Degree Offerings

Graduate Program

Graduate students are required to complete a minimum of 18 credits of course work and 6 credits of thesis work for an M.S. degree. A Ph.D. requires a minimum of 42-54 credits of course work and 24 credits of thesis work for a minimum of 72 credits beyond a B.S. degree in Biological Systems Engineering.

Students with B.S. degrees in non-engineering fields may pursue graduate work in Biological Systems Engineering provided they take any necessary prerequisites. To learn more about the graduate program visit the Biological Systems Engineering Graduate program page at http://www.bse.dreamhosters.com/admissions/graduate-studies/.

Every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English, must provide official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB). An admitted applicant whose:

  • TOEFL (paper-based) test score is below 580
  • TOEFL computer-based test (CBT) score below 237
  • TOEFL internet based (iBT) test score below 92
  • IELTS score below 7
  • MELAB below 82

must take an English assessment test upon arrival. You must then register for any recommended English as a Second Language (ESL) course(s) in the first semester you are enrolled. Visit the TOEFL web site at http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.fab2360b1645a1de9b3a0779f1751509/?vgnextoid=69c0197a484f4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD to sample exam questions, to get free test preparation materials, and to find where the test will be given in your area.

Please contact Debby Sumwalt, Student Services Coordinator, at 608-262-3310 or via email at bse@wisc.edu to answer any questions you might have about BSE’s graduate program.

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