The M.S. in Biomedical Engineering are jointly offered between UT Health San Antonio and The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). The primary objective of this program is to broadly train students in the principles of biomedical engineering so they are well prepared to participate in the development of new approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases.
As the program is multidisciplinary, the curriculum is designed to provide a synergistic combination of formal courses, seminars, teaching opportunities, interactions with clinicians, and individualized biomedical engineering research experiences in the laboratories of the biomedical engineering faculty. All students are required to take core courses in the areas of Biomaterials, Biomechanics, Bioelectronics/Imaging and Biology, Physiology, as well as Responsible Conduct of Research, and Experimental Design and Data Analysis. In addition to the basic core curriculum, students are required to take additional coursework in the area of specialization. Students have access to the bioengineering and biosciences laboratories at both the Health Science Center and UTSA. This provides a unique opportunity to have learning experiences in medical, dental, bioscience, and engineering environments.
Biomedical Engineering Objectives/Program Outcomes
- BME students will demonstrate their understanding of fundamental biology concepts for biomedical applications. Fundamental knowledge of biology is evaluated.
- BME students will be able to design and carry out research experiments. Fundamental research skills are evaluated.
- BME students will be able to communicate research findings to diverse audience.
- BME students will demonstrate their understanding of biomaterials concepts. Fundamental biomaterials knowledge and the students' abilities to apply the knowledge of biomaterials are evaluated.
- BME students will demonstrate their understanding of biomechanics concepts. Fundamental knowledge of biomechanics is evaluated.
- BME students will conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner in all biomedical engineering research.
- BME students will critically evaluate scientific literature.
Degree Requirements
Thesis Option
A minimum of 32.0 semester credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree and a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 is required for the M.S. degree in Biomedical Engineering thesis option. Undergraduate courses, general education courses, and prerequisites for graduate courses cannot be counted toward this total. For transferring students, course credit allowed for transfer will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the Biomedical Engineering Committee on Graduate Studies (COGS). If recommended by COGS, the request will then be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School for approval. Regardless of their area of specialization, all students are required to take a total of 17.0 semester credit hours of Required Core Courses. In addition, all students must register for three semesters of Research seminar, a minimum of 6 semester credit hours of approved Elective Courses, and a minimum of 6 semester credit hours of biomedical engineering Master’s Thesis Research. The courses taken by students are intended to focus and support the individual’s mastery of his or her particular area of specialization. The student must successfully present their Thesis and be recommended by their program COGS for approval of their degree to the Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
Non-thesis Option
A non-thesis option is available upon approval from the Program Director and the Graduate Advisor of Record. Typically, a Master's degree (non-thesis option) plan of study will consist of at least 36.0 semester credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree. Undergraduate courses, general education courses, and prerequisites for graduate courses cannot be counted toward this total. For transferring students, course credit allowed for transfer will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the Biomedical Engineering Committee on Graduate Studies (COGS). If recommended by COGS, the request will then be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School for approval. Regardless of their area of specialization, all students are required to take a total of 18.0 semester credit hours of Required Core Courses. In addition, all students must register for three semesters of Research seminar and a minimum of 15 semester credit hours of approved Elective courses.
Sample Plan of Study
View a sample plan of study for the Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering program.