Biomedical Engineering

Main Content

The School of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering (ECBE) offers programs of study and research leading to i) the Master of Engineering (M.E.) degree in Biomedical Engineering, and ii) the Master of Science (M.S.) degree (thesis/non-thesis) in Biomedical Engineering (BME).

The School provides a rich environment for educational and professional advancement in the following areas:

  • Medical Engineering: Medical devices, medical instrumentation, biomechanics, medical and optical imaging, medical electronics and sensors, surgical technologies, healthcare software, and biophotonics.
  • Bioengineering: bio-MEMS, bioinformatics, electrophysiology, molecular and cellular mechanics, neural engineering, and tissue engineering.


The BME programs provide a balance between formal classroom instruction and research and are tailored to the individual student’s academic and professional goals. Graduates of the programs enjoy excellent employment opportunities and are highly recruited worldwide in industry, government, and academia.

Safety glasses are required for some of the courses. Note that only 3 credit hours from each eligible 400-level course (listed in the graduate catalog) will be counted towards the graduate degree.

Academic Objectives

The program, consistent with the mission and priorities of the University, is designed to achieve the following academic objectives:

  • To provide high quality education in the field of biomedical engineering and to prepare the graduates for successful and rewarding employment as engineers or for continuing their education through the doctoral level.
  • To provide the students with the training necessary to successfully apply the fundamental concepts and methods of biomedical engineering to selected areas of employment or research and development.
  • To enhance the research environment and productivity of the School for the benefit of the students.

Master of Engineering (M.E.) in Biomedical Engineering

Admission

Individuals holding a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in engineering, science, or related field may apply. Qualified applicants with Bachelor’s degrees in other areas may be able to enroll in the program with additional preparation (approved by the School on a case-by-case basis). The applicants must indicate whether they are pursuing the degree online or on campus.

Admission to the M.E. in Biomedical Engineering program is based on the following factors: grade point average of 2.75 or higher on a scale of 4.0 on approximately the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate coursework, class ranking, and faculty recommendation letters.

GRE scores are not required for admission. However, out-of-state or international students whose GRE Verbal score or Quantitative score percentile is 80% or higher will have the advantage of paying in-state graduate tuition rates.

See https://tuition.siuc.edu/highachievers2.html. Also, GRE scores, especially Quantitative, may be considered for fellowships, assistantships, or scholarships. The minimum TOEFL score requirement for international applicants is 550 (paper based) or 80 (computer based). The application fee and any other documentation specifically required for international students will be in accordance with the requirements of the Graduate School.

Curriculum

The Master of Engineering (M.E.) in Biomedical Engineering program requires the completion of 30 credit hours of graduate level credit. The degree does not require a thesis. At least 18 credit hours must be selected from the core BME courses. BME 592 and ECE 580 (seminar) will not count towards the degree. A maximum of 6 credit hours of non-engineering courses offered by the University and approved by the School could be applied to the degree. Online/distance education credit hours offered by the University and approved by the School can be applied towards the degree. The degree can be completed in 3 semesters.

Students enrolled in the program are required to complete a comprehensive assessment that may include topics related to their graduate work as well as engineering ethics, communication skills, and professional development as determined by the School.

A student pursuing the M.E. in Biomedical Engineering degree could switch to the corresponding M.S. in Biomedical Engineering program upon recommendation of ECBE faculty and with the approval of the School, provided admission requirements to the M.S. in Biomedical Engineering degree are met. 

Retention

Any student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 on courses that count towards the degree will be placed on academic probation. Any graduate student on academic probation whose grade point average remains below 3.0 on courses that count towards the degree for two consecutive semesters in which they are enrolled, excluding summer sessions, will be permanently suspended from the program, unless the School grants an exception.

Master of Science (M.S.) in Biomedical Engineering

Objectives

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Biomedical Engineering program has two tracks: i) The non-thesis track is coursework-oriented; ii) The thesis track is research-oriented. The applicants must indicate whether they are pursuing the thesis or the non-thesis track degree option.

