University of Notre Dame Bioengineering Ph.D. Program Graduate Studies Handbook 2020 - 2021 Academic Year
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University of Notre Dame Bioengineering Ph.D. Program Graduate Studies Handbook 2020 – 2021 Academic Year
Table of Contents
I. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................3
II. BASIC RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENTS ....................................................................................................4
A. REGISTRATION ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
B. ENROLLMENT ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
C. SATISFACTORY DEGREE PROGRESS ................................................................................................................................................ 4
Grades......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Milestones ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
D. TEACHING AND RESEARCH RESPONSIBILITIES............................................................................................................................. 4
E. BREAKS AND HOLIDAYS..................................................................................................................................................................... 4
F. OFFICE AND LABORATORY FACILITIES .......................................................................................................................................... 5
G. SAFETY ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
H. LEAVES OR STUDY AT OTHER SITES............................................................................................................................................... 6
III. PROGRAM STRUCTURE ....................................................................................................................................7
A. ADMINISTRATION................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
B. HOME DEPARTMENT .......................................................................................................................................................................... 7
C. FINANCIAL SUPPORT .......................................................................................................................................................................... 7
IV. ADVISING .............................................................................................................................................................7
A. EXAMINATION COMMITTEE.............................................................................................................................................................. 7
B. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CAREER PLANNING ........................................................................................................ 8
V. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................................................9
A. COURSE REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................... 9
Degree Program .................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
First year courses .................................................................................................................................................................................. 9
General Course Guidelines ............................................................................................................................................................. 10
B. THE QUALIFYING EXAMINATION.................................................................................................................................................. 10
Coursework ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Written component ........................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Oral Component.................................................................................................................................................................................. 10
Admission to the Doctoral Program ......................................................................................................................................... 11
C. CANDIDACY EXAMINATION............................................................................................................................................................ 11
Written Candidacy Examination ................................................................................................................................................ 11
Oral Candidacy Examination ....................................................................................................................................................... 11
Advancement to Candidacy........................................................................................................................................................... 12
Master’s Degree Option ................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Students entering with an M.S. Degree.................................................................................................................................... 12
D. THE DISSERTATION AND DEFENSE ............................................................................................................................................. 12
Written dissertation ......................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Defense of Dissertation.................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Publication of the Dissertation .................................................................................................................................................... 13
VI. MASTER’S DEGREE IN BIOENGINEERING ................................................................................................. 14
VII. FACILITIES AND SERVICES ...................................................................................................................... 15
iA. LIBRARY .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 15
B. COMPUTING FACILITIES.................................................................................................................................................................. 15
C. LABORATORY FACILITIES ............................................................................................................................................................... 15
D. OFFICE FACILITIES ........................................................................................................................................................................... 15
E. COPYING FACILITIES........................................................................................................................................................................ 15
F. STUDENT GOVERNMENT SERVICE ............................................................................................................................................... 15
G. HEALTH AND COUNSELING ............................................................................................................................................................ 15
H. CAREER AND PLACEMENT.............................................................................................................................................................. 16
I. INTERNATIONAL, AND RELIGIOUS SERVICES ............................................................................................................................ 16
J. GRADUATE STUDENT LIFE............................................................................................................................................................. 16
APPENDIX A: ACADEMIC INTEGRITY ................................................................................................................. 17
APPENDIX B: FACULTY........................................................................................................................................... 18
APPENDIX C: MEDICAL SEPARATION FROM ACADEMIC DUTIES................................................................ 19
APPENDIX D: DEGREE PROGRAM FORM ........................................................................................................... 20
APPENDIX E: CANDIDACY EXAMINATION REPORT ........................................................................................ 21
Scoring Criteria for the written candidacy examination: ............................................................................................... 22
APPENDIX F: IMPORTANT DATES FOR THE 2020-2021 ACADEMIC YEAR .............................................. 23
iihandbooks or on-line is to be interpreted as
I. INTRODUCTION
contrary to the regulations of the Graduate School.
This handbook describes the policies and Topics covered in this handbook include the
procedures for the Bioengineering Ph.D. program basic responsibilities of graduate students,
at the University of Notre Dame. Its focus is on requirements for the Ph.D. program, and items
the unique degree requirements of this related to selected facilities and services available.
interdisciplinary program. In addition to the A number of other important documents and
requirements in this handbook, students should be directives are listed in the Table of Contents in the
familiar with graduate school policies regarding form of URL’s and each student is encouraged to
their degree progress, and requirements to review these documents. Often answers to
maintain eligibility for financial support and health questions regarding the graduate program can be
care subsidies. Additional sources of student found by contacting Ms. Gail Small. Her office is
guideline and policies are Du Lac, the University's Rm. 365 Fitzpatrick Hall of Engineering and her e-
student policy and procedure manual, and the mail address is gsmall@nd.edu. You may also
Graduate and Professional Student Handbook. All contact the program director, Professor Glen
students were provided a copy of this Handbook Niebur, 147 Multidisciplinary Engineering
upon admission. Research, gniebur@nd.edu.
