 Processing in Neural Circuits (Runyan) Spring
BIOENG 2586 Quantitative Neuroscience (Batista) Spring
     

Math/Statistics Course –many options available each semester; too many to list

 

 

Please refer to this Graduate & Professional Studies Catalog link for information about this track.

The PhD track in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (TERM) prepares the students for a career in cutting edge research and development of cell- and biomaterial-based medical products. The MPE track introduces students to the use of cells, materials, biochemical and biomechanical factors in the development of functional substitutes that restore, maintain, or improve tissue or organ function. The students can expect to apply engineering principles to a diverse range of medical fields with the goal of solving critical clinical challenges.

Engineering Track Course – one of your required track courses must be taken from one of the courses below:

  • BIOENG 2186 – Neural Engineering
  • CH E 2301 – Fundamental Transport Processes 1
  • BIOENG 2633 – Biomechanics 4
  • BIOENG 2525 - Cardio System Dynamics and Modeling 
  • CMU 42624 - Biological Transport and Drug Delivery (this class is offered at Carnegie Mellon University and can be taken through the PCHE Cross-Registration process)

TERM track courses:

•BIOENG 2016 - Fundamental Principles of Biodegradable Metallic Alloys

•BIOENG 2151 - Medical Product Development 

•BIOENG 2165 - Medical Product Entrepreneurship

•BIOENG 2633 - Biomechanics IV

•BIOENG 2220 - Cardiovascular Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering

•BIOENG 2351  - Computer Applications in Bioengineering 

•BIOENG 2230 - Cardiovascular Organ Replacement

•BIOENG 2250 - Cardiovascular Clinical Internships (special permission required)

•BIOENG 2515 - Cardiovascular System-Dynamics and Modeling

•BIOENG 2540 - Neural Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering

•BIOENG 2620 - Introduction to Tissue Engineering

•BIOENG 2630 - Methods in Image Analysis

•BIOENG 2810 - Biomaterials and Biocompatibility

•BIOENG 3020 - Design & Synthesis of Biomaterials

•BIOENG 3025 - Vascular Biomechanics and its Role in Pathobiology

•BIOENG 3600 - Forces that Shape Organs

•MSCMP 2730 - Molecular Mechanisms: Tissue Growth and Differentiation

•MSCMP 3740 Stem Cells

•MSCMP 3750 Angiogenesis: Molecular pathways and Pathophysiological functions

•MSCBMP 2860 Multiparametric Microscopic Imaging

•CH E 2754 - Principles of Polymer Engineering

•CHEM 2600 - Synthesis and Characterization of Polymers