This is a course-based named option within the Biomedical Engineering MS.
The Accelerated Program named option in the Biomedical Engineering MS is a non-thesis program with coursework focused on engineering and science to afford further preparation and training for students interested in careers in industry or pursuing advanced academic degrees.
Admissions
Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.
Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online.
| Fall Deadline | December 15 |
| Spring Deadline | September 1 for international applicants; November 1 for domestic applicnats |
| Summer Deadline | December 15 |
| GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) | Not required. |
| English Proficiency Test | Every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not exclusively in English, must provide an English proficiency test score earned within two years of the anticipated term of enrollment. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Requirements for Admission policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1241. |
| Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT) | n/a |
| Letters of Recommendation Required | 3 |
Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in engineering (biomedical, chemical, electrical, industrial, mechanical, etc.) or science (biology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, immunology, physics, etc.). Each application is judged on the basis of:
- Official academic transcripts
- English proficiency test scores (if applicable)
- Three letters of recommendation
- For applicants with a UW–Madison Biomedical Engineering bachelor’s degree, these are not required.
- Statement of purpose
- Resume
All applicants must satisfy requirements that are set forth by the Graduate School. Applicants admitted to the program may be required to make up deficiency course requirements.
To apply to the Biomedical Engineering program, the online application, including supportive materials, must be submitted as described below and received by the deadline.
Fall application deadline: Rolling admission will begin after October 1, with a final application deadline of April 15 (as space allows).
Official Academic Transcript
Electronically submit one copy of your transcript of all undergraduate and previous graduate work in your online application to the Graduate School. Unofficial copies of transcripts will be accepted for review. Official copies are required after an applicant is recommended for admission. Please do not send transcripts or any other application materials to the Graduate School or the Biomedical Engineering department unless requested. If you have questions, please contact bmegradadmission@engr.wisc.edu.
English Proficiency Test Scores (if applicable)
International degree-seeking applicants must prove English proficiency. Refer to the Graduate School's requirements.
Three Letters of Recommendation
These letters are required from people who can accurately judge the applicant's academic performance. Letters of recommendation are submitted electronically to graduate programs through the online application. Applicants should not send any more than three letters (if more than three are sent, only the first three will be considered). See the Graduate School for FAQs regarding letters of recommendation. Recommendation letters are not required for applicants with a UW–Madison Biomedical Engineering bachelor’s degree.
Statement of Purpose
In this document, applicants should explain why they want to pursue further education in Biomedical Engineering. See the Graduate School for more advice on how to structure a personal statement.
Resume
Upload your resume in your application.
Application Fee
Submission must be accompanied by the one-time application fee. It is non-refundable and can be paid by credit card (Master Card or Visa). This fee cannot be waived or deferred. Fee grants are available through the Graduate School under certain conditions.
Funding
Graduate School Resources
Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.
Program Information
Students enrolled in this program are not eligible to receive tuition remission from graduate assistantship appointments at this institution.
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements, in addition to the program requirements listed below.
Named Option Requirements
Mode of Instruction
| Face to Face | Evening/Weekend | Online | Hybrid | Accelerated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
Mode of Instruction Definitions
Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.
Evening/Weekend: Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules. Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.
Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.
Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats. Contact the program for more specific information.
Online: These programs are offered 100% online. Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.
Curricular Requirements
| Minimum Credit Requirement | 30 credits |
| Minimum Residence Credit Requirement | 16 credits |
| Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement | 15 credits must be graduate-level coursework. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1244. |
| Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | 3.00 GPA required. Refer to the Graduate School: Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1203. |
| Other Grade Requirements | n/a |
| Assessments and Examinations | There are no degree-specific assessments and examinations outside of those given in individual courses. |
| Language Requirements | None. |
Required Courses
The required coursework is designed to complement each student's interests and background in biomedical engineering.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Requirements | ||
| 2 semesters of B M E 701 | 2 | |
| Bioscience credits | 3 | |
| Engineering credits, numbered 400 and above | 12 | |
| Elective credits selected in consultation with advisor | 7-13 | |
| Project or Independent Study (B M E 790 or B M E 799) | 0-6 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Students choose one of the following areas of specialization. Of the credits above, 15 credits must be in one area of specialization.
Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering1
Biomaterials and tissue engineering employ a diverse range of approaches to develop methods to diagnose and treat diseases, create living tissue environments that may be used to restore the function of a damaged organ, and uncover biological mechanisms related to tissue development and disease. Graduate students trained in biomaterials and tissue engineering are expected to gain a detailed understanding of cellular and molecular biology, materials science, and engineering methods.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses: | ||
| At least 3 credits of Bioscience. Relevant options include: | 3 or more | |
| Introduction to Biochemistry | ||
| Prokaryotic Molecular Biology | ||
| Eukaryotic Molecular Biology | ||
| Fundamentals of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology | ||
| Molecular and Cellular Organogenesis | ||
| Biology of Heart Disease and Regeneration | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Introduction to Experimental Oncology | ||
| Cellular and Molecular Biology/Pathology | ||
| Cellular and Molecular Biology/Pathology Seminar | ||
| Cell Biology | ||
| At least 12 credits of Engineering. Relevant options include: | 12 or more | |
| Biological Interactions with Materials | ||
| Introduction to Tissue Engineering | ||
| Tissue Engineering Laboratory | ||
| Stem Cell Bioengineering | ||
| Engineering Extracellular Matrices | ||
| Introduction to Biological and Medical Microsystems | ||
| Special Topics in Biomedical Engineering (Advanced Stem Cell Engineering) | ||
| Special Topics in Biomedical Engineering (CRISPR Genome Editing and Engineering Laboratory) | ||
| Polymer Science and Technology | ||
| Synthetic Organic Materials in Biology and Medicine | ||
| Biological Engineering: Molecules, Cells & Systems | ||
| Materials Chemistry of Polymers | ||
| Advanced Polymeric Materials | ||
| Electives (taken in consultation with your faculty advisor): | ||
| Systems Biology: Mammalian Signaling Networks | ||
| Biochemical Engineering | ||
| Microscopy of Life | ||
| Biomanufacturing Entrepreneurship | ||
| Biological Optical Microscopy | ||
| Modeling Biological Systems | ||
| Design of Biological Molecules | ||
| Introduction to Biostatistics | ||
| Advanced Bioinformatics | ||
| Data Visualization | ||
| Statistical Methods for Bioscience I | ||
| Statistical Methods for Molecular Biology | ||
Biomechanics1
Biomechanists use experiments and computational tools to investigate the mechanical aspects of biological systems, at levels ranging from whole organisms to organs, tissues, and cells. Graduate students trained in biomechanics are expected to gain a detailed understanding of mechanics, mathematics, biology, and engineering.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses: | ||
| At least 3 credits of a Bioscience. Relevant options include: | 3 or more | |
| Physiology | ||
| Fundamentals of Human Physiology | ||
| Eukaryotic Molecular Biology | ||
| Biology of Heart Disease and Regeneration | ||
| Cardiorespiratory Adaptions to Environment and Exercise | ||
| Cell Biology | ||
| At least 12 credits of Engineering. Relevant options include: | 12 or more | |
| Orthopaedic Biomechanics - Design of Orthopaedic Implants | ||
| Biomechanics of Human Movement | ||
| Biofluidics | ||
| Finite Elements for Biological and Other Soft Materials | ||
| Occupational Ergonomics and Biomechanics | ||
| Special Topics in Bioinstrumentation and Medical Devices (Image-Based Biomechanics) | ||
| Tissue Mechanics | ||
| Design and Human Disability and Aging | ||
| Advanced Tissue Mechanics | ||
| Electives (taken in consultation with your faculty advisor): | ||
| Microscopy of Life | ||
| Introduction to Biostatistics | ||
| Learning a Programming Language | ||
| Advanced Mechanics of Materials I | ||
| Fracture Mechanics | ||
| Heterogeneous and Multiphase Materials | ||
| Mechanical Vibrations | ||
| Introduction to Finite Elements | ||
| Micro- and Nanoscale Mechanics | ||
| Viscoelastic Solids | ||
| Mechanics of Continua | ||
| Applied Linear Algebra | ||
| Ordinary Differential Equations | ||
| Analysis of Partial Differential Equations | ||
| Statistical Experimental Design | ||
| Introduction to Robotics | ||
| Composite Materials | ||
| Matrix Methods in Machine Learning | ||
| Experimental Vibration and Dynamic System Analysis | ||
