About a third of BME majors take an independent study course
Independent study research projects are an integral and immensely popular component of undergraduate BME education at Duke. Up to two such courses may be counted as BME electives if they are taken in the junior or senior years.
In an independent study course students work with a faculty supervisor to focus on a special topic of the student's choosing by self-guided readings, developing and/or running computer simulations, and/or laboratory experiments.
Students participating in the NAE Grand Challenges Scholar Program and/or contributing to the efforts of the Duke Smart Home may obtain independent study credits for their work if their project is supervised by a BME faculty.
Advantages of Independent Study
Independent study course work can be used to satisfy requirements toward Graduation with Departmental Distinction (GwDD), provided the student's GPA is at least 3.5.
In addition, the best research projects are eligible for the BME Departmental awards: the Helmholtz Award, the Clark Awards, and the Edward D. "Ned" Light Memorial Award.
Examples of Student Projects
- Implementing a Rechargeable Battery for an Implantable Neural Acquisition System
- Functional Endoscopic Imaging for Enhanced Detection of Cancerous Lesions
- Electrophysiological Characterization of a Novel Genetically Engineered Biological Pacemaker
- Biomechanics of Microbicide Gel Distribution and Efficacy
- Improved In Vivo Visualization of Injected Anesthetics Using Ultrasonic Decorrelation Algorithms
- Emergent Network Bursting and Synchrony in Computer Simulations of Neuronal Cultures
- Evaluation of Pediatric Skull Fracture Imaging Techniques
- Guidance of Surgical Robotics with 3-D Ultrasound
- Uses of the Pratt Pouch with Antiretroviral Medication for the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV
- Pitch Mismatch in Bilateral Cochlear Implants Using an Acoustic Mode
- Nanotherapeutics: Dual Functional Nanoparticles for Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering
GETTING STARTED
Students interested in independent study are encouraged to approach faculty members to discuss opportunities. For ideas on whom to approach, look through the BME faculty list for professors whose research and interests match yours.
Students should first meet with their project supervisor to discuss the project title, its description, biomedical and engineering content of the project, the nature of the final product, and the grading basis.
Independent Study Courses and Programs
After meeting with the project supervisor, and developing a project title, description, biomedical and engineering content of the project, the nature of the final project and the grading basis in hand, the student can then approach:
BME Design Fellows
An intensive design program for BME juniors, which spans three semesters and a summer session. The program may include:
- Medical Device Design 1 & 2
- Advanced Design and Manufacturing Skills
- A summer internship at a BME-focused company or Duke University Medical Center
The application becomes available in September.
BME Design Fellows: How to Apply
BME Independent Study Request
- For BME juniors and seniors who are not Pratt Research Fellows.
- Courses: BME 394, 493, and BME 494
BME Independent Study: Make a Request
Pratt Research Fellow-BME Registration
- For BME juniors and seniors who are Pratt Research Fellows
- Courses: BME 394, BME 493, and BME 494
- Learn more about Pratt Research Fellows »
Pratt Research Fellow: Register with BME
EGR Independent Study
- For BME freshmen and sophomores
- Courses: EGR 391 and EGR 491
- The deadline for submitting the request is two business days before the drop/add ends
- The forms will not be active after the deadline, so make sure to submit your request on time
EGR Independent Study: Submit a Request
More Information
- After you've submitted the forms, learn how to check the status of your request
- More information on BME Independent Study and Graduation with Departmental Distinction requirements is available in the BME Undergraduate Handbook (PDF)