DEGREE Biomedical Engineering: Research, MS
Master’s degree in biomedical engineering
As a master’s student in biomedical engineering, you’ll apply engineering tools in your research as you solve problems in biology and medicine. An essential component of the MS Research is an individualized thesis project. Successful applicants will have identified a research advisor and project prior to applying.
At a glance
Biomedical engineering department
Learn more about what information you need to apply.
Admissions
Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.
Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online.
| Fall Deadline | December 15 |
| Spring Deadline | September 1 |
| Summer Deadline | December 15 |
| GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) | Not required. |
| English Proficiency Test | Every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not exclusively in English, must provide an English proficiency test score earned within two years of the anticipated term of enrollment. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Requirements for Admission policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1241. |
| Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT) | n/a |
| Letters of Recommendation Required | 3 |
Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in engineering (biomedical, chemical, electrical, industrial, mechanical, etc.) or science (biology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, immunology, physics, etc.). Each application is judged on the basis of:
- Official academic transcripts
- English proficiency test scores (if applicable)
- Three letters of recommendation, including one letter from your prospective MS research advisor
- Statement of purpose
- Resume
All applicants must satisfy requirements that are set forth by the Graduate School. Applicants admitted to the program may be required to make up deficiency course requirements.
To apply to the Biomedical Engineering program, the online application, including supportive materials, must be submitted as described below and received by the deadline.
Summer admissions are generally limited to continuing Biomedical Engineering students at UW–Madison or applicants who have research assistantships already arranged with UW faculty.
Official Academic Transcript
Electronically submit one copy of your transcript of all undergraduate and previous graduate work in your online application to the Graduate School. Unofficial copies of transcripts will be accepted for review. Official copies are required after an applicant is recommended for admission. Please do not send transcripts or any other application materials to the Graduate School or the Biomedical Engineering department unless requested. If you have questions, please contact bmegradadmission@engr.wisc.edu.
English Proficiency Test Scores (if applicable)
International degree-seeking applicants must prove English proficiency. Refer to the Graduate School’s requirements.
Three Letters of Recommendation
These letters are required from people who can accurately judge the applicant’s academic or research performance. Students should identify a lab prior to the application process. One letter of recommendation should be from the prospective MS research advisor. Letters of recommendation are submitted electronically to graduate programs through the online application. Applicants should not send any more than three letters (if more than three are sent, only the first three will be considered). See the Graduate School for FAQs regarding letters of recommendation.
Statement of Purpose
In this document, applicants should explain why they want to pursue further education in Biomedical Engineering and discuss which UW faculty members they would be interested in doing research with during their graduate study. See the Graduate School for more advice on how to structure a personal statement,
Resume
Upload your resume in your application.
Application Fee
Submission must be accompanied by the one-time application fee. It is non-refundable and can be paid by credit card (Master Card or Visa). This fee cannot be waived or deferred. Fee grants are available through the Graduate School under certain conditions.
Tuition
Tuition and segregated fee rates are always listed per semester (not for Fall and Spring combined).
Funding
Graduate School Resources
Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.
Biomedical engineering is multidisciplinary, bringing together expertise in engineering, physics, materials science, computation, biology and medicine to increase our understanding of diseases, improve diagnosis, and develop treatments that benefit human health. Our researchers are pushing the boundaries of science and technology, developing new tools and techniques to help solve some of the most challenging problems in medicine and healthcare.
Minimum graduate school requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements, in addition to the program requirements listed below.
Curricular Requirements
| Minimum Credit Requirement | 30 credits |
| Minimum Residence Credit Requirement | 16 credits |
| Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement | 15 credits must be graduate-level coursework. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1244. |
| Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | 3.00 GPA required. Refer to the Graduate School: Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1203. |
| Other Grade Requirements | n/a |
| Assessments and Examinations | There are no degree-specific assessments and examinations outside of those given in individual courses. |
| Language Requirements | n/a |
Required Courses
Specific course selection is very flexible and draws upon a variety of courses. The required coursework is designed to complement each student’s interests and background in biomedical engineering.
| Research (such as B M E 790) | 6 | |
| Coursework | 24 | |
Two semesters of B M E 701 Seminar in Biomedical Engineering | ||
At least 12 credits of College of Engineering courses, numbered 400 or above | ||
At least 15 credits, numbered 400 or above, in one area of specialization 1 | ||
At least 3 credits of bioscience from the following list (or other bioscience course with advisor approval): | ||
| Physiology | ||
| Fundamentals of Human Physiology | ||
| Introduction to Biochemistry | ||
| Fundamentals of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology | ||
| Molecular and Cellular Organogenesis | ||
| Biology of Heart Disease and Regeneration | ||
| Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience | ||
| Neurobiology | ||
| Prokaryotic Molecular Biology | ||
| Eukaryotic Molecular Biology | ||
| Introduction to Experimental Oncology | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Cellular and Molecular Biology/Pathology | ||
| Development of the Nervous System | ||
| Cell Biology | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
Areas of specialization are defined by the student and faculty advisor in relation to each student’s research. Please keep written communication (emails are acceptable) of approvals from your faculty advisor.
Graduate Student Services
bmegradadmission@engr.wisc.edu
3180 Mechanical Engineering
1513 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706
Darilis Suarez-Gonzalez, Ph.D.
Associate Chair of the Master’s Degree Program
Department of Biomedical Engineering
dsuarez@wisc.edu
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