Input about Biomedical engineering PhD

[CRAZYLION]

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Hey SDN addicts,

I am currently thinking of pursuing my PhD in BME. I am looking at a couple of MD/PhD programs, U of Minnesota, UPenn, and U of Pitt, I am not accepted at all. I was wondering if anyone had input on these programs (i.e. strengths, weaknesses, time to graduate...).

When I interviewed at MD/PhD programs I did not really get to talk to anyone in BME because I had indicated neuroscience interest on my app. I do not have a background in engineering but at one school they said this would not be a problem.

Does anyone know how long a BME PhD usually takes, when done with a MD, and if mine would take longer because I don?t have an undergrad degree in engineering?

Thanks for your any help.

-CL

 

[Gradient Echo]

Originally posted by CRAZYLION
Hey SDN addicts,

I am currently thinking of pursuing my PhD in BME. I am looking at a couple of MD/PhD programs, U of Minnesota, UPenn, and U of Pitt, I am not accepted at all. I was wondering if anyone had input on these programs (i.e. strengths, weaknesses, time to graduate...).

When I interviewed at MD/PhD programs I did not really get to talk to anyone in BME because I had indicated neuroscience interest on my app. I do not have a background in engineering but at one school they said this would not be a problem.

Does anyone know how long a BME PhD usually takes, when done with a MD, and if mine would take longer because I don?t have an undergrad degree in engineering?

Thanks for your any help.

-CL

Its true that an undergrad degree in engineering is not a must for BME, but it does help.

A lot of BME research deals with computational/mathematical modeling or otherwise math-intensive stuff. If you havent already, you will have to take some upper collegiate level math courses, especially differential equations.

BME graduate programs generally require coursework that is not as easily satisfied by the MD curriculum as other grad programs, which means that BME MD/PhD students tend to take more total courses than the other grad program students. This is due mainly to graduate level course requirements in stuff like stochastic processes and other math courses.

I applied to Penn and Pitt for MD/PhD, I was put on the waitlist at Penn (withdrew later) and accepted to Pitt. I liked both programs. Pitt fit my research interests better (imaging/instrumentation) whereas Penn was geared more towards molecular stuff.

I know at Hopkins that a typical BME PhD-only student takes 7 years, I dont know how other BME PhD students compared to that at other institutions. I think its very possible for an MD/PhD student in BME to finish in 8 years. 7 will be pushing it, but if you get into your thesis lab very quickly its attainable.

If you have a background in math, then it shouldnt take you any longer to finish a BME MD/PhD track than people with an engineering background. However, if you havent taken courses like Calculus 3 or differential equations yet, then it will slow you down because you will have to take them as a grad student as prerequisites for the upper level grad match courses that BME programs usually require.

 

[CRAZYLION]

Hey Gradient Echo-

Thanks for an insiders opinion! I don't have a strong math background so I guess I will be taking some upper level calc and dif eq. BME just seems like a perfect match for an MD/PhD, I can see real application to clinical populations.

Good luck.

 

[alaska]

Hi Gradient Echo,
I'm a undergrad student majoring in math and I've been thinking of applying to an md/phd program. I notice that you're doing your phd study in imaging (your login name is gradient echo. Isn't it from mri stuff?). How did you figure out which programs to apply for an md/phd (phd in imaging)?
Thanks!

 

[Gradient Echo]

Originally posted by alaska
Hi Gradient Echo,
I'm a undergrad student majoring in math and I've been thinking of applying to an md/phd program. I notice that you're doing your phd study in imaging (your login name is gradient echo. Isn't it from mri stuff?). How did you figure out which programs to apply for an md/phd (phd in imaging)?
Thanks!

Yes, a gradient echo is a very broad, general descriptive term for an MRI pulse sequence type.

As far as imaging, its hard to know ahead of time which schools are good for imaging without visiting them. I looked at several of the school's websites to see how many basic science labs that each place had involving radiology/MRI. That helped guide my decision a little bit. Of the schools that I applied to, WashU, Pitt, and Hopkins seemed to have the best imaging resources. UVA also seemd to have several prominent imaging groups (i was impressed with their group studying hyperpolarized gas MRI development for lung imaging). When I went on interviews, I looked at how many total MRI magnets are available, how they are divided between patient care and research, and got some publications from the different labs to see what kind of stuff they were working on.

I also looked at the strength of the BME programs. Hopkins is largely recognized as the "best" overall graduate BME program in the country, although there are certainly other schools that have top-flight programs.