These policies apply to all students enrolled This handbook provides the official policies of
during the 2020-2021 academic year. They are the degree program. If under any circumstances a
subject to change and may be different from student wishes to deviate from these policies, they
policies published in previous years. More general should secure prior written approval from the
information on the program can also be found at program director and make sure that this approval
http://bme.nd.edu. Nothing herein, in previous is recorded in their permanent file. Do not assume
that approval will be granted for any deviations
from the policies based on previous precedents.
3II. BASIC RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENTS grade of B- is considered the lowest acceptable
grade in any graduate course. A student whose
A. Registration cumulative GPA is below 3.0 or whose GPA in any
A full-time graduate student is required to take given semester is below 2.5 may be subject to loss
nine credit hours during the fall and spring of financial support and/or dismissal.
semesters during each semester in residence. These
credits will be a mix of course work and research Milestones
credits. The Graduate School allows a maximum of You must meet certain milestones in order to
nine hours of course work per semester for remain in good standing with the program and the
students who are receiving stipend support. During Graduate School. You must:
the summer session, all students are required to
enroll and register for zero credit hours of the 1. Complete your qualifying examination before
course numbered 67890 in their home department. starting your third semester.
If they intend to graduate during the summer, they 2. Pass your candidacy examination before
should also register for zero credits of research beginning your ninth semester
under their advisor. If they wish to take a course 3. Complete your dissertation defense within
for credit offered during the summer session, they seven years
will need to apply for a tuition scholarship before
the first day of classes. Failure to achieve these milestones will result
in your ineligibility for further financial aid,
B. Enrollment including tuition and fees.
All graduate students must both register and
enroll before each spring and fall semester and the D. Teaching and research responsibilities
summer session to maintain student status. Most graduate students are supported by
Enrollment is different from registration, and you research grants and contracts. You are responsible
must do both. If you fail to enroll during the for meeting the requirements of your research
semester, you may have to apply for re-admission. position, which should be considered a full-time
The only exception is for officially approved leaves position. Students should be on campus and meet
of absence. with their research supervisor regularly.
Most departments in the College of
C. Satisfactory Degree Progress Engineering require affiliated graduate students to
Each year your degree progress will be assist with teaching. The director of graduate
reviewed by your advisor, the Program Committee, studies in your home department may assign you
and the Graduate School. Each of these levels may teaching assistant duties according to the policies
have differing standards and criteria for evaluation. of the department.
Continued financial support, both stipend and
tuition, are dependent upon successful E. Breaks and Holidays
performance in research, course work, assistance in It is expected that full-time students receiving
teaching as well as the availability of funds. financial support from the University devote their
entire professional efforts to research, teaching,
Grades and course work within the University. Students
The most readily used means for assessment of may not engage in outside employment of any kind
the student's academic progress is through grades without permission of the program director.
assigned in course work. The Graduate School Students receiving stipends should note that
grading system is on a four-point basis. Grades normal academic breaks do not apply to graduate
recorded for graduate courses are: A (4.0), A- students. In particular, you are expected to be
(3.667), B+ (3.333), B (3.0), B- (2.667), C+ (2.333) present during spring and fall break, and in the
and C (2.0). In the bioengineering program, the interterm periods following finals.
4Graduate students on stipend should observe 3. Unauthorized users are not allowed into a
the following holidays: Thanksgiving and the laboratory.
following Friday, Christmas Eve through New 4. Guests may be invited into a laboratory, but
Year's Day, Good Friday and Easter Monday, may not be left unsupervised. The host is
Memorial Day, and Independence Day. responsible for the guests' safety.
Vacation time during periods that you are G. Safety
receiving financial support must be approved by Your office facilities and laboratory spaces
your advisor. There is no official University policy have an integrated safety plan. You should be
on vacation time for graduate students, and the familiar with it, and your advisor or their designee
amount of time you receive is solely at the should instruct you in laboratory safety. You
discretion of your advisor. Note that spring break should bring to the attention of your laboratory
and fall break are not vacation periods for graduate supervisor or advisor any unsafe laboratory
students. situations they encounter. If you do not feel that
Students who are paid as Teaching Assistants your concern has been adequately addressed, you
(TA) must be available throughout the semester, should contact the program director. The
through the end of final exams, to support the following general rules apply to all laboratories:
courses for which they have responsibility. This 1. Students must complete assigned training
includes fall and spring breaks, when you may need through ComplyND before working in
to assist with grading or course preparation. Any laboratory facilities.
