Graduate Student Handbook

Transcription

1 Columbia University in the City of New York Department of Biomedical Engineering Graduate Student Handbook Academic Year Welcome to Columbia BME! Inside these pages Page 2 GraBME BME graduate student group activities Page 3 Graduate Admissions Deadlines, application requirements, fees Page 4 Degree Requirements M.S., PhD, MD/PhD degree requirements Page 6 Student Services Housing, registration, health services, athletics Page 7 The evolution of biomedical engineering and the development of a strong knowledge base and principles have shaped the foundation for the academic programs of Columbia University s Department of Biomedical Engineering. Focusing in the areas of biomechanics, cell and tissue engineering, and biomedical imaging, the programs offered by the BME department emphasize the confluence of basic engineering science and applied engineering with the physical and biological sciences. Inside this handbook is information regarding the graduate program with student requirements for both master s and doctorate students, as well as an introduction to the graduate student group, GraBME. We hope that it will give you an idea of what to expect when you get here and that it will make the transition into our department easier. The handbook is arranged chronologically to help prepare you for what you might encounter at any point of your time here. Enjoy and welcome to Columbia! Faculty Listing Department Chair Van C. Mow Department Vice Chair Andrew F. Laine Chair of Graduate Committee Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic Faculty/lab listing by track For more information, announcements, departmental events, faculty and student biographies, and research laboratories, visit our website:

2 GraBME Columbia s Graduate Biomedical Engineering Student Group GraBME was founded to provide a network for students to come together. As a social organization, GraBME focused primarily on enhancing the social and academic lives of students by serving as advocates for student needs in the department. Today, these same principles are reflected in the two-fold nature of the group. Faculty representatives on the GraBME executive board serve as links between the graduate student body and the faculty, communicating student concerns and ideas. GraBME is also largely involved in departmental functions such as new student recruiting and orientation. GraBME hosts a variety of social events throughout the year, including interdepartmental happy hours, barbeques, game and movie nights, holiday potluck dinners, Dave & Buster s outings, and beach and ski trips. These events aim to bring together students from the different tracks as well as the various engineering disciplines. In addition, GraBME also organizes a number of sports teams for Columbia s intramural athletics, including soccer, volleyball, and the fall 2006 and fall 2007 co-ed football championship teams. in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS) to host a series of graduate student seminars. Held once a month, the seminars highlight recent work of current students and provide a platform to share and discuss scientific findings with peers and colleagues within the different academic tracks across the department. GraBME welcomes all graduate BME students and encourages ideas for social activities as well as any concerns that may be addressed to the faculty. Most recently, GraBME has worked with the Columbia chapter of the Engineering Message from the president Welcome to the Biomedical Engineering Department! As you start on this exciting journey, on behalf of GraBME, I would like to welcome you to the department and invite you to come explore the many activities, research opportunities, and possibilities here. We understand that this period of transition is exciting yet filled with questions: What courses should I take? How do I choose an advisor? How do I find a research lab? These questions, and many more, are the focus of this handbook, and I encourage you to contact us if you have any concerns or questions that are not addressed here. I remember my first days, weeks, and months in the department fondly and hope that your transition will be just as memorable and smooth. I look GraBME Officers From left to right: Shamik Chaudhuri, Andrea Tan, Mike Lamprecht, Melissa Simon, Ben Elkin forward to meeting you in the fall as we begin to plan events for the upcoming school year. Until then, best wishes. -Andrea Tan 2

