4+1 Accelerated Master's Degree in Biomedical Engineering
Our 4+1 BS/MS Program
Students will require 30 credits for satisfactory completion of the accelerated M.S. degree. Of the required 30 credits, a minimum of 21 will be within BME. A minimum of 6 credits at the 600 level or higher will be required (in addition to a minimum of 6 thesis [699] credits); non-thesis student will be required to take a minimum of 12 credits at the 600 level or higher. A minimum of 18 credits of credits of coursework will be required. Students wishing to complete a thesis may take up to 12 credits of BME 699 (Master’s Thesis).
To help accelerate progress towards the M.S. degree, up to twelve credits of graduate level coursework taken during a student's undergraduate degree can be transferred directly to the M.S. degree. The student may use up to six of those credits (i.e., two courses) to satisfy degree requirements in both their bachelors and graduate programs. These “double counted” courses will be from the list of BME-approved classes. Additionally, a student may take up to 6 credits of independent study over the summer after their senior year working with a faculty advisor.
Benefits list
Fastest growing engineering discipline
Biomedical Engineering is the fastest growing engineering discipline in the U.S. and at UMass. Between 2017 and 2020, BME undergraduate enrollment increased by 410%. Approximately 58% of the biomedical engineering workforce has an M.S. degree
State-of-the-art facilities and labs
The University has made significant investments in state-of-the-art shared facilities and research laboratories in the Life Science Laboratories (Institute for Applied Life Sciences) recognizing the continued growth in the life sciences sector in Massachusetts and throughout the U.S.
Featured faculty
Seth Donahue
Bioinspired Material Design; Bone Tissue Engineering; Comparative Biomechanics; Hibernation Physiology; Paleo-engineering and Biomechanics
S. Thai Thayumanavan
Distinguished Professor, Biomedical Engineering
Distinguished Professor, Chemistry
Director, Center for Bioactive Delivery
Polymer self-assembly, responsive materials and their use in diverse applications including therapeutic delivery, sensing, and diagnostics
Application information & deadlines
The program is primarily geared towards UMass and Five College students in STEM disciplines. Anyone with an appropriate STEM background is eligible to apply.
Biomedical Engineering
From biomechanics to health care delivery, biomedical engineering students at UMass Amherst are revolutionizing the future of human health—and you can, too.