Portfolio Program

The overarching theme of this program is to train "comprehensive imaging scientists" in the skills necessary to identify clinically relevant problems, including developing instrumentation, sensors, and contrast agents to form images appropriate for the problem; and analyzing the resulting imaging data using signal processing, mathematical modeling, visualizations, and informatics techniques to improve the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of human diseases.

This portfolio program is part of a larger training program that includes The University of Texas at Austin, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, and Fort Sam Houston Joint Base iin San Antonio, Texas. The basic requirement to complete this portfolio program is 12 hours of coursework in imaging science at The University of Texas at Austin that provides the requisite core knowledge for an imaging scientist. Additionally, optional coursework, seminars, and research internships are available to students. More information on portfolio programs from Graduate School.

Required Courses:   

•  BME 381J.3 Biomedical Imaging Modalities
• ECE 371R Digital Image and Video Processing
• BME 383J (CS 395T) Multi-Scale Bio-Modeling and Visualization
•  BME 383J.7 (ECE 380L.10) Data Mining for Biomedical Imaging Informatics

Recommended Courses:

These three courses are RECOMMENDED (required if you receive a fellowship):   

• Focused elective in instrumentation, devices, or contrast agents (Dr. Rylander and Dr. Markey can provide suggestions.)
• BME 197E Professional Development and Professional Responsibilities for the Imaging Scientist
• BME 197R Imaging Research Seminar

Some, but not necessarily all, of these courses may count toward your degree requirements as well. It is each student’s responsibility to talk to his or her Graduate Advisor to determine whether a given portfolio course also fulfills degree requirements.

Other Opportunities

There are several professional development choices that are recommended, but not required:   

• Internship between first and second year.
•  Co-supervision and recommendations for committee structure for doctoral students.

How to Apply

To be eligible for the Portfolio Program, applicants must be a master's or doctoral student in Biomedical Engineering or Electrical & Computer Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. Applicants from other programs will require special review by the portfolio program directors.

To apply to the Portfolio Program, indicate your interest on the department application when applying for admission to the Department of Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program. Electrical & Computer Engineering students should indicate their interest by e-mailing the Portfolio Program Coordinator Margo Cousins.

Fellowships

The Department of Biomedical Engineering was awarded a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) training grant from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), an Institute within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This grant includes competitive fellowships to support selected UT biomedical engineering graduate students accepted into the Portfolio Program for five years, from 2009 to 2014. The prestigious one-year fellowship includes a stipend, summer travel stipend, and tuition. Eligible applicants who express interest in the Portfolio Program will automatically be considered for a fellowship. The fellowship has additional requirements, such as co-supervision. Interested students should contact Portfolio Program Coordinator Margo Cousins.

Contact

Professor H. Grady Rylander, Training Program Director
E-mail Address
Professor Mia K. Markey, Training Program Co-Director
E-mail Address
Margo Cousins, Training Coordinator