3 Graduate Admissions Applicants can only apply to one degree program per admission term. Application materials may be obtained by contacting the Office of Graduate Student Services or from their website: ( Requirements Consideration for admission is based on the completion of an earlier course of study, academic credentials, and any additional evidence on the candidate s ability to pursue graduate work. Entering students typically have a Bachelor s (B.S.) or Master s (M.S.) degree in engineering or biology. For students holding a B.S. degree, admission is offered either to the M.S. or the M.S. to Ph.D. program. Applicants with a M.S. degree from another institution may apply directly to the Ph.D. program. Applicants holding a B.S. or M.S. degree can also apply to the MD/Ph.D. program, through the Columbia University Medical School. The Department of Biomedical Engineering also admits students into the 4-2 program. Students holding a B.S. degree from certain physical sciences can receive the M.S. degree after two years of study at Columbia. Full details of graduate admission procedures and requirements can be found at: /bulletin/grad/admissions.php and /portals/grad_admissions/index.html. Required application materials: Application Personal statement 3 Letters of Recommendation Official Transcripts GRE General Test scores TOEFL (if applicable) Application fee Standardized exams The Graduate Record Examination (GRE General Test only) is required of all applicants. GRE scores are valid for five years from the test date. Admission Deadlines Applicants are admitted twice yearly for the fall and spring semesters. Fall admission application: December 1 (Ph.D., Eng.Sc.D., M.S. leading to Ph.D. programs) Students whose B.S. degree was earned in a country where English is not the dominant spoken language are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) to prove proficiency. Scores are valid for two years from the test date. Columbia s American Language Program (ALP) English Placement Test (EPT) will be given at orientation upon arrival. M.S. and professional degree candidates must reach level 8; doctoral degree candidates must attain level 10. February 15 (Professional, M.S. only) Spring admission application: October 1 (All degree levels) Applicants who wish to be considered for scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships should submit applications for fall admission. Individual Track Requirements Biomechanics One year of biology and/or physiology, solid mechanics, statics and dynamics, fluid mechanics, ordinary differential equations. Cellular and Tissue Engineering One year of organic chemistry or biochemistry with laboratory. One year of biology and/or physiology, fluid mechanics, rate processes, ordinary differential equations. Biomedical Imaging Linear algebra, ordinary differential equations, Fourier analysis, digital signal processing, and one year of biology and/or physiology and/or biochemistry. 3

4 Degree Requirements Graduate study in biomedical engineering is designed to enhance one s knowledge in biomechanics, cell and tissue engineering, or biomedical imaging. The confluence of these areas is necessary for the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of the field. The graduate programs at Columbia (M.S., Ph.D, Eng.Sc.D, MD/PhD) prepare students to apply engineering principles to problems in biology and medicine, improve our understanding of living systems and develop novel biomedical systems and devices. The graduate curriculum in biomedical engineering has three main areas of concentration: cell and tissue engineering, biomedical imaging and biomechanics. There is a strong trend of research at the boundaries of disciplines, with collaboration with specialists from other scientific, medical, and engineering disciplines. Our collaborations with Columbia Medical School, and numerous research labs within Columbia, nationwide and abroad, facilitate interdisciplinary research and access to top of the line resources. For more detail on graduate programs and courses please see /bulletin/dept/bioe.php?tab=gradreqs. Master s Program Master s candidates are required to complete 30 credits of approved graduate-level course work (4000 level or above), including required courses in quantitative physiology and advanced mathematics. In consultation with their faculty advisor, master s students select courses appropriate to their career goals, in addition to those needed to fulfill the core requirements. The Master s degree requirements include computational modeling of physiological systems (BMEN 6003), two semesters of BME seminar (BMEN 9700), one graduate level mathematics course (for example, APMA 4000 or APMA 4200). Other graduate courses may be taken from any of the specific tracks, or from outside the department up to the required 30 credit units. Please see academics/grad/masters.html for details on course requirements. To facilitate future collaboration with clinicians and biomedical scientists, students are encouraged to consider courses at the Health Sciences campus or in the Department of Biological Sciences. Students interested in pursuing research can choose up to 6 credits (2 semesters) of research under the guidance of a BME faculty, which may be applied to the M.S. degree. It is the responsibility of the student to contact individual faculty to find research opportunities. Master s leading to PhD Students who have not already received a master s degree must complete all the requirements for the master s program (30 credits) before entering the doctoral program. The courses selected to fulfill the 30 credits of graduate work should be chosen so as to prepare the student for the doctoral qualifying examination including two semesters of master s research. At the completion of the M.S. degree requirements (30 credits), students must apply for graduation, even if they are continuing to the doctoral program. Students are then transferred from the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). It is recommended that students pick up their M.S. diplomas as soon as they become available, as the transition between schools can affect tuition payments. Residence units needed to maintain full time status ( 12 credits/term) are only available to students in GSAS. After completion of the M.S. degree requirements, students must apply for graduation through the registrar s office. Please see /docs/forms/app-for-deg-or-cert.html for the form. M.S. degree candidates must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.5 to be eligible for degree conferral Graduates 4

