About
The objective of the Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering (M.S.B.E.) degree program is to provide a graduate-level educational experience that will prepare individuals to undertake design and research in the area of biomedical engineering. The program is multidisciplinary and integrates knowledge from the traditional engineering sciences, the life sciences, and medicine. Specific goals of the program include development of 1) a thorough grounding in the life sciences; 2) mastery of engineering tools and approaches; 3) familiarity with the problems of making and interpreting quantitative measurements of living systems; 4) the ability to use modeling techniques; and 5) the ability to formulate and solve problems with medical relevance, including the design of devices, systems, and processes to improve human health.
Available Options
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Non-Thesis Track
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Thesis Track
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Integrated BS-MS Track
Accreditation
For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please head over to Academic Program Accreditations.
Learning Outcomes
M.S.B.E. Non-Thesis Track
The M.S.B.E. non-thesis track strives to provide a learning centered environment where accomplished faculty share their experience and knowledge with students so that graduates of the program can:
- Demonstrate a advanced technical knowledge of state-of-the-art and evolving areas associated with the mechanical engineering field so that they can lead and direct engineering and scientific industry teams in their chosen field of study.
- The ability to solve open-ended design problems.
Outcomes
Graduates of the program will demonstrate a strong technical knowledge in chosen mechanical engineering field by passing a comprehensive exam or a design project in the student's major area of study near the completion of the degree program.
Assessment
- Comprehensive exam/design project.
- Track graduates career shortly after graduation.
Requirement
Requires 33 credits of approved graduate courses. At least 18 credits must be earned from 700-level courses, of which 15 credits must be in engineering. To complete the Non-Thesis option, students must also successfully complete the Design Project course (ME 796-Design Project in Mechanical Engineering ) or pass a comprehensive written and oral exit exam before receiving their degree.
M.S.B.E. Thesis Track
The M.S.B.E. thesis track strives to provide a learning centered environment where accomplished faculty share their experience and knowledge with students so that graduates of the program can:
- Demonstrate a advanced technical knowledge of state-of-the-art and evolving areas associated with the mechanical engineering field so that they can lead and direct engineering and scientific industry teams in their chosen field of study.
- Demonstrate the ability to work creatively and independently on research topics.
Outcomes
Graduates of the program will:
- Demonstrate a strong technical knowledge in chosen mechanical engineering field by successfully completing course work and integrating knowledge learned in their course work into a thesis.
- Demonstrate the ability to learn independently by completing a creative or research project and reporting on this activity in a thesis which should include:
- A hypothesis (or hypotheses).
- A set of objectives and goals.
- A critical literature review.
- A theoretical, experimental and/or modeling study.
- A conclusion.
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate technical information both orally and in writing at an acceptable level of proficiency.
Assessment
- MS thesis.
- Thesis defense (oral exam).
- Track graduates career shortly after graduation.
Requirement
Requires 33 credits of approved graduate courses. At least 18 credits must be earned from 700-level courses, of which 15 credits must be in engineering. To complete the Non-Thesis option, students must also successfully complete the Design Project course (ME 796-Design Project in Mechanical Engineering ) or pass a comprehensive written and oral exit exam before receiving their degree.
Career Possibilities
Graduates in biomedical engineering may pursue a variety of career paths in research facilities, universities, businesses, and government agencies. Some work in related fields in industry and others obtain an advanced degree. Many careers require a wide range of demonstrated skills and accomplishments through their degree programs.
Requirements
Master of Science - Biomedical Engineering
Plan Description
The objective of the interdisciplinary M.S.Biomedical Engineering degree program is to provide a graduate-level educational experience that will prepare individuals to undertake design and research in the area of biomedical engineering. The program is multidisciplinary and integrates knowledge from various disciplines that may include traditional engineering sciences, integrated health sciences, dental medicine, life sciences, and medicine.
