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2016-2017 University Catalog
Bioengineering, MS (pending SCHEV Approval)
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Note: as of catalog publication in April, the program described below has been approved by the Board of Visitors and sent to the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia for consideration as a new degree program. The university cannot accept applications or enroll students in this program until SCHEV approval has been granted. Check the college/school website for current program status.
Banner Code: VS-MS-BIOE
School: Volgenau School of Engineering
Department: Bioengineering
The graduate program leading to an MS in Bioengineering prepares students for research and professional practice in bioengineering and related fields. The program includes both fundamentals and advanced work to apply engineering techniques to solve problems in biology and medicine. A major distinguishing feature of the curriculum is that it is designed to educate leaders who understand and appreciate how biomedical technology is translated from bench to bedside. Regardless whether they will eventually serve at universities, industry or government, they will understand that new types of devices and processes resulting from their graduate experience need to be improved and made cost-effective to reach the public. As demanded by their leadership positions, they will recognize that entrepreneurial considerations that are essential for determining whether a planned diagnostic or therapeutic approach is practical from an investment perspective and is likely to produce societal benefit.
Three options are offered, aligned with students’ interests and the job market: MS with thesis, MS with practicum, and MS with coursework.
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Admission Requirements
Applicants must have completed a baccalaureate degree in engineering or the sciences from an accredited program and an earned GPA of 3.0 or better in their 60 highest-level credits.
In addition to fulfilling Mason’s admission requirements for graduate study, applicants seeking to be admitted into the Bioengineering MS program must:
- Demonstrate interest in combining engineering or natural sciences with basic or applied biology as demonstrated by the BS degree, course selection, or project work.
- Provide three letters of recommendation, from references who are familiar with the applicant’s professional accomplishments.
- Provide a detailed statement of career goals and professional aspirations.
- If their native language is not English, students must earn a minimum TOEFL score of 575 for the paper-based exam or 230 for the computer-based exam.
- Official GRE scores.
Degree Requirements
The MS program consists of a minimum of 30-33 credit hours, distributed among the following categories:
Core Bioengineering (12 credits)
Path Options (18-21 credits)
Students must choose one from the following three options:
Thesis Option (18 credits)
Required Course (3 credits)
Thesis Research (6 credits)
Students are expected to complete 6 credits of thesis research towards their degree. Students cannot begin thesis research until the completion of their second semester of coursework. Once enrolled students must maintain continuous registration in thesis research until graduation, excluding summers. Students who defend in the summer must be registered for at least 1 credit of thesis research during that summer term.
Committee Selection
Each student must form a master’s committee comprising three individuals. A minimum of two members of the committee must be tenured or tenure-track faculty in the Department of Bioengineering . The other member must be from outside the department.
Thesis Research Proposal
Each student must prepare a written thesis proposal, and it must be presented before the completion of the first semester. The proposal must be made available to the committee at least two weeks in advance of the presentation. The proposal must be presented to and approved by the committee. The committee determines whether the proposal has merit and can lead to significant contributions to the area and whether the student has the knowledge and skills to complete the proposed work successfully and in a timely manner. If the student fails to defend the proposal, the student may present a proposal a second time, no later than 60 days from the first attempt. Failure in the second attempt results in dismissal from the program.
Thesis Preparation and Defense
While preparing the thesis, the candidate enrolls in thesis research. The candidate can proceed to a public defense of the thesis once it has been approved by the committee.
The defense must be announced at least two weeks in advance. The thesis draft must be submitted to the library and made publicly available at least two weeks in advance of the defense. The entire committee must be present at the defense. If the candidate fails to defend the thesis, the candidate may request a second defense, following the same procedures as for the initial defense. A candidate who fails a second attempt to defend the thesis is terminated from the program.
Practicum Option (18 credits)
Required Course (3 credits)
Internship/Co-Op (6 credits)
- BENG 798 - Independent Reading and Research in Bioengineering Credits: 1-6
Students are expected to complete 6 credits of BENG 798 towards their degree. Students cannot enroll in BENG 798 until the completion of their second semester of coursework. These credits must be taken along with an internship/co-op opportunity. Therefore, a letter from the specific employer must be provided on behalf of the student.
Committee Selection
Each student must form a master’s committee, comprising two or three individuals. In this case, the committee will help identify the goals of the internship and make sure that they are in line with the MS program’s objectives. The committee will also be responsible to evaluate a final report and presentation to assess the successful completion of the internship. A minimum of one member of the committee must be tenured or tenure-track faculty in the Department of Bioengineering . The other two members must be representatives from the internship program.
Project Preparation and Presentation
During the internship, the candidate enrolls in BENG 798 - Independent Reading and Research in Bioengineering (Internship/Co-op) and prepares the project report and presentation. The candidate can proceed to the final presentation of the project once it has been approved by the committee.
The presentation must be announced at least two weeks in advance. The report draft must be submitted to the library and made publicly available at least two weeks in advance of the defense. The entire committee must be present at the presentation. If the candidate fails to defend the project, the candidate may request a second attempt, following the same procedures as for the initial one. A candidate who fails a second attempt is terminated from the program.
Coursework Option (21 credits)
Required Course (3 credits)
Electives (9 credits for Thesis and Practicum Options, 18 credits for Coursework Option)
Additional Training Requirement
Bioengineering Seminar
All MS students are required to attend a minimum of two departmental seminars per semester. Students will sign an attendance sheet available at the end of each seminar.
Total: 30-33 credits
Note: Students who elect to the coursework option will complete a minimum of 33 credit hours.
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