| Intermediate Fluid Dynamics | ||
| Experimental Mechanics | ||
| Computational Fluid Dynamics | ||
Biomedical Imaging and Optics1
Biomedical imaging and optics research develops and utilizes new experimental and computational tools to characterize tissue structure across multiple size scales. A particular focus is on human health, especially with respect to achieving superior diagnostic/prognostic tools for a spectrum of diseased states. Graduate students trained in this track are expected to gain a detailed understanding of mathematics, biology and engineering as well as optical and/or physical methods.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses: | ||
| At least 3 credits of Bioscience. Relevant options include: | 3 or more | |
| Physiology | ||
| Introduction to Biochemistry | ||
| Cell Biology | ||
| At least 12 credits of Engineering. Relevant options include: | 12 or more | |
| Radiation Physics and Dosimetry | ||
| Mathematical Methods in Medical Physics | ||
| Data Science in Medical Physics | ||
| Diagnostic Ultrasound Imaging | ||
| Non-Ionizing Diagnostic Imaging | ||
| The Physics of Medical Imaging with Ionizing Radiation | ||
| Microscopy of Life | ||
| Advances in Medical Magnetic Resonance | ||
| Biological Optical Microscopy | ||
| Biomedical Optics and Biophotonics | ||
| Machine Learning in Ultrasound Imaging | ||
| Methods in Quantitative Biology | ||
| Principles of X-ray Computed Tomography | ||
| Electives (taken in consultation with your faculty advisor): | ||
| Medical Image Analysis | ||
| Programming II | ||
| Data Science Programming II | ||
| Learning a Programming Language | ||
| Computer Vision | ||
| Computational Methods for Medical Image Analysis | ||
| Image Processing | ||
| Introduction to Artificial Neural Networks | ||
| Applied Linear Algebra | ||
| Matrix Methods in Machine Learning | ||
Medical and Microdevices1
Medical and microdevices involve the use of electronic and computational tools to develop devices used in diagnosis and treatment of disease ranging from the systemic to the cellular and molecular levels.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses: | ||
| At least 3 credits of Bioscience. Relevant options include: | 3 or more | |
| Physiology | ||
| Introduction to Biochemistry | ||
| Prokaryotic Molecular Biology | ||
| Eukaryotic Molecular Biology | ||
| Cellular and Molecular Biology/Pathology | ||
| Cellular and Molecular Biology/Pathology Seminar | ||
| Neurobiology | ||
| Cell Biology | ||
| At least 12 credits of Engineering. Relevant options include: | 12 or more | |
| Medical Instrumentation | ||
| Introduction to Energy-Tissue Interactions | ||
| Introduction to Biological and Medical Microsystems | ||
| Special Topics in Biomedical Engineering (Introduction to Neuroengineering) | ||
| Medical Devices Ecosystem: The Path to Product | ||
| Biophotonics Laboratory | ||
| Biological Optical Microscopy | ||
| Electives (taken in consultation with your faculty advisor): | ||
| Programming II | ||
| Data Science Programming II | ||
| Learning a Programming Language (multiple 1-credit options, including R, C++, and Matlab) | ||
| Applied Linear Algebra | ||
| Ordinary Differential Equations | ||
| Analysis of Partial Differential Equations | ||
Neuroengineering1
Neuroengineering is the convergence of neuroscience, computation, device development, and mathematics to improve human health. Neuroengineering brings together state-of-the-art technologies for the development of devices and algorithms to assist those with neural disorders. It is also used to reverse engineer living neural systems via new algorithms, technologies and robotics. Students pursing this track are involved in all of these endeavors so that as the next generation of engineers, they will transcend the traditional boundaries of neuroscience, technology, engineering and mathematics.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses: | ||
| At least 3 credits of Bioscience. Relevant options include: | 3 or more | |
| Physiology | ||
| Neural Basis for Movement | ||
| Principles of Motor Control and Learning | ||
| Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience | ||
| Systems Neuroscience | ||
| Neurobiology of Disease | ||
| Design and Analysis of Psychological Experiments I | ||
| Perceptual and Cognitive Sciences | ||
| Development of the Nervous System | ||
