BME MS for MD Students

A research-based master’s degree program at the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering is available for Indiana University School of Medicine medical students seeking to earn a MS BME degree. The MS BME program for MD students leverages the students’ clinical training and medical school coursework to advance innovative engineering solutions for challenges in healthcare delivery. Significant areas for translational research projects include implantable medical devices, engineered tissues and biomaterials, point-of-care diagnostics, advanced medical imaging, and systems engineering of healthcare delivery. Students earning this degree gain firsthand knowledge of medical technology innovation and strategies for clinical translation. They will strengthen their ability to pursue medical research, to facilitate clinical testing of new therapies, and to collaborate effectively with the biomedical industry.

Criteria for Admission

Guidelines:

  • Open to Indiana School of Medicine students;
  • Ideally student would have participated in summer research with a BME faculty member prior to starting their MS degree through programs like IMPRS; 
  • Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering Research Faculty Identified;
  • Up to 12 credits of graduate-level coursework can be waived for your research based MS degree to allow additional time for research.
  • Apply for 1 year leave of absence from medical school

Important Dates

Application Date: Students are encouraged to apply during their 2nd year of their MD program; although the absolute deadline is December 1st, we encourage students to apply earlier in order to be admitted prior to your leave of absence deadline. 

Program Date: Students pursuing this pathway will start their MS degree in May (Summer Semester) and plan to graduate the following May (Spring Semester) 

Purdue Graduate School Application

  • Online application 
    • Select Biomedical Engineering​
    • Select Research Area of Interest 
    • Select MS Thesis
    • Select Appropriate Summe Start Date
  • Application fee 
  • *Letters of recommendation - see below.

* One Letter of recommendation is required, but the online application system will require applicants to enter the names of three recommenders with email addresses. One letter of recommendation should be from the student's BME faculty advisor with whom student will pursue MS thesis degree or a letter from your current MD advisor if a faculty advisor is not yet established. Students should list the following as "ghost" recommenders for the final two: Sandy May (smmay@purdue.edu) andTammy Siemers (tsiemers@purdue.edu).

Purdue Degree Requirements

Research Track Plan of Study MS BME Degree Program
BME Technical Courses 6 Credits
Quantitative/Analytical 3 Credits
Life Science (3 credits waived)
Other Graduate Training (9 credits waived)
Total Coursework for MS BME 9 credits
Total Research Credits for MS BME 21 credits