Biomedical Engineering applies fundamental engineering and mathematical concepts to biological and medical science. As the health care industry and the concern for human health and welfare grow annually, the need for trained professionals in the basic principles and applications of mathematics, physics, chemistry and the life sciences increases in importance. Biomedical engineering is a challenging, stimulating, and diverse professional field.
The Biomedical Engineering Program at Louisiana Tech University was established in 1972. Its first chair, Dr. Daniel D. Reneau, is now the President of the University. As the seventh ABET-accredited undergraduate biomedical engineering program in the country (in 1978), it has played a continuous leadership role in defining the nascent field of biomedical engineering. The program was one of the first in the country to award a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering. The Center for Biomedical Engineering and Rehabilitation Science (CyBERS) has been identified as a Center of Excellence at Louisiana Tech University, first by the Louisiana State Legislature in 1985 when it was established, and recently by the University of Louisiana System in a review of all its colleges and universities. The Center coordinates all biomedical engineering research on the campus, such that strong ties are in place with academic programs in Biomedical Engineering and Biological Sciences, Tech’s Institute for Micromanufacturing (IfM) - another Center of Excellence, and Tech’s Center for Numerical Simulation and Modeling. CyBERS and its closely affiliated Biomedical Engineering academic program have long had international acclaim for its physiological research and its rehabilitation engineering and science research and service. Through partnership with the world-class facilities and researchers in the If M, CyBERS has developed expertise in the growing BioMEMS field. The last 10 years has seen a blossoming of interest by other universities towards Biomedical or Bio-Engineering, such that now over 25 undergraduate and 65 graduate programs exist in the U.S. alone.
Strengths
Outstanding students from around the world come to Tech for undergraduate or graduate study in Biomedical Engineering. The Biomedical Engineering Program at Louisiana Tech University actively participates in this growing field trough a comprehensive program of education, research, service.
The Program offers the B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Biomedical Engineering. Through the Center for Biomedical Engineering and Rehabilitation Science (CyBERS) and other research centers on campus, faculty, staff and students engage in basic and applied research projects.
The Biomedical Engineering faculty members, each of whom holds a Ph.D. from a distinguished university, have published extensively and attract substantial funding from federal and private agencies. Total external funding exceeds $1.0 million annually.
Size
Undergraduate enrollment in Biomedical Engineering at Tech is approximately one hundred and sixty students. The program is large enough to provide the student with a strong academic degree but small enough to give the individual attention that might be needed. Approximately 50% of the BIEN students are from outside the state of Louisiana. Additionally, 50% of the BmE enrollment is female and 25% is from under-represented minority groups. The Program is known as one of the premier programs of the University and the State.
The program emphasizes a balance between theory and practical application, and provides the student with a range of career alternatives upon graduation including medical school, graduate school and employment. Internships are also available to undergraduates to help in making these important career decisions.
Graduate enrollment includes approximately 28 Ph.D students and 70 M.S. students. These students come from across the United States and abroad.. The Program also offers a joint M.D./ Ph.D. program with LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport.
