Academic Opportunities
Five-Year BS/MS Program (+1 Program)
BME majors contemplating graduate work should consider the five-year, BS/MS program offered by the Biomedical Engineering department. This program provides the opportunity for a smooth transition between undergraduate and graduate study. Program enrollment is competitive and students may apply for admission during their senior year. It offers the chance for more advanced study and the completion of a course-work masters degree in one year. (Note that a thesis masters is expected to take one and a half to two years.) Partial tuition scholarships are available for the masters program. All full-time MS students are expected to serve as teaching assistants for one semester.
Another MS option is the Medical Technology & Innovation (MTI-MS) option. This program is designed for students interested in getting an edge for entering the medical device industry. It includes a period of clinical immersion followed by a one-year in-depth design experience.
Students should consult the UR Graduate Studies Official Bulletin for the MS degree requirements and they should meet with a faculty member to develop an integrated BS/MS program of study.
GEAR Program
Incoming students can apply for the GEAR program when they first apply to the University of Rochester. The GEAR program provides selected students with an assurance of admission into one of nine engineering master's programs at the University of Rochester's Edmund A. Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Materials Science
- Mechanical Engineering
- Optics
- Alternative Energy
- Technical Entrepreneurship and Management (TEAM)
GEAR students receive a partial tuition award for their fifth year of study. To remain eligible, GEAR students are required to maintain a 3.3 GPA (3.5 for Optics students) through the first seven semesters. Applicants for this program will have demonstrated strong aptitude for engineering throughout their high school academic and co-curricular activities. Please visit GEAR admissions for more information and to apply.
Internships & Practicum
BME majors are strongly encouraged to participate in internships with local or nationally based engineering firms or research institutions. Only in a few cases can internship experiences be used for academic credit. Students who wish to obtain such credit for an internship must obtain prior approval from the BME Undergraduate Committee.
The Industry Practicum program is a way to gain valuable work experience. A student in this program takes one semester and the summer preceding or following it to work for a company. Academic credit is not granted, but the work experience and references obtained are valuable in later job searching. Typically, graduation is delayed by one semester, but some students with Advanced Placement credit or summer classes can graduate on time. Additional information, including example programs, is available from the SEAS office or Career Center.
Pre-Medical Program
BME students interested in a pre-medical program are urged to obtain related materials from the Health Professions Advisor at the Center for Academic Support. It is essential that such students begin program planning very early and involve both their BME advisor and the Health Professions Advisor.
All of the courses usually required for admission to medical school are readily accommodated within the BS in BME curricular requirements. These include two semesters of general physics, two semesters of general chemistry, two semesters of Organic Chemistry with labs, two semesters of biology with labs, two semesters of math, and two semesters of English. CAS 105, Reasoning and Writing in the College, together with the BME upper level writing requirement (comprised of four BME core courses) satisfies the English requirement for the pre-medical program. more info...