Biomedical Engineering Graduate Certificate
The Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) offers a graduate Certificate Program in Biomedical Engineering that is associated with the Florida Center for Biomedical and Marine Biotechnology. EECS administers the program in consultation with an Industry-Medical Advisory Board. This certificate program is a practice-oriented, part-time graduate program designed to assist engineers, scientists, technical professionals, and qualified senior undergraduates in the launch and/or development of their careers and to provide the technical expertise needed in the rapidly changing business, government, and industrial environments.
Admission Requirements
Admission to, and completion of, this program is handled by the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. For admission, the applicant must satisfy the following criteria:
- A bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, physics, or engineering with a mathematics background through differential equations. Courses in computer programming, databases, probability and statistics, and molecular biology and/or physiology are desirable. Qualified senior undergraduates may be accepted in the graduate certificate program with appropriate committee recommendation.
- GPA of 3.0 in science, mathematics, and engineering courses.
- No GRE scores are necessary. Student transcripts should demonstrate competency in science, mathematics, and engineering course work.
Interested individuals should complete an
application form
and email or fax it to Dr. Zvi Roth, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, email:
rothz@fau.edu,
fax: 561.297.2800.
Completion Requirements and Distinctive Program Characteristics
The program is a 15-credit graduate certificate program focused on the application of engineering and computer science principles to biotechnology, bioinformatics, and biosystems. It is designed for engineers and scientists working in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, health care, drug discovery, biomedical, medical instrumentation and allied sectors. Faculty members from a variety of departments in both the College of Engineering & Computer Science and the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science teach the certificate courses. These courses cover human physiological system modeling, bioinformatics, molecular genetics, biotechnology, biosystems, biosignal processing, genomics, drug discovery, and nanotechnology in engineering and biology. Prior to taking courses to satisfy the 15-credit certificate requirement, students must obtain the approval of the Academic Programs Coordinator. Students will have the opportunity to become acquainted with the FAU Core Biotechnology and Proteomics Facilities.
Program Frequently Asked Questions
Taking the PCB 4522 Molecular Genetics is like learning how to swim while jumping into the deep water. It is not easy, but many students like you have already done it, and managed to survive. As you take the Molecular Genetics course, keep a college level Biology textbook handy, so you can do some additional reading as necessary.
Differential Equations is an "optional deficiency". Some of the engineering courses, like Introduction to Bioengineering and Bio-systems Modeling and Control do require some familiarity with differential equations. Other courses, such as Nanotechnology or Bioinformatics - the Bioengineering Perspective, do not need mathematics beyond the level of Calculus. As you sign up to some of the more mathematical engineering courses, we can recommend some supplementary reading.
In general - yes. Consult with your graduate advisor. In some of the engineering non-thesis option graduate programs most of the courses are electives. You may easily fit in the Bioengineering courses.
In general, and this is true for all FAU graduate programs. With the approval of your graduate advisor, you may transfer no more than three courses taken as non-degree-seeking into the graduate program.
For the moment there are no plans to offer Science courses through the Engineering Distance Education office. Some "wet lab" courses such as the Biotechnology Lab must be taken on campus (this course is offered both on the Boca Raton and the Davie campuses). Some hands-on computer lab courses such as Bioinformatics must also be taken on campus. The Molecular Genetics course is typically a high-enrollment course offered during the day in a large auditorium (course is offered both on the Boca Raton and Davie campuses). Be aware that when taking such science courses, you will have to make special accommodations in your workplace.
Not yet. Possibly in the future.
Not necessarily. We do however expect graduation within two years.
All of the advising can be done by phone or email. All advising related email messages will be printed and placed in your personal folder. It is recommended to periodically update your advising sheet information. All copies of your advising sheet will be kept in your folder.
Photocopies of transcripts can help expedite the initial advising. However your formal admittance in the program may be deferred until the official transcripts are received.
You may be admitted based on your last year or last two years GPA. Transcript figures will determine admittance.
The Bioengineering Certificate program cannot initiate student visas. However, international students can have a student visa issued by the FAU International Students and Scholar Services office based on prior acceptance to one of the FAU graduate programs. After the student has met all other requirements for receiving a student visa, and is pursuing one of the regular graduate degree programs then they may also join the Bioengineering Certificate program.
Review of translated transcripts is done by the FAU Graduate College and by the department coordinating the graduate degree to which you are enrolling. The Bioengineering Certificate program relies on this transcript review.
