Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry and Biological Sciences

Chemistry

Chemistry is often known as the central science, bridging the gap between the life sciences and physical science, and ranging from the very practical to the highly theoretical. It is the science of matter - its structure, its properties, and how it changes.

All around us we see the discoveries of chemistry: synthetic fabrics, aspirin, penicillin and other pharmaceuticals, detergents, better fuels, plastics, and more abundant food. Chemists enjoy the excitement and rewards of discovery and creation.

Career opportunities exist in research (creating new knowledge or synthesizing new chemicals) or in quality control (testing and analysis) in pharmaceuticals, petroleum, polymers and plastics, paints and adhesives, electronic materials, waste treatment, agricultural chemistry, and foods and fragrances, in addition to many other industries. Chemists are employed in hospitals, as well as clinical, environmental control, and criminology laboratories. Chemistry also occupies a pivotal role in the high-technology areas of bioinformatics, biotechnology, materials technology, ceramics, polymers, and electronic materials. The Stevens program prepares you for employment with companies in these industries, and for graduate programs in chemistry or biochemistry.

The program is based on a solid foundation in the major areas of chemistry and biochemistry. Additional courses in advanced chemistry are available in those areas in which Stevens has unique strengths, such as polymer chemistry, natural products, medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, computational chemistry, and instrumental analysis. Research is strongly encouraged due to its importance in preparing for a career in chemistry; it also helps develop independence in solving open-ended problems.

The Stevens chemistry program is certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS).

Chemical Biology

Chemical biology is the application of chemistry to the understanding and utilization of biological phenomena. Chemical biology represents an approach to understanding biology through the underlying chemical interactions of biological macromolecules and provides students with the essential tools to reveal the logic of how biological systems operate as well as engineering changes in those systems. Stevens pioneered this field with the first undergraduate program in Chemical Biology in the late 1970s.

By developing a chemical understanding of biological systems, chemical biologists can develop quantitative descriptions of complex biological phenomena, predict outcomes of biological systems, and contribute to the new field of synthetic biology wherein the chemistry of life is expanded using existing scientific principles that nature has not yet employed.

The Stevens program in Chemical Biology combines a complete education in chemistry that satisfies the requirements for American Chemical Society certification with additional mathematics and physics training to ensure a sold foundation in quantitative physical sciences with a set of biology courses that introduce the key elements of cell, molecular, and physiological biology. Thus, the chemical biology program is equally effective in launching students on careers in chemistry or biology, allowing students to pursue further training at the Masters or PhD level in a wide array of programs in chemical or biological sciences, or enabling students to gain admission to professional training in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or other health professions.

The Stevens chemical biology program is certified in chemistry by the American Chemical Society.

Beyond the traditional chemical biology curriculum, two specialized tracks have been identified within the chemical biology program: Bioanalytical Chemistry and Bioinformatics.

Bioinformatics

Huge amounts of data are being generated by the new and powerful techniques for determining the structures of biological molecules and manipulating biomolecular sequences. Bioinformatics makes use of mathematical and computer science techniques to process the information that is pouring out of laboratories so it can be used for further scientific advances. The Stevens Bioinformatics track is built on the foundations of chemical biology. After the first two years in the Chemical Biology Program, the Bioinformatics student begins replacing certain electives with mathematics and computer science courses, provided that CS 115 is taken in the freshman year. The Stevens Bioinformatics track concentrates on giving students the ability to contribute to building the software and analytical infrastructure of the field rather than producing users of commercial software packages.

Bioanalytical Chemistry

The extreme complexity - and fragility - of biological molecules has made it necessary to develop special techniques and instrumentation for their detection and analysis. These methods were employed in the Human Genome Project, and have become vital in drug development efforts and in the field called Chemical Ecology. The bioanalytical chemist is a valued scientist in medical and biomedical research and in the pharmaceutical, flavors, and fragrances industries. The track in bioanalytical chemistry is built on the foundations of chemical biology. After the first two years in the regular chemical biology program, the bioanalytical chemistry student begins concentrating on special techniques such as mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, and separations.

