M.S. in Bioengineering

University of California, Riverside (Engineering)

The M.S. degree is part of the BIG (Bioengineering Interdepartmental Graduate) Program and is ideal for professionals seeking greater depth in several areas of bioengineering or individuals with biological science degrees who wish to enhance their foundation for employment in the many biotechnology fields.

The Master of Science degree requires a minimum of 36 quarter credits and may be completed in three to four academic quarters of full-time study. Both thesis and non-thesis options are offered for the M.S. degree program (Plan I, Thesis, and Plan II, Comprehensive Examination). Students must request permission to pursue a Master of Science in Bioengineering while simultaneously pursing a Ph.D. in a program other than Bioengineering

Plan I (Research Thesis)

• designed primarily for students who intend to pursue a Ph.D.
• at least 24 of the 36 units required must be graduate-level courses
• a maximum of 12 units from BIEN 297 and BIEN 299 may be used towards the 36 unit requirement
• a significant level of research is required
• students should begin research as soon as possible; this can be done by participating in research lab rotations during their first quarter of the program
• Thesis Defense: Completion of a thesis has two components: submission of a written document approved by the thesis committee AND a passing of a thesis defense.

Plan II (Comprehensive Exam)

• designed primarily for students who do not intend to pursue a Ph.D.
• normative time for completion is 1 year
• at least 18 of the 36 units required must be graduate-level courses
• units from BIEN 297 and BIEN 299 may not be used towards the 18 unit requirement
• Written MS Exit Exam: Students will take a comprehensive exam that is related to 1 of the 5 research focus area selected. Exams will be administered at the end of Spring Quarter. If a students fails the exam, they will be granted the opportunity to retake the exam prior to the start of the Fall Quarter. No more than 2 attempts to pass the exam are allowed.