Graduate

Graduate Degrees

  • Master of Science (M.S.) in Biomedical Engineering
  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biomedical Engineering

The Department of Biomedical Engineering’s graduate program at the University of Michigan is in the Rackham School of Graduate Studies granting the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Biomedical Engineering.

The department is interdisciplinary. A student may plan a widely diversified educational program to advance the student’s personal goals. Research opportunities are as diversified as the range of activities conducted by the University units supporting the department.

Entrance Requirements for the Department of Biomedical Engineering

Those students with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering or Physics degree should present a minimum background of:

  • Biology Course with Lab or Physiology Course with Lab
  • Biological Science
  • Physics (2 terms)
  • Mathematics (through ordinary Differential Equations)
  • Minimum of 4 Engineering Courses

Each applicant’s background and preparation is evaluated during the admissions process. Our Graduate Admissions Committee frequently recommends applicants for admission who have not completed all prerequisites as undergraduates. These applicants must complete these courses as graduate students, usually in their first year of coursework.

M.S. in Biomedical Engineering

Degree Requirements

In order to obtain the Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, students must satisfactorily complete (B or better) a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate study beyond the bachelor’s degree. The curriculum consists of a set of advanced core biomedical engineering courses, as well as graduate-level requirements in mathematics, statistics, life sciences, and the responsible conduct of research. Students must also complete an experiential component, consisting of either a laboratory bioinstrumentation course (or equivalent) or a directed research experience, to familiarize the student with the unique problems associated with physiological systems. Within the curriculum, each student must also choose a specialized concentration to follow and complete 2-5 graduate technical electives. There are five (5) concentration options available:

  • Bioelectrics and Neural Engineering
  • Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine
  • Biomechanics and Biotransport
  • Biomedical Imaging and Ultrasonics
  • Biotechnology and Systems Biology

Please see the department web site for further details. A grade of “B” or better must be attained in each course used toward the master’s degree.

Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering

The Ph.D. degree is conferred in recognition of marked ability and scholarship in some relatively broad field of knowledge. A part of the work consists of regularly scheduled graduate courses of instruction in the chosen field and in such cognate subjects as may be required by the student’s research advisor. In addition, the student must pursue independent investigation in a subdivision of the selected field and must present the result of the investigation in the form of a dissertation.

A student becomes an applicant for the doctorate when admitted to the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies and accepted in a field of specialization. Candidacy is achieved when the student demonstrates competence in their broad field of knowledge through completion of a prescribed set of courses and passing a qualifying examination.

All Ph.D. students must satisfactorily complete (B or better) a minimum of nine (9) credit hours of letter graded course work (any electives with Rackham credit and approved by the student’s research advisor) beyond those which are required for a master’s degree. A special doctoral committee is appointed for each applicant to supervise the work of the student both as to election of courses and in preparation of the dissertation.

Requirements regarding foreign language and non-technical courses are left to individual departments or programs, and to the Graduate School. A prospective doctoral student should consult the program advisor regarding specific details.