Purdue Engineering Combined BS-PhD Degree Program (B2D7)

BME Key Guidelines

General Planning Notes:

  • PhD Plan of Study
  • The B2D7 Plan of Study Worksheet is for planning only (not an official submission).
  • The list of undergraduate courses that meet graduate requirements is not exhaustive—use it as a reference, not a guarantee.
  • Course selection should align with your research goals, not just degree requirements.(See below for more details on this guidance)
  • Sample B2D7 Timeline

Dual-Counted & Undergraduate Coursework:

  • Do NOT take dual-counted courses until you are formally admitted through the OGSPS application portal.
  • You may count up to 18 credit hours total toward your PhD that were taken:
    • As an undergraduate
    • Or in excess of undergraduate degree requirements
    • Grades must be a B- or better

Courses You Must NOT Take as an Undergrad:

The following must be completed after you officially enter the PhD program:

  • Research Fundamentals I

  • Research Fundamentals II

  • All 600-level courses

​Ethics & Seminar Requirements

  • Your ethics course should be taken in your first or second semester in the program but while you are still an undergrad. 
  • You may take up to 1 graduate seminar (out of 4 required) while still an undergraduate.

​Advising & Course Selection

  • Your undergraduate advisor can help identify graduate courses that may count toward your undergraduate requirements.
  • However, final graduate course decisions must be made with your faculty (research) advisor.
  • This is especially important because:
    • Your coursework should support your thesis research
    • PhD programs require intentional, research-driven course planning

​Bottom Line

  • Wait for formal admission before taking key grad courses.
  • Be mindful of the 18-credit limit from undergrad.
  • Save Research Fundamentals  1 and 2 + 600-level course requirements for after undergraduate degree completion.
  • Work closely with your research advisor to build a meaningful graduate plan of study.