Students with degrees in the biological sciences require documented completion of coursework in these quantitative areas to be considered for the program. Students without this background, who are interested in applied sciences, should consider our sister program in Biotechnology.
Institute for Biology, Engineering and Medicine (I-BEAM)
5th Year Master's Program
Benefits of the 5th Year Program
- You may be able to accelerate completion of your program and finish in one year.
- You may request that up to 2 advanced level (1000, 2000) biology or engineering courses taken as a Brown undergraduate be applied towards your Master's degree. This can lower the number of courses you will need to take and will lower the number of courses that the Registrar charges you.
- Learn more about tuition and fees. Important Notes:
- The Grad School's tuition rates are based on a 4-course per semester schedule, but our 5th program averages a 3-course per semester schedule.
- The I-BEAM Master's Program does not follow the pay scale for the Engineering Master's program (it's cheaper!).
- Continue an ongoing project i.e. an honors thesis toward publication or a design project toward commercialization
Admissions Requirements
- Open only to students currently enrolled at Brown. To be eligible for a 5th year, you must apply before you complete your undergraduate studies, but admission can be deferred once accepted into the program.
- Must meet or exceed requirements for undergraduate concentration in engineering at Brown.
- Do not have to take GREs.
- Must fill out graduate school application, 2 letters of recommendation, provide a personal statement, CV/Resume, and indicate interest in Biomedical Engineering 5th Year Program.
- For students intending to complete ScM Thesis (Research or Design): One of the 2 letters of recommendation must be from a Brown faculty accepting the student into his/her lab (research advisor) or supporting the student's design project (design advisor) with a strong commitment to act as the student’s mentor.
- A supplemental form requesting undergraduate course transfer and a proposed course of study must also be included with the application.
- Students intending to complete ScM Thesis (Research or Design) should choose a Brown faculty member to be their advisor before start of the program.