Academic Opportunities
Five-Year BS/MS Program (3/2 Program)
BME juniors contemplating graduate work should consider the special five-year, BS/MS program offered by the BME Department. This program provides the advantage of a smooth transition between undergraduate and graduate study. Program enrollment is competitive and students must apply for admission in the spring of their junior year. Successful applicants begin their masters-level study in the senior year. Through a special program initiated by the SEAS, students who have been formally accepted into the 3/2 program will be considered for a partial tuition scholarship for the fifth year of study.
Students should consult the UR Graduate Studies Official Bulletin for the MS degree requirements and they should meet with a faculty member to develop an integrated BS/MS program of study (required for admission).
GEAR Program
Incoming students can apply for the GEAR program when they first apply to the University of Rochester. Students can accelerate and complete their master's degree in engineering and applied sciences in a 3-2 B.S./M.S. program. The GEAR program provides selected students with an assurance of admission into one of nine engineering master's programs at the University of Rochester's Edmund A. Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Materials Science
- Mechanical Engineering
- Optics
- Alternative Energy
- Technical Entrepreneurship and Management (TEAM)
GEAR students receive a 75 percent tuition award for most students (50 percent for Optics students) in their fifth year of study in the form of a teaching assistantship. To remain eligible, GEAR students are required to maintain a 3.3 GPA (3.5 for Optics students) through the first seven semesters. Applicants for this program will have demonstrated strong aptitude for engineering throughout their high school academic and co-curricular activities. Please visit GEAR admissions for more information and to apply.
Internships & Practicum
BME majors are strongly encouraged to participate in internships with local or nationally based engineering firms or research institutions. Only in a few cases can internship experiences be used for academic credit. Students who wish to obtain such credit for an internship must obtain prior approval from the BME Undergraduate Committee.
The Industry Practicum program is a way to gain valuable work experience. A student in this program takes one semester and the summer preceding or following it to work for a company. Academic credit is not granted, but the work experience and references obtained are valuable in later job searching. Typically, graduation is delayed by one semester, but some students with Advanced Placement credit or summer classes can graduate on time. Additional information, including example programs, is available from the SEAS office or Career Center.
Pre-Medical Program
BME students interested in a pre-medical program are urged to obtain related materials from the Health Professions Advisor at the Center for Academic Support. It is essential that such students begin program planning very early and involve both their BME advisor and the Health Professions Advisor.
All of the courses usually required for admission to medical school are readily accommodated within the BS in BME curricular requirements. These include two semesters of general physics, two semesters of general chemistry, two semesters of Organic Chemistry with labs, two semesters of biology with labs, two semesters of math, and two semesters of English. CAS 105, Reasoning and Writing in the College, together with the BME upper level writing requirement (comprised of four BME core courses) satisfies the English requirement for the pre-medical program. more info...