UTSA graduates first class of undergraduate biomedical engineering students
More than 4,000 graduation candidates walked across the stage as The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) celebrated spring 2015 commencement ceremonies at the Alamodome. Included in that number were the first 20 undergraduate students who were admitted to the College of Engineering’s biomedical engineering program in Fall 2011.
“I am very proud of our undergraduate biomedical engineering students,” said Anson Ong, chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering and USAA Foundation Distinguished Professor. “In addition to the excellent academics and research activities, many of the students from this graduating class are also involved in activities outside the classroom, including being UTSA Ambassadors, Engineering Ambassadors, as well as being members of the UTSA Presidential Leadership Council. Additionally, one of the teams from the BME graduating class was named the first place winner of the Center for Innovation and Technology Entrepreneurship (CITE) $100K Competition, which took place earlier this spring.”
In Fall 2011, 25 students started in the undergraduate biomedical engineering program. After four years in the program, 20 of these students completed the program, which gives the program an 80% graduation rate. The members of the inaugural undergraduate biomedical engineering class had an average class GPA of 3.53.
“I am so proud of all of our graduates, and I am especially excited for the members of our first undergraduate class of biomedical engineers,” said JoAnn Browning, dean of the College of Engineering and David and Jennifer Spencer Distinguished Chair. “The College of Engineering is growing and expanding our research and educational opportunities every year, and the members of the Department of Biomedical Engineering are an important factor in our success. We expect great things from these graduates!”
The objectives of the undergraduate biomedical engineering program were founded on the belief that the engineering principles and understanding of biological and physical sciences are critical to the investigation of fundamental bioengineering questions associated with complex living systems as well as with the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases.
Graduates of the program are able to contribute positively in the biomedical engineering industry and other sectors such as hospitals, government agencies and academia; enhance competence in biomedical engineering by pursuing an advanced and/or professional degree in the practice of bioengineering; and work successfully as a member in a team environment to facilitate biomedical engineering practices.
