![](https://cdn.stories.rensselaerfirsts.com/authors/308273cb21b54320474c2678db767c8a-square_720.jpeg)
1959 – 1969
Starting a New Program of Study
by Louis SasmorI did my undergraduate Electrical Engineering at RPI in five years - taking a year off (at the Institute's request) after my junior year. During my senior year I convinced the Electrical Engineering department to activate the Biomedical Engineering Masters (then Doctorate) program which they had on the books but had never used. I did my Masters study and thesis jointly with the Biology Department. I then was the first student to work in the joint program with Albany Medical Center and did my Doctoral research at the hospital. I received my Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering in 1970. (Actually, completed in summer 1969.) I was also the founding president of the Rensselaer Fencing Club in fall of 1964.