Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering & Biotechnology

The Boston, Dartmouth, and Lowell campuses of the University of Massachusetts offer joint Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology.

Co-op Option in Engineering

The Department of Biomedical Engineering & Biotechnology Program participates in the Graduate Master's Co-op Option in Engineering. For detailed information about the Co-op Program and curriculum requirements, please see the Graduate Catalog Engineering Co-op page.

Admission Requirements

Applicants from many different science/engineering undergraduate programs are invited to apply. Because the degree brings together biomedical engineering with biotechnology, it is designed equally for students with life sciences or engineering/physical science backgrounds. One's specific background will be of less interest in determining qualification for entrance than will be one's personal and career goals, demonstrated academic ability, research potential and commitment to an interdisciplinary, team-work approach.

Applicants will be accepted from individuals holding appropriate bachelor's degrees or master's degrees (or the US baccalaureate equivalents from a foreign institution). Applicants should have a background in life science, physical science or engineering. All applicants must have taken a full year (two semester or three quarter sequence) of calculus and the successful applicants will normally have had undergraduate coursework in statistics/experimental design and in life science/biomedical science.

Applicants must submit the following and are expected to meet the standards indicated:

  1. Generally students with an overall undergraduate or graduate grade point average of 3.000 or higher will considered for admission. Applicants must present official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all schools attended.
  2. Applicants accepted into the program should present a minimum Graduate Record Exam (GRE) combined verbal (142) and quantitative (152) score of 294. The AACC will also pay particular attention to the applicant's score on the GRE analytical writing section of the general examination because of the emphasis placed on strong writing skills in this program. Only official GRE scores form Educational Testing Service will be considered acceptable.
  3. Applicants must have a minimum of two semesters of calculus and strong quantitative skills.
  4. International applicants should present a minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 79 (internet version), 213 (computer version) or 550 (paper version). Only official TOEFL scores from Educational Testing Service will be considered acceptable.
  5. Two letters of recommendation, from individuals familiar with the applicants academic ability will be required.
  6. Applicants will also be required to submit a Statement of Purpose (personal essay) that should indicate their qualifications for and motivation to undertake this program as well as their personal and career goals. Specifically, the statement should indicate the applicant's background, research credentials and career plans as they relate to the multidisciplinary nature of the program. 
  7. Applicants shall also to submit a personal resume.

Individual circumstances can be taken into account and extraordinary qualifications in some areas can be used to outweigh weaknesses in others.

Along with an admissions decision comes consideration of the appropriate program of courses for the applicant. The interdisciplinary nature of our program gives special importance to the advising relationship in forming a specific academic program to meet each student's specific goals. Applicants may be offered admission with a number of courses identified as conditional requirements that they will need to take to fill in for gaps in preparation or knowledge. Each admitted student is assigned to a faculty advisor, who will guide them in course selection.

Transfer of Credits

For students who have previously completed graduate course work, the admission committee may approve the transfer of up to 12 credits of graduate credits for courses from an accredited United States or Canadian college or university that received a grade of B (not B-) or better if those courses were not already used in the degree requirements of another earned degree. The graduate school will govern the maximum number of credits that may be transferred into the program. The transfer credit may replace core or specialization course requirements. The project/directed studies credits will be accepted for transfer from institutions within the UMass system.

Students may also have core courses waived without transfer of course credit. Students would still be responsible for the full credits required of the master's degree (minimum of 31 credits), but would not have to take the waived course.

Academic Program

The curriculum is organized around common experiences, including common core courses, elective/specialization courses and an optional research project. The program makes some use of distance learning/on-line/faculty exchange for delivery of courses. The program encourages a multidisciplinary team approach during a variety of courses.

General Program Requirements

Earning the Master of Science Degree

Following successful completion of coursework with a minimum of 31 credits completed or transferred in that satisfy the core and elective specialization courses, the student will be awarded the Master of Science degree. Students must have at least a cumulative B average to receive the Master of Science degree.

Combined Bachelor's and Master's Degree Program

The program participates in the University's effort to encourage outstanding graduate students to begin study toward an advanced degree while still undergraduates. Arrangements are possible for joint programs, that combine a bachelor's degree in one of the other departments in the University with a master's degree in the Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology program. Such arrangements are made for eligible students after discussions with graduate coordinators in both departments (see the eligibility requirements).

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