MSE with Thesis

There are 24 credit hours of technical coursework required for the MSE with Thesis (approximately 8 technical 3-credit hour courses), plus 6 credit hours of thesis coursework, for a total of 30 credit hours required. At least 21 hours must be graduate level and taken for a letter grade. Up to 3 hours of upper-division coursework taken for a letter grade made be counted toward the technical elective requirement. Learn more about the Graduate School's requirements in the Graduate Catalog. 

Previously approved courses for each requirement can be found on the Graduate Level Courses by Requirement list. This list is not exhaustive and other courses are available to meet program of work requirements. If you find another course that you wish to count toward a requirement, please send the course name, number, and the requirement you want to fill to the Graduate Advisor for approval. A syllabus may be requested in some cases. You must receive approval prior to enrollment in the course.


RequirementCredit HoursDetails
Biological or Clinical Sciences3

Graduate level, taken for a letter grade.

BS BME/MSE Integrated Program students only may choose to replace the biological/clinical science course with any other approved graduate-level technical course.  

Basic or Applied Mathematics3A statistics course is encouraged, but another mathematics topic may be approved in some circumstances. Graduate level, taken for a letter grade.
Technical Area 1: Biomedical Imaging and Instrumentation3Choose one course from each of three of the four technical areas for a total of 9 credit hours. Graduate level, taken for a letter grade.
Technical Area 2: Cellular and Biomolecular Engineering3
Technical Area 3: Computational Biomedical Engineering3
Technical Area 4: Molecular, Cellular, and Tissue Biomechanics3
Technical Electives: graduate-level taken for a letter grade9One technical elective may be substituted with one approved graduate-level professional development course. All coursework must be approved by the Graduate Advisor in advance of registration. Up to 3 hours may be upper-division for a letter grade with consent of the Graduate Advisor. 
Thesis Courses: BME 698A and 698B6Two semesters of thesis taken on a CR/NC basis are required for the MSE with Thesis degree. Students must be registered for 698B in the semester in which they plan to graduate.


Program of Work

The Program of Work is a form students complete to report their coursework completion status. 

All versions of the Program of Work for the MSE and PhD programs can be found on UT Box at https://utexas.box.com/v/BMEGradForms. 

Students are to complete the Program of Work that corresponds with their respective degree program and year of entry into the graduate program.

Enrolling in Thesis Hours

To enroll in BME 698A or 698B Thesis, complete the BME Thesis Registration Form (attached below) and submit it to the Graduate Coordinator during the regular registration period. The Graduate Coordinator will add the appropriate course to your schedule. Students are required to be enrolled in BME 698B during the semester in which they apply to graduate with an MSE with Thesis. 

Thesis Committee

Your thesis committee may comprise of two or more people and your supervisor must be a BME GSC member. Other members can be from outside of the BME GSC. 

  • Your thesis committee will be reviewed as part of the application for graduation. If one of your members is not on the BME GSC, you must submit a copy of their CV to the Graduate School after submitting your application to graduate. 
  • Submit the application to graduate with a master's degree as early as possible during the semester you intend to graduate to avoid any delays. The application is typically available on the first day of class for that semester. 

Other Requirements

All graduate students in BME, including master's students in the coursework only and thesis track, are required to attend seminars designed to promote academic and professional development and networking opportunities. These seminars include the Responsible Conduct in Research (Ethics) Seminar offered in two parts in the fall and spring semesters, the Individual Development Plan (IDP) Workshop each fall semester, and the Graduate Research Seminars that take place throughout the semester on Thursday afternoons. 

Program Completion

For information regarding the Master's Graduate Application Form and graduation deadlines, please see the Graduate School's Deadlines and Submissions Instructions page. Students who plan to graduate with an MSE in BME should apply to graduate at the beginning of their final semester. 


  File Modified

PDF File Thesis Registration Form.pdf

Nov 15, 2021 by Lacy White