Biomedical Engineering (M.S.)

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Biomedical Engineering is an extremely broad discipline. A consequence of this breadth is that it is difficult to define a set of core courses that will satisfy the needs of all students. In USD’s program, we have identified a short list of courses that we believe are essential for all students, and this list is enumerated below. In addition to the listed courses, a graduate student’s advisor as well as their advisory committee may require that a student take other courses (from Biomedical Engineering and other disciplines as appropriate) that are relevant to their research and career goals. Up to 21 credits of prior graduate level coursework may be applied toward the Ph.D. program at the discretion of the student’s advisory committee.

Program Overview

The biomedical engineer serves as an interface between traditional engineering disciplines and living systems, applying the patterns of living organisms to engineering design or new approaches to human health. The master’s program focuses on the application of engineering and science methodologies to the analysis of biological and physiological problems and to the development and delivery of health care technologies. It includes an accelerated option for current USD students and has an optional medical product development and manufacturing specialization. Learn more at usd.edu/bme.

DELIVERY: On campus (GEAR Center)

Master of Science, Biomedical Engineering Plan A and Plan B: Total 33 credit hours

Major Area Coursework

BME 710 - Experimental Design & Data Analysis in Biomedical Engineering (C) 3 cr
BME 790 - Seminar (C) 1 cr (3 credits of Seminar required)

Plan A

Major Area Coursework 6 credit hours
BME 798 - Master’s Thesis (C) 1 to 6 cr (6 credit hours required)
BME Advisor and Chair Approved Electives 12-21 credit hours
Non-Departmental Electives (approved by Advisor and BME Chair) 0-9 credit hours

Plan B

Major Area Coursework 6 credit hours
BME 788 - Research Problems/Projects 1-12 cr (6 credit hours required)
Select Specialization or No Specialization option below: 21 credit hours

No Specialization Option (21 credit hours)

BME Advisor and Chair Approved Electives 12-21 credit hours
Non-Departmental Electives (approved by Advisor and BME Chair) 0-9 credit hours

Medical Product Development and Manufacturing Specialization (21 credit hours)-Plan B only

BME 525 - Medical Product Development 3 cr
BME 550 - Regulatory Pathways for Medical Product Development 3 cr
BME 715 - Scientific Communications 3 cr
Electives (Select 1 course; 3 credit hours required):
BME 601 - Biomaterials (C) 3 cr
BME 721 - Tissue Engineering 3 cr
BME 723 - Cellular Engineering 3 cr
BME 751 - Drug Delivery (C) 3 cr
Non-Departmental Requirements:
BADM 580 - Foundations of Marketing and Organizational Behavior 3 cr
BADM 761 - Leadership Development 3 cr
POLS 771 - Public Policy Process and Evaluation 3 cr

Note:

Approved elective courses in the area of the student’s intended research are to be selected in consultation with the student’s advisory committee. The number of elective courses required will depend on the student’s background and educational goals. Other non-departmental electives are allowed with advisor and BME Chair approval.

General Application Requirements

Completed application
$35 application fee
Official transcripts*
Letters of recommendation*
Statement of purpose
Resume/CV*

*Requirements for admission vary by program and may require different documentation and have different deadlines. This list is not all-inclusive, to view specific program requirements and submission deadlines, follow the “Admissions Information” hyperlink at the top of this page OR visit the specific program/dept. page found here: link.usd.edu/grad-catalog

Accelerated Master’s Program: B.S., M.S.

Up to 12 credits applied toward the B.S. program may be used to satisfy graduate credit. The following restrictions apply:

The courses must be taken at the 400/500/600 level as an undergraduate. Dual-listed courses taken at the 500-level can be applied to both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. Dual-listed courses must be taken at the 500-level.
The student must apply to, and be admitted to, the accelerated program prior to taking courses to be credited toward the accelerated program.
No courses taken prior to admission to the accelerated program may be counted toward an accelerated graduate degree. No exceptions to this policy will be approved.
Courses that are “double counted” must be approved by the program coordinator for inclusion in the program of study prior to registration for the course or the credits will not be applied toward the accelerated graduate degree. No exceptions to this policy will be approved.
Only courses taken at the student’s home institution are eligible for dual credit. No transferred courses from other institutions will be allowed to count toward the accelerated master’s degree.
Students admitted to the accelerated M.S. Program may be allowed may register for all courses included on his/her program of study and these credit hours may apply to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.

State Authorization - It Matters Where You Live

If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference USD’s State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization

Questions?

Biomedical Engineering GEAR Center
605-275-7474 | bme@usd.edu | usd.edu/bme

Graduate Admissions
605-658-6140 | gradadmissions@usd.edu | usd.edu/grad