The M.S. in Biomedical Engineering provides students with a range of opportunities for advanced study in this interdisciplinary field. The program focuses on research programs that include materials and tissue engineering, biomechanics, orthopedic biomechanics, cardiac bioengineering, and neural engineering.
Major research laboratories include the Syracuse BioInspired Institute and laboratories at nearby SUNY Upstate Medical University, such as the Institute for Human Performance. Strong collaboration between SUNY Upstate and Syracuse University faculty, students, and staff provides opportunities for biomedical engineering research in clinical and basic science departments at Upstate, as well as in-depth study at one of the Syracuse University biomedical engineering research centers.
Admission Requirements
Students accepted to this program generally have a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biomedical Engineering or a closely related discipline. Students who do not may need to take bridging coursework.
Degree Requirements
The MS in Biomedical Engineering is a flexible program with a choice of three plans. The MS can be a terminal degree or an introduction to research before pursuing the Ph.D. All three options are designed to be completed in about two years.
Plan 1
- Minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate study (24 credits of coursework, 6 credits of thesis)
- Master’s thesis defended in an oral examination
Plan 2
- Minimum of 30 credits (27 credits of coursework, 3 credits of an MS project)
Plan 3
- Minimum of 36 credits (24 credits of technical coursework, including 3 credits of an MS project, 12 credits of tailored, non-technical concentrations)
For more information, visit the Syracuse University Course Catalog and the Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering webpage.
Employment Outcomes
- Companies that hire our graduates:
AcrylChina, Anoplate Corporation, Aramco Performance Materials, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Duke University, FLSmidth Inc, Guangzhou Micro-shot Technology Co. Ltd., Indium Corporation, LumaCyte, Quadrant Biosciences, Vici Health Sciences - In Summer 2018, students interned at:
Bristol-Myers Squibb, ICIP Consulting, Lear Corporation - Job location:
88% in the US, 12% outside of US - Job location within US:
71% in Syracuse/Central New York, 29% Other - Job titles:
Bioengineer, Downstream Research Scientist, Lab Scientist II, Laboratory technician, Process Engineer, Research Technician Intern, Technical Support Engineer, Application Engineer - Base salary range: $45,000 – 104,999
- Median base salary range: $55,000 – 64,999
Alumni Profile
Colleen Cassidy ’18, G’19, Weymouth, MA
Colleen chose the 4+1 BS/MS option to make herself more marketable to employers. As an undergraduate in the bioengineering program, she worked in a research lab and also did a co-op at a pharmaceutical company. While she liked the research experience, she prefers to work on more hands-on and applied projects. In her master’s program, her favorite class was advanced bioengineering design because it was an opportunity to develop a product from concept to completion. She completed her graduate degree as a full-time student while also working for Bristol Myers Squibb in Syracuse as a contract associate scientist. “It’s hard,” said Colleen, “but it’s also rewarding.” After graduation, she accepted a position as a process development engineer at Celldex.
Being born in the Northeast, Colleen is an avid downhill skier. As an undergrad, she was also on the Syracuse University English Equestrian team and, in her free time as a grad student, she loved to go back to the farm to groom and ride the horses.