Virginia Tech® home

Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

Graduate student presenting at the 2018 SBES student symposium at Wake Forest University.

Degree Requirements

Students pursuing an M.S. degree in biomedical engineering must complete a minimum of 30 total credits of graduate work:

  • 21-24 course credits
  • 6-9 thesis research credits

All M.S. degrees require writing and defending a thesis.

Direct-to-Ph.D. Path

An M.S. can be earned "along-the-way" to the Ph.D. by students accepted into the direct-to-Ph.D. degree path.

Program of Study

The program of study outlines the specific courses to be taken by the student in fulfillment of the degree following the requirements shown in the table below.

 

Course Category

Course #
(VT # / WFU #)

Course Title / Information

No. Credits Required

Biomedical Engineering
(9 credits)

BMES 5054 / 605

Quantitative Cell Physiology (required)

3

BMES 5064 / 606

Quantitative Organ Systems Physiology (required)

3

5000 or 6000 level (600/700 at WFU)

3 credit hours of engineering courses approved by committee

3

Life Sciences
(3 credits)

5000 - 6000 level
(600/700 at WFU)

Min. 3 credit hours approved by committee – (see approved list)

3

Math Requirement
(3 credits)

5000 - 6000 level
(600/700 at WFU)

Min. 3 credit hours approved by committee – can be MATH or STAT
(see approved list)

3

Electives

5000 - 6000 level
(600/700 WFU)

Approved by advisory and graduate committees (technical elective in science, math, or engineering) 

6-9

Seminar Credits

BMES 5944/708

UG/GR 2-4 semesters, MS 4 semesters

# semesters enrolled

Ethics/Diversity
(0 credit)

Required by graduate schools

At VT: Included in Seminar course, orientation, and ENGE 5984
At Wake Forest: Met by enrollment in required professional courses

0

 

 

TOTAL COURSE CREDITS:

21-24

Research Credits

BMES 5994
(797 at WFU)

Research & Thesis

6-9

 

 

MINIMUM TOTAL CREDITS:

30

Student Advisory Committee

Prior to submitting a program of study, and no later than the end of the second academic semester, each student must form an advisory committee.

Final Examination

Upon completing all other degree requirements, M.S. students must pass an oral comprehensive examination given by the advisory committee covering the student's coursework and thesis research.

To complete the program, students must pass the final examination, including approval of the thesis.

Additional Requirements

All students are expected to participate in the annual SBES Research Symposium held each spring and are required to do an oral research presentation at least once before they graduate.

More Information

For more detailed information on degree requirements, advisory committees and examinations, see the Virginia Tech graduate catalog and the SBES graduate manual.

Forms

BEAM forms