M.S. Biomedical Engineering
The Master of Science (M.S.) in Biomedical Engineering prepares graduates for a career in biomedical engineering, with a specialized focus on biomedical devices and biomedical signal processing. This program incorporates machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) modelling skills into the curriculum. Through the M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, graduates will develop expertise in utilizing ML and DL techniques to enhance the design of biomedical device hardware, software, and control schemes. Additionally, they will gain the skills to diagnose diseases, quantify disease risk, and predict clinical outcomes based on multiple clinical measurements and biomedical signals.
Our graduates will emerge as highly competitive candidates for roles in biomedical device companies and will also be well-prepared to pursue further study as doctoral candidates in biomedical engineering departments nationwide. The Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering curriculum comprises 30 units and culminates in either a thesis or project, providing students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to real-world challenges in the field.
Why Earn a Master's in Biomedical Engineering?
A master’s degree in biomedical engineering allows you to apply your technical knowledge and skills to complex medical and health challenges. By gaining experience with engineering problems grounded in medical needs, you’ll be able to work on highly interdisciplinary problems that require both a medical and engineering background. You’ll also be able to effectively collaborate with professionals from various disciplines including medical health professionals, engineers from different subspecialties, and scientists. This degree can also help you become a technical leader in the biomedical device industry.
Our graduates are well-prepared for competitive careers in the biomedical device industry and for advanced study in doctoral programs in biomedical engineering across the country. They are qualified for roles such as Biomedical Engineer, R&D Engineer, Scientist, Data Scientist, Signal Processing Engineer, Medical Device Software Engineer, Medical Device Hardware Engineer, and Systems Engineer. Graduates from our program are strong candidates for positions at leading biomedical device companies, including Medtronic, Abbott, Boston Scientific, Dexcom, Advanced Bionics, Edwards Lifesciences, Johnson & Johnson, and GE Healthcare.
Note: If you do not see the M.S. in Biomedical Engineering listed on the Cal State Apply website, please select the M.S. in Electrical Engineering instead. After you are admitted, contact the graduate coordinator, Dr. Ruting Jia, at ruting.jia@csun.edu to arrange course enrollment and request a change of objective to Biomedical Engineering.
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college, with a minimum overall GPA of 2.75.
- A minimum GPA of 2.7 in the last 60 semester units (or 90 quarter units) of undergraduate coursework.
- All applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose preparatory education was principally in a language other than English, are required to pass an English Proficiency exam.
Some or all of these prerequisite courses may be required depending on an applicant’s prior background. The graduate coordinator will determine the specific prerequisite courses on a case-by-case basis.
- ECE 206/L. Computing for Electrical Engineers and Lab (2/1)
- ECE 240 Electrical Engineering Fundamentals (3)
- ECE 240L Electrical Engineering Fundamentals Lab (1)
- ECE 309 Numerical Methods in Electrical Engineering (2)
- ECE 350 Linear Systems I (3)
- ECE 351 Linear Systems II (3)
- MATH 150A Calculus I (5)
- MATH 150B Calculus II (5)
- MATH 250 Calculus III (3)
- MATH 280 Applied Differential Equations (3) or ECE 280 Applied Differential Equations in Electrical Engineering (3)
The candidate must:
- Fulfill University requirements for classified status.
- Complete prerequisite courses with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
- Submit a tentative program of study to the ECE graduate coordinator.
- Maintain a grade of “C” or better, while maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher in any course taken.
Note: If you do not see the M.S. in Biomedical Engineering listed on the Cal State Apply website, please select the M.S. in Electrical Engineering instead. After you are admitted, contact the graduate coordinator, Dr. Ruting Jia, at ruting.jia@csun.edu to arrange course enrollment and request a change of objective to Biomedical Engineering.
All applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose preparatory education was principally in a language other than English, are required to submit an English Proficiency exam. CSUN currently accepts TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, PTE, iTEP, EIKEN, GTEC, and Cambridge Advanced English. The English language tests and minimum scores listed in the table on: https://www.csun.edu/prospective-students/international/graduate.
All coursework in the student’s graduate program must be completed with a grade of “C” or better, and students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- ECE 501/L Introduction to Biomedical Measurements and Instrumentation and Laboratory (2/1)
- ECE 502 Introduction to Medical Devices (3)
- ECE 503 Biomedical Imaging (3)
- ECE 602 Computational Models in Biomedical Engineering (3)
- ECE 603 Biomedical Signal Processing (3)
- ECE 650 Random Processes (3)
An additional 6–9 units must be completed through elective courses offered by the Departments of Computer Science, Mathematics, Biology, or Electrical and Computer Engineering, as listed below. Students pursuing the graduate project option (3 units) must complete 9 units of electives, while those pursuing the thesis option (6 units) must complete 6 units of electives.
Students may take no more than 9 units of 400-level courses approved for graduate credit.
Students pursuing the graduate project option (3 units) must complete 9 units of electives, while those pursuing the thesis option (6 units) must complete 6 units of electives from the following list.
- BIOL 470 Biotechnology (3)
- BIOL 475/L Biological Imaging and Lab (2/2)
- BIOL 503/L Bioinformatics and Lab (3/1)
- BIOL 551/L Computer Modeling in Biology and Lab (2/2)
- COMP 541 Data Mining (3)
- COMP 542 Machine Learning (3) or MATH 445 - Statistical Foundations of Machine Learning (3)
- ECE 528/L Robotics and Embedded Systems and Laboratory (3/1)
- ECE 537 Deep Learning for Pattern Recognition (3)
- ECE 551 Imaging Processing (3)
- ECE 580 Digital Control Systems (3)
- ECE 581 Fuzzy Control (3)
- ECE 582 State Variables in Automatic Control (3)
- ECE 651 Digital Signal Processing I (3)
- MATH 481A Numerical Analysis (3)
- MATH 482 Combinatorial Algorithms (3)
- MATH 483 Mathematical Modeling (3)
- MATH 545 Probability Theory (3)
A. Thesis Plan
ECE 698C Thesis (3-3)
Successful defense of thesis before the thesis committee is required. Students who select the Thesis will complete 18 units of core courses, 6 units of ECE 698C, and 6 units of electives with no more than 9 units of 400-level courses approved for graduate credit.
B. Project Plan
ECE 698C Graduate Project (3)
The Graduate Project will culminate in a comprehensive report. Students who select the Graduate Project will complete 18 units of core courses, 3 units of ECE 698C, and 9 units of electives with no more than 9 units of 400-level courses approved for graduate credit.