Graduate Bulletin

Bioengineering, M.S.

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: July 1                                     [December 15 for international applicants]

Spring: November 1                             [August 1 for international applicants]

Applications are processed on a rolling basis up through the deadline.

Letters of Reference:

Number Required: 3

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from college/university faculty members familiar with the applicant's academic competence.  Applicants employed in an engineering profession should request a letter of reference from their immediate supervisor.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration:

Applicants should have completed a course in general chemistry and a two-year sequence in mathematics.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

A bachelor's degree in mechanical or electrical engineering, or in biological or physical sciences, from an accredited institution is required for admission. Applicants without an engineering degree may require certain prerequisites.

Statement of Goals:

The Statement of Goals should include the applicant's long-term plans for study and research, plans for a long-term professional career, academic achievements, and professional experience, if any. It should be approximately 1-2 pages in length.

Standardized Test Scores:

The GRE is required. Applicants with GRE scores below 450 verbal, 650 quantitative, and 4.5 analytical may not be admitted.

Minimum TOEFL score or range of scores needed to be accepted: 575 paper-based, 230 computer-based, or 88 internet-based.  Any student admitted with a TOEFL score below 600 on the paper-based, 250 on the computer-based, or 100 on the internet-based examination must pass an English skills course during the first semester of enrollment at Temple University.  Those having taken the paper-based or computer-based test have the additional option of testing out of the English course by taking and passing the SPEAK test at Temple.

Resume:

A resume is required.

Transfer Credit:

Graduate credits taken at an accredited institution may be transferred into the M.S. program. In order to transfer, the courses must be equivalent to courses offered at Temple in the student's area of study and research, and the grades must be "B" or better. The admissions committee makes recommendations for the transfer of credit. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer is 6.

Test Waivers:

Applicants with two or more years of employment in an engineering profession performing engineering design and analysis may request a waiver of the GRE.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:

Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 24 - 27

Students choose between two options.  The thesis option requires 24 s.h. of coursework and 6 s.h. of master’s thesis (EE/ME 798: Thesis I and EE/ME 799: Thesis II).  The non-thesis option requires 27 s.h. of coursework, plus an independent research project (EE/ME 795: Research Project) or, with permission of the department, another 3 s.h. course.

Required Courses:

BIO 234

ENGR 520

ENGR 525

Internship: No internship is required.

Language Examination: No language examination is required.

Culminating Events:

Thesis Option:

Students completing the thesis option need to complete a master's thesis, a document detailing independent research that demonstrates the student's mastery of his/her primary area of interest. The thesis research is conducted under the direct supervision of an academic advisor. The specific topic for research should be of current interest in academia or the professional community. After a research topic is selected, the student performs preliminary research. A thesis proposal is then submitted describing the initial results and a plan for further research toward completion of the proposed research. The thesis proposal is then presented at an open seminar to the Thesis Committee, which evaluates its technical merit and research methodology. The student may continue the research only after the proposal is approved by the committee.

The final draft of the thesis should be submitted at least two weeks before the anticipated date of the thesis defense. The student's academic advisor, in consultation with members of the Thesis Committee, sets a date and time for the thesis defense. The department secretary will arrange for a room for the defense and post flyers announcing the defense.

The Thesis Committee is responsible for evaluating the thesis and its defense. No thesis should go to defense unless it is ready for public scrutiny. The committee evaluates the primary findings of the research and their implications, technical methodology, and the student's ability to verbally present the research results. The committee votes pass/fail on the thesis and defense at the conclusion of the public presentation. If the student must make revisions, those changes must be completed within one month from the date of public presentation; failure to do so requires a new thesis defense.