To top

Biology

Stevens recently instituted a new major in biology. The biology program reflects Stevens philosophy that life sciences are best approached with a strong foundation in chemical and physical sciences. As a result, the biology and chemical biology Programs share the same curriculum through three semesters. The principle difference between the programs relates to the amount of chemistry required in the advance undergraduate curriculum. In the biology major, additional upper level courses are dedicated to expanding the breadth and depth of exposure to biology topics and additional technical and general electives encourage pairing of the biology curriculum with the pursuit of minor fields of study, graduate certificates, double majors or master's degrees in other disciplines. Like the chemical biology curriculum, the biology curriculum will provide students with a strong background in chemistry, physics and mathematics that will ensure that students will have the ability to understand and engineer life science systems.

Graduates of the biology Program at Stevens will be well prepared to pursue employment in biomedical science, biotechnology, or clinical research laboratories, to continue their education at the master's or doctoral level in a wide array of programs in biological sciences, to gain admission to professional training in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, physician assistant, physical therapy, or other health professions, or to combine their knowledge of life sciences with employment in other areas of employment such as scientific publishing, law, business, or healthcare.

Accelerated Program in Medicine or Dentistry

If you are pursuing the special combined degree program in medicine or dentistry, your undergraduate curriculum will include core courses common to both the Chemical Biology and Biology Programs. The completion of this core within three years at Stevens requires adoption of a heavy course load, and a minimum GPA and score on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) or Dental Admissions Test (DAT) to ensure matriculation to the professional training program. The first year of the medical or dental program transfers as credit for completion of the B.S. degree, so the undergraduate degree is awarded after four years. Enrolling in the Accelerated Program in Medicine or Dentistry requires admission to both Stevens and the professional school at the time of the initial undergraduate application. Please see information on Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

To top

Biomedical Engineering

The Bachelor of Engineering program in Biomedical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET.

A Biomedical Engineer works at the interface between physical and biological systems. A distinguishing feature of biomedical engineers is that they design instruments and devices that interact with or make measurements on living systems. These systems can be as small as a protein, gene, or cell, as complex as an organ such as the heart and lungs or as integrated as the heart lungs and muscles during exercise. The ultimate goal is to help improve medical diagnosis and treatment and to improve the quality of life for people who are incapacitated.

The biomedical engineering field is truly multidisciplinary. Biomedical engineers must understand not only basic engineering principles but also the biology and physiology of cells, organs and systems that work together to create a functioning human being. In addition, the biomedical engineer must have some in-depth experience in applying engineering concepts to living systems. Biomedical Engineers are engaged in designing and manufacturing prostheses (replacement hips, knees, tendons, arms, legs, etc.), total artificial hearts as well as left ventricular assist devices, pacemakers and defibrillators, Imaging devices such as CAT scans, MRI, f-MRI, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine imaging (PET,SPECT), replacement organs (artificial pancreas, ears, retina, etc.), in-patient monitoring devices (blood pressure, sleep apnea, EKG, etc.), in addition to more standard medical devices such as portable EKG and pulmonary function machines for use in physicians’ offices. Biomedical Engineers also engage in cutting edge research on living systems and contribute important new knowledge to the field.

The Biomedical Engineering program at Stevens is based on a solid foundation in basic science, math, biology and engineering fundamentals. Within Biomedical Engineering, there is depth in these two areas: 

Biomechanics & Biomaterials

• E344 Materials Processing
• BME 505 Biomaterials
• BME 506 Biomechanics
• BME 556 Advanced Biomechanics

Bioinstrumentation

• E232 Engineering Design IV
• E322 Engineering Design VI
• BME 460: Biomedical Digital Signal Processing Laboratory
• BME 504: Medical Instrumentation & Imaging

In addition, courses in Transport in Biosystems, Engineering Physiology, Biosystems Simulation and Control, and Bioethics are included to provide the multidisciplinary background for a modern biomedical engineer. The transport, physiology, biomaterials, imaging and simulation courses contain laboratories to provide extensive hands-on experience. Since tomorrow’s biomedical devices will have to be smarter, smaller and, in many cases wireless, a course in bioinstrumentation design is included in the design sequence (Design VI). The program is design oriented and culminates in a group capstone senior design project that spans the 7th and 8th semesters. The group carries out a comprehensive design of a biomedical device which includes an economic analysis, engineering computations and drawings, a plan for manufacture and the delivery of a working prototype of the device or a major component of the device. The emphasis in the design sequence is on teamwork, presentation skills and an entrepreneurial approach to design and manufacture. The program also provides for the flexibility of applying to medical school. The courses required to take the MCAT exam are normally completed by the end of the junior year.

