M.S.-Plan B Requirements

Choose TWO courses from the following list:

• BMEn 5001 - Advanced Biomaterials
• BMEn 5101 - Advanced Bioelectricity and Instrumentation
• BMEn 5201 - Advanced Biomechanics
• BMEn 5311 - Advanced Biomedical Transport Processes
• BMEn 5351 - Cell Engineering
• BMEn 5401 - Advanced Biomedical Imaging

If additional core courses are completed, they may be counted toward other degree requirements.

TWO semesters of the BME Graduate Seminar (BMEn 8601/8602) are required. Click here for the current seminar schedule. Other graduate seminars, Grand Rounds, etc., may not be substituted for this requirement.

ONE course in statistics is required. Recommended courses are:

• STAT 5021 - Statistical Analysis
• STAT 5302 - Applied Regression Analysis
• STAT 5303 - Designing Experiments

The statistics course must be at the 5xxx level or higher, unless approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.

TWO courses with a primarily biological emphasis are required.

This category may include BMEn 5501 - Biology for Biomedical Engineers, as well as courses from several other departments (e.g., Biochemistry, Microbiology, Physiology, etc.).

All biology electives must be at the 5000 level or higher unless approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.

Technical electives are courses offered in the College of Science and Engineering (CSE) in engineering, physical sciences, and mathematics. THREE of these courses are required, ONE of which must be in engineering.

Courses outside of CSE with content predominantly in engineering, physical sciences, and/or mathematics may be counted toward this requirement with pre-approval from the Director of Graduate Studies.

All technical electives must be at the 5000 level or higher unless approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.

TWO additional courses in fields of science or engineering field are required.

The free electives 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. 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 B 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, bio/tech electives, etc.).

*Part-time students do not need to submit the Graduate Degree Plan until one semester before they plan to complete the degree.

As part of the required 35 credits for the M.S.-Plan B degree, students must complete 2-3 credits of Plan B Project (BMEn 8820). The project must be done in collaboration with the advisor and documented with a report.

M.S.-Plan B students may register for Plan B Project credits during any semester, with the advisor's approval.

At least one month prior to the Final Examination/Project 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.

All M.S.-Plan B students must perform a Final Oral Examination in defense of the Plan B Project. The Master's defense is closed to the public. It is not restricted to a discussion of the project, but will include questions related to coursework in the major and minor/supporting fields.