Master of Science in Biological Engineering
Preparing the M.S. Program of Study
Identification of Proficiency Areas
While a basic goal of the M.S. program is to provide students with highly specialized skills and training in research methods, the Biological Engineering faculty believes that it is important that M.S. students understand something of the breadth of the discipline as well.
The faculty have identified seven "proficiency areas" in Biological Engineering.
The table below lists these areas and classes taught at MU that cover these areas.
Successful M.S. students must demonstrate proficiency in at least two of these areas.
There are two options for demonstrating proficiency:
- Successful completion of an appropriate course as an undergraduate, within the five years prior to beginning the M.S. program of study, as determined by the student's Program of Study Committee.
- Including an appropriate course from MU, or an alternate course approved by the M.S. Program of Study Committee (see Selection of a M.S. Program Committee, below), in a student's plan of study (see Development of the Plan of Study, below).
Note that problems courses, readings and research hours cannot be used to fulfill proficiency requirements.
Courses Covering the Proficiency Area |
|
Biomaterials |
BE-3170 Biomaterials |
Bioprocess Engineering |
BE-3180 Heat and Mass Transfer in Biological Systems |
Bioenvironmental Engineering |
BE-4150 or BE-7150 Soil and Water Conservation Engr |
Biosystems Engineering |
BE-4580 or BE-7580 Mechanical System Engineering |
Bioelectronics and Instrumentation |
BE-4070 or BE-7070 Bioelectricity |
Biophotonics |
BE-4570 or BE-7570 Biomedical Imaging |
BioMEMS and Biosensing |
BE-4470 or BE-7470 Biomolecular Engineering and Nanobiotechnology |
Selection of a M.S. Program Committee
Students, in consultation with their primary faculty mentor, need to select faculty members to serve as their M.S. Program Committee within 12 months of starting the course of study.
An acceptable M.S. Program Committee must include at least three graduate faculty members at least one of whom must be from the biological engineering program. At least one committee member must be a graduate faculty member from MU, but outside of the biological engineering program.
Other members of the M.S. Program Committee may come from outside the MU graduate faculty with special permission of the graduate dean. These members usually are individuals with specialized expertise critical to the success of the student's research program.
The chair of the M.S. Program Committee will be the student's principal faculty mentor (major adviser).
The members of the M.S. Program Committee, led by the major adviser will actively participate in the education of the student. This committee is responsible for:
- Evaluating the student's completion of proficiency requirements.
- Developing the plan of study.
- Guiding the research activities.
- Overseeing the writing and defense of the thesis.
- Administering the final examination.
- Maintaining high standards of scholarship and ethical behavior.
- Administering correction and disciplinary actions when necessary.
When the M.S. Program Committee has been chosen, the student should submit a completed Request for a Thesis Committee (form M-2) (PDF) to the graduate coordinator. The coordinator will submit the completed form to the director of graduate studies and the graduate dean.
Should it become necessary to change the composition of the M.S. Program Committee, a Graduate Student Change of Committee form (PDF) must be filed with the graduate coordinator.
Development of the Plan of Study
The student and the major adviser, in consultation with the M.S. Program Committee, will prepare a plan of study. This generally should be done within 12 months after entering the program. The earlier the plan of study is prepared, the easier it is to complete in a reasonable length of time. The plan of study includes a list of the formal courses, readings, problems, research hours and seminars that the student will use to fulfill the requirements for the M.S. degree.
MU requires a minimum of 30 semester hours beyond the baccalaureate degree for the M.S. degree. If approved by the student's M.S. Program Committee, this may include up to six hours of graduate credit transferred from another university or from another campus of the MU system.
In general, the Graduate School does not accept correspondence or extension course credit earned at any other campus. However, a student may take up to eight hours of correspondence courses that are authorized for graduate credit and offered through the UM Center for Distance and Independent Study. Courses to be taken for graduate credit must be approved by the Graduate Dean, and the enrollment form has a place designated for the graduate dean's signature.
As a minimum, the M.S. Program of Study should include the following:
- BE 8402 – Research Methods (2 credits)
- BE 8087 – Seminar (1 credit, students are also encouraged to make at least one presentation at the regional or national meetings)
- Statistics (3 credits)
- BE 8990 Research (6 credits)
- Two BE 8000 level courses, not to include problems (BE 8085) (at least 6 credits)
Additional hours may come from Biological Engineering courses numbered 7000 or above or courses from other MU departments numbered 7000 or above. Research credits (BE 8990) may not exceed 40 percent of the total hours required in the M.S. Program of Study.
Classes chosen to fill the plan of study may include those needed to fulfill proficiency areas. Other courses should be chosen to strengthen the student's ability to do research in their specific area.
Once the Plan of Study has been developed, the student should submit the Program of Study for the Master's Degree form (M-1) (PDF) to the graduate coordinator. The coordinator will submit the completed form to the director of graduate studies and the graduate dean.