| At least 12 credits of Engineering. Relevant options include: | 12 or more | |
| Medical Instrumentation | ||
| Computers in Medicine | ||
| Stem Cell Bioengineering | ||
| Introduction to Biological and Medical Microsystems | ||
| Special Topics in Biomedical Engineering (Introduction to Neuroengineering) | ||
| Medical Devices Ecosystem: The Path to Product | ||
| Introduction to Optimization | ||
| Image Processing | ||
| Introduction to Artificial Neural Networks | ||
| Methods for Neuroimaging Research | ||
| Electives (taken in consultation with your faculty advisor): | ||
| Data Science Programming II | ||
| Learning a Programming Language (multiple 1-credit options, including R, C++, and Matlab) | ||
| Medical Image Analysis | ||
| Computer Vision | ||
| Computational Methods for Medical Image Analysis | ||
| Applied Linear Algebra | ||
Systems and Synthetic Biology1
Systems and synthetic biology utilizes experimental and computational tools in an iterative fashion to analyze and regulate biological systems.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses: | ||
| At least 3 credits of Bioscience. Relevant options include: | 3 or more | |
BIOCHEM 570 | ||
| Synthetic Biology Seminar | ||
| Introduction to Biochemistry | ||
| Prokaryotic Molecular Biology | ||
| Eukaryotic Molecular Biology | ||
| Advanced Topics | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Cell Biology | ||
| At least 12 credits of Engineering. Relevant options include: | 12 or more | |
| Introduction to Biological and Medical Microsystems | ||
| Systems Biology: Mammalian Signaling Networks | ||
| Methods in Quantitative Biology | ||
| Biochemical Engineering | ||
| Special Topics in Biomedical Engineering (CRISPR Genome Editing and Engineering Laboratory) | ||
| Biological Engineering: Molecules, Cells & Systems | ||
| Modeling Biological Systems | ||
| Intermediate Problems in Chemical Engineering | ||
| Electives (taken in consultation with your faculty advisor): | ||
| Introduction to Biostatistics | ||
| Introduction to Bioinformatics | ||
| Computational Network Biology | ||
| Advanced Bioinformatics | ||
| Special Topics in Biostatistics and Biomedical Informatics | ||
| Learning a Programming Language (multiple 1-credit options available, including R, C++, and Matlab) | ||
| Applied Linear Algebra | ||
| Ordinary Differential Equations | ||
| Analysis of Partial Differential Equations | ||
Footnotes
- 1
These pathways are internal to the program and represent different curricular paths a student can follow to earn this degree. Pathway names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.
Other Policy
Students in this program may not take courses outside the prescribed curriculum without faculty advisor and program director approval. Students in this program cannot enroll concurrently in other undergraduate or graduate degree programs.
Graduate School Policies
The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.
Named Option-Specific Policies
Prior Coursework
Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions
Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy. Contact the Graduate Coordinator for more information.
Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison
A student who has completed their bachelor's degree at UW-Madison may transfer 6 credits of coursework with program approval. These courses must be engineering or advanced biological sciences coursework numbered 400 or above. Credits earned at other institutions are not allowed to transfer. Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission to a master's degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements. These courses may not be used to satisfy the Graduate School's minimum residence credit requirement.
Credits Earned as a Professional Student at UW-Madison (Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary careers)
Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.
Credits Earned as a University Special Student at UW–Madison
Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy. Contact the Graduate Coordinator for more information.
Probation
Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy.
Advisor / Committee
Refer to the Graduate School: Advisor policy.
Credits Per Term Allowed
15 credits
Time Limits
The Biomedical Engineering: Accelerated MS program is typically completed in less than 18 months.
Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.
