Master of Science (MSc) Thesis-based in Biomedical Engineering

Advanced Credit

Credit may be granted with approval of the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program. Advanced standing will not be granted for course, course or course.

Credit for Undergraduate Courses

Graduate credit may be given for 500-level courses. No more than 3 units of credit will be allowed in MSc/PhD program as approved by the supervisory committee, and the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program.

Time Limit

In accordance with the Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations, the expected completion time for the MSc is two years. Maximum completion time is four years. Students transferring from the MSc to the PhD program are expected to complete studies within five years. Funding in the MSc and PhD programs may not be available after these expected completion times.

Supervisory Assignments

MSc students need a supervisor for admission to the program. The Supervisory Committee should be selected jointly by the student and supervisor immediately upon entry into the MSc program and approved by the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program. The Supervisory Committee consists of the supervisor, co-supervisor (if appropriate), and two other members who normally hold academic appointment at the University of Calgary. Appointment of individuals who do not hold academic appointments at the University of Calgary is possible but requires the support of the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program and the prior approval of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

The supervisory committee will advise on course selection and research topic for the student. The supervisory committee will usually be cross-disciplinary, as required by the student’s research topic and deemed necessary by the supervisor in consultation with the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program. The supervisory committee will recommend transfer to the PhD program for MSc students. All students will follow the guidelines of the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program regarding supervision, frequency of committee meetings, course changes, thesis or project proposals, candidacy examinations, etc. as outlined in the Student Handbook. Membership on candidacy and examination committees requires the approval of the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program.

Required Examinations

Scheduling of the Thesis Examination

All members of the Supervisory Committee must have reviewed the student’s research, including a relevant written sample of the materials related to the thesis, before an examination can be scheduled.

Thesis Examination

In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations, the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program requires the examining committee to consist of a minimum of four voting members: the supervisor (and co-supervisor if appropriate) and Supervisory Committee and one Internal Examiner who may be internal to the student's home program. At least one member of the Supervisory Committee (excluding supervisor and co-supervisor) must be a Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program Approved Supervisor.

The student shall make a public thirty-minute presentation (20 minute presentation plus 10 minutes for questions) of their thesis research, normally immediately before the oral examination. Examining committee members should attend this presentation but should refrain from asking questions. The maximum allowable two-hour examination period does not include the time spent on student presentation.

Students in the MSc program will not be admitted without funding from an interested supervisor. Please see the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program handbook for more details.

For information on awards, see the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this Calendar.