Master of Science

The Master of Science in Bioengineering requires 45 units of coursework. The curriculum consists of core bioengineering courses, technical electives, seminars and unrestricted electives. Core courses focus on quantitative biology and biological systems analysis. Approved technical electives are chosen by a student in consultation with his/her graduate advisor, and can be selected from graduate course offerings in mathematics, statistics, engineering, physical sciences, life sciences, and medicine. Seminars highlight emerging research in bioengineering and provide training in research ethics. Unrestricted electives can be freely chosen by the student in association with his/her advisor.

Students will be assigned an initial faculty advisor who will assist the student in designing a plan of study that creates a cohesive degree program with a concentration in a particular bioengineering focus area. These focus areas include, but are not limited to, Biomedical Computation, Regenerative Medicine/Tissue Engineering, Molecular and Cell Bioengineering, Biomedical Imaging, and Biomedical Devices. Students and advisors should work together to design a program of courses that offers depth in a particular area and breadth across at least two areas of bioengineering.

It is expected that the requirements for the M.S., Bioengineering can be completed within approximately one year. There is no thesis requirement for the M.S.

The department’s requirements for the M.S. in Bioengineering are:

1. Bioengineering courses - 9 units

• BIOE 300A Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (Win)
• BIOE 300B Quantitative Mammalian Physiology and Tissue Engineering (Spr)
• BIOE 301A Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering Lab (Win)
• BIOE 301B Clinical Needs and Technology (Spr)

These courses, together with the Approved Technical Electives, should form a cohesive course of study that provides depth and breadth.

2. Approved Technical Electives - 27 units

These units must be selected from graduate courses in mathematics, statistics, engineering, physical science, life science, and medicine.  They should be chosen in concert with the bioengineering courses to provide a cohesive degree program in a bioengineering focus area (see the list below). Students are required to take at least one course in some area of design or instrumentation. Up to 9 units of directed study and research may be used as approved electives. 

3. Seminars - 3 units

• BIOE 393 Bioengineering and Biodesign Forum
• BIOE 390 Introduction to Bioengineering Research
• MED 255 The Responsible Conduct of Research

4. Unrestricted Electives - 6 units

Students must complete a proposed M.S. degree form listing their proposed courses during their first quarter at Stanford to assure that the planned program provides appropriate depth and breadth. The student's faculty advisor and the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies must approve this list of courses.

Sample M.S. programs are provided in the following focus areas:

• Biomedical Computation
• Biomedical Devices
• Biomedical Imaging
• Molecular and Cell Bioengineering
• Tissue Engineering/Regenerative Medicine