As the title entails, I recently graduated with a bachelors in biology and am interested in pursuing a masters in biomedical engineering. However, I don’t have any of the engineering prerequisites required for the masters program, which I am concerned about I won’t be eligible for some school’s masters program. I was wondering if I should take all the prerequisites at a local college as a post-bacc before applying to the Masters program, or if I should apply to the program and ask if I can take an additional year to catch up on the work. Also, even though I want to pursue BME, I am having doubts if getting a masters is a good idea at all. I’ve been reading in different threads that BME is too general and won’t land you a job with just a bachelor’s, but I am not sure if getting a masters in it will help much since I have a bachelors in biology. Any comments or suggestions will be helpful please.
Why not apply for the programs you are eligible for and see what happens.
It isn’t easy to get a masters in engineering without a bachelors in engineering. You probably need at least 40 additional credits, including some additional introductory math and physics classes.
Depends on how strong your background is, but it’s definitely doable. I got a BS in molecular/cell biology, and later went on to get an MS in mechanical engineering with a minimum of prerequisites. Most people I know who followed a similar path had at least several prerequisites under their belt before applying for engineering programs–ie, at least multivariable calculus and differential equations, statics/dynamics, fluids, thermodynamics, and basic circuits. You don’t necessarily need to take everything, but the more well-versed you are, the better your chances.
BME is inherently multidisciplinary, and BME graduate programs tend to be more open to individuals from a variety of backgrounds. However, this does depend on the particular program in question, so do your research. Most likely, you will need to have some or all of these courses completed before you apply, though some graduate programs may be OK with you taking them after you matriculate.
An MS in BME is enough to land you jobs in the field, unlike a BS in BME, but it is still a narrow and somewhat restrictive degree compared to an MS in mechanical, electrical, or chemical engineering. What exactly do you want to do?
Thanks for the replies everyone
I know it’s not easy to make the transition, but I still wish to do so anyways. I am planning to take prerequisites at community colleges to strengthen my knowledge before applying.
@AuraObscura I am interested in helping with designing medical devices like a lot of other BMEs. I’ve had lots of experience doing cancer and genetic research with just my biology degree, but I want to explore the medical device field instead. Was it difficult for you to get into a MS in mechanical engineering program? How did you do it and what experiences motivated you to get that degree? I’ve also read, as you have mentioned, of the restrictions of BME degrees compared to other engineering fields. Even some companies would rather hire electrical or mechanical over BMEs at a medical device company. Do you think getting a MS in BME is still wise compared to getting an MS in ME or EE? Just asking out of curiosity.
@c4ndyland - Here are some programs that you might look at. My son is a bioengineering major and is thinking about a Masters degree.
https://funginstitute.berkeley.edu/programs-centers/full-time-program/how-to-apply/ (Does not require undergrad engineeering, but you will need more quantitative skills)
http://be.ucsd.edu/master-engineering-degree & http://be.ucsd.edu/graduate-faq (You will need to improve your quantitative skills).
@Beaudreau Thank you!!