All Master’s students can elect to pursue a Thesis or Non-thesis option. For admission, all Master’s students are defaulted into the non-thesis option of the degree. Students can easily switch to the Thesis option during their study, by electing a Supervisory Chair and filling out the Change of Degree Form. The primary difference between the two programs is the amount of credit that is expended towards independent research and the Final Exam required.

1. For the non-thesis, a student must select a Supervisory Chair and complete a Capstone Project. This requires enrollment in in 1 credit of BME6907 (BME Project) in their graduating semester. This project can range from independent academic research to a report. See our current BME Graduate Guidelines for an outline of these requirements.
2. For the thesis, a student must successfully defend a full thesis to a committee made up of three faculty members. They are also required to enroll in 3 credits of BME6971 (Master’s Research) in their graduating semester. All candidates for the Master’s degree with thesis must prepare and present a thesis that shows independent investigation and is acceptable to their Supervisory Committees and the Graduate School. The candidate should consult the Graduate School Editorial Office for instructions concerning the format of the thesis. See our current BME Graduate Guidelines for an outline of these requirements.