Accelerated BS/MS

Build toward an MS while completing your BS

Best for: Students interested in research and a flexible path toward an MS

Take graduate-level courses beyond your BS requirements and begin developing research toward an MS thesis while you are still an undergraduate. Explore the Accelerated BS/MS pathway:

MS in Biomedical Engineering and MS in Bioinformatics require 28 credit hours of coursework for the thesis track (or 36 credit hours for the non-thesis track), of which 12 hours must be at the 500 level. Biomedical Engineering undergraduate students interested in pursuing an MS degree can begin research toward an MS thesis while still undergraduates.  Students can lay the groundwork by enrolling in BME 398 Undergraduate Research or by pursuing research-relevant graduate-level courses, internships, or activities.

Applicants should aim to complete and transfer up to 14 credit hours toward their MS degree. This leaves approximately 22 master ’s-level credit hours (approximately six courses) to complete during the MS program.

These courses cannot be used to fulfill BS degree requirements and are beyond what is needed for the BS. You cannot count a course for both the BS and the MS.

Aligning senior-year coursework and internships with research can set the stage for completing a master’s thesis in only one additional academic year.

Admissions:
Current undergraduate students follow the standard admissions process for the MS in Biomedical Engineering (deadline: February 15). Full details are available on our graduate admissions page, but briefly, the admissions requirements include:

• A complete MS application to the graduate admissions office
• Three letters of recommendation sent to the graduate admissions office or directly to the biomedical engineering department
• Personal statement sent to the biomedical engineering department

Important notes for interested students
It is your responsibility to approach the faculty advisor of your undergraduate research project and ask about the potential for MS thesis research. Your advisor will be able to provide guidance on whether your research topic is challenging enough for the master’s level and how you may want to shape or adjust your research plan.

Participation in MS thesis research is dependent on satisfactory performance in undergraduate research. You and your faculty advisor should develop a formal list of expectations for your undergraduate research (for example, deliverables, reporting responsibilities, and expectations for background knowledge) that can be used to document and evaluate your performance. This can be to your advantage in MS admissions.

View BME/BIOI MS Admission Requirements.

An integrated BS + MS degree pathway

Best for: High-achieving students who want to formally enter a joint degree program

High-achieving BME students can apply to the Joint Degree program and use approved graduate coursework toward both degrees.

[Explore the Joint BS/MS Degree ↓]

The requirements for completing the Joint Degree program are identical to those for completing the two degrees separately. However, 9 credit hours of the MS degree may be applied to the BS degree, as 7 hours in CAE. (see sample course plan below)

Both thesis and non-thesis track MS in BME or BIOI may be awarded. Upon completion of the BS degree, the degree will be awarded (prior to the completion of the MS degree). The MS degree is awarded separately, at the end of the program.

BS-BME/MS-BME

• Catalog link (policies) and sample course plan

BS-BME/MS-BIOI

• Catalog link (policies) and sample course plan

Admissions:
The minimum admission requirements for the BS/MS Joint Degree program are:

• Completion of at least 22 semester hours of core courses (excluding ENGR 100/ENGR 101and BME 399), where core courses are listed under the Required Engineering Courses section of the catalog;
• An institutional GPA of 3.30/4.00 or higher; and
• A major GPA of 3.30/4.00 or higher.

Read the catalog requirements with more details.

The Joint BS/MS Degree is generally planned as a five-year pathway, although the actual timeline depends on your completed credits, course availability, academic progress, and selected MS program.

Students who enter UIC with transfer credits or plan to complete the BS in fewer than four years should meet with the DUS and DGS to develop an individualized academic plan.
Your timeline should be planned based on your specific degree requirements—not simply the number of years you have been enrolled.

Yes. Talk to your academic advisor or DUS about your course plan in your UG study in order to leave room for graduate-level courses. To take both paths, you need to take a substantial amount of graduate-level courses (to share or transfer) in your undergraduate study.

No, it is free! There is no cost to currently enrolled BME students.

Per joint BS/MS degree program requirements, a student must apply and be accepted into the program before their final year at UIC.

For Accelerated BS/MS pathway, students need to apply for graduate school admission before Feb 15th, which is the deadline for the public.

Yes, only current UIC biomedical engineering students are eligible to apply for the programs.

No, students are not directly admitted to the Joint Degree program. A student must first complete a sufficient amount of UIC coursework to establish a major and cumulative GPA. Please review the UIC Academic Catalog for more information on your program of interest.

You should first review the program descriptions and admission criteria listed above. Once you’re ready to apply, you’ll need to select your desired program and provide a digital signature. Reference letters, transcripts, and personal statements are not required.

No. MS program applications are handled separately, and students must meet the minimum requirements of the MS at the end of the BS to progress in the program. They are mutually independent programs, and the Joint Degree program saves time in the MS for high-achieving BS students.

No! That’s the benefit of this program. You can earn an MS that is a different concentration than the BS.

Students should discuss their plans with the DUS and DGS before making a formal commitment.

If your career plans change—for example, if you decide to attend medical school, enter industry, or pursue another graduate program—consult your advisors about the implications for your academic plan.

The workload depends on your course schedule, preparation, research responsibilities, and whether you pursue a thesis.

They both involve planning for both undergraduate and graduate requirements. Some students may be able to integrate graduate coursework into their schedules effectively, while others may find that additional coursework or research responsibilities increase their workload.

Students should consider:

• Their current academic performance
• The number of technical courses taken each semester
• Research or internship commitments
• Other majors, honors programs, or pre-professional activities
• Their ability to maintain the required GPA
• Their personal and financial circumstances

The department will review your eligibility and send confirmation emails. After approval, the Accelerated BS/MS pathway students and the BS/MS joint degree can start taking MS courses and prepare for future MS program applications.