Overview
In an effort to serve the highest achieving undergraduate engineering students at The University of Iowa, BME and the College of Engineering support a combined bachelor of science in engineering and master of science degree program (BSE/MS). Students admitted to this program will be allowed to: apply three engineering courses (9 sh) towards both the BSE and MS degree requirements; take an additional 3 sh of graduate coursework before completing their BSE; and attend and participate in the departmental graduate seminar. The intent of the program is to allow an early entrance to graduate school for our most able students.
Students admitted to this program will be allowed to:
- Apply three engineering courses (9 sh) towards the requirement from both the BSE and MS in BME;
- Take an additional 3 sh of graduate coursework before completing their BSE;
- Attend and participate in the BME departmental graduate seminar; and
- Begin to work on master's thesis or course work starting as early as the summer following the junior year of undergraduate studies.
The intention of the program is to enhance the opportunities for graduate study for our most able students.
Eligibility
Students applying to the BSE/MS program in Biomedical Engineering must meet the following criteria at the time of application:
- Minimum of 80 semester credit hours completed towards their BSE degree;
- Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher
- Identify a thesis or project mentor
Admissions
The application is a two-step process. First, submit the BME application and required materials (listed below) to the Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering by May 1. After receiving departmental approval, please apply to The University of Iowa Graduate College through the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Students are encouraged to begin the application in the spring of the junior year. The Graduate Admissions application for the BSE/MS program must be received by the Office of Graduate Admissions before the beginning of the senior year (summer or winter break). Admission to the MS program is subject to review by the BME Director of Graduate Studies.
The application requirements for the preliminary BME application are listed below.
THESIS DEGREE OPTION
- The BSE/MS application form.
- Transcript (a printout of the grade report is sufficient).
- A copy of your resume/CV.
- A letter of support from a faculty member willing to serve as research mentor.
NON-THESIS DEGREE OPTION
- The BSE/MS application form.
- Transcript (a printout of the grade report is sufficient).
- A copy of your resume/CV.
Email all application materials to Sara Hartman, Graduate Program Specialist
Graduation Requirements
Successful completion of the graduate degree requires advice and approval from the student's graduate advisor and committee.
A student in the BSE/MS degree program must complete all the graduate requirements of both the undergraduate and graduate programs in BME. However, 9 sh of courses may be counted toward both the BSE and MS degrees including Biostatistics, Human Physiology, and a 5000 level course from your BME focus area Requisites or Engineering Electives. An additional 3 sh of graduate courses may be taken before BSE graduation. Thirty total semester hours of graduate credits are required, 24 sh of course work and 6 sh of either thesis or project credit. Students entering the BSE/MS degree program are required to enroll in the BME engineering graduate seminar each semester during the graduate degree.
The MS must be completed within 2 years from completing the BSE degree. If a student withdraws from the joint BSE/MS joint degree program, or does not complete the MS two years after completing the BSE, no graduate credit will be given for any portion of the semester hours eligible for joint counting that have been completed.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition is assessed at the undergraduate level during the undergraduate portion of the program. Graduate tuition will be assessed beginning the first semester after undergraduate commencement.
Research and/or Teaching Assistantships and other forms of financial aid are not routinely provided to BSE/MS students. However, students are encouraged to discuss this with their graduate advisor.
Who to Contact?
Sara Hartman, Graduate Program Specialist