Department of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical - Admissions
Biomedical Engineering Graduate Admissions
Admission Standards
Ideally, applicants should have completed: 2 semesters of biology or physiology, 2 semesters of physics or biophysics, 2 semesters of chemistry or biochemistry, calculus (including differential equations), and demonstrate proficiency in at least 1 computer programming language. Deficiencies in an area can be made up during the course of study. The BME program reserves the right to waive any prerequisites under unusual circumstances. The Director will forward completed applications to the BME Admissions and Recruitment Committee.
A maximum of 9 credits of graduate course work can be taken prior to enrollment in the BME master's program or the formation of a formal committee, unless additional credits are allowed by the Director. If more than 9 graduate credits were earned prior to enrollment in the BME program, their application to the BME degree must also be approved by the Dean of the Graduate School. Upon acceptance by BME faculty, applicants with one or more undergraduate degrees will generally be admitted into the Masters degree program. At any time during their course of study, Masters degree students can apply for acceptance to the doctoral program. Typically, this will occur after 1 year of study at the Masters level.
Applicants with an advanced undergraduate standing, pre-doctoral award, Masters of Engineering (M.E.), Masters of Science (M.S.), Medical Doctor (M.D.) or equivalent will be eligible to apply directly to the doctoral program. Under these circumstances, a maximum of 24 credits of graduate course work can be applied toward the doctoral program, unless additional credits are allowed by the Director and approved by the Dean of the Graduate School. Credit for appropriate courses with a grade of B or better from other universities can be included within the 24 credits.
Our admission requirements for MS are: GPA>3 or first div, GRE: V+Q>1150 with Q>720, A>3.5 and TOEFL>550 (or >216 computerized or >79/120 internet based or IELTS > 7/9 - Academic Version) and for Ph.D. are: GPA>3.25, GRE:- V+Q>1150 with Q>720, A>3.5 and TOEFL>550 (or> 216 computerized or >79/120 internet based or IELTS > 7/9 -Academic Version). The TOEFL requirement is for the International Students only; while GRE is required by all the students seeking admission in BME graduate program (MCAT above 7.0 for each sub-item is required if GRE is not taken). We also require three (3) reference letters from your professors/employer and statement of purpose from the candidate.
International Students
- Fall Admissions Application Deadline – Feb 1st
- Spring Admissions Application Deadline – Nov 1st
Domestic Students
- Fall Admissions Application Deadline – Feb 1st
- Spring Admissions Application Deadline – Nov 1st
Please visit the EBME Department web site at: http://www.unr.edu/ebme/biomedical/index.html for details about laboratory facilities, programs and faculty research interests. The application forms and other details for graduate admission are available on the university website: www.unr.edu. Please send your admission application and all related material directly to the Graduate School. Regarding TA positions, generally the international students are considered only after one year, or at least one semester in our graduate program. These positions are very limited and highly competitive. Regarding RA positions, the prospective students are encouraged to directly contact the EBME department faculty in their research interest area. Faculty with ongoing research projects may hire graduate students as Research Assistants to work on their projects. No student can be considered for TA, RA or any financial support until admitted into the graduate program.
Applying
It is recommended that you identify a general area of research interest prior to submitting an application. Areas of common interest among students and BME faculty are considered during the application process. You are encouraged to contact individual BME faculty members, faculty members throughout the campus or the BME office to discuss research interests. The University's Online Directory has contact (email, phone numbers, departmental) information.
An application form can be down-loaded from the Graduate School website. (Note that you will need to click "BACK" in your browser to return here from the download site.) Letters of recommendation can be sent separately from the application. We recommend use of the standard recommendation letter format that can be downloaded from the graduate school web site. You are responsible for ensuring that all components of an application are submitted. Convenient ways to check on the applications process are to E-mail ebme@unr.edu or phone (775)784-4952.
In addition to the general application form obtained from the Graduate School website, we request an additional page (no special form) with the following information:
- your name (in case the page becomes separated from the general application)
- If you identified a master's as the "degree sought" in the Graduate School application, are you considering continuing to a doctorate in this program?
- a brief description of any research plans you have discussed with "any faculty member(s) you may be interested in working with," identified in the Graduate School application
- The BME program does not restrict entry to the fall or spring terms. Often students can begin their program by performing a research rotation almost any time of the year. Please identify a general start date (which can also be the beginning of the fall or spring term, as described in the Graduate School application).
- a brief paragraph describing your career goals in the area of Biomedical Engineering
- a sentence describing how you learned of this graduate program in Biomedical Engineering
A complete application portfolio requires:
- A completed application from the Graduate School (including fee) - Apply online
- An additional page (or more) with the items as listed above (no special form)
- Three letters of recommendation. More can be sent, but 3 are required. We recommend use of the standard recommendation letter format that can be downloaded from the graduate school website.
- A copy of official college transcript(s)
- A copy of GRE scores
- Residents of non-English speaking countries must also submit a copy of TOEFL scores
Contact information:
Email: nelson@unr.edu
Nelson Publicover, Ph. D.
Director, Biomedical Engineering
University of Nevada, Reno
Mail Stop 260
Reno, NV, 89557-0260
(775) 784-6927; Fax (775) 784-6627