MS Plan I Degree Requirements
The requirements for a Master of Science Plan I degree in Biomedical Engineering are completion of 30 units of approved coursework, including four core courses (below), and an MS thesis approved by a three-member faculty committee. 28 units of these courses must be taken for a letter grade; the minimum acceptable grade is B- and the minimum overall GPA is 3.00. S/U-graded courses (e.g., research 290C and 299 and seminar 290 courses) do not count toward the 28-unit graded coursework requirement.Each MS student must pass the 4 core courses and all additional elective courses completed to satisfy degree requirements. Each student’s program of study must be approved by their major professor and signed by the corresponding Biomedical Engineering graduate advisor. Students are asked to file a preliminary program of study with the graduate group within the first two weeks of the first quarter of enrollment. The study plan is to be updated annually.
Full-time students enrolled in the MS Plan I program and who have entered with adequate preparation are expected to adhere to the following timetable:
Year One - Fall
- BIM 202: Cell & Molec Biol
- BIM 204: Physiology
- BIM 290: BME Seminar
- Elective
- Rotate in research labs (optional)
Year One - Winter
- BIM 283: Experimental Design or 284: Math Methods
- BIM 290: BME Seminar
- 2 Electives
- Rotate in Reseach Labs (optional)
Year One - Spring
- BIM 281: Acquisition & Analysis
- BIM 290: BME Seminar
- Join Research Lab
- BIM 299: Thesis Research
Year One - Summer
- Thesis Research
Year Two - Fall
- Bim 299: Thesis Research
Year Two - Winter
- BIM 299: Thesis Research
Year Two - Spring
- BIM 299: Thesis Research
- Complete Thesis
- File to Graduate
Course Selection
At least 18 units of the 28-unit total graded coursework must be graduate-level engineering courses (those numbered 200 – 289). The remaining units must be either advanced undergraduate (courses numbered 100 – 189) or graduate courses (200 – 289). Students must enroll in BIM 290 seminar course (1 unit) during each quarter it is offered. Students select courses in consultation with their major professor and graduate advisor. For an up-to-date listing of classes, please see the courses page.
Core Courses
BIM 202: Cell and Molecular Biology for Engineers
Preparation for research and critical review in the field of cell and molecular biology for biomedical or applied science engineers. Emphasis on biophysical and engineering concepts intrinsic to specific topics including protein traffic, the cytoskeleton, cell motility, cell division, and cell adhesion. Modern topics in mechano-biology of cancer cells and stem cells.
- Quarter: F
- Units: 4
BIM 204: Physiology for Bioengineers
Basic human physiology of the nervous, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, lymphatic, renal and gastrointestinal systems and their interactions. Emphasis is placed on the physical and engineering principles governing these systems, including control and transport processes, fluid dynamics, and electrochemistry.
- Quarter: F
- Units: 5
BIM 281: Acquisition and Analysis of Biomedical Signals
This lecture/laboratory course introduces basic concepts associated with digital signal recording and analysis. Lectures introduce concepts of sampling; standard probability distributions; statistical error analysis related to experimental design; Fourier, and spectral analysis applied to signal and image processing. Labs are designed to provide hands-on experience with digital oscilloscopes, waveform generators, optical microscopy, Matlab- and Labview-based software applications.
- Quarter: S
- Units: 4
BIM 283: Experimental Design for Biomedical Engineers
Provides biomedical engineering graduate students with the tools to properly design experiments, collect and analyze data, and extract, communicate and act on information generated.
- Quarter: W
- Units: 4
BIM 284: Mathematical Methods for Biomedical Engineers
Theoretical and numerical analyses of linear and nonlinear systems, ordinary and partial differential equations that describe biological systems and instruments that measure them. Students will be introduced to numerical solution techniques.
- Quarter: W
- Units: 4