Biomedical Engineering, M.S.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• apply engineering research and theory to advance the art, science, and practice of the discipline.
• design and conduct experiments as well as to analyze, interpret, apply, and disseminate the data.
• understand research methodology.

Program Contact Information

Graduate Program
bmeadmin@unr.edu

University of Nevada, Reno
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Mail Stop 0260
1664 North Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89557

Graduate Handbook*

Admission Requirements

Candidates must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School  as well as additional requirements of the program.

I. Program Requirements

The curriculum is centered around “areas of proficiency” related to research activities. Students must demonstrate proficiency in three areas at the masters level, where at least one area is in the engineering or physical sciences and at least one other area is in the medical or life sciences. An “area of proficiency” is defined as two conceptually linked courses creating the “area”.

In addition to Graduate School requirements, Plan A students must pass an oral defense of thesis research. All courses of study must be approved by a student advisory committee and the program director. Students are encouraged to identify research interests and faculty mentors as early as possible during the program.

• Plan A (Thesis option): This option requires coursework and a research-based thesis written on a topic in biomedical engineering.
• Plan B (Non-thesis option): This option only requires coursework in biomedical engineering or a related field.

All coursework must be approved by the student’s advisory committee to count towards the degree.        

Graduate School Requirements:

Plan A (Thesis option):

• Minimum of 30 graduate credits
• Minimum of 18 of these credits earned at the University of Nevada, Reno
• Minimum of 9 credits (not including thesis credits) taken at 700-level
• Masters Students must enroll in 6 to 10 thesis credits for degree completion. With program director approval, internship/externship experiences can count for thesis credits.
• Maximum of 6 credits may be taken with S/U grading
• Maximum of 12 credits completed prior to admission (including transfer credits) 18 credits are allowed if earned from a UNR graduate certificate.
• All requirements (credits) for degree (including transfer credits) must be completed within the period of six years (6) immediately preceding the granting of the degree.
• Continuous enrollment
• Minimum enrollment of 3 graduate credits each fall and spring semester

Plan B (Non-thesis option):

• Minimum of 30 graduate credits
• Minimum of 18 of these 30 graduate credits earned at the University of Nevada, Reno
• Minimum of 12 credits taken at 700-level
• Maximum of 6 credits may be taken with S/U grading
• Maximum of 12 credits completed prior to admission (including transfer credits) 18 credits are allowed if earned from a UNR graduate certificate.
• All requirements for degree must be completed within the period of 6 years immediately preceding the granting of the degree.
• Continuous enrollment
• Minimum enrollment of 3 graduate credits each fall and spring semester

II. Total Units (30 units)

• Plan A (Thesis Option) 30 units
• Plan B (Non-Thesis Option) 30 units

Undergraduate Prerequisites

Ideally, the applicant’s background would include:

• two semesters of biology or physiology,
• two semesters of physics or biophysics,
• two semesters of chemistry or biochemistry,
• calculus (including differential equations) and
• proficiency in at least one computer programming language.

Students who are admitted with a deficiency in any academic area must complete required courses early in the graduate program.