Program Overview
Overview of the Biomechanics Graduate Track
The Biomechanics Graduate Track is a broad field that applies the principles of engineering mechanics to the study of biology and medicine. This field encompasses various topics, ranging from understanding the role of stress in cytoskeleton dynamics to establishing patient-specific modeling techniques for predicting in vivo biomechanical loading environments.
Research Areas
The University of Utah has faculty conducting biomechanics research in areas such as:
- Molecular biomechanics
- Cellular biophysics
- Cell mechanotransduction
- Computational biomechanics
- Hemodynamics
- Mechanobiology
- Medical device design
- Soft tissue mechanics (arteries, cartilage, ligaments)
- Ocular biomechanics
- Orthopedic biomechanics
- Cardiovascular biomechanics
- Tissue engineering
- Traumatic brain injury
Given the broad range of biomechanics research at the University of Utah, there exist ample collaborative opportunities and interdisciplinary projects with faculty in the John and Marcia Price College of Engineering, College of Science, Huntsman Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, and the Scientific Computing and Imaging (SCI) Institute.
Program Description
The Biomechanics track aims to provide students with a strong quantitative foundation in engineering mechanics, physiology, and medicine that will serve them equally well for careers in both academia or industry.
Example Sub-fields
- Molecular, Cell, Tissue, Organ and System Level Biomechanics
- Biosolids, Biofluids, and Biofluid-solid Interactions
- Biophysics
- Computational Biomechanics
- Mechanobiology
Masters Students
M.S. students within the Biomechanics track must successfully complete the Biomechanics Track Core Courses and at least one additional course from the list of Biomechanics Track Elective Courses.
Ph.D. Students
Ph.D. Qualifying Exam
The purpose of the Ph.D. Qualifying Exam is to ensure students are competent in the theoretical and conceptual fundamentals of biomechanics before undertaking intensive research in their selected field of study. Ph.D. Students in the Biomechanics track are expected to be proficient in the following topics:
- Index and direct notation
- Finite deformation kinematics
- Concepts of stress and strain
- Linear elasticity
- Material behavior of biological materials
- Hyperelasticity
- Mixture theory
- Fluid mechanics
These topics are covered in Biomechanics I and II courses.
Program of Study
The Program of Study is a list created by the student and the supervisory committee of all courses to be completed by the student as part of the requirements for the Ph.D. The Program of Study requires formal approval by the student’s advisor, Dissertation Supervisory Committee, and Director of Graduate Studies. In addition to the biomedical engineering graduate core curriculum, the Program of Study for students in the Biomechanics track includes the Biomechanics Core Courses and Elective Courses that support the student’s area of research.