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University of Pittsburgh    
2022-2023 Graduate & Professional Studies Catalog 
    
 
  Mar 29, 2024
 
2022-2023 Graduate & Professional Studies Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Bioengineering, MS


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Students interested in pursuing a Master of Science in Bioengineering have three options:

  1. “Research MS” program: This is a thesis-based program in which the student completes a combination of didactic coursework and, under the mentorship of an advisor, performs and defends a scholarly thesis project.
  2. “Professional MS” program, Medical Product Engineering: This is a nonthesis-based form of education focused of didactic coursework related to medical product engineering and yields a Master of Science in Bioengineering - Medical Product Engineering. It provides opportunities for students to acquire relevant business, advanced engineering, and technology skills such as entrepreneurship, product development, regulatory processes, and commercialization. It is ideally positioned to offer a premier educational program in response to the strong interest and support for medical product innovation and product development. It is ideal for current industry professionals or students desiring a career in the healthcare industry.
  3. “Professional MS” program, focus on Neural Engineering: This is a nonthesis-based form of education focused of didactic coursework related to neural engineering and yields a Master of Science in Bioengineering. Students will gain a deeper knowledge of the nervous system and, from an engineering perspective, the knowledge to develop computational models and build neuro-mimetic devices for treatment of neurological disorders and application to non-biological systems.

MS Bioengineering (Research or Thesis Track) Requirements


The course requirements for the MS in Bioengineering (thesis track) include the following:

Total number of credit hours - 30 credits (in addition to credits from foundational courses, if taken). Other required courses may be tailored to the student’s background and interests. Students must always maintain a 3.0 GPA to remain in good standing in the program. Research-based MS students are also required to complete 1 teaching practicum. There is no course registration for the educational practicum experience, and fulfillment is monitored by the department.

Typically, completion of the Research MS program requires two years.  Within the first year of enrollment (preferably within the first semester), the MS candidate is expected to finalize the general area in which they will write a thesis and an advisor who will guide their work.  By the third semester of enrollment, the student is to prepare a Master’s Thesis, following University requirements for Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs.)  The student (under the guidance of their advisor) selects a thesis committee that consists of three faculty members and at least two need to be member of the Bioengineering faculty.  The third member can also be a Bioengineering faculty, although an outside member is recommended.  The student’s advisor will act as Chairman of this committee.  The committee meets at least once per year and oversees the Thesis Defense.

 

MS Bioengineering - Medical Product Engineering (Non-Thesis Track) Requirements


The Department of Bioengineering offers a Master of Science degree in Bioengineering - Medical Product Engineering in the professional or non-thesis program of graduate education. The focus on medical product engineering is ideal for current industry professionals or students desiring a career in the healthcare industry. It provides opportunities to acquire relevant business, advanced engineering, and technology skills such as entrepreneurship, product development, regulatory processes, and commercialization. It is ideally positioned to offer a premier educational program in response to the strong interest and support for medical product innovation and product development.

MS Bioengineering Requirements (Non-Thesis Track; Neural Engineering focus)


This curriculum in the profession or non-thesis program of graduate education prepares students to work in the exciting and dynamic field of neural engineering including neural prosthetics, brain-computer interface systems, epilepsy monitoring, deep brain stimulation, engineering approaches to psychiatric disorders, and brain-inspired computation. It is a fast-growing field that provides clinical and technological benefits.

Neural engineering students will pursue didactic coursework that builds core competency in at least two areas. Example concentration areas include but are not limited to:

  • Brain-computer interfaces
  • Neural tissue interfaces
  • Neural imaging and signals
  • Neural devices and neuromorphic engineering

The concentrations for core competency will be selected in consultation with the program director and will take into consideration the student’s previous training and career aspirations.

The course requirements for the MS in Bioengineering (professional track) include the following:

  • 12 credits in Concentration 1
  • 9 credits in Concentration 2
  • 3 credits in life science
  • 3 credits in medical ethics
  • 3 credits in mathematics/statistics

Total number of credit hours - 30 credits (in addition to credits from foundational courses, if taken). All students must maintain a 3.0 GPA at all times to remain in good standing in the program.

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