The Department of Biomedical Engineering offers courses of study leading to the Master of Science (MS) through the Graduate Division of the School of Science and Engineering. A conventional non-thesis MS is available to students with bachelor’s degrees outside of Tulane BME. The thesis MS is typically available only by special arrangement. For more information, download our Graduate Student Handbook.
Initial Eligibility Requirements
- Complete applications will require transcripts; a personal statement indicating background, motivation and interest in the program, and career aspirations; and three academic and/or professional recommendations.
- International applicants must submit TOEFL scores unless they have received a degree from an English-speaking institution.
- Priority Consideration deadline is December 15. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with a deadline of May 1for the Fall Semester and September 1 for the Spring Semester.
Recommended Undergraduate Coursework
The following curriculum is generally taken as an undergraduate prior to matriculation to Tulane’s BME graduate program (course numbers are equivalent Tulane courses satisfying each requirement).
- 1 year of college physics (PHYS 1310-1320)
- 1 year of college chemistry (CHEM 1070-1080)
- 1 semester of biology with lab (CELL 1010)
- 1 course in computer programming (BMEN 2020)
- 3 semesters of calculus (MATH 1210-1220, MATH 2210)
- 1 semester of differential equations (MATH 2240)
- 1 semester of statics (ENGP 1410)
- 1 semester of mechanics of materials (ENGP 2430)
- 1 semester of fluid mechanics (BMEN 3440)
- 1 semester of materials engineering (ENGP 3120)
- 1 semester of circuits (ENGP 2010)
- 1 semester of electronics (BMEN 2730)
Prior to commencing coursework at Tulane, an entering graduate student who is deficient in this preparation will prepare a proposed curriculum in conjunction with the Director of Graduate Studies.
Graduate Degree Credit Requirements
Master’s degree students must complete at least 30 hours of graded coursework. If a student arranges to complete a thesis to fulfill the requirements of their degree they will take at least 24 hours of graded coursework along with 6 hours of graded thesis credit. The thesis may be graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory scale.
(numbers in parentheses are Tulane courses satisfying each requirement)
BMEN Graduate Courses
Anatomy and Physiology with Lab (BMEN 6030/6035)
3 credits + 1 lab credit
Quantitative Physiology with Lab (BMEN 6070/6075)
3 credits + 1 lab credit
Advanced Mathematics *
*Introductory Biostatistics (BIOS 6030) will not count towards the Advanced Mathematics requirement
3 credits
Biomedical Engineering Domain Credits (click here)
(Maximum of 1 3xxx/6xxx crosslisted course)
9 credits
Elective courses
9 credits (thesis option 3 credits)
Research Seminar (BMEN 6710 – register every fall)
1 credit (Maximum allowed)
Remaining credits may be satisfied by BMEN 7310-7320 Research in BME (graded), Directed Readings, or didactic courses
3 credits
30 credits required for graduation (Thesis: 24 credits)
Financial Support Considerations
Some master's students may be eligible for various 3rd party scholarships or fellowships; students are encouraged to seek out and apply for these opportunities.
