Master of Science in Biological Engineering

The degree program leading to the MSBAE is offered in both thesis and non-thesis options. The thesis option requires 24 hours of coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree and a publishable thesis. A thesis is also required of all students on a graduate research/teaching assistantship. The non-thesis option requires 36 hours beyond the bachelor’s degree and a project. Eighteen to 24 months is the usual time required for full-time students to complete the MSBAE.

A graduate student must assume full responsibility for knowledge of the Graduate School and BAE’s rules and regulations concerning his or her degree program. It is not expected that students require the same degree guidance commonly given to undergraduates.

The MSBAE requires a baccalaureate degree from an engineering program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology or the equivalent of the required engineering courses. Students pursuing the MSBAE without an engineering background may have to take additional courses to support their program of study. At least half of the graduate coursework must be taken in the College of Engineering.

Thesis Option

The focus of the MSBAE is education in engineering research. This program is designed to add to previous knowledge of engineering by including a thesis that demonstrates the student’s ability to define problems, survey literature, and use experimental and/or analytical methods. The results must be of sufficient significance to be published as technical papers.

Minimum Requirements

  • Twenty-four semester hours of approved graduate course-work, at least 12 of which must be above the 7000 level
  • At least one advanced mathematics course of three credit hours
  • Enrollment in Graduate Seminar (BE 7500) is required every year, with a maximum of one credit hour counting towards the graduate degree
  • An acceptable thesis must be presented
  • A minimum of six hours of thesis research credit (BE 8000) is required

The remainder of the program, including remedial coursework requirements, if any, is left to the discretion of the advisory committee. No more than six hours of BE 7909 is allowed.

A documented copy of all data collected during the course of the thesis research must be submitted to the advisor before graduation.

A final examination is also required of all degree candidates.

 

MSBAE Sample Chronological Guide

Semester 1

  • Selection or appointment of major advisor
  • Nine hours of coursework and three hours of BE 8000
  • Selection of graduate advisory committee
  • Development of approved plan of study
  • Identification of research topic
  • Identification of research objectives
  • Preparation and presentation of thesis proposal, including literature review
  • Submission of plan of study form and thesis research proposal to the department
  • Begin research for experiments and thesis

Semester 2

  • Development of a statistically valid experimental design
  • Continue research for thesis
  • Nine hours of coursework and three hours of BE 8000

Semester 3

  • Conduct research through experiments
  • Complete analysis of research data
  • Six hours of coursework and six hours of BE 8000

Semester 4

  • Twelve hours of BE 8000
  • Thesis defense

Graduate Advisory Committee
The program of study will be guided by the student’s graduate advisory committee, which consists of the major advisor and a minimum of two other members from the graduate faculty in BAE, and/or other developments related to the student’s research area.

 

Non-Thesis Option

The non-thesis option is considered a terminal degree in a technical field. It is appropriate for practicing and/or employed engineers who wish to acquire advanced background and knowledge in chosen subject areas without having the need to pursue rigorous research. It can be earned with a part-time program of study and is generally not available to international students under the F1 Visa.

Minimum Requirements

  • Thirty-six semester hours of approved graduate course-work, at least 18 of which must be above the 7000 level
  • At least one advanced mathematics course of three credit hours
  • Enrollment in Graduate Seminar (BE 7500) every year, with a maximum of one credit hour counting toward the graduate degree
  • Must declare intent to join the MSBAE non-thesis option before beginning program of study

You must complete a three-credit project under BE 7909 and present a report approved by your major professor and advisory committee. The report is used in your final exam to portray your ability to conduct in-depth analysis of a biological engineering topic.


The remainder of the program, including remedial coursework requirements, if any, is left to the discretion of the advisory committee. No more than six hours of BE 7909 is allowed (a seminar presentation of your work to the faculty is required for each instance of BE 7909).


A final examination is required of all degree candidates.

 

Transfer-to-Thesis Options

Transferring from the non-thesis MSBAE to the thesis option may be done at any time. However, all of the requirements of the thesis degree program must be met. This includes the appointment of a new advisory committee and possibly a new major professor, as well as the formulation of a new plan of study and identification of a research area from which a thesis can be produced.


Courses taken in the non-thesis program may be applied to the thesis program only at the discretion of the new advisory committee.


If you are in the non-thesis option, you will not be eligible for any financial aid from the university. If you are currently in the thesis option and have received financial support from the department, you will not be permitted to switch to the non-theses option.

 

3+2 Accelerated Master's

The 3+2 program is proposed as a procedure whereby all of the required credits for earning BS and MS degrees in bio-logical engineering can be satisfied in five years. The primary motivation for the program is to facilitate and encourage our best undergraduate students to pursue a graduate degree in the department.

Junior Year (3rd Year) Sixth Semester

  • Student classified as undergraduate.
  • Invited to apply; application submitted, including Statement of Purpose
  • Graduate advisor selected
  • Research project identified
  • Advisory committee formed
  • Plan of study submitted

Senior Year (Fourth Year) First Summer

  • BE 3989 (Special Project) for undergraduate credit on thesis topic

Seventh Semester

  • May take 4989 (Independent Study) for graduate credit
  • Take GRE exam
  • Apply for admission to the LSU Graduate School

Eighth Semester

  • Participation encouraged in BE 7500 (Seminar)
  • Graduate course (4000/7000)

Graduate Year (Fifth Year) Second Summer

  • BE 7909 (Advanced Topic)
  • BE 7909 (Advanced Topic)
  • Math 4XXX

Ninth Semester

  • Three graduate courses (4000/7000)
  • BE 8000

Tenth Semester

  • Graduate course (4000/7000)
  • BE 7500 (Seminar)
  • BE 8000

 

LSU