5 Degree Requirements, continued Doctoral Program Doctoral candidates are required to complete a program of 30 credits beyond the M.S. degree, pass an oral and written qualifying examination, and defend their doctoral dissertation, which is based on individual research. At least one graduate level mathematics course must be taken in addition to the course required for the M.S. degree. Remaining courses should be selected in consultation with the student s advisor to prepare for the qualifying exam and develop expertise in an area of biomedical engineering. Up to 12 credits of doctoral research may be applied toward the doctoral degree course requirements. MD/PhD program The Department of Biomedical Engineering is the only engineering department that offers the PhD training to MD/PhD students. These candidates complete their PhD program within 3.5 years, with otherwise the same requirements as all PhD students. General requirements Doctoral Qualifying Exam Doctoral candidates are required to pass a qualifying examination. The written examination is given once a year, in January. It should be taken after the student has completed 30 credits, but before completing 45 credits of graduate study. A GPA of at least 3.2 is also required. Students must declare a track (biomechanics, cell and tissue engineering, or imaging) at the time of registration. The examination consists of a written component, and an oral exam. The written exam covers: applied mathematics, quantitative physiology, and a track-specific examination. The oral examination consists of the analysis and preparation of assigned scientific papers in the student s thesis research area. A candidate who fails any part of the examination may be permitted to repeat it once at the time of the next examination. Doctoral Committee and Thesis Each student is expected to submit a research proposal and present it to a thesis committee of at least four faculty members. This committee considers the scope of the proposed research, its suitability for doctoral research and the appropriateness of the research plan. In accord with regulations of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, each student is expected to submit a thesis and defend it before a committee of five faculty, two of whom hold primary appointments in another department. Every doctoral candidate is expected to have had accepted at least one full-length paper for publication in a peer-reviewed journal prior to recommendation for award of the degree. Teaching Assistant Requirements All doctoral students are required to be a teaching assistant for three semesters for classes of their choosing, to demonstrate teaching competence as part of their training. The TA requirement for MD/PhD candidates is 1 semester only, due to the extensive clinical duties. Financial Aid and Fellowships All Master s to PhD, MD/PhD and PhD students are provided with research assistantships covering a yearly stipend and tuition. Master s students need to cover all their expenses, as there is no mechanism for funding through DBME. Doctoral students, however, are strongly encouraged to apply for external funding, such as those awarded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Students in the department have been successful in obtaining these awards - in 2008, 10% of NSF fellowships awarded to BME students went to DBME graduate students. The department provides help with applications for graduate scholarships. Sample Curricula for 1 st Year Graduate Students Master s students with Engineering background (and deficiency in physiology) BMEN 4001 & 4002 Quantitative Physiology (6 credits) BMEN 6003 Computational Modeling of Physiological Systems (3 credits) 1 graduate-level math course (3 credits) 4 graduate courses with BME content (12 credits) Research or 2 more classes of your choice (6 credits) 2 semesters of BMEN 9700: Seminar (Fridays 11:00) Research can be done for either credit or stipend (not both for the same project). Master s students with Biomedical Engineering or Biology background BMEN 6003 Computational Modeling of Physiological Systems (3 credits) 1 graduate-level math course (3 credits) 4 graduate courses with BME content (12 credits) 4 more classes of your choice or 2 classes of your choice + 6 research credits 2 semesters of BMEN 9700: Seminar 9 (Fridays 11:00) Research can be done for either credit or stipend (not both for the same project). 5