Biomedical Engineering Program Mission and Outcomes

The Stevens biomedical engineering program produces graduates who possess a broad foundation in engineering and liberal arts, combined with a depth of disciplinary knowledge at the interface of engineering and biology. This knowledge is mandatory for success in a biomedical engineering career. Biomedical engineering is also an enabling step for a career in medicine, dentistry, business or law.

The objectives of the biomedical engineering program are to prepare students to:

• Obtain employment and succeed in careers with companies and government organizations in the biomedical field, such as those in the areas of implant and device design and manufacturing, biomaterials, medical instrumentation, medical imaging, healthcare, oversight, and research;

• Utilize their broad-based education to define and solve complex problems, particularly those related to design, in the biomedical engineering field and effectively communicate the results;

• Understand and take responsibility for social, ethical, and economic factors related to biomedical engineering and its application;

• Function effectively on and provide leadership to multidisciplinary teams;

• Demonstrate a facility to seek and use knowledge as the foundation for lifelong learning; and

• Be prepared for successful advanced study in biomedical engineering or entry to graduate professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, business, or law.

Our biomedical engineering graduates are employed in medical device design and manufacturing, startup biotech companies, pharmaceutical/biologics research, medical research laboratories and government regulatory agencies. Our graduates also attend graduate schools with international reputations in biomedical engineering. Some of our graduates attend medical, management, and law schools.

To top

Graduation Requirements

The following are requirements for graduation of all science and engineering students and do not carry academic credit. They will appear on the student record as pass/fail.

Physical Education (P.E.) Requirements

• All students must complete a minimum of four semester credits of Physical Education (P.E.). A large number of activities are offered in lifetime, team, and wellness areas.
• All PE courses must be completed by the end of the sixth semester. Students can enroll in more than the minimum required P.E. for graduation and are encouraged to do so.
• Participation in varsity sports can be used to satisfy up to three credits of the P.E. requirement.
• Participation in supervised, competitive club sports can be used to satisfy up to two credits of the P.E. requirement, with approval from the P.E. Coordinator.

English Language Proficiency

• All students must satisfy an English Language proficiency requirement.

To top

Special Programs

The Accelerated Chemical Biology program gives you the opportunity to earn the B.S. degree at Stevens and the M.D. degree at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in a total of seven years-a saving of one year in time and expense.

More information on this program can be found in the pre-professional and Accelerated Programs section of this catalog. 

To top

A Minor in Chemistry

A minor in chemistry must include the following courses:

• CH 243, CH 245 Organic Chemistry I + Lab;
• CH 244, CH 246 Organic Chemistry II + Lab.;
• CH 421 Chemical Dynamics,
• CH 362 Instrumental Analysis I;
• CH 412 Inorganic Chemistry
• CH 580 Biochemistry I

The following are prerequisites needed to undertake the minor program:

• CH 115, CH 117 General Chemistry I + Lab;
• CH 116, CH 118 General Chemistry II + Lab;

This sequence meets the American Chemical Society guidelines for a Minor in Chemistry. NOTE: The minor in Chemistry is not available to majors in Chemical Biology.

A Minor in Chemical Biology

A minor in chemical biology includes at least the following courses:

• CH 243, CH 245 Organic Chemistry I + Lab.;
• CH 244, CH 246 Organic Chemistry II + Lab.;
• CH 421 Chemical Dynamics;
• BIO 381 Cell Biology;
• BIO 382 Biological Systems;
• CH 580 Biochemistry I;
• BIO 484 Introduction to Molecular Genetics.

