M.S.-Plan A Degree Requirements

Six credits of core coursework are required, to be chosen from the BMEn 5000-Level Core and/or BMEn 8000-Level Core lists.

If additional core courses are completed, their credits may be counted toward other degree requirements, as indicated on the list of Courses by Number.

Two credits of BMEn 8601 and/or BMEn 8602 are required. Seminars are 1 credit per semester and may be repeated for credit.

Click here for the current seminar schedule.

Graduate seminars from other departments/programs may NOT be substituted for this requirement.

Six credits of coursework with a primarily biological emphasis are required.

See the Biology Electives list for a selection of courses that have been approved for this requirement.

Biology elective credits must be at the 5000 level or higher unless approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.

Nine credits of technical electives are required. Three of these credits must include math-/stat-intensive coursework.

See the Technical Electives and Math-/Stat-Intensive lists for a selection of courses that have been approved for these requirements.

Technical elective credits must be at the 5000 level or higher unless approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.

Three additional credits in a field of science or engineering are required.

Some courses do not have sufficient technical/biology content to count toward those elective requirements - see the Free Electives list for courses that may only be counted toward the Free requirement.

Free elective credits must be at the 5000 level or higher unless approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.

The M.S. electives (Biology, Technical, Free) must include a minimum of 6 credits of minor or supporting program coursework. This coursework must be completed outside BME in engineering, mathematics, the physical sciences, and/or the biological sciences.

• If a MINOR is chosen, it will be included on the official transcript. A minor must be approved by the DGS of the program granting the minor. Students are advised to determine appropriate courses for fulfillment of minor requirements during their first semester of study.
• If a SUPPORTING PROGRAM is chosen, it must be composed of a coherent set of courses, possibly embracing several disciplines, and should include at least one 8000-level elective. A supporting program will not appear on the transcript.

By the end of the first academic year of study, M.S.-Plan A students should submit a Graduate Degree Plan to the advisor, DGS, and Graduate School for approval. The Graduate Degree Plan is the formal statement of the coursework being used to satisfy degree requirements.

Along with the Graduate Degree Plan, students should also submit the M.S.-Plan A Supplement for review by the DGS. The supplement is an internal form that shows which courses are being used toward the specific degree requirements set by the department (core courses, biology/technical electives, etc.).

In addition to the 26 credits of coursework, M.S.-Plan A students must complete 10 thesis credits (BMEn 8777). The thesis must be based on research done by the student in collaboration with his/her advisor.

Thesis credits cannot be transferred from other institutions and cannot be used toward the minimum coursework requirements for the degree.

Master's students may register for thesis credits during any semester, with the advisor's approval.

Upon completion of all M.S. coursework and thesis credits, students are eligible for Advanced Master's Status and, with approval of the advisor and DGS, can maintain their full-time student status by registering for just one credit of BMEn 8333 (FTE: Master's). This registration category is only intended for advanced M.S. students who have completed all required coursework and thesis credits but are still working full-time on the research or writing of the thesis.

The Application for Advanced Master's Status must be submitted to the BME office prior to each semester in which the student plans to register for BMEn 8333. Pay special attention to the application deadlines posted on the form!

At least one month prior to the Final Examination/Thesis Defense, students must assign their examination committee members online by going to the Graduate School's Forms for Master's Students and clicking on "Master's Final Examination Committee."

Committee requirements are posted on the Graduate School website at http://www.grad.umn.edu/students/masterscommittee.

Upon completion of the thesis and with the approval of the committee, all M.S.-Plan A students must perform a Final Oral Examination in defense of the thesis. The Master's defense must be closed to the public. It is not restricted to a discussion of the thesis, but will include questions related to coursework in the major and minor/supporting fields.

Master's students may submit the thesis in either electronic or paper format. Click here for details from the Graduate School on the available options, formatting requirements, etc (opens in new window/tab).

Graduate degrees are awarded on the last working day of the month in which the candidate completes all requirements. The degree award will appear on the candidate's transcript approximately 3 weeks following the official conferral date. Diplomas are mailed within 4-6 weeks of the official conferral date.

The Arts, Sciences, and Engineering Graduate Commencement is held each spring. Students wishing to participate in the commencement ceremony must apply to do so by the posted deadlines. See http://gradcommencement.umn.edu/ for information, eligibility requirements, cap and gown information, and additional details.