Biomedical Engineering
(Medical Imaging & Imaging Informatics)

Program Description [back to top]

The USC Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering (Medical Imaging & Imaging Informatics) is a unique degree that prepares you for a career in biomedical imaging, image processing and medical imaging informatics, including Picture Archiving & Communication Systems (PACS). This degree will prepare you for a career in any of the following:

• Medical imaging and health information industry;
  
  
• Military healthcare system; and
  
  
• General healthcare industry including hospital enterprise, HMO, and private enterprise. The MSBME program is also suitable for you if you intend to continue in graduate school or medical school. 
  
  
• Healthcare entrepreneur
  
  
• Medical school

Topics covered include PACS application servers; digital-based tele-consultation with medical images; PACS-based CAD, informatics infrastructure of micro CT, MR, and PET; image-based neurosurgical Comm and Module; PACS simulator, image security in HIPAA environment, bone age assessment from a hand digital atlas; homeland defense strategies; medical simulation and modeling; data grid for image data disaster recovery; Cyberknife information system for brain tumor treatment, DICOM-based radiotherapy information system, and much more.

Application Criteