The 4 + 1 Bioengineering Program is an accelerated master’s program that allows undergraduate students to earn a master’s degree in bioengineering one year after successful completion of a bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering. With careful planning and consultation with your faculty advisor, you will take master’s-level bioengineering courses as an undergraduate. When you complete your undergraduate degree, you will automatically proceed into your fifth year as a graduate student in the MS Bioengineering Program to complete the 36 credit hour requirement. The Program has two tracks, Biomedical Engineering and Synthetic Biology, which are discussed in more detail below. Additional details are found in the MS BEGR website.
Students will work with expert faculty in the fields of medical device design, imaging systems, bioengineering and synthetic biology technologies. Guided by faculty mentors, bioengineering students benefit from hands-on, research-intensive experiences unparalleled at other institutions in the region. Lab and classroom instruction includes training in cell and molecular techniques, bioinformatics, 3-D imaging and design software, and instrumentation and other simulation technologies.
Many students will complete their 4+1 master’s program in bioengineering in the year after completing their undergraduate degree, although some students may need an extra semester in a summer session. If a student takes longer than 1 year plus a summer, the student could be removed from the 4+1 program and be placed into the normal MS-BEGR Program, meaning that additional coursework maybe required.
Admissions Requirements and Applications
Students must:
- Apply and be accepted to the 4 + 1 program before the start of their junior year and before they begin to take any bioengineering master’s degree courses. Students who wish to apply must request, complete and send the application to the graduate engineering admissions counselor, who will assist with the application process (applicants might be requested to provide letters of recommendation);
- Choose either the biomedical engineering (BMED) or synthetic biology (SynBio) track and work with the track’s program director as their primary or secondary advisor;
- Take required bioengineering courses at the master’s level as undergraduates;
- Earn a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher in each of their bioengineering courses;
- Maintain a 3.0 grade-point average in the bioengineering program;
- Complete their master’s degree thesis in their 5th year;
- Strive to complete their undergraduate degree in four years.
Biomedical Engineering Track
Biomedical Engineering is the application of Engineering, Mathematics, and Physics to solve healthcare problems. Biomedical engineers design artificial limbs, joints, tissues and organs. They also design and build diagnostic equipment, monitoring devices and drug delivery systems, gather information on devices and work on software and automation for biomedical and biotechnological purposes.
Mechanical and Electrical Engineering students who meet all of the 4 + 1 program requirements will automatically be accepted into the biomedical engineering track of the bioengineering master’s program.
Synthetic Biology Track
Synthetic Biology is the application of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics to solve healthcare problems. Synthetic biologists create biological molecules, systems or even entire organisms, which are useful for medical applications or performing unique functions, such as detecting or detoxifying biohazardous chemicals.
Biology and Biochemistry students who meet all of the 4 + 1 program requirements will automatically be accepted into the cell/metabolic engineering track of the bioengineering master’s program.