The following are prerequisites needed to undertake the minor program:

• CH 115, CH 117 General Chemistry I + Lab;
• CH 116, CH 118 General Chemistry II + Lab;
• BIO 281 Biology and Biotechnology;

A Minor in Biology

A minor in biology includes at least the following courses:

• BIO 281 Biology and Biotechnology
• BIO 381 Cell Biology;
• BIO 382 Biological Systems;
• BIO 484 Introduction to Molecular Genetics;
• Two other Biology Courses at the 300 level or higher 

A Minor in Biomedical Engineering (for students in Engineering Curriculum)

The following are required courses:

• BIO 381 Cell Biology
• BME 306 Introduction to Biomedical Engineering
• BME 482 Engineering Physiology
• BME 504 Medical Instrumentation and Imaging
• BME 505 Biomaterials
• BME 506 Biomechanics

The following prerequisite is needed to undertake the minor program:

• BIO 281 Biology and Biotechnology

Graduate Programs

Graduate study in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry and Biological Sciences offers research opportunities of great variety and scope. It offers, too, an unusual receptivity to different kinds of research interests, from the most immediate and practical to the highly theoretical.

The Department includes faculty and programs in chemistry, chemical biology, and the emerging field of biomedical engineering. Faculty and students share instruments and collaborate on joint educational and research programs. The close proximity of these disciplines encourages cooperation and provides access to equipment and expertise not usually available within a single department.

The Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees are offered in chemistry or chemical biology with concentrations in physical chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, polymer chemistry, chemical biology, and bioinformatics. Admission to the graduate program in chemistry requires an undergraduate education in chemistry. Admission to the chemical biology program requires either an undergraduate degree in chemistry with strong biology background or an undergraduate degree in biology with strong chemistry background.

The Master of Engineering and Doctor of Philosophy degrees are offered in biomedical engineering. Admission to these programs requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering, although applicants with other degrees and relevant engineering experience may be considered. Such students may be required to complete prerequisites during their enrollment in the program.

To top

Polymer synthesis and characterization, methods of instrumental analysis, medicinal chemistry and structural chemistry (theoretical as well as experimental) are areas of chemistry in which the department has attained international recognition. Research in chemical biology focuses on protein trafficking through membranes, gene transfer, drug encapsulation and dosing and proteomics.

The department is housed in a modern building with well-equipped laboratories for tissue-culture work, protein separation and analysis and small animal studies. State-of-the-art instrumentation is also available, including confocal microscopy, PCR, radio-isotope labeling, fluorometry, double-beam spectrophotometry, Fourier-transform infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and high performance liquid chromatography, thermal analysis and electron tunneling microscopy.

The department is the home for the Center for Mass Spectrometry - one of the best-equipped mass spectrometry laboratories anywhere. Included are Electrospray, MALDI, GC/LC MS and other new techniques used in pioneering research in chemistry and biology.

Periodically, the department invites a preeminent scientist for a sequence of informal talks and formal lectures. Previous lecturers have included Kenneth Pitzer and Herman Mark and the Nobelists William Lipscomb, Sir Derek Barton, Ilya Prigogine, Arthur Kornberg, Rosalyn Yalow, Sidney Altman and George Palade. Periodically, The Stivala Lectures in Chemistry  invites an outstanding scientist for a day of lectures and discussions on timely topics in chemistry. Dr. James Cooper, M.D., established this lecture series in memory of his father Charles Cooper, who was a close friend of Professor Salvatore Stivala, a professor of chemistry and chemical engineering at Stevens.

Awareness of recent developments in one's field is an important component of professional development. Therefore, attendance at seminars is required of all graduate students enrolled full-time in degree programs, and all doctoral students. Finally, a measure of the success of a student's education is the ability to carry out original research. Either a thesis or a special research problem should be part of the master's program, unless evidence is presented that the student is already engaged in research outside of Stevens. Furthermore, students completing a masters' thesis are required to present their results in a departmental seminar. The Ph.D. dissertation, of course, forms the major part of all doctoral programs.

