Cornell Engineering

Engineers who understand biology and who can apply their knowledge and skills to improve human health are increasingly in demand. A professional degree in biomedical engineering (BME) will prepare students as professional engineers capable of:

• Identifying, screening, and validating unmet clinical needs.
• Addressing these needs by inventing, designing, developing, and deploying innovative and value-based technologies.

For selected students there is also the opportunity to pursue both M.Eng. and MBA degrees in a combined program. More information on the M.Eng-MBA is available here.
 

Educational Goal

The Master of Engineering program prepares students for professional practice in the Biomedical Engineering field. Students will acquire a broad perspective of the biomedical engineering discipline that complements their undergraduate training in engineering or science and an in-depth knowledge of an essential professional leadership in biomedical engineering. Graduates will be equipped to design biomedical devices and develop therapeutic strategies within the bounds of health care economics, the needs of patients and physicians, the medical device regulatory environment and the ethical standards of biomedical engineering practice.
 

Common Objectives

Students enter the program with many different strengths and backgrounds and they will pursue many different potential career pathways. With that in mind, we have devised a curriculum that is rich and flexible while providing a well-defined and bounded process. 

Independent of our student’s career goals, we have a few concurrent objectives: 

• Provide a better understanding of the many different facets and dynamics of the healthcare industry.
• Expand and deepen technical and scientific knowledge within our student’s areas of interest and focus.
• Develop professional acumen.
• Provide the opportunity to work on real life and current design challenge.
   

Expected Applicant Background

Students from a wide variety of backgrounds in engineering and science may obtain admission and are encouraged to apply.

All students will satisfy the following requirements:

• B.S. degree or equivalent in engineering or science.
• Calculus-based physics (8 credits), mathematics starting with calculus (12 credits) an introductory computer science course or equivalent, and a college-level biology course.
• By the time of graduation, we expect all BME M.Eng. students to understand molecular- and cellular-based biomedical engineering and engineering analysis of physiological systems at the level of BME 3010, 3020, 4010, and 4020. This understanding can be demonstrated through appropriate undergraduate coursework before joining the Cornell BME M.Eng. program. Students lacking this background may need to complete additional courses (beyond the normal 30 credits) as a part of their Cornell BME M.Eng. program in order to demonstrate appropriate understanding in these subject areas.
• Cornell University undergraduates can apply for the Early Admission option which is described here.

M.Eng. Design Project

The BME M.Eng. design projects are in line with the two available pathways: 

Professional: The projects in this pathway are performed in teams over two terms. Emphasis is given on the identification and/or validation of unmet clinical needs while looking into the core problem, affected population, and desired outcomes. The teams are also required to engineer an innovative and value-based fully functional prototype addressing the defined need. At every academic year cycle we work towards the selection of sponsors and projects that are diverse, challenging, and aligned with our educational goals and industry segments.

Academic: The projects in this pathway are individual projects in which the students will apply to the many different laboratories and will be working on research projects under the purview of the principal investigator (PI).

Visit our M.Eng. Projects page for examples of recent design projects. 
 

Curriculum Requirements

A total of 30 credits are required for graduating with the Master of Engineering degree and typical students with a B.S. in an engineering discipline require two semesters to complete the program. All students must complete the following:

BME 5500 – Innovation and Design of Biomedical Technologies (3 credits). The course addresses the clinical, business, regulatory, and technical challenges throughout the many phases of a medical technology product life cycle. 

BME 5010 - Professional Engagement Seminars (fall and spring - 1+1 credits). The course gives students the opportunity to meet and hear from speakers representing the many different segments of healthcare related industry, clinical institutions, and academia

Career Path Specific (25 credits)

PROFESSIONAL PATH
Design Project (6 credits)            
BME 5911-Preliminary Study for Design Project (2 credits)
BME 5921-Performance of Design Project (4 credits)
            
Technical Core (12 credits)
Supplement technical backgrounds in:
·    Biology
·    Medicine
·    Engineering 

Provide industry specific technical and professional skills 
·     Devices
·     Biotechnology
·     Pharmaceutical

Professional Development (7 credits)

ACADEMIC PATH
Research Project (6 credits)    
BME 5910-Preliminary Study for Research Project (2 credits)
BME 5920-Performance of Research Project (4 credits)
            
Field of Research Core (12 credits)          
In alignment with Cornell’s BME areas of research: 
·     Biomechanics and Mechanobiology
·     Biomedical Imaging and Instrumentation
·     Drug Delivery & Nanomedicine
·     Molecular & Cellular Engineering
·     Systems & Synthetic Biology
·     Tissue Engineering & Biomaterials
            
Electives (7 credits)