Non-Thesis Option:

Students in the non-thesis option may be required to complete an independent research project and submit a report toward the requirements of EE or ME 795: Research Project.  The goal of the research project is to evaluate the student's ability to perform independent research in analysis and design for an engineering application. The topic for research is selected after discussion with the student's academic advisor. The scope of research is carefully outlined so as to allow the student to complete the research in one semester. After completing the course, the student submits a final report detailing the findings of the research and presents it at an open seminar. The report is evaluated by two members of the faculty, including the student's academic advisor.  With permission of the department, students may also elect to take another course in place of EE/ME 795.

Contacts

Program Contact Information:

www.temple.edu/engineering

Department Information:

Office of Graduate Studies
College of Engineering
1947 North 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
gradengr@temple.edu
215-204-7800

Department Contacts:

Admissions:

Office of Graduate Studies
gradengr@temple.edu
215-204-7800

Program Coordinator:

George R. Baran
george.baran@temple.edu
215-204-8824

Graduate Chairperson:

Chairperson:

About the Program

The M.S. in Bioengineering program offers students graduate-level interdisciplinary education and research opportunities in bioengineering and engineering applications in related healthcare fields. The program offers concentrations in Biomechanics, Biomaterials, and Bioelectronics. Graduates of the program are prepared for careers in industry or may choose to pursue a program of study leading to the Ph.D. degree. The program offers research opportunities in collaboration with faculty in the College of Science and Technology and the School of Medicine.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 5 years

Campus Location:

Main

Students may also take a significant number of required and elective courses at the Health Sciences Center campus.

Full-Time/Part-Time Status:

Students are able to complete the didactic portion of the degree program through classes offered after 4:30 p.m.  Students are also able to complete the degree program on a part-time basis (8 credit hours or less per semester).

Department Information:

Office of Graduate Studies
College of Engineering
1947 North 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
gradengr@temple.edu
215-204-7800

Interdisciplinary Study:

The program encourages interdisciplinary research with other branches of engineering as well as with various departments of the College of Science and Technology and the School of Medicine.

Affiliation(s):

Not applicable.

Study Abroad:

No.

Ranking:

Not applicable.

Accreditation:

Not applicable.

Areas of Specialization:

Three areas of specialization are available: Biomechanics, Biomaterials, and Bioelectronics. Research in Biomechanics includes computer-aided design of composite biomaterials, mechanical properties of orthopedic implant materials, design of orthopedic implants, and modeling of biomaterial behavior. Research in Biomaterials includes wear of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, polymer chemistry, and interfacial chemistry. Research in Bioelectronics includes sensor development and image analysis.

Job Placement:

Graduates with the M.S. in Bioengineering are employed in a variety of biomedical industries ranging from device manufacturers to design engineering. Other possibilities include careers in government, either in regulatory agencies or with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Students who complete an M.S. with a thesis are prepared to enter a doctoral program.

Licensure:

Not applicable.

Non-Degree Student Policy:

Non-matriculated students may take up to 9 s.h. of graduate-level courses. If accepted into the M.S. in Bioengineering program, the student may apply those courses with a grade of "B" or better toward the M.S. degree requirements. For admission to the program, students must fulfill the general admission criteria for graduate admission. Students who complete 9 s.h. in academic good standing may request a waiver of the GRE, which is usually required for admission to the M.S. program.

Financing Opportunities

The principal duties of a Teaching Assistant include assisting faculty in classroom and laboratory instruction, preparing apparatus or material for laboratory demonstration, conducting tutorials and discussion sections, and grading homework. TAs are expected to devote 20 hours per week to these or similar teaching-related activities. Research Assistants are expected to devote 20 hours per week to research obligations. RAs are assigned to a faculty member or principal investigator who is working on a specific research project. The appropriate subjects for research are determined by consultation between the student and the student's research and academic advisors. Both Teaching and Research Assistantships carry a stipend and tuition support for up to 9 credits per semester. All applicants for full-time admission are considered for support based on academic credentials, GRE scores, and professional experience. Applications should include a statement of research and teaching experience, areas of interest and future goals, and a curriculum vitae.

Updated 1.4.06