Admission Requirements

For admission to the program, students must have a baccalaureate degree with a grade point average of at least 3.0 out of 4.0 in the undergraduate field. International students must have a TOEFL score of 550 or better. Students must have two letters of recommendation, and submit a well-written personal statement explaining your specific resons for pursuing a Masters degree in BME. 

Because the biomedical engineering program is interdisciplinary, it attracts students with different baccalaureate degrees, not only in different engineering disciplines, but also from physics, chemistry and biology. Students who do not have an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering must complete some undergraduate coursework before being admitted. Please carefully read the following questions and answers on the admissions requirements prior to application.

Frequently Asked Questions on Admission to the BME Master’s Program:

1. What are the admissions requirements?

Students must have two letters of reference, a well written personal statement (of at least one full typed page), and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in order to be accepted into the BME MS program (this corresponds to "first class with distinction" where applicable). Foreign students must have a TOEFL score of 550 or more for serious consideration. We encourage prospective students to submit their GRE scores but do not make it a strict requirement for admissions. GRE is particular usefull for foreight students when the GPA equivalency is uncertain. Students must have taken a number of courses prior to applications (see question 2).

2. What courses do I need to be admitted for the MS program?

For entry into the M.S. programs in biomedical engineering, the following undergraduate courses are required. These are courses normally taken as an undergraduate in biomedical engineering. City College courses satisfying the requirements are given in parentheses:
  • 1 year of physics (PHYS 20700 & 20800)
  • 1 year of chemistry (CHEM 10301 & 10401)
  • 1 course in organic chemistry and/or biochemistry (CHEM 21000)
  • 1 semester of physiology (BIO 3210)
  • 1 semester of cell and molecular biology (BIO 22900) recommended, not required
  • 3 semesters of calculus (MATH 20100, 20200, 20300)
  • 1 semester of differential equations (MATH 39100)
  • 1 semester of linear algebra and vector analysis (MATH 39200)
  • 1 semester of thermodynamics (ENGR 23000)
  • 1 semester of transport phenomena (CHE 34100) or fluid mechanics (ME 35600)
  • 1 semester of electrical circuits (ENGR 20400)
  • 1 semester of linear systems analysis (EE 20500, or BME 30500)
  • 1 semester of statics (ME 24600)
  • 1 semester of mechanics of materials (ME 33000)

In general, aside from BME B.S., only engineers or students who majored in Math or Physics will meet most of these course requirements. Biology and other non-quantitative majors need to make up for quite a bit of math to be admitted. In those cases it may be more effective to obtain a second bachelors in BME (see question 3 below).

Prior to commencing graduate coursework, the student’s advisor will prepare a proposed curriculum that may include courses from the list above if any have not been completed; these courses are usually taken before any graduate course. Note that this will effectively extend the duration of the program by one or two additional semesters. Students that are missing 4 or more courses from this list are encouraged to take these courses as under-graduate (UG) student prior to their application either at CCNY or any other college of the City University of New York.

If you are missing many courses on this list, do not concider this as an impediment. Instead, take it as an indication that you are indeed changing fields, and that this will require an extra effort. Before you embark on taking all the missing courses however, think carefully if you really want to change fields.

3. How do I take the required courses before applying?

As a foreign student you have to take the required courses before coming to the US. If you are already in NYC we advice that you take the courses at CCNY. General science and math courses you may take as non-matriculated (non-degree) UG student. However, to take courses from the Engineering School you will have to enroll as second-degree BME major and follow the BME curriculum (inquire at UG admissions how to be admitted to the BME UG program). Applying to the under-graduate BME program is well worth the effort as it is easier to register for courses when compared to a non-degree students. Indeed, as BME UG you may start taking some graduate courses as electives (provided you have the correct prerequisites), which may then be transfered to the M.S. program if you are indeed admitted. If you are having difficulties registering for courses here at CCNY you can also take the courses at any other University. 

4. Can I take graduate classes in BME at non-matriculated graduate student?

No. The BME department does not allow walk-in non-matriculated students to take graduate classes in BME. You can only be admitted non-matriculated student take up to two graduate classes in BME if you have submitted a full application to the MS program.

5. Why have I not been admitted?

Because you did not satisfy one or more of the admission criteria listed above. Most likely you were missing 4 or more courses from the list above or your undergraduate GPA was insufficient. To know why you were not accepted you must write to the admissions office requesting to send their file back to the BME department.

6. Is there funding available for master students?

We do currently not provide funding for incoming MS students. However, student that have shown strong track record and participate on a research project during their masters thesis often receive funding from their mentor or the department. Strong candidates that continue their studies by entering the Ph.D. Programs do receive funding from their Ph.D. advisor.