6 Student Services Housing Statistics 65 Males 45 Females 79 Ph.D. students 31 Master s students 16 Biomechanics 30 Cell and Tissue Engineering 43 Biomedical Imaging 21 Undecided University-subsidized housing in the immediate vicinity of the Morningside Heights campus is available through Columbia s University Apartment Housing (UAH) division. Apartments vary in size, ranging from apartment shares and dormitory-style rooms to studios, one bedrooms, and family units. Apartments are either furnished or unfurnished, and priced accordingly. Additionally, there are options for buildings used to house students who have particular interests or affiliations such as the International House or Carlton Arms. Registration Registration for courses can only be completed during the assigned registration appointment found on SSOL ( All doctoral students must be registered full time ( 12 credits) every semester while at Columbia. If you are not taking enough course-work credits to be considered a full-time student, you must also register for residence units to maintain full-time status. Important Dates Ph.D. Recruiting Weekend: February 26-February 28 Ph.D. Acceptance Notification: March 10 New Student Orientation: September 4 First Day of Classes: September 8 Health Services All incoming students are required to meet the NY state public health immunization requirements before the first term of study: documentation of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and a decision regarding the meningococcal meningitis vaccination. The Primary Care Medical Services (PCMS) at Columbia University provides comprehensive care for routine, urgent and chronic medical needs of students. Additionally, PCMS provides sexual health, reproductive and gynecological services, travel medicine, LGBTQ health care, immunizations, and referrals. There are two health insurance plans available to all students: basic or comprehensive (please refer to the Columbia Student Health brochure for plan details). Students who fail to specify and sign up for a plan will be automatically enrolled in the basic one. The basic plan is fully covered by the department for Ph.D. students enrolled in the program. Students may choose to enroll in the comprehensive plan by paying the difference of the two plans. Students may also request a waiver from Columbia coverage as long of proof of enrollment in an equivalent plan that meets specific coverage criteria is provided. Dental care is included as a part of the Columbia insurance plan, providing a discounted rate at Morningside Dental Associates. Dental insurance is available at an additional cost not covered by the department for a primary care dentist within the tri-state area. Gym and Athletics The Dodge Fitness Center is the most comprehensive wellness facility on the Upper West Side. The Fitness and Recreation Facilities include an indoor running track, 25-yard pool, Scandinavian Sauna, multi-sport gymnasia, and a tri-level fitness center with the latest cardiovascular and strength training equipment. Additionally, a number of instructional classes are offered including yoga, kickboxing, kayaking and squash. For a more personal approach, there is a qualified staff of personal trainers that can tailor an individualized program to suit your needs. Finally, in addition to the teams GraBME organizes, the extensive intramural league and clubs offer over 45 different alternatives to every sport. Basic access membership fees are automatically added to your student bill each semester. Towel and locker rentals are also available at an additional fee. 6

7 Faculty Biomechanics With 19 full-time faculty members with primary appointments in Biomedical Engineering, the three academic disciplines are equally represented. Gerard A. Ateshian Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Laboratory X. Edward Guo Bone Bioengineering Laboratory Henry Hess Molecular Engineering Laboratory Hayden Huang Biomechanics and Mechanotransduction Laboratory Christopher R. Jacobs Cell and Molecular Biomechanics Lab Van C. Mow Liu Ping Laboratory for Functional Tissue Engineering Cell and Tissue Engineering Clark T. Hung Cellular Engineering Laboratory Lance C. Kam Microscale Biocomplexity Laboratory Helen H. Lu Biomaterials and Interface Tissue Engineering Laboratory Imaging Truman Brown Jeremy J. Mao Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory Program for Imaging and Cognitive Sciences Andreas H. Hielscher Biophotonics and Optical Radiology Lab Elizabeth M. C. Hillman Laboratory for Functional Optical Imaging Elisa E. Konofagou Barclay Morrison Neurotrauma and Repair Laboratory Samuel K. Sia Molecular and Microscale Bioengineering Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering Ultrasound and Elasticity Imaging Laboratory Andrew F. Laine Heffner Biomedical Imaging Lab Paul Sajda Laboratory for Intelligent Imaging and Neural Computing 7

8 Columbia University in the City of New York Department of Biomedical Engineering Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire. --W.B. Yates Columbia University in the City of New York Department of Biomedical Engineering 351 Engineering Terrace 1210 Amsterdam Avenue New York, NY 10027