Medical Product Engineering (MPE) Professional MS (MS-MPE)
Thanks for your interest in obtaining a Master's Degree in Medical Product Engineering at Pitt!
Some of the seminal medical technology and healthcare advances that Pitt has contributed to the development of, and dissemination in, patients worldwide include:
- Polio Vaccine
- Kidney Transplantation
- Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs) and Total Artificial Hearts (TAHs)
Our Master's in Medical Product Engineering (MS-MPE) program focuses on the application of engineering innovation to the identification of, and developing a solution to, challenges in health care through medical technology.
The MS-MPE Program has graduated over 200+ graduates in 10 years. After the 1.5 years it usually takes to successfully complete this Program, we expect that you will:
- Be well-positioned for career success in your areas of professional interest.
- Most MS-MPE graduates prefer industry positions in start-ups or in established organizations. Some opt to pursue careers in medicine, government, research, and education. You may come in with notions of what you want to do and we will help you achieve those aspirations. Even if you change your mind, and career focus and direction, during this program, we will encourage, support and help you make that transition as well.
- Understand better what impact you would like to make in the wide field of Bioengineering and health-care related fields, and an initial set of ideas and a preliminary plan to do so. We expect our graduates to make such an impact, and fully expect you to aspire to do so.
We have prepared some information that you may find useful as you make your decision for this important educational and career choice you are exploring. Please feel free to click-through on answering the most important questions you may have and obtaining basic yet important program information:
- Why Study Medical Product Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh?
- MS-MPE Program Details
- MS-MPE Required Courses
- MS-MPE Course Sequence
- Professional Success
- Program Rules and Frequently Asked Questions
- Meet our Program Director
After reviewing the supplied information, if you still have questions or need to discuss further, please contact us at MSMPE@pitt.edu.
Admission to the Professional MS in Bioengineering - Medical Product Engineering program is by application only. Class size is limited so we can provide the personalized education you deserve.To apply to the MS-MPE Program, please visit the Graduate Admissions Page on the Swanson School of Engineering website.
See the Bioengineering, MS Program in the Pitt catalog
Download our Professional MS in Bioengineering - focus on Neural Engineering information sheet.
Program Coordinator: Prof. Neeraj Gandhi (msne@pitt.edu)
WHY STUDY NEURAL ENGINEERING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH?
Pitt is a recognized leader in the emerging discipline of Neural Engineering. Our core faculty and clinical collaborators offer courses that prepare students to work in this exciting and dynamic field. Neural Engineering, which encompasses neural prosthetics, brain-computer interface systems, epilepsy monitoring, deep brain stimulation, engineering approaches to psychiatric disorders, and brain-inspired computation and device design, is a fast-growing field that provides clinical and technological benefits.
The program is offered by Pitt’s nationally ranked Department of Bioengineering. Instruction will be in-person and online. The 30-credit program can be completed in 1 to 1.5 years of full-time study. Students will garner a deep knowledge of the biology of the nervous system, and how, from an engineering perspective, to treat disorders, build clinical devices, and build computational models. The non-thesis program is designed to provide excellent training for industry in Neural Engineering or related fields such as Medical Devices or Data Science.
CONCENTRATIONS
Neural engineering students will pursue didactic coursework that builds core competency in at least two of the following areas:
- Brain-computer interfaces
- Neural tissue interface
- Neural imaging and signals
- Neural devices and neuromorphic engineering
The concentrations for core competency will be selected in consultation with the program director and will take into consideration the student’s previous training and career aspirations.
REQUIREMENTS FOR PROFESSIONAL MS (30 CREDITS, TYPICALLY 10 COURSES)
- 12 credits in Concentration 1
- 9 credits in Concentration 2
- 3 credits in life sciences
- 3 credits in Mathematics/Statistics
- 3 credits in Medical Ethics
Concentration Area: Brain-Computer Interfaces |
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Class Number |
Class Name |
Semester (typically) |
BIOENG 2615 |
Introduction to Neural Engineering |
Fall |
INFSCI 2595 |
Machine Learning |
Fall, Spring |
ECE 2556 |
Neuro-Signal Modeling and Analysis |
Fall |
CMU 42-631 |
Neural Data Analysis |
Fall |
BIOENG 2650 |
Learning and Control of Movement |
Spring |
BIOENG 2586 |
Quantitative Systems Neuroscience |
Spring |
BIOENG 2390 |
AI Applications in Bioengineering |
Spring |
CMU 42-632 |
Neural Signal Processing |
Spring |
Concentration Area: Neural Tissue Interface |
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Class Number |
Class Name |
Semester (typically) |
BIOENG 2615 |
Introduction to Neural Engineering |
Fall |
BIOENG 3735 |
Extracellular Matrix Tissue Engineering |
Fall |
BIOENG 2540 |
Neural Materials & Tissue Engineering |
Spring (Odd Years) |
BIOENG 2810 |
Biomaterials and Biocompatibility |
Spring (Even Years) |
BIOENG 2811 |
Microfabrication & Characterization of Neural Interface Devices |
Spring (Even Years) |
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Concentration Area: Neural Signals & Systems |
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Class Number |
Class Name |
Semester (typically) |
BIOENG 2005 |
RF Medical Devices |
Fall |
BIOENG 2505 |
Multimodal Imaging |
Fall |
BIOENG 2330 |
Biomedical Imaging |
Fall |
BIOENG 2340 |
Introduction to Medical Imaging & Image Analysis |
Fall |
ECE 2390 |
Image Processing & Computer Vision |
Fall |
ECE 2523 |
Digital Signal Processing |
Spring |
CMU 16-725 |
Methods in Image Analysis |
Spring |
Concentration Area: Neural Devices & Neuromorphic Engineering |
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Class Number |
Class Name |
Semester (typically) |
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BIOENG 2005 |
RF Medical Devices |
Fall |
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BIOENG 2150 |
Medical Product Ideation |
Fall |
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ECE 2192 |
VLSI Design |
Fall |
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BIOENG 2151 |
Medical Product Development |
Spring |
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BIOENG 2170 |
Clinical Bioengineering |
Spring |
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BIOENG 2175 |
Human Factors Engineering & Medical Devices |
Spring |
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BIOENG 2811 |
Microfabrication & Characterization of Neural Interface Devices |
Spring (Even Years) |
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ECE 2264 |
Flexible Electronics |
Spring |
Life Science Course |
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Class Number |
Class Name |
Semester (typically) |
NROSCI 2005 |
Cognitive Neuroscience |
Fall |
BIOENG 2585 |
Quantitative Cellular Neuroscience |
Fall |
NROSCI 2039 |
Processing in Neural Circuits |
Spring |
BIOENG 2586 |
Quantitative Systems Neuroscience |
Spring |
Ethics Course |
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Class Number |
Class Name |
Semester (typically) |
BIOENG 2241 |
Societal, Political and Ethical Issues in Biotechnology |
Fall, Spring |
Math/Statistics Course –many options available each semester; too many to list
- All graduate-level courses offered through MATH, STAT, and BIOST departments at either Pitt or CMU count towards this requirement.
- More options are provided in the ‘Approved Math Courses’ and ‘Approved Statistics Courses’ lists.
Note: Students who identify courses not on this list but wish to use them to fulfill requirements must obtain prior approval from the graduate program director.