Progressive Degree Programs in Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical Engineering PDP Guide


USC's Progressive Degree Program is an accelerated Master's program for current USC Undergraduates. All four of our Master's programs are available through the PDP Program.


Students participating in the PDP will receive a reduction in the minimum units required for the Master’s of Biomedical Engineering, although individual program units will vary. This guide is intended for current undergraduate USC Biomedical students, as requirements will vary for students in other departments.



 

Apply to Viterbi PDP
Image

MS Biomedical Engineering

Students in the MS BME PDP must complete at least 19 units at the 500-level and above to be applied to their graduate degree. They should choose one “theme” from the following list and take the listed courses to complete their Master’s degree. Students must be advised every semester prior to registration in order to receive departmental clearance for courses and have their advising hold lifted.

Biomechanics

Required Courses:

BME 511 | Physiological Control Systems (4 units)
BME 513 | Signal and Systems Analysis - or -
BME 530 | Introduction to Systems Biology (4 units)
BME 533 | Seminar in Bioengineering (1 unit)

BME 504 | Neuromuscular and Bio-Robotic Systems 
AME 503 | Advanced Mechanical Design

Choose approved electives from 500- or 600-level AME, BME, or BKN classes as needed to reach at least 19 applied units.

Imaging

Required Courses:

BME 511 | Physiological Control Systems (4 units)
BME 513 | Signal and Systems Analysis - or -
BME 530 | Introduction to Systems Biology (4 units)
BME 533 | Seminar in Bioengineering (1 unit)

Choose courses from the list below
as needed to reach at least 19 applied units:
BME 527 | Integration of Medical Imaging Systems
BME 528 | Medical Imaging Informatics
EE 569 | Introduction to Digital Image Processing
BME 525 | Advanced Biomedical Imaging
BME 535 | Ultrasonic Imaging
Approved Technical Elective

Bio-Systems & Signals

Required Courses:

BME 511 | Physiological Control Systems (4 units)
BME 513 | Signal and Systems Analysis - or -
BME 530 | Introduction to Systems Biology (4 units)
BME 533 | Seminar in Bioengineering (1 unit)

BME 650 | Biomedical Measurement and Instrumentation (4 units)

Choose courses from the list below as needed to reach at least 19 applied units:
BME 523 | Measurement and Processing of Biological Signals
BME 680 | Modeling and Simulation of Physiological Systems
Approved Technical Elective

Devices

Required Courses:

BME 511 | Physiological Control Systems (4 units)
BME 513 | Signal and Systems Analysis - or -
BME 530 | Introduction to Systems Biology (4 units)
BME 533 | Seminar in Bioengineering (1 unit)


Choose courses from the list below
as needed to reach at least 19 applied units:
BME 551 | Introduction to Bio-MEMS and Nanotechnology
BME 620L | Applied Electrophysiology
BME 650 | Biomedical Measurement and Instrumentation
Approved Technical Elective

Regulatory Science

Required Courses:

BME 511 | Physiological Control Systems (4 units)
BME 513 | Signal and Systems Analysis - or -
BME 530 | Introduction to Systems Biology (4 units)
BME 533 | Seminar in Bioengineering (1 unit)


Choose courses from the list below
as needed to reach at least 19 applied units:
MPTX 511 | Introduction to Medical Product Regulation
MPTX 513 | Regulation of Medical Devices and Diagnostics
MPTX 515 Quality Systems and Standards
Approved BME Technical Elective

Student-Created Theme

Recent examples have included Biochemical Engineering and Regulatory/Production

Required Core Courses:

BME 511 | Physiological Control Systems (4 units)
BME 513 | Signal and Systems Analysis - or -
BME 530 | Introduction to Systems Biology (4 units)
BME 533 | Seminar in Bioengineering (1 unit)


At least 10 units of Approved Technical Electives

MS Biomedical Data Analytics (BMDA)

Students in the MS BMDA PDP must complete at least 20 units at the 500-level and above to be applied to their graduate degree. They must take the courses listed below. Students should be advised every semester prior to registration in order to receive departmental clearance for courses and have their advising hold lifted.

  • BME 511 | Physiological Control Systems (4 units)
  • BME 513 | Signal and Systems Analysis (4 units)
  • BME 514 | Physiological Signals and Data Analytics (4 units)
  • BME 515 | Data Analytics in Biomedical Engineering (4 units)
  • BME 528 | Medical Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Informatics Applications (4 units)

 

MS Medical Devices & Diagnostic Engineering (MDDE)

Students in the MS MDDE PDP must complete at least 22 units at the 500-level and above to be applied to their graduate degree. They should choose one track and take the listed courses to complete their Master’s degree. Students must be advised every semester prior to registration in order to receive departmental clearance for courses and have their advising hold lifted. The PDP program requirements are:

Regulation Track

Required Core Courses:

  • BME 650 | Biomedical Measurement and Instrumentation (4 units)
  • ISE 501 | Innovative Conceptual Design for New Product Development (4 units)
  • RSCI 515 Quality Systems and Standards (3 units) - or - ISE 527 | Quality Management for Engineers (4 units)
  • RSCI 513 | Regulation of Medical Devices and Diagnostics (3 units)
  • RSCI 527 | Medical Product Safety (3 units)
  • One approved Technical Elective course (4-5 units)

Medical Technology & Device Science Track

Required Core Courses:

  • BME 650 | Biomedical Measurement and Instrumentation (4 units)
  • ISE 501 | Innovative Conceptual Design for New Product Development (4 units)
  • RSCI 515 Quality Systems and Standards (3 units) - or - ISE 527 | Quality Management for Engineers (4 units)

Choose 3 of the courses listed below to meet 22 total units:

  • BME 535 | Ultrasonic Imaging (4 units)
  • BME 551 | Introduction to Bio-MEMS and Nanotechnology (4 units)
  • BME 552 | Neural Implant Engineering (3 units)
  • BME 608 | Wearable Technology (4 units)
  • BME 620L | Applied Electrophysiology (4 units)
  • One approved Technical Elective course (2-3 units)

Product Development Track

Required Core Courses:

  • BME 650 | Biomedical Measurement and Instrumentation (4 units)
  • ISE 501 | Innovative Conceptual Design for New Product Development (4 units)
  • RSCI 515 Quality Systems and Standards (3 units) - or - ISE 527 | Quality Management for Engineers (4 units)
  • CE 576 | Invention and Technology Development (3 units)
  • ISE 515 | Engineering Project Management (4 units)
  • One approved Technical Elective course (3-4 units)

MS Medical Imaging & Imaging Informatics (MIII)

Students in the MS MIII PDP must complete at least 20 units at the 500-level and above to be applied to their graduate degree. Students must be advised every semester prior to registration in order to receive departmental clearance for courses and have their advising hold lifted. The PDP program requirements are:

  • BME 513 | Signal and Systems Analysis - or - BME 515 | Data Analytics in Biomedical Engineering (4 units)
  • BME 525 | Advanced Biomedical Imaging (4 units)
  • BME 527 | Integration of Medical Imaging Systems (4 units)
  • BME 528 | Medical Imaging Informatics (4 units)
  • EE 569 | Introduction to Digital Image Processing (4 units)

Apply to Viterbi PDP
Published on February 1st, 2017Last updated on January 28th, 2025