The department believes the vitality of an academic community depends on interaction among its members, and that teaching and learning are essential activities for professors and students alike.

Master’s Programs

Master of Science - Chemistry; Master of Science - Chemical Biology

Thirty graduate credits in an approved plan of study, that includes the following core courses, are required for the Master of Science degree. Areas of concentration include analytical chemistry, chemical biology, organic chemistry, physical chemistry and polymer chemistry, and others can be designed. Research may be included in master's degree programs, either as a Special Research Problem (CH 800) or a Master's Thesis (CH 900), and is counted towards the 30 credits required for the degree. All fellows and teaching or research assistants are expected to complete a thesis.

Core Courses in Chemistry

• CH 520 Advanced Physical Chemistry
• CH 561 Instrumental Methods of Analysis
• CH 610 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
• CH 620 Kinetics & Thermodynamics
• CH 640 Advanced Organic Chemistry
• CH 660 Advanced Instrumental Analysis

Core Courses in Chemical Biology
(Prerequisites may be required)

• CH 581 Biochemistry II
• CH 687 Molecular Genetics
• CH 690 Cellular Signal Transduction
• One Advanced Chemistry Course (with recommendation of research advisor)

Elective Courses

Additional courses are chosen depending on the student's interests and background. The Program Director must approve all elective courses.

To top

Master of Engineering - Biomedical

Stevens is a leader in the field of biomedical engineering, engaging in visionary research and collaboration with researchers in medical centers, the biotech industry and government. Our graduates are leaders in academia, industries related to medicine, biotechnology and in newly emerging fields based on biological technology.

The Biomedical Engineering graduate program is designed to foster independent scholarly work while providing flexibility to accommodate each student’s interests and career goals. Each full time M. Eng. student is required to complete 30 credits of graduate work that includes 9 credits of thesis and 9 required credits of course work. The additional 12 graduate credits of course work can be tailored to aid the students’ research project or their professional development goals.

In lieu of the 9-credit thesis, part time students can elect to do a 6-credit research or design project, plus 3 credits of additional graduate course work in connection with their job. The project must be approved by the BME program director and have the official support of the students company. Wherever possible, research and design projects will include an outside member of the thesis committee from the medical or biotech industry.

Core Courses in Biomedical Engineering - Common Requirements for Students with BME/non-BME background. (Prerequisites may be required)

Students may be admitted to the M.Eng. program in BME with undergraduate degrees other than BME. For students admitted with a non-BME degree, prerequisite courses are required that may not carry graduate credit. The prerequisite courses will be determined on an individual basis in consultation with the BME graduate program advisor. In any case, all graduate BME students are required to complete the following core courses:

• BME 600 Strategies and Principles of Biomedical Design
• BME 601 LA Advanced Biomedical Engineering Lab
• BME 810 Biomedical Digital Signals processing

To top

Doctoral Programs in Chemistry and in Chemical Biology

Admission to the doctoral program is based on 1) GRE score and 2) reasonable evidence that the student will prove capable of specialization on a broad intellectual foundation. Specifically, students will be admitted to the doctoral program only if the Admissions Committee feels that he/she is reasonably well-prepared for the Qualifying Examinations in Chemistry or Chemical Biology, which must be passed within a 15-month period after admission. Students who enter the PhD Program after a master's degree in the field should be prepared to take the Qualifying Exam within 10 months. Applicants with good academic records who lack this level of preparation may be admitted initially to the M.S. program.

A student enrolled in the master’s program in Chemistry or Chemical Biology must request admission to the doctoral program through the department’s Admissions Committee. Continuation in the doctoral program is contingent on passing the Qualifying Examination, Preliminary Examination, and meeting all other requirementsas dictated by the Stevens graduate school.

