Biomedical Engineering
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    Biomedical Engineering

    East Carolina University
    East Carolina University
    United States of America
    United States of America, Greenville
    Duration2 year(s)
    Tuition Fee
    USD 39,466 / Year
    Next IntakeAugust 21, 2026
    Biomedical Engineering

    About

    Are you interested in a 21st-century career in a growing and cutting edge field? Do you want to make improvements in the quality of life for many people by helping find solutions to complex scientific and medical problems?

    The master of science in biomedical engineering provides a foundation for a highly trained work force to become leaders who support economic development, industry, and academia.

    Biomedical engineering integrates science with biology and medicine to solve clinical problems. Biomedical engineers are involved in the development of many types of medical procedures and devices such as prosthesis, pacemakers, implantable defibrillators, dialysis machines, and MRI imaging systems. They also take part in biomedical research and the development of biomaterials, bioelectronics, and biomechanics, including tissue generation and bioengineering blood vessels and organs.

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    Program Coordinator: Ali Vahdati (4214 Ross Hall; 252-737-7779; [email protected])

    The goal of the Biomedical Engineering, MS program is to provide a foundation in biomedical engineering expertise and a trained workforce of leaders to support economic development, industry, and academia. ECU offers academic programs in engineering, medicine, dentistry, nursing, allied health, and business on one campus. Students will be engaged in multidisciplinary research focused on device and equipment design, and the application of innovative, advanced technologies to solve complex problems in the life sciences, medicine, and health care industry.

    I. Degree Requirements

    The courses in this program are designed to provide students with a solid foundation in research methods, life science, advanced mathematics, and biostatistics, and facilitate the preparation of a thesis proposal.

    In addition to the course work each student must complete a research-based thesis, a comprehensive defense of thesis proposal, a seminar based on thesis research, and a thesis defense.

    All students are required to take at least 14 s.h. of BIME courses. Courses must be chosen in consultation with the student's research advisor.

    The degree requires a minimum of 32 s.h. as follows:

      A. Core - 8 s.h.
      • BIME 6000 - Introduction to Biomedical Engineering Research
      • BIME 7000 - Thesis (6 s.h. are required)
      B. Required courses - a minimum of 24 s.h
        1. Biomedical engineering courses (12 s.h.)

        Select four of the following approved courses:

        • BIME 5400 - Biomaterials
        • BIME 6200 - Biomedical Instrumentation and Measurements
        • BIME 6250 - Biomedical Signal Processing
        • BIME 6300 - Cardiovascular Electrophysiology
        • BIME 6350 - Cardiovascular Mechanics
        • BIME 6450 - Biomolecular Engineering
        • BIME 6500 - Introduction to Tissue Engineering
        • BIME 6700 - Selected Topics in Biomedical Engineering
        2. Life science course (3-5 s.h.)

        Select one of the following approved courses:

        • BIOL 6071 - Human Gross Anatomy
        • BIOL 6300 - Neurophysiology
        • PHLY 6330 - Human Physiology
        • PHLY 7701 - Graduate Physiology I
        3. Biostatistics course (3 s.h.)

        Select one of the following approved courses:

        • BIOS 7021 - Biostatistics for Health Professionals I
        • BIOS 7501 - Experimental Design
        • MATH 5031 - Applied Regression Analysis
        • MATH 5801 - Probability Theory
        • PHAR 7777 - Practical Problems in Biometry
        4. Advanced mathematics course (3 s.h.)

        Select one of the following approved courses:

        • MATH 5101 - Advanced Calculus I
        • MATH 5102 - Advanced Calculus II
        • MATH 5110 - Elementary Complex Variables
        • MATH 5121 - Numerical Analysis in One Variable
        • MATH 6401 - Introduction to Partial Differential Equations I
        • MATH 6411 - Ordinary Differential Equations I
        • PHYS 5311 - Mathematical Physics I
        5. Technical elective (3 s.h.)

        Students are encouraged to select courses that combine to form a coherent program of study. Courses should be chosen in consultation with the student's research advisor.

        Select one of the following approved technical electives:

        • BIME 5100 - Numerical Methods in Engineering
        • BIME 5600 - Experimental Methods in Engineering
        • BIME 6100 - Finite Element Analysis of Solids and Fluids
        • BIME 6200 - Biomedical Instrumentation and Measurements
        • BIME 6250 - Biomedical Signal Processing
        • BIME 6300 - Cardiovascular Electrophysiology
        • BIME 6350 - Cardiovascular Mechanics
        • BIME 6450 - Biomolecular Engineering
        • BIME 6500 - Introduction to Tissue Engineering
        • BIME 6700 - Selected Topics in Biomedical Engineering
    II. Admission Requirements

    Application for admission to the graduate program in biomedical engineering must meet the general requirements of admission set forth by the Graduate School. Advanced, highly motivated undergraduate students may apply to the Engineering, BS/Biomedical Engineering, MS accelerated program.

    Applicants for study in biomedical engineering are expected to have a bachelor's degree in engineering with a minimum 3.0/4.0 grade point average in the last two years of undergraduate study.

