Masters :: Doctorate ::

Graduate Core Requirements»

Rensselaer requires completion of at least 30 credit hours (with satisfactory grades) degree. At least 15 of these credit hours must have suffix numbers 6000–6990.

The Biomedical Engineering M.S. degree can be obtained with or without a thesis. The latter option is recommended for students who do not plan further graduate studies. The thesis option is advised for students who plan to obtain a higher graduate degree. The master�s thesis should contribute new knowledge to the field of study.

Students pursuing the M.S. (with or without thesis) must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours, at least 15 of which must be at the 6000-6960 level and have the BMED prefix. The minimum number of credits for coursework is 24; the minimum number of credits required with the BMED prefix is 18. One course in the life sciences (biology or physiology) and one course in advanced math are required. In consultation with their advisor, students must develop a Plan of Study that satisfactorily meets Institute requirements and Departmental requirements.

For students working toward the M.S. with thesis, the academic load consists of a minimum of eight courses, plus thesis (3-6 credits). Four (4) of these courses must have the BMED prefix, with three (3) of the four courses at the 6000 level. One course in biology and one course in math are required. Students choose an additional two (2) elective courses at the 4000 or 6000 level and must meet all other departmental requirements in order to earn the M.S. degree

Matriculation into the doctoral program is based upon prior demonstration of a high level of academic achievement in graduate and/or undergraduate work. Advanced study and research are conducted under the guidance of a faculty member of the Department of Biomedical Engineering and an interdisciplinary committee A minimum of 30 credits in graduate course work (6000 level) are required for the Doctoral degree in addition to the residency and thesis requirements. Students may need to take additional courses to take appropriate courses at 4000 level to prepare for graduate level coursework. These requirements are formalized in a Plan of Study that is prepared in consulattion with the student�s research advisor and doctoral committee.

 

The minimum course work requirements are distributed as follows:	Credit hours
Advanced Mathematics or Statistics	3-4	(1 course)
Advanced Life Sciences (Advanced Biology or Advanced Physiology)	6-8	(2 courses)
Engineering depth courses(minimum of 3 courses should have the prefix BMED)	18	(2 courses)
Advanced laboratory techniques	3-4	(1 course)
TOTAL	30-34

Advanced Mathematics/Statistics

(1) course is required in Advanced Mathematics or Statistics.  Courses can be selected from the list below or submitted to the graduate curriculum committee for approval with the support of your advisor.

Advanced Life Sciences

(2) courses are required in either Advanced Physiology and/or Life Sciences.  Courses can be selected from the list below or submitted to the graduate curriculum committee for approval with the support of your advisor.

Advanced Laboratory Techniques

(1) course is required in Advanced Laboratory Techniques.  Courses can be selected from the list below or submitted to the graduate curriculum committee for approval with the support of your advisor.

Engineering Depth

(5-6) courses in graduate level engineering are required.  3 courses in Biomedical Engineering of the 3, 2 courses should be taken within the student chosen concentration and one from a different concentration. Courses in Biomedical Engineering are listed below and other graduate engineering courses can be selected from course catalog with the support of your advisor.  1 course in this category can be considered a technical elective and can be selected in any graduate level engineering, science or mathematics course.

Recommended course distribution/template (Example)

One of the required engineering depth courses may be substituted by three semesters of “Discussion in Gaduate Studies/Colloquia”