absence from campus by a TA during the semester 2. Each student using a laboratory must be
must be approved in writing by the student’s acquainted with all the particular safety
research advisor, the instructor in the course for procedures and safety equipment in the
which the student is serving as a TA and the laboratory. These include the locations of
program director. emergency controls and the locations and use
F. Office and Laboratory Facilities of all safety equipment and first aid supplies.
Your home department supports office space 3. Students should contact their advisor or
and individual research laboratories. Students are other laboratory management if they see an
responsible for acquainting themselves with and unsafe situation, or feel the need for
following the proper safety procedures for the additional or different personal protective
laboratories they use. Because the offices and equipment.
laboratories are diverse in their purposes, 4. Graduate students who supervise
procedures, and equipment, specific safety undergraduate laboratories assume primary
procedures are not listed here. However, all users responsibility for safety procedures. If
of these offices and laboratories are to observe the additional safety supplies (such as hard hats
following general safety and security procedures: or safety glasses) are required, the course
instructor should be notified.
1. You may be issued keys or electronic access to 5. Any graduate student developing a new
university building. Keys may not be traded experiment or acquiring new equipment will
among, loaned to, or passed on to other also be responsible for developing and
students and must be returned as soon as the recording the proper safety procedures
need for regular access has passed. associated with the new equipment.
2. Laboratory users share in maintaining its 6. Observed inadequacy of laboratory safety
security and cleanliness. Laboratory doors are procedures or equipment must be reported
not to be propped open or left unlocked when immediately to a faculty member so that the
the laboratory is unattended, and must be situation may be corrected.
locked at the end of the working day. 7. Violations of safety procedures or the
creation of unsafe or unhealthy conditions
5must be reported to the responsible faculty. student should carefully discuss all aspects of such
Failure to work safely or to maintain orderly, an arrangement with their research advisor prior to
professional working environments will departure. Students who leave prior to completing
result in the forfeiture of all office or their degree program and graduating must realize
laboratory privileges. that in order to eventually receive their degree they
must be registered as a student in the semester
H. Leaves or Study at Other Sites prior to the graduation. If they are in a non-resident
On occasion students spend part of their status and wish to complete their program and
graduate program in a non-resident status. A graduate, they will be responsible for the tuition
costs associated with that registration.
6III. PROGRAM STRUCTURE allocated at the discretion of the program
committee. Students should communicate with
The Bioengineering program is administered their advisors to determine their status for ongoing
by the college of engineering and is housed across financial support.
the various departments. The program is strictly a
IV. ADVISING
Ph.D program, and the Graduate School does not
grant an M.S. degree in Bioengineering. One of the most important matters for
A. Administration graduate students is the choice of a faculty advisor.
All policy-making and administrative authority This choice can have a great effect on your time in
in the Bioengineering degree program resides with graduate school and long-term career path. Upon
the Faculty program committee and the program entry, you will be temporarily advised by a faculty
director. Any policy question or administrative member assigned by your home department. Your
matter should be referred in writing to the program permanent research advisor will be a faculty
committee via Ms. Gail Small, 365 Fitzpatrick Hall member in your home department.
of Engineering. Matters that cannot be resolved Your advisor will be assigned to you based on
satisfactorily can be appealed to the Graduate your input, the current faculty needs, and available
School, via the Dean of the Graduate School. The resources. In most cases individual students and
program director is Professor Glen L. Niebur, 147 faculty members make this arrangement without
Multidisciplinary Engineering (gniebur@nd.edu). external intervention.
B. Home Department You should immediately begin speaking with
Each student in the program is assigned to a faculty members in your area of interest upon
home department. The home department is the arrival at Notre Dame. After your first semester
department where the student’s faculty advisor has you, will be asked to submit a ranked list of
their primary appointment. The home department preferences for potential advisors to the program
in conjunction with the advisor will provide office director. Some home departments may ask that
and laboratory facilities for the student. The you make this declaration earlier in your program.
student is required to fulfill any teaching assistant, If you do not have a research advisor by the
service, and professional development end of the second semester in the program, you
requirements as other Ph.D. students in the home may be subject to dismissal from the program. If a
department. student is dismissed by an advisor at any time
While the home department administrative during their studies and cannot secure the support
personnel may provide certain support for students, of a new advisor within 6 weeks, they may be
such as ordering supplies or arranging office space, dismissed from the program at the end of the
all academic records are maintained in the current semester.
Bioengineering Program office (153 A. Examination Committee
Multidisciplinary Engineering), and the student Within your first year of residence, you will
should ensure that all examination records and establish your Examination Committee. This
scheduling are reported to the program rather than committee should be chosen carefully in
your home department. consultation with your advisor, as they will also be
C. Financial Support involved in specifying the required coursework for
Most full-time students receive a stipend. your degree program. The committee must consist
Funds for these stipends typically come from the of:
externally funded grants and contracts of the
student's advisor. The bioengineering program has 1. Your research advisor
minimal resources to provide stipend or benefit 2. A faculty member of your home department
support to students. Such resources will be
73. A faculty member from outside your home judge the suitability of your coursework and
department research for your degree.
