We invite applications from students with a strong interest in the life sciences and demonstrated strength in mathematics and physical sciences. Consideration is also given to applicants with strong, relevant life science backgrounds who have demonstrated quantitative skills. Our program attracts motivated, independent students with a diversity of experience who are eager to contribute to the growing field of bioengineering.
Admission is based on an evaluation by a committee composed of faculty and senior graduate students. The Admissions Committee weighs many factors, including applicants’ academic record and scholarly activities, Graduate Record Examination, letters of recommendation, and the statement of purpose. We also seek a balance between the students’ research interests and available faculty resources. We are particularly interested in providing educational opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds and from ethnic groups currently underrepresented in the biological and engineering disciplines.
Anyone with a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, biology, or other sciences, is eligible for admission. Appropriate academic preparation includes a two-year college mathematics sequence, including calculus and differential equations, and a one-year sequence in physics and chemistry, plus extensive upper-division work in either engineering or biology. A course in linear algebra is highly desirable. Outstanding students lacking some of these requirements may be admitted on the condition that they complete the basic entrance requirements immediately after admission to the Group.
In addition to the above undergraduate work, a successful applicant generally has a minimum grade point average of 3.5 or higher (on a 4.0 scale), quantitative and analytical GRE scores over the 85th percentile, and three strong letters of recommendation from faculty with whom they have worked closely. Most of our successful applicants also have some prior research experience.