Bioengineering
vs. Traditional Engineering MS Degree
The
primary difference between earning a Bioengineering MS degree
and a traditional engineering degree program is the coursework
that is required. For the Bioengineering degree, students take
a mixture of bioengineering, traditional engineering, biological
sciences and elective classes, whereas for a traditional engineering
degree students take coursework in traditional engineering and
elective classes which may include bioengineering courses. Additional
differences may include admission prerequisites, degree requirements,
and the name of the degree awarded. Students can pursue bioengineering
thesis topics in either program.
Thesis
vs. Non-Thesis MS Degree
A
non-thesis degree offers students an opportunity to gain an
increased depth and breadth in bioengineering through additional
graduate level coursework. A thesis-based degree is designed
for students interested in performing an independent research
project in addition to coursework. Financial support is usually
available for thesis degree candidates through sponsored research
projects, whereas non-thesis students generally need to provide
their own support. Admission to the non-thesis MS is extremely competitive, and preference is given to students at Georgia Tech enrolled in the BS/MS program.
Non-Thesis
MS in Traditional Engineering Program
This
degree generally requires 30 units (depending on the program)
of coursework in traditional engineering and elective classes.
There is no thesis or required independent study. Admission to the non-thesis MS is extremely competitive, and preference is given to students at Georgia Tech enrolled in the BS/MS program.
Thesis
MS in Traditional Engineering Program
This
degree requires a thesis based on independent study of a traditional
engineering research topic under the guidance of a traditional
engineering program faculty member. Many traditional engineering
program professors are also members of the Bioengineering Program
faculty and thus provide an option for traditional engineering
students to select a bioengineering research topic for their
thesis. This degree also generally requires 12 - 22 (depending
on the program) units of coursework in traditional engineering
and elective classes, including bioengineering courses.
Thesis
MS in Bioengineering
This
degree requires a thesis based on independent study of a bioengineering
research topic under the guidance of a Bioengineering Program
faculty member. It also requires 21 units of coursework in a
mixture of bioengineering, traditional engineering, biological
sciences and elective classes.
Non-Thesis
MS in Bioengineering
This
degree requires 30 units of coursework in a mixture of bioengineering,
traditional engineering, biological sciences and elective classes.
There is no thesis or required independent study. Note that
the Non-Thesis MS option is not offered by every participating
school and the appropriate school coordinator should be contacted
for more information. Note: that the Non-Thesis MS option
is currently offered through the School of Electrical and
Computer Engineering and Mechanical Engineering only. Admission to the non-thesis MS is extremely competitive, and preference is given to students at Georgia Tech enrolled in the BS/MS program
Ph.D.
Degree Information