Specific goals of the program include development are to:
- Demonstrate a thorough grounding in the biomedical field;
- Apply knowledge of engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors;
- Use engineering tools and approaches to solve biomedical related problems;
- Identify the problems of making and interpreting quantitative measurements of living systems;
- Use modeling techniques to understand biomedical phenomena and guide biomedical design; and
- Formulate and solve problems with medical relevance, including the design of devices, systems, and processes to improve human health.
For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes please visit the Degree Directory.
Plan Admission Requirements
Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.
In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate College, an applicant for the M.S. program must complete the following requirements:
- Applicants must complete the on-line process in the Grad Rebel Gateway system;
- Applicants must provide two additional items while completing the process in the Grad Rebel Gateway system:
- A written statement of purpose indicating interests and objectives in working toward a M.S. For thesis track, applicants are strongly recommended to list three potential thesis advisors.
- Two letters of recommendation using the online recommendation system. There is no specified format. Each letter should detail the potential of the applicant for success in the Biomedical Engineering M.S. program.
- The applicant must have a regionally accredited bachelor's degree in related STEM fields.
- The graduate program committee will examine the applicant's academic record and will make the final determination of the applicant's admissibility to the M.S. program. In general, a minimum post baccalaureate GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale or equivalent is preferred for admission.
- All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.
Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.
Plan Requirements
Subplan 1 Requirements: Non-Thesis
Course Requirements
Required Courses – Credits: 6
Complete 6 credits by completing all of the following courses:
Elective Courses – Credits: 21
Complete 21 credits of advisor-approved common foundational biomedical engineering and health science courses across units.
Design Project – Credits: 3
Degree Requirements
- Requires 30 credits of approved graduate courses. At least 18 credits must be earned from 700-level courses.
- Students must make satisfactory progress toward degree completion as defined below:
- File an approved degree program before the completion of nine credits of coursework.
- Complete at least six credits of the approved program per calendar year.
- Maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale with no grades below C. Grades of C- or below are not acceptable.
- Students must comply with Graduate College policy. If progress is not satisfactory, probation and separation may result, in accordance with the rules of the Graduate College.
- Courses numbered below 600 do not count toward the credits required for the M.S. degree.
Graduation Requirements
Successfully complete a design project.
Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.
Subplan 2 Requirements: Thesis
Course Requirements
Required Courses – Credits: 6
Complete 6 credits by completing all of the folowing courses:
Elective Courses – Credits: 18
Complete 18 credits of advisor-approved common foundational biomedical engineering and health science courses across units.
Thesis – Credits: 6
Degree Requirements
- Requires 24 credits of approved graduate courses plus six credits of work associated with the master's level thesis, for a total of 30 credits. At least 15 credits must be earned from 700-level courses. The final examination will include a defense of thesis.
- Students must make satisfactory progress toward degree completion as defined below:
- File an approved degree program before the completion of nine credits of coursework.
- Complete at least six credits of the approved program per calendar year.
- Maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale with no grades below C. Grades of C- or below are not acceptable.
- Students must comply with Graduate College policy. If progress is not satisfactory, probation and separation may result, in accordance with the rules of the Graduate College.
- Courses numbered below 600 do not count toward the credits required for the M.S. degree.
- The student must identify a Thesis Advisor within the first semester of joining the program. The student, in consultation with their Advisor, will form a Thesis Committee that includes at least four members:
- One Thesis Advisor;
- Two faculty members from the relevant research field;
- One Graduate College representative.
Graduation Requirements
The student must submit and successfully defend their thesis by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.
After the thesis defense, the student must electronically submit a properly formatted pdf copy of their thesis to the Graduate College for format check. Once the thesis format has been approved by the Graduate College, the student will submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest. Deadlines for thesis defenses, format check submissions, and the final ProQuest submission can be found here.
Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.
Plan Graduation Requirements
Documents/Downloads
Contacts
Graduate Coordinator
Hui Zhao, Ph.D.
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