B. Professional Development and Career
All students must have an advisor from their Planning
home department who is an active member of the The Graduate Career Center resources are
Bioengineering program. Any faculty member in focused on graduate student success —helping you
the College of Engineering or the College of to be the best prepared in order to obtain strong
Science may be part of your examination career outcomes after your time at Notre Dame.
committee. All first-year Bioengineering PhD students are
You may have one member who is not on the required to schedule a one-on-one sit down session
Notre Dame faculty. In general, individuals from with a Graduate Career counselor during their first
outside the University should be tenured faculty at year of study, preferably in the spring semester, and
another university, or otherwise have a record of again sometime within their third year of the
scholarly activity. An outside member must be program. The purpose of the requirement is to
formally requested to and approved by the assist you in understanding and navigating your
Program Committee. career options while taking the steps necessary to
Note that all three members of the committee achieve your goals. The Center is located in the
are voting members on your examination and Graduate School, 110 Bond Hall, and online at
dissertation, and should be able to understand and http://gradcareers.nd.edu/.
8V. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS courses at the level of 5XXXX and above.
These courses must incorporate significant
A. Course Requirements applications of engineering mathematics, and
The Ph.D. degree requires a minimum of 27 should generally be from the student’s home
credits (usually nine courses) of coursework credit. department. The final determination of
Your advisor or your examination committee(s) whether a course is appropriate to fulfill the
may specifically require you to take additional engineering science requirement will be made
courses based on their judgment of your by the Faculty Program Committee.
preparation for research and scholarship. You may 2. BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE: Nine credits
take courses beyond the minimum, with the (three courses) of biosciences courses such as
approval of your research advisor, and to the biology, physiology, anatomy, or biochemistry.
extent that they do not interfere with your teaching Courses at the 3XXXX-level may be taken as
and research responsibilities. remedial courses, but cannot be used to fulfill
It is the policy of the University that students the bioscience requirements. The biosciences
receiving stipends take no more than three courses coursework is intended to provide the student
per semester, so as not to interfere with your with depth of knowledge in the biological
research and teaching responsibilities associated sciences, and should include at least one course
with the stipend. at the graduate (6XXXX or greater) level.
3. BIOENGINEERING: A minimum of nine
Degree Program credits (normally three courses) of engineering,
At the end of the first year, you should bioengineering, and biology electives at the
complete the degree plan form (Appendix D) to graduate level (6XXXX and above). These
indicate the courses you have taken and plan to courses are intended to develop the student’s
take to meet the degree requirements. ability to synthesize knowledge in engineering
Your signed degree program will be sent to the and biology, and to develop the necessary
Graduate School, and represents the expected background to complete their dissertation
course sequence that you will complete for your research.
degree. Changes to your degree plan may be
necessary due to changes in course availability or The courses that fit in each category is not
your research program. Changes to your degree fixed. The final determination of the
program will normally be approved by your appropriateness of any course to fulfill the
committee and the program director at the time of requirements is determined by your advisor and
your qualifying examination. You should discuss examination committee, and approved by the
potential changes with your advisor and your Program Committee.
committee to ensure that they are acceptable. If any A minimum of 72 semester credit hours
courses listed on your signed degree program form (including both course credits and research credits)
are not completed, your degree will not be awarded. are required for the Ph.D. degree based on the
requirements to register for nine credit hours
You must complete at least nine courses for the each semester, you should complete this within
degree. Graduate school regulations require that at six semesters.
least seven of the nine courses are at a level of
6XXXX and above. The following course First year courses
distribution requirements must be satisfied by your Eighteen credit hours of course work (6
degree program: courses), excluding research credits, are typically
taken in the first year. A minimum of four courses
1. ENGINEERING SCIENCE: Nine credits must be taken to prepare for the qualifying
(three courses) of traditional engineering examination.
9Students should meet with their admission higher in their first year. Any courses in which the
advisor at the beginning of their first semester to student earned a grade of B- or lower cannot be
prepare an individual course of study for the first counted towards satisfying degree requirements,
semester. A permanent research advisor is regardless of overall GPA.
normally assigned during the first semester. The If deficiencies should appear in the course
research advisor will then work with the student to work evaluation while the other evaluation
plan the reminder of their program. components appear satisfactory, specific remedies
may be identified on an individual basis at the
General Course Guidelines discretion of the faculty.