Grievances and Appeals
These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:
- Bias or Hate Reporting
- Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
- Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
- Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
- Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
- Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
- Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
- Office Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
- Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
- Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
- Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)
BME Grievance Procedures
If a student feels unfairly treated or aggrieved by faculty, staff, or another student, the University offers several avenues to resolve the grievance.
Step 1
The student is encouraged to speak first with the person toward whom the grievance is directed to see if a situation can be resolved at this level. Students are also encouraged to talk with their faculty advisors regarding concerns or difficulties, or reach out to the Graduate Student Services Coordinator or Associate Chair of BME Graduate Advising for additional assistance. These activities do not rise to the level of a formal grievance; however, the student is encouraged to keep documentation of these interactions as they may be useful if a formal grievance is pursued.
Step 2
Should a satisfactory resolution not be achieved, a formal grievance can be filed with the BME Grievance Committee. To do so, the student contacts the Department Administrator, who will provide the student with the name of the current chair of the Grievance Committee. The student will then contact the Chair of the Grievance Committee, who will reply within seven calendar days. If the grievance is with the current Chair of the Grievance Committee, please let the Department Administrator know and they will identify an alternate committee member to contact. It is advised that grievances are filed within 60 calendar days of the alleged unfair treatment to enable a thorough investigation.
Step 3
If the student does not feel comfortable working through the departmental process, they are encouraged to seek out other campus resources including:
- The Assistant Dean for Graduate Affairs in the College of Engineering
- The Graduate School
- UW Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement (DDEEA)
- McBurney Disability Resource Center
- Employee Assistance Office
- Ombuds Office
- University Health Services
Step 4
At this point, if either party (the student or the person toward whom the grievance is directed) is unsatisfied with the decision of the faculty committee, the party may file a written appeal. Either party has ten working days to file a written appeal to the School/College. For more information, students should consult the College of Engineering Academic Advising Policies and Procedures.
Step 5
Documentation of the grievance will be stored for at least seven years. Significant grievances that set a precedent will be stored indefinitely. The Graduate School has procedures for students wishing to appeal a grievance decision made at the school/college level. These policies are described in the Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures.
Other
Students are strongly discouraged to pursue positions as Project Assistants, Teaching Assistants or Research Assistants during their time in this program, as the rigor and accelerated nature of this program may not accommodate those work time commitments. Students in this program will not receive the tuition remission that is typically part of the compensation package for a graduate assistantship.
Professional Development
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.
Program Resources
The Individual Development Plan (IDP)
An Individual Development Plan (IDP) helps graduate students and postdoctoral researchers:
- assess current skills, interests, and strengths;
- make a plan for developing skills to meet academic and professional goals; and
- communicate with supervisors, advisors, and mentors about evolving goals and related skills.
The IDP is a document to be revisited again and again, to update and refine as goals change and/or come into focus, and to record progress and accomplishments.
The university recommends IDPs for all postdoctoral researchers and graduate students, and requires IDPs for all postdoctoral researchers and graduate students supported by National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding. See the Graduate School for more information and IDP resources.
Engineering Career Services
The Engineering Career Services staff offers assistance to students searching or preparing for internships, co-ops, and jobs with well-recognized organizations.
The Writing Center
The Writing Center is a campus-wide organization that provides free of charge, face-to-face and online consultations for students writing papers, reports, resumes, and applications.
People
Faculty
Paul Campagnola (Chair)
Randolph Ashton
Randy Bartels
David Beebe
Walter Block
Christopher Brace
Joshua Brockman
Kevin Eliceiri
Shaoqin 'Sarah' Gong
Aviad Hai
Pamela Kreeger
Wan-ju Li
Kip Ludwig
Megan McClean
Beth Meyerand
William Murphy
Krishanu Saha
Melissa Skala
Darryl Thelen
Pallavi Tiwari
Justin Williams
Colleen Witzenburg
Filiz Yesilkoy
Instructional Staff and Teaching Faculty
Amit Nimunkar
John Puccinelli
Tracy Jane Puccinelli
Darilis Suarez-Gonzalez
Christa Wille
See also Biomedical Engineering Faculty Directory.