To top

Elective Options

The following are typical examples of specialization areas:

Analytical Chemistry
CH 650 Spectra and Structure Determination
CH 660 Advanced Instrumental Analysis
CH 661 Advanced Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
CH 662 Separation Methods in Analytical & Organic Chemistry
CH 666 Modern Mass Spectrometry

Chemical Biology
CH 580 Biochemistry I
CH 582 Biochemistry II
CH 678 Experimental Microbiology
CH 681 Biochemistry II Bio-Molecular Structure & Function
CH 682 Biochemical Laboratory Techniques
CH 684 Molecular Biology Laboratory Techniques
CH 685 Medicinal Chemistry
CH 686 Immunology
CH 688 Methods in Chemical Biology
CH 690 Cellular Signal Transduction
CH 692  Epigenetics
CH 693  Gene Therapy
CH 695  Organelles
CH 780 Selected Topics in Biochemistry I
CH 782 Selected Topics in Bioorganic Chemistry

Organic Chemistry
CH 640 Advanced Organic and Heterocyclic Chemistry I
CH 641 Advanced Organic and Heterocyclic Chemistry II
CH 642 Synthetic Organic Chemistry
CH 646 Chemistry of Natural Products
CH 650 Spectra and Structure Determination
CH 685 Medicinal Chemistry

Physical Chemistry
CH 620 Chemical Thermodynamics and Kinetics
CH 621 Quantum Chemistry
CH 622 Molecular Spectroscopy
CH 623 Chemical Kinetics
CH 624 Statistical Mechanics
CH 650 Spectra and Structure Determination

Polymer Science
CH 670 Polymer Synthesis
CH 671 Physical Chemistry of Polymers
CH 672 Macromolecules in Modern Technology
CH 674 Polymer Functionality

Other Areas of Specialization
Programs in other areas of specialization, such as Biochemistry, etc., can be designed by including the appropriate courses in that area and completing a research topic in the sub-discipline as approved by the research advisor.

Electives
To complete the course requirements for the degree, a student may choose additional courses with the approval of the advisor. Special courses are frequently offered under the title of Special (or Selected) Topics, which can be included with the permission of the advisor. Some courses are offered as reading courses, with no designated lecture schedule.

Degree Requirements

Research Proposals
All doctoral students in Chemistry and Chemical Biology must pass a Qualifying Examination during which the student presents a written research proposal and defends the proposal in an oral examination.

Language Proficiency
The Department no longer requires a foreign language examination for the Ph.D. degree. However, every student is required to possess a high level of proficiency in written and spoken English. International students are required to take an English proficiency examination before beginning graduate course work, and one or more remedial English courses (without credit), if necessary. The Department will not waive this requirement for any student.

Doctoral Dissertation
The policies and regulations governing the doctoral dissertation are described in detail in the Stevens Catalog and the Manual for Graduate Students.

To top

Doctoral program in Biomedical Engineering

The purpose of the doctoral program is to educate scientists and engineers who are prepared to carry out independent investigations. While courses provide the tools for independent work, a large part of the doctoral work is done through independent study. This includes preparation for the qualifying examination, the preparation of research proposals and seminars and familiarity with the current scientific literature in the area of specialization.

The master's degree is not a prerequisite for admission to the doctoral program. Admission to the doctoral program is based on 1) GRE score, and 2) reasonable evidence that the student will prove capable of specialization on a broad intellectual foundation. Ninety credits of graduate work in an approved program of study are required beyond the bachelor's degree. This may include up to 30 credits obtained in a master's degree program, if the area of the master's degree is relevant to the doctoral program. Those with a master's degree who wish to transfer credits towards the Ph.D. must be aware that only one master's degree can be used toward the Ph.D. A doctoral dissertation based on the results of original research, carried out under the guidance of a faculty member and defended in public examination, is a major component of the doctoral program, and is included in the 84-credit requirement. For more details about program requirements, see our Graduate Student Handbook.

In the BME program, between 30 and 45 credits may be earned for the Ph.D. dissertation.

Graduate Certificate Programs

In addition to the degree programs, the department currently offers "mini-graduate" programs leading to the Certificate of Special Study in one of six areas: Analytical Chemistry, Bioinformatics, Biomedical Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Chemical Physiology, and Polymer Chemistry. Students in these certificate programs must meet the same admission and performance standards as regular degree graduate students. Each of the certificate programs requires twelve credits (four courses), all of which are transferable to the appropriate master's degree program.

To top