Only courses offered by departments in the
Colleges of Engineering or Science can be applied Written component
to degree requirements. Introductory graduate- By the end of the summer session following
level courses are numbered 6XXXX, special your first year in residence, you must complete a
graduate courses are numbered 7XXXX, and research paper (5-7 pages) describing and analyzing
advanced graduate courses are 9XXXX. a problem that includes both engineering and
Credit can be received for up to six credits of biological components. It should formulate a
undergraduate courses offered in the Colleges of unique problem, explain the motivation for the
Engineering and Science. Credit will not be given problem, review the relevant literature, and provide
for work that is considered remedial. a description of the topic based on principles of
If you completed your undergraduate degrees engineering analysis. Ordinarily these papers will
at Notre Dame, and took graduate level (60000 be based on your research, so that a description of
level or higher) courses that were not used to the relevant experimental, theoretical, and
satisfy undergraduate degree requirements, you can computational techniques should be included
request to use up to 6 credit hours of qualified along with preliminary results and a description of
courses to satisfy graduate degree requirements. the next steps in the work. It is not a research
B. The Qualifying Examination proposal.
Passing the qualifying examination is your Your examination committee, approved by the
official acceptance into the Ph.D. program, and Program Director, will evaluate the written
advances you to the level of doctoral student. component and hold an oral examination session
The purpose of the Comprehensive Evaluation to further evaluate your ability to continue for a
is to determine whether a student is prepared to PhD. You must distribute copies of your paper to
perform research at a level consistent with his or the examination committee at least one week (5
her degree objective. The evaluation is normally business days) prior to to the date of your oral
after the first academic year, typically at the start of examination.
the third semester in residence. The evaluation Oral Component
includes a review, based on the student's course You are responsible for scheduling the oral
work, of his or her knowledge of bioengineering component of the examination. Gail Small in 365
fundamentals, results of the written and oral Fitzpatrick Hall of Engineering or your home
components of a research examination and an department administrative assistant can help you to
evaluation by the research advisor of the student's locate and schedule an appropriate room.
performance in research. You will make an oral presentation, no more
than 20 minutes in length, describing the key
Coursework
To pass the coursework portion of the exam, content of your written examination. Of particular
students must have completed at least three interest are a description of the research problem
engineering courses and at least four courses total formulated in your document, a review of current
while maintaining a grade point average of 3.3 or research in the field, preliminary results from your
own work, and a discussion of important research
10directions. This is followed by a period of Written Candidacy Examination
questions from the faculty, which will focus on The written candidacy examination is a
your ability to interpret and explain the presented research proposal. The formatting should follow
research. Questioning is not confined to topics guidelines for an NSF research proposal (see
within the scope of the research, but this should be http://nsf.gov) including page limitations. You
the majority of interrogation as the coursework should not include personnel, facilities, and budget
component is intended to address fundamentals. justification sections. Your proposal should
The oral examination is typically 45 minutes in include a CV that includes your relevant
length. publications and presentations. Your CV need not
The oral qualifying examination is not public. follow NSF guidelines. It should include all
However, you are encouraged to present the publications, including conference presentations,
examination material in alternate public settings and any other relevant research accomplishments
such as a laboratory or group seminar. or awards. Your advisor can provide you with
examples of typical research proposals and CVs,
Admission to the Doctoral Program which may vary slightly between subdisciplines.
The Program Committee will make the The proposal should introduce the theme of
decision to accept the student into the doctoral your research project and develop two to four
program after reviewing the student's academic specific aims within the first one to two pages of
record and the Qualifying examination results. the proposal. Following the aims, the background
Admission to the degree program does not and significance, including relevant literature and
constitute admission to degree candidacy, for any preliminary results should be presented. Your
which additional requirements are described below. specific research plan to address the aims, objective
C. Candidacy Examination or hypotheses of your work should be presented.
All Ph.D. students at Notre Dame must take Specific methods should be provided as necessary
and pass a candidacy examination. Passing the to demonstrate your knowledge of how the
candidacy examination will advance you to the research can be carried out.
level of Ph.D. candidate. You must distribute the written component of
You should plan to take and pass your your examination to the committee at least 10
candidacy examination by the end of your third business days prior to officially scheduling the
year in the program. You must pass your candidacy examination with the bioengineering graduate
examination before you start your ninth semester. program (15 business days prior to your proposed
The examination consists of both written and oral examination date). Each committee member must
components, and will be administered by the sign the examination report (Appendix E) and
appointed Examination Committee. The written return it to Gail Small in 365 Fitzpatrick Hall or
and oral parts are considered separately and you Professor Glen Niebur in 147 Multidisciplinary
must pass both. Engineering Research at least five business days
It is normally expected that you will have prior to your proposed examination date to
submitted at least one paper to an appropriate allow your oral examination to be officially
peer-reviewed journal in your field prior to your scheduled. Your oral examination cannot be
oral candidacy examination. Your committee may officially scheduled through the graduate school
accept a conference paper, or a paper that is nearly until the signed report is completed.
ready for submission. The written component of the examination
You must have completed at least six courses requires unanimous committee approval.
or 18 course credits before completing your
candidacy. At least 15 credits must be in Oral Candidacy Examination
engineering courses. The oral candidacy examination will conform
to Graduate School guidelines.
