MS Bioengineering at University of California, Riverside

Programme overview

The MS is part of the Bioengineering Interdepartmental Graduate (BIG) Program, aimed at working professionals seeking depth and biology graduates preparing for biotechnology careers. Research focus areas are Biomaterials, Biomedical Imaging and Instrumentation, Computational Bioengineering, Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation, and Cellular and Molecular Engineering.

Faculty: Bourns College of Engineering | Department: Bioengineering | Duration: Minimum 36 quarter units, 3-4 quarters full-time; normative time 2 years overall (Plan II one year) | Intake: Fall | Study mode: full-time | Location: Riverside, CA, United States

What you will study

Plan I (thesis) requires 36 units with at least 24 graduate level and a thesis defense; Plan II (comprehensive exam) requires 36 units with at least 18 graduate level and a written exam on one of five focus areas.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

GRE is no longer required for the MS or PhD program. Graduate Division (university-wide): bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or recognized international equivalent; minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA (some programs set a higher standard); transcripts, statement of purpose and letters of recommendation; English proficiency (TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic 7 with no component below 6) unless the prior degree was taught in English; GRE/GMAT only where the program requires it (many no longer do). Source: graduate.ucr.edu/admission-requirements.

UC Riverside operates a quarter system. Summer begins mid-June, Fall late September, Winter early January and Spring late March/early April. Most graduate programmes admit and begin in the Fall quarter only.

New domestic applicants: Fall January 5 (fellowship consideration) / June 1 (admission only), Winter November 1, Spring February 1, Summer May 1. New international applicants: Fall January 5 (fellowship consideration) / June 1 (admission only), Winter September 1, Spring December 1, Summer March 1. A few programmes have deadlines after June 1 and some have earlier programme deadlines. The Winter 2027 and Spring 2027 applications are open for select programmes only; the Summer/Fall 2027 application opened September 1, 2026, with rolling review for most programmes.

Apply through the official page: https://grad.ucr.edu/apply/

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