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Biomedical Engineering: Accelerated Program MS

Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

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Gain the biomedical engineering knowledge you need to succeed in just 1 year with UW–Madison’s Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering Accelerated program.


Is this program right for you?

The University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Accelerated Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering program from the College of Engineering is designed to help you better prepare for further education in medical school, PhD programs, or to directly enter the biomedical industry.

Our courses help you combine the fundamentals of the biomedical sciences with advanced engineering methods of analysis and design to contribute to designing new medical instruments and devices, understanding and repairing the human body, and making technologies cost-effective for both companies and patients. Our program is interdisciplinary, and our acclaimed faculty come from various colleges and professional schools throughout the university. They are here to support you as you pursue one of the following specializations:

  • Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
  • Biomechanics
  • Biomedical Imaging and Optics
  • Medical and Microdevices
  • Neuroengineering
  • Systems and Synthetic Biology

As a student, you enjoy the freedom to choose your curriculum from a wide selection of courses, so you can tailor your graduate experience to your own personal and career interests. You graduate with your master’s degree in just 1 year, with no thesis required.

If you want to make a difference in the biomedical field quickly, our accelerated, course-based program is right for you.

Is this program right for you?

The University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Accelerated Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering program from the College of Engineering is designed to help you better prepare for further education in medical school, PhD programs, or to directly enter the biomedical industry.

Our courses help you combine the fundamentals of the biomedical sciences with advanced engineering methods of analysis and design to contribute to designing new medical instruments and devices, understanding and repairing the human body, and making technologies cost-effective for both companies and patients. Our program is interdisciplinary, and our acclaimed faculty come from various colleges and professional schools throughout the university. They are here to support you as you pursue one of the following specializations:

  • Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
  • Biomechanics
  • Biomedical Imaging and Optics
  • Medical and Microdevices
  • Neuroengineering
  • Systems and Synthetic Biology

As a student, you enjoy the freedom to choose your curriculum from a wide selection of courses, so you can tailor your graduate experience to your own personal and career interests. You graduate with your master’s degree in just 1 year, with no thesis required.

If you want to make a difference in the biomedical field quickly, our accelerated, course-based program is right for you.

Admissions requirements

All applicants must:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree in engineering or science from an accredited institution.
  • Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on the last 60 credits of degree.
  • Submit evidence of English language proficiency, if applicable. The required proficiency scores are: TOEFL IBT 92, PBT 580; or IELTS 7.0.

Application materials required:

  • Online application
  • Resume/CV
  • Statement of purpose
  • Transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendation.*

* Not required for applicants with a UW–Madison Biomedical Engineering bachelor’s degree.

Connect with us

Application Assistance: Accelerated Engineering Master's Programs

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Join program staff to learn about the College of Engineering Accelerated Master's programs and application best practices. You’ll leave knowing what you need, and how to successfully apply.
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Program highlights

  • The Biomedical Engineering master’s degree is accelerated, so you graduate in just 1 year.
  • It’s also course-only, so you complete your degree in a predictable time frame.
  • With more than $12.8 million in annual research expenditures, nearly 100 patents, and 13 startups, our faculty and students are at the forefront of scientific discovery and real-world translation.
  • Our flexible curriculum allows you to customize your degree program to fit your personal objectives.

University of Wisconsin–Madison ranked Best Online Graduate Engineering Programs and Best Engineering Grad Schools by U.S. News & World Report.

How you'll learn

  • 12 months of full-time study on campus to earn your degree.
  • Take 3 credits of a biological science.
  • Take 12 credits of engineering.
  • 2 semesters of Biomedical Engineering (BME) 701.
  • At least 15 credits must be at the graduate level.

Sample curriculum

Fall Semester (12 credits)

  • Introduction to Biochemistry
  • Biomechanics of Human Movement
  • Introduction to Tissue Engineering
  • Data Visualization
  • Biomedical Engineering Seminar

Spring Semester (12 credits)

  • Stem Cell Bioengineering
  • Imaging in Medicine: Applications
  • Computer Vision
  • Biochemical Engineering
  • Biomedical Engineering Seminar

Summer Semester (6 credits)

  • Advanced Independent Study

This is just a sample course path: there are many courses to choose from to fulfill your requirements.

Job outlook

Top Job Titles
  • Biomedical Engineers
  • Clinical Engineers
  • Process Engineers
  • Field Clinical Engineers
  • Biomechanical Engineers
Top Industries
  • Manufacturing
  • Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
  • Health Care and Social Assistance
  • Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services
  • Wholesale Trade

Market Salary
$92.6K median salary in 2020

Projected Job Growth
8.80% for Biomedical Engineers (2020-2030)

Top Employers
  • Medtronic
  • USDVA
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • ZOLL Medical Corp.
  • GE

Source: Burning Glass Technologies: Labor Insight. 2020.

Ready to learn more about Biomedical Engineering: Accelerated Program MS?
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Connect with our enrollment coaches

Our friendly, knowledgeable enrollment coaches are here to answer your questions. Contact an enrollment coach to:

  • Learn how to make this program work with your life/schedule
  • Get help with your application
  • Determine if financial aid is available

Visit with our coaches on campus or at an upcoming student fair in your area. Search student fairs & events.

Connect with a coach

Lee Herman

My experience not only taught me the fundamentals of engineering but how to prepare for real life in the engineering world. The focus on teamwork and communication has already helped me establish myself at my new job. Plus, UW–Madison alumni love supporting other alumni, and that networking aspect alone will help me immensely in my future career.

Lee Herman | engineer, Medical College of Wisconsin