11The examination will include a presentation of program committee for transfer of up to nine
completed research, and proposed research to credits from a master's degree obtained within the
complete your dissertation. It should specifically previous five years may be made. To receive credit
address how your research applies to the field of for a graduate course taken elsewhere, the course
bioengineering, how it integrates knowledge of will need to be a graded, graduate-level, academic
both biology and engineering, and how it will course, of the type that would normally be
advance the state of knowledge in the field. The considered as part of our graduate academic course
initial presentation is open to the public. You must requirements and the student achieved a grade of a
accept and answer questions from the public B+ or better. You cannot transfer pass/fail courses,
audience at the completion of the presentation. research credits, thesis credits or other non-
Following the public presentation, the classroom credits. Your examination committee,
examination committee will question you in depth advisor, and the program committee will assess
on your completed research and you research plans. whether these courses fulfill the category
The committee may also ask fundamental requirements of your degree plan. In any case, you
questions about your field(s) of research and study. will still need to complete at least 72 total credits,
You may wish to confer with your examination including research credits, at Notre Dame.
committee members prior to the examination to D. The Dissertation and Defense
determine the expected scope of their questions. After the completion of research and all course
Following questioning, your Examination work, you will prepare and defend a written
Committee will deliberate in private. dissertation. The dissertation is the traditional form
Passing the oral candidacy examination of documenting your ability to perform, write, and
requires a majority vote of the committee. present scholarly research. The contents of the
Advancement to Candidacy dissertation should be deemed suitable for
Upon passing both the written and oral publication in the peer-reviewed literature.
candidacy examinations, you will be advanced to Written dissertation
candidacy, which signifies your ability and This is a thorough compendium of your
responsibility to conduct independent research. research and scholarship at Notre Dame. The
Master’s Degree Option contents of the dissertation vary between subfields,
A student who has successfully completed all and you should consult with your advisor regarding
parts of the doctoral Candidacy Examination, and the overall format and style. In addition, the
has completed at least 15 credits in engineering graduate school has specific formatting and style
courses, 18 total course credits, and 24 total credits requirements that you must meet.
(research and coursework), may receive a Master's When your dissertation advisor(s) is/are
degree in Bioengineering on the recommendation satisfied that the dissertation is in suitable form,
of the candidacy committee, and approval by the and has the appropriate content, they will sign a
program director. Note that it is the policy of the distribution form, releasing it for distribution to
University to not award duplicate degrees. A the examination committee. You must deliver the
student who has a Master’s degree in signed form to the programs’ graduate
bioengineering or biomedical engineering will not administrative assistant, who will then issue the
be awarded a Master’s degree on completion of the Ph.D. reader’s card. It is your responsibility to
Candidacy examination. deliver the required copies of the dissertation along
with the appropriate reader’s card to their readers,
Students entering with an M.S. Degree and to collect and return the signed readers cards
There are some modifications to the program to the administrative assistant.
if you had an M.S. degree upon entering the The dissertation defense may not be scheduled
Bioengineering Ph.D. program. A request to the sooner than four weeks from the date the graduate
12studies administrative assistant receives the the examination. The individual votes will be
dissertation distribution form. It is expected that recorded on the examination report form. You
during this time each reader will carefully read the must return the voting form to the graduate school.
dissertation and meet with the candidate to discuss Failure of the defense does not necessarily
suggested or necessary changes to be made before require rewriting the dissertation. In the case of a
the oral defense. The oral examination will not be failure, the student may be allowed a second
scheduled until all the Ph.D. reader's cards have opportunity to present a defense of their work
been signed and returned to the graduate studies based upon the recommendation of a majority of
administrative assistant. Only a dissertation the candidacy examination committee members,
unanimously and unconditionally approved by the the department chair and the approval of the
readers may be defended. Graduate School. Failure in the second defense
terminates the candidate's eligibility for a doctorate
Defense of Dissertation at the University.
