MS Biomedical Engineering
MS in Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical engineering is a 21st-century career. The goal of the MS in biomedical engineering program is to provide a foundation in biomedical engineering expertise and a trained workforce of leaders to support economic development, industry and academia. ECU offers academic programs in engineering, medicine, dentistry, nursing, allied health and business on one campus. Students will be engaged in multidisciplinary research focused on device and equipment design, and the application of innovative, advanced technologies to solve complex problems in the life sciences, medicine and health care industry.
Suggested areas of focused study include:
- Cardiovascular Biomedical Engineering – Study the mechanics of the cardiovascular system, electrical activity of the heart, medical devices for cardiovascular applications and techniques for analyzing biological signals.
- Biomolecular and Tissue Engineering – Study the development of engineered tissues, manipulation of biological molecules for therapeutic use, materials compatible with biological systems and instrumentation used in biomedical applications.
- Biosensors and Biosignals – Study the design of medical sensing devices, processing and interpretation of physiological signals, and electrical activity measurement in biological system.
The thesis option allows students to investigate a scholarly topic under the guidance of a faculty mentor. The nonthesis option allows students to prioritize coursework, fostering the development of practical skills and their real-world application. Students are prepared for employment in a variety of areas of industry and the program provides training and research experience for students who are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering or related fields.
Program
The university confers the Biomedical Engineering, MS when the candidate has earned at least 32 semester hours of graduate credit. Students choosing the nonthesis option complete an approved selection of coursework and build a comprehensive portfolio demonstrating mastery of select engineering skills. Students choosing the thesis option must complete a research-based thesis, a comprehensive defense of their thesis proposal, a seminar based on thesis research and a thesis defense in addition to their coursework. At least 12 semester hours of the coursework will come from the Department of Engineering, with the remaining semester hours coming from the Departments of Biology, Biostatistics, Physiology, Pharmacology, Kinesiology, Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science, the College of Business, or other disciplines as required to support the interests of individual students. To view the full program requirements, check the ECU Graduate Catalog.
Core Courses:
The following three core courses provide a strong foundation for the MS in Biomedical Engineering program by equipping students with essential computational, experimental and analytical skills. Together, they ensure proficiency in numerical modeling, hands-on data acquisition and advanced simulation techniques necessary for solving complex engineering problems.
- BIME 5100 – Numerical Methods in Engineering
- BIME 5600 – Experimental Methods in Engineering
- BIME 6100 – Finite Element Analysis of Solids and Fluids
Research and area of focus courses:
- BIME 5400 – Biomaterials
- BIME 6200 – Biomedical Instrumentation and Measurements
- BIME 6250 – Biomedical Signal Processing
- BIME 6300 – Cardiovascular Electrophysiology
- BIME 6350 – Cardiovascular Mechanics
- BIME 6450 – Biomolecular Engineering
- BIME 6500 – Introduction to Tissue Engineering
- BIME 6700 – Selected Topics in Biomedical Engineering
- BIME 6000 – Introduction to Biomedical Engineering Research
- BIME 7000 – Thesis
- At least one course in life sciences and one in biostatistics is also required.
Where appropriate, students can structure their course selection to meet the requirements for a certificate program offered by the College of Business. Certificate topics include, but are not limited to, business analytics, finance, international management, marketing and project management, allowing students to enhance their technical expertise with valuable business and leadership skills.
Application
How to Apply:
Application for admission to the graduate program in biomedical engineering must meet the general requirements of admission set forth by the Graduate School. The graduate admission process and application forms can be found on ECU’s Graduate School website.
Requirements for Admission
Applicants for study in biomedical engineering are expected to have a bachelor’s degree in engineering with a minimum 3.0/4.0 grade point average in the last two years of undergraduate study.
The following preparatory courses are recommended:
- Mathematics – calculus through differential equations, probability and statistics
- Physics – one semester
- Chemistry – one semester
- Biology – one semester
- Engineering – one course in basic electrical engineering
- Engineering – one course in three of the following five areas: biomaterials, fluid mechanics, heat and/or mass transfer, instrumentation, systems physiology
- Engineering research or design experience
Conditional Admission
Applicants may be granted conditional admission if they do not qualify for regular admission. Students entering from disciplines other than engineering may find it necessary to take preparatory undergraduate and/or graduate level courses that serve as prerequisites. Preparatory courses that are for undergraduate credit only may not be applied toward credit hours required for a graduate degree.
Faculty
Dr. Sunghan Kim, Program Coordinator
Dr. Brian Sylcott, Graduate Program Director
Accelerated BS, Engineering/MS in Biomedical Engineering
This program is designed for advanced undergraduate engineering students who complete their bachelor’s degree requirements ahead of schedule. Graduate coursework typically begins in the fourth year of undergraduate study and is completed with one additional year of study beyond the bachelor’s degree. It is expected that students will need a full academic year beyond the completion of undergraduate requirements to finish the program. Students in the accelerated program may choose either the thesis or nonthesis track. Engineering students may apply after completing a minimum of 80 eligible undergraduate credit hours and may formally enter the program upon completing at least 95 credit hours (with 125 credit hours required for the Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree). A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required at both the time of application and entry into the program.
Students interested in applying to the accelerated program should contact the graduate program director for more information and guidance on eligibility, course planning and the application process.
Contact
For additional information, contact the engineering department’s graduate program via email.