BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING, MSBME

Biomedical Engineering

Students entering the MSBME program normally have earned a bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering, another engineering discipline, or a closely-related field. Students with undergraduate degrees in the physical sciences, life sciences, or mathematics will also be considered for admission; however, such students must demonstrate preparation for the BME graduate curriculum.

Admission to the MS program is competitive. Successful applicants typically have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.5 (on a 4-point scale). However, applications are reviewed holistically and applicants with lower grades may be admitted based on factors such as strong GRE scores, research experience, or professional experience. Scores on the GRE General Test are not required but are accepted. 

Fast Track Master's of Science in Biomedical Engineering

UAB BME undergraduate students with significant research experience may begin work toward their MSBME degree while still undergraduates. To be considered for this program, students must have junior-level standing (more than 60 hours completed), have completed at least 3 of the required junior-level BME courses, and have a UAB GPA of at least 3.5. Applicants are expected to have already selected a research mentor for their graduate studies, which will typically be a continuation of their undergraduate research. Application to the program is through the normal UAB Graduate School application portal. One of the letters of recommendation must be from the research mentor. Once enrolled in the program, before completing their undergraduate degree, students may take graduate courses that will be applied to the MSBME degree. Note that coursework may not be applied toward both the undergraduate and graduate degrees. Students may pursue either the Plan I or Plan II MSBME option. 

Additional Academic Policies

Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.20 to remain in good academic standing in the BME Graduate Program.

Special Topics (590/690/790) courses and Independent Study (591/691/791) courses are reviewed for degree applicability for each program in the School of Engineering. No more than 6 combined hours of Special Topics and/or Independent Study courses will be applied to the MSBME without appeal to and approval from the Program Director.

The School of Engineering offers similar courses at the 400/500 and 600/700 levels. While the higher numbered course has more advanced content, there is a significant overlap in topics. Therefore, students are not allowed to take a 500-level or 700-level course for credit if they have previously taken the related 400-level or 600-level course, respectively.

MSBME Plan I (Thesis Option)

The Plan I Master’s degree requires completion of at least 30 semester hours of graduate work. 

A Graduate Study Committee consisting of at least three faculty members should be formed. At least one committee member must have a primary  appointment within BME and one must have a primary appointment outside of BME. A student is eligible for admission to candidacy after (1) a written thesis proposal has been orally presented to the committee and approved and (2) completion of Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training. Admission to candidacy must take place at least one semester before the student may graduate. A written thesis embodying the results of the student’s original research must then be publicly defended, approved by the committee, and submitted to the Graduate School.

Upon completing a Plan I MSBME degree, a student may petition to continue their graduate training in the BME PhD program. This does not require a new application to the UAB Graduate School.

Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

MSBME Plan I (Thesis Option) - 30 hours

Requirements Hours
BME 617 Engineering Analysis 3
or ME 661 Math Methods in EGR I
BME 670 Quantitative Physiology 3
BST 621 Statistical Methods I 3
BME Elective 500-697 3
Life Science Elective at the 500+ level 3
BME/EGR/Math/Life Science Elective at the 500+ level 1, 2 3
BME 601 Seminar in Biomedical Engineering (Must be taken three times) 1
BME 601 Seminar in Biomedical Engineering 1
BME 601 Seminar in Biomedical Engineering 1
BME 698 Non-Thesis Research 3 3
BME 699 Thesis Research 4 6
Total Hours 30
1

One 3 hour course from another discipline (e.g., MBA) may substitute with approval of the BME Graduate Program Director

2

Students in the Graduate Certificate in Technology Commercialization and Entrepreneurship program are encouraged to choose BME 630 Engineering Design and Commercialization as an elective

3

An additional 3 hour BME/EGR/Science Elective (500+ level) may substitute

4

Taken after admission to candidacy

MSBME Plan II (Non-Thesis Option) - 33 hours

The Plan II Master’s degree requires completion of at least 33 semester hours of graduate-level work. It also requires completion of a research project and submission of a written project report approved by student’s research advisor. Submission of the project report to the Graduate School is not required.

Requirements Hours
BME 617 Engineering Analysis 3
or ME 661 Math Methods in EGR I
BME 670 Quantitative Physiology 3
BST 621 Statistical Methods I 3
BME Elective 500-697 3
BME/EGR/MA/Life Science Elective at the 500+ level 1, 2 9
Life Science 500+ level 3
BME 601 Seminar in Biomedical Engineering (Must be taken three times) 1
BME 601 Seminar in Biomedical Engineering 1
BME 601 Seminar in Biomedical Engineering 1
BME 698 Non-Thesis Research 3 6
Total Hours 33
1

One 3 hour course from another discipline (e.g., MBA) may substitute for 3 of these hours with approval of the BME Graduate Program Director

2

Students in the Graduate Certificate in Technology Commercialization and Entrepreneurship program are encouraged to choose BME 630 Engineering Design and Commercialization as an elective

3

An additional BME/EGR/Science Elective (500+ level) may substitute for 3 of these hours