The purpose of the Ph.D. Dissertation
Defense is to explore the originality and Publication of the Dissertation
significance of the candidate's dissertation. It is The dissertation serves as the scholarly record
your responsibility to determine a mutually of the student’s doctoral research, and should be
agreeable time for the defense. The scheduled date published and disseminated. In addition to
and time, accompanied with the readers' cards, are publications in the peer-reviewed literature, the
returned to the Graduate School at least 10 graduate school publishes your dissertation in its
business days, excluding holidays, prior to the entirety. The final version of the dissertation must
defense of the dissertation. conform to the requirements as outlined
You are responsible for reserving a room for on the Graduate School's webpage:
the defense and ensuring that the necessary audio- http://graduateschool.nd.edu/resources-for-
visual equipment is available. Assistance in current-students/dt/
scheduling and locating equipment can be obtained Your dissertation must be checked for format
from administrative staff. conformity by the Graduate School before its final
The final dissertation defense is public. The submission.
candidate should post the time and place one week After the oral defense and approval by the
in advance of the defense. Your research advisor Graduate School, you must upload a clear, print-
will act as the chair and moderator. quality PDF version of the complete dissertation
The examination begins with a summary to the Library’s electronic submission website at
presentation of thirty to forty minutes. You will be http://etd.nd.edu. Note that the PDF upload
expected to present your research and place it in requires the advisor-signed title page. The Library
the context of the existing literature in the field, system allows students to have control over the
including the relevance of the work to a specific electronic release of their dissertation so as to
problem in bioengineering. After the presentation, protect their intellectual property where
the public audience may ask questions. appropriate.
The presentation is followed by the closed oral It is the responsibility of the individual advisors
examination. The committee members will and graduate students to support the cost, produce,
question you in private, for a period of up to 120 and distribute any bound copies of the student’s
minutes. If questioning exceeds 90 minutes, you dissertation. Any questions regarding Graduate
should be offered, or may request a short break. School dissertation rules should be submitted the
Following questioning, you will be excused, Graduate School.
and your committee members will deliberate and
case official votes. The majority of members of the
committee must vote pass in order or you to pass
13VI. MASTER’S DEGREE IN You must complete a project report on the
BIOENGINEERING research you completed during your tenure at
Notre Dame. This written report should be
The program does not normally admit students assessed by a committee of three faculty members.
to pursue Master’s degrees. However, your plans to The written report should be distributed to the
pursue a Ph.D. may be affected by changes in faculty committee at least 10 business days prior to
career plans, life circumstances, or other events. the oral examination.
You may, with the approval of your advisor and The oral examination is the final
the program director, obtain a terminal Master’s comprehensive examination for the Master’s
degree in Bioengineering. The requirements for the degree. A majority vote of the committee is
Master’s degree are: at least 15 credits in required to pass the oral comprehensive
engineering courses, 18 total course credits, and 24 examination.
total credits (research and coursework).
14VII. FACILITIES AND SERVICES F. Student Government Service
Graduate students are responsible for the
A. Library activities of the Graduate Student Union (GSU).
The University Library system consists of a Through a council of elected officers, appointed
number of libraries. Circulation policies and officers, and representatives from the departments
operating hours are available at each of the libraries. of its constituent colleges, the GSU provides a
Students should make themselves aware of the variety of services and represents its membership
resources the libraries provide and become more on various University councils and committees. It
familiar with them by visiting the University library publishes the bimonthly GSU newsletter, conducts
web site, http://library.nd.edu/. a graduate orientation program, and sponsors
B. Computing Facilities workshops, travel grants, and various social and
The Office of Information Technologies cultural activities. The GSU is the graduate
(OIT) oversees an extensive variety of computers, students' official liaison with University
workstation clusters, and personal computer administration, the Office of Student Activities,
facilities throughout campus. Many are open year- and the Library Administration. The GSU finances
round, twenty-four hours a day. The University has operations through a yearly fee assessed on all
a wide range of software and printing services graduate students. The GSU maintains offices in
available for the use of all students. For a complete 219 LaFortune Student Center, 631-6963; their
current listing of University facilities, which change website URL is: http://www.gsu.nd.edu/.
often, students should visit http://oit.nd.edu. G. Health and Counseling
C. Laboratory Facilities There are many additional services available to
You may work in a wide variety of laboratories graduate students. Most are described in detail in
across the University campus. These may be the Bulletin of Information or on the web at:
specific laboratories to your research group, or http://graduateschool.nd.edu/resources-for-
shared facilities that are supported by user fees. current-students/.
D. Office Facilities University Health Services, located in the
All full-time graduate students have access to University Health Center, 631-7497, provides
personal office space. Offices are typically shared immediate, follow-up, and ongoing health care.
with other students. Each student will also have a The services provided include outpatient clinics,
mailbox located in or near the main administrative dispensing medication, administering allergy
office in the building to which you have been injections, laboratory and x-ray facilities, and a
assigned. Students are expected to maintain twenty-five-bed inpatient unit. Health insurance is
professional office environments, to maintain a required of all international and full-time students.
neat office, and to be respectful and courteous to The University offers a plan for all students. The
their officemates and others in their office student's spouse and children have the option of
environment. purchasing health insurance through this plan.