Admission

Individuals holding a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in engineering, science, or related field may apply. Qualified applicants with Bachelor’s degree in other areas may be able to enroll in the program with additional preparation (approved by the School on a case-by-case basis). The applicants must indicate whether they are pursuing the thesis or the non-thesis track degree option.

Admission to the M.S. in Biomedical Engineering program is based on the following factors: grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0 on approximately the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate coursework, class ranking, and faculty recommendation letters.

GRE scores are not required for admission. However, out-of-state or international students whose GRE Verbal score or Quantitative score percentile is 80% or higher will have the advantage of paying in-state graduate tuition rates.

See https://tuition.siuc.edu/highachievers2.html Also, GRE scores, especially Quantitative, may be considered for fellowships, assistantships, or scholarships. The minimum TOEFL score requirement for international applicants is 550 (paper-based) or 80 (computer-based). The application fee and any other documentation specifically required for international students will be in accordance with the requirements of the Graduate School.

Curriculum

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Biomedical Engineering program requires a total of 30 hours of graduate-level credit. For the non-thesis track, at least 6 credit hours must be in BME 500-level courses that do not have significant overlap/similarity with BME 400-level courses, as stated in their catalog description. At least 18 credit hours must be selected from the BME courses. BME 592 and ECE 580 (seminar) will not count towards the degree. The remaining courses can be selected from the BME or ECE 500-level courses. Six credit hours of thesis (BME 599) are required for the thesis track. At least 18 credit hours must be selected from the BME courses. The remaining courses can be selected from the BME or ECE 500-level courses. A maximum of three credit hours of BME 592 could be counted towards the degree requirements. ECE 580 (seminar) will not count towards the degree. Students in this track will develop a program of study in consultation with their thesis advisor/committee. For both non-thesis and thesis tracks, with the approval of the School, a maximum of 3 online/distance education credit hours offered by the School, and a maximum of 6 credit hours from academic units outside the school may be applied towards the degree.

A student pursuing the M.S. in Biomedical Engineering degree could switch (non-thesis to thesis or vice versa) upon recommendation of ECBE faculty and with the approval of the School.

Retention

Any student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 on courses that count towards the degree will be placed on academic probation. Any graduate student on academic probation whose grade point average remains below 3.0 on courses that count towards the degree for two consecutive semesters in which they are enrolled, excluding summer sessions, will be permanently suspended from the program, unless the School grants an exception.     

Accelerated Master’s Program in Biomedical Engineering

Objectives

The Accelerated Master’s Program is designed for high-achieving students who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate program in the School of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering at SIUC. The program will allow students to earn both Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree within 5 years by completing 147 credit hours (instead of 156 credit hours if pursuing Bachelor’s and Master’s studies separately).

Admission

Interested students enrolled in Biomedical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering at SIUC will consult their undergraduate Academic Advisor to learn more about the program and how to apply. Students who have earned or are in the process of earning 60 or more credit hours with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 overall could apply. Two recommendation letters from SIU faculty members are needed. The GRE or equivalent test requirement is waived for the accelerated Master’s program. However, they are important to qualify for the High Achievers Tuition Rate. See http://tuition.siuc.edu/highachievers2.html.

Apply as early as the beginning of the first semester of junior year for acceptance into the program. Work with the undergraduate Academic Advisor (and a potential graduate faculty advisor, if needed) to develop a program of study identifying 9 credit hours that may be counted towards both the Bachelor’s degree and the Master’s degree.

Students are considered undergraduates until all requirements for the Bachelor’s degree have been fulfilled. For the Master’s degree, they can select either the M.S. in Biomedical Engineering (thesis/non-thesis) or the M.E. in Biomedical Engineering degree.

Curriculum

Junior/Senior Year - Complete up to 9 graduate-level ECE credit hours during the junior/senior year taken from the School of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering (excluding ECE 492, ECE 592, BME 492, and BME 592). At most 9 graduate-level ECE credit hours will be counted towards both the Bachelor’s and the Master’s degree requirements. Graduate Year - Complete the remaining Master’s coursework within one year of full-time graduate study.

Retention

Any graduate student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 on courses that count towards the Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering will be placed on program academic probation.