Three plans
Master's-Plan A: Thesis
For students who want to do research.
- 20 credits of coursework
- 10 thesis credits and a final defense
Master's-Plan B: Project
For students looking to strike a balance between research and coursework.
- 28 credits of coursework
- 2 to 3 Plan B Project credits and a final defense
Master’s-Plan C: Coursework only
For students who are already working or who want to work in industry, where having research experience is not going to be required.
- 30 credits of coursework
Note: There’s no research component.
Plans give you flexibility in how you balance coursework, research, and even a job. You aren’t locked into a plan and can switch at any time.
Additional programs
A top public research university
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities is a top 10 U.S. public research university with world-class facilities.
![Hubert Lim showing a medical device to students](/sites/cse.umn.edu/files/styles/folwell_fifth/public/hubert-lim-lab.jpg.webp?itok=jpa8cXNs)
Broad, deep research and training environment
You’ll have the opportunity to work closely with graduate faculty members who span the full spectrum of biomedical engineering.
Our 80+ faculty hail from more than 20 departments as well as our own, which has special research expertise in cardiovascular, neural, and cancer bioengineering.
![3D map showing the Dept. of Biomedical Engineering's proximity to the Institute for Engineering in Medicine, UMN health sciences and 1,000+ local healthcare companies](/sites/cse.umn.edu/files/styles/folwell_half/public/BME-location.jpg.webp?itok=6uf_xaJs)
Proximity to engineering, science, and medicine
We’re adjacent to the Medical School and other University of Minnesota science and engineering domains — they’re just steps away and connected by tunnels.
This proximity creates an intellectual environment where there’s:
✓ Interdisciplinary research.
✓ Engineering being applied to fundamental biological questions.
✓ Clinical and translational research collaborations.
A great place to live
The Minneapolis-St. Paul area offers vibrant culture and arts and abundant opportunities to enjoy the outdoors — all at a lower cost of living than cities on the east or west coast.
Fulfilling career opportunities
- Biomedical engineer
- Research and development engineer
- Prosthesis designer
- Medical device designer
- Manufacturing engineer
- Quality control/assurance engineer
- Medical diagnostics
- Rehabilitation engineer
- Physiological systems engineer
An inclusive, close-knit community
![Students studying on the lawn near Nils Hasselmo Hall](/sites/cse.umn.edu/files/styles/folwell_half/public/students-nhh-080912_7365_v2%20%281%29.jpg.webp?itok=YbodPoQn)
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is integral to departmental decision-making, including graduate admissions. In fact, we were among the first Biomedical Engineering departments with a full-time DEI Coordinator, Gabbi Horsford.
Students also enjoy highly engaged student groups.
![Sylvester Nwosuji Jr.](/sites/cse.umn.edu/files/styles/folwell_fifth/public/Sylvester-Nwosuji-Jr.jpeg.webp?itok=gCEjjWr9)
Contact us and more information
Dave Wood
Director of Graduate Studies
dkwood@umn.edu
Erica Ratner
Graduate Program Coordinator
bmengp@umn.edu