E. Copying Facilities More information can be obtained by calling 631-
There are a number of copying facilities on 6114. The University Counseling Center, located in
campus, with services available at a charge. Many the University Health Center, 631-7336, offers
small machines are located in Hesburgh Library professional services to all graduate students and
and each branch library. Your home department or their families.
your research group may maintain a copier for The University has several excellent athletic
student use. Check with the administrative staff or and exercise facilities, most of which are available
your advisor to determine if you are allowed to use free of charge.
these resources.
15H. Career and Placement students' spiritual needs across a full range of faith
The University’s Graduate Career Services traditions.
provides assistance with post-graduate placement J. Graduate Student Life
and professional development. (See Section IV. A unit within the Division of Student Affairs
Advising, page 8, for additional information.) and in cooperation with the Graduate School,
Graduate Student life (http://gradlife.nd.edu/) is
I. International, and Religious Services committed to enhancing the educational
The University supports an International experience and quality of life for Notre Dame
Student Affairs Office, 205 LaFortune, 631-5243, students pursuing advanced degrees. The Graduate
which aids in immigration matters, serves as liaison Student Life website contains reference links for
with sponsoring agencies and governments, and special events and programs, family resources and
promotes interaction within the University. The information regarding campus life in general. A
International Student Organization (ISO), 204 helpful Q&A weblog to answer your questions is
LaFortune, is a club for interested students. also featured.
Campus Ministry, 103 Hesburgh Library, 631-
7800, offers programs and organizations to serve
16APPENDIX A: ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
In questions involving academic integrity the such research, may result in suspension or
student is referred to the general policy found in dismissal.
the Graduate School Bulletin of Information. Within the department, primary authority for
The department expects all students to judgment and decision on matters of academic
maintain and promote the highest standards of integrity lies with the course instructor for issues,
personal honesty and professional integrity. These which arise in the classroom, or the faculty research
standards apply to examinations, assigned papers, advisor for issues that arise in research. Unsettled
projects and preparation of the thesis or disputes should be referred first to the director of
dissertation. Violation of these standards, which graduate studies and next to the department chair
includes, but is not limited to cheating in each of whom can serve as arbiters at the
examinations, plagiarism and fraudulent practices department level. Any further appeal should be
in conducting research or reporting the results of directed to the Graduate School.
17APPENDIX B: FACULTY
Faculty Name Department Office Location
Basar Bilgicer Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 205C McCourtney Hall
Paul Bohn Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 320 Stinson-Remick
Hsueh-Chia Chang Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 118B Cushing Hall
Danny Chen Computer Science and Engineering 326E Cushing Hall
David Go Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering 140G McCourtney Hall
Donny Hanjaya-Putra Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering 141 MRB
Maria Holland Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering 142 MRB
Scott Howard Electrical Engineering 262 Fitzpatrick Hall
Tijana Milenkovic Computer Science and Engineering 381 Fitzpatrick Hall
Robert Nerenberg Civil & Environmental Engr & Earth Sciences 163 Fitzpatrick Hall
Glen Niebur Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering 147 MRB
Thomas O’Sullivan Electrical Engineering 227B Cushing Hall
Tim Ovaert Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering 146 MRB
Matt Ravosa Anthropology; Aerospace and Mechanical Engr. 221 Galvin Life Sc.
Ryan Roeder Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering 148 MRB
Steve Schmid Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering 150 MRB
James Schmiedeler Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering 373 Fitzpatrick Hall
Joshua Shrout Civil Engineering and Biological Sciences 156 Fitzpatrick Hall
Bradley Smith Chemistry and Biochemistry 340J McCourtney Hall
Sharon Stack Harper Cancer Research Institute A200D Harper Hall
Gregory Timp Electrical Engineering and Biological Sciences 326 Stinson-Remick
Matthew Webber Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 205 McCourtney Hall
Sangpil Yoon Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering 151 MRB
Jeremiah Zartman Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 205D McCourtney Hall
Pinar Zorlutuna Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering 143 MRB
MRB = Multidisciplinary Research Building
18APPENDIX C: MEDICAL SEPARATION FROM ACADEMIC DUTIES
Students enrolled in the Notre Dame Graduate Academic Code of the Graduate School:
School who wish to temporarily interrupt their https://graduateschool.nd.edu/resources-for-
programs for medical reasons must apply to the current-students/
Graduate School. Information can be found in the
Forms, Policies, and Handbooks section in the
19APPENDIX D: DEGREE PROGRAM FORM
Proposed Program of Study for: _______________________________________
Admission (Semester/Year): ___________ QE ____________ CE____________
Engineering Science
Course Number Title Semester/Year Grade
Biological Sciences
Course Number Title Semester/Year Grade
Bioengineering
Course Number Title Semester/Year Grade
Additional Coursework
Course Number Title Semester/Year Grade
Committee Members:
Name Signature Date
Name Signature Date
Name Signature Date
Name Signature Date
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