    The following preparatory courses are recommended: biology (one semester); chemistry (one semester); engineering (at least one course in basic electrical engineering); engineering (an introductory course in three of the following five areas: biomaterials or materials science, instrumentation, mechanics or fluid mechanics, systems physiology, transport or heat and/or mass transfer); engineering research or design experience; mathematics (calculus through differential equations, probability and statistics); and physics (two semesters).

    Applicants may be granted conditional admission if they do not qualify for regular admission. Students entering from disciplines other than engineering may find it necessary to take preparatory undergraduate and/or graduate level courses that serve as prerequisites. Preparatory courses that are for undergraduate credit only may not be applied toward credit hours required for a graduate degree.

      III. Comprehensive Assessment Requirement

      All ECU graduate programs require students to successfully complete a comprehensive assessment. The assessment for this program is the successful completion of a research-based thesis and thesis defense.

        For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.

        Requirements

        Entry Requirements

        In order to be considered for admission, international graduate applicants follow the same steps as a U.S. applicant with a few exceptions as identified in Red font. Step by step instructions are identified below:

        • Complete the ECU Online Graduate School Application: One application fee and one set of supporting documents should be submitted for each program of study applying to.
        • Pay the Application Fee: Payment will be made through the self-service portal prior to submission of the application. The payment portal accepts debit or credit card only.
        • Provide Foreign Transcript Evaluation: 

        An official course by course credential evaluation of all foreign transcripts indicating that, at minimum, the US equivalent of a bachelor’s degree has been awarded by an accredited college or university is required.

        • Provide Official Transcript(s) & Diploma Copy: A copy of your transcript(s) and diplomas showing a full education history issued in your native language as well as a notarized or certified copy in English must be uploaded to your application.
        • Provide Evidence of English Proficiency: If English is not your native language and you have not completed at least one year of education (minimum of 18 credit hours) at a United States school, you are required to take a standardized English language exam or complete the ECU Language Academy (ECULA).
          • Language Exam Options: The Graduate School accepts either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Duolingo English Test or Pearson Test of English (PTE) and scores must be forwarded to the Graduate School by the testing service. The paper- or computer-based TOEFL exam is accepted by request only.
        • ECU Language Academy: You may choose to attend the ECU Language Academy instead of taking the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. Also, if you do not obtain the required score on the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE, at least one session of the ECU Language Academy may be required prior to the start of your program. Successful completion of all levels of the ECU Language Academy is required for admission without TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores. More information on the ECU Language Academy, including the ECULA application, is available on the Intensive English Program website. Individual programs may have higher minimum requirements.
        • Provide Official Standardized Admissions Test Results: If required by the program you’re applying to, please arrange for an official score report to be sent directly to the Graduate School by the testing service (GRE or GMAT). ECU’s institutional code is 5180. ECU does not have departmental codes.
        • Upload Statement of Purpose: If required by the program you’re applying to, please upload a copy of your personal statement (why you believe you would be a good candidate for the program) to your application. You may want to use resources to help you write a personal statement in English such as this webinar.
        • Provide Letters of recommendation: If required by the program you’re applying to, please arrange to have LOR’s submitted electronically with the online application. Review your program’s application requirements to determine the number of letters, if any, that they require.
        • Upload Resume: If required by the program you’re applying to, please upload a copy of your most recent resume to your online application.
        • Provide Financial information: If/when you are admitted to a graduate program at ECU you will be required to provide certified evidence of financial resources adequate to cover educational costs and living expenses. Documents only need submitted if/when an offer of admission is extended.

        English Requirements

        • PTEMin 65
        • IELTSMin 6.5
        • TOEFLMin 78

        Career

        Graduates with this degree are successful in many fields and careers, including the following:

        • Scientific and Technical Services
        • Engineering Managers
        • Biomedical Engineers
        • Education and Training
        • Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary

        Career Opportunities

        ECU has developed resources to help you learn more about career opportunities and job market outlook. In addition, the websites below provide specific information on careers in the various majors from which students may choose:

        NC Tower

        This website provides graphs and tables of in-depth information on employment rates, wages and ongoing higher education enrollment of graduates from the North Carolina Community College System and from the University of North Carolina system schools. NC Tower includes data on former UNC students who are working in roughly 90% of all jobs in North Carolina. This database excludes information for graduates who are:

        • Self-employed;
        • Work for the federal government, including the military: or
        • Work outside of North Carolina.

        US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook

        This website also provides in-depth information regarding pay, projected new jobs, required education, growth rate and on-the-job training information on various occupations.

        Degree-specific internships

        For information on internship information for specific majors, go to the home page of the department in which the major is located and, as available, find the link to the information on internships in that major.

        Fee Information

        Application Fee 75

        How to Apply

        Thank you for your interest in a graduate program at East Carolina University!

        Contact information for each program, along with their application deadlines, can be found on the Find Your Program feature.

        Ready to apply now? Great!

        • If you have already created an account and/or are applying to multiple programs, please use the same account. After selecting the program of choice, simply login with your credentials.
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        Biomedical Engineering
        East Carolina University
        East Carolina University
        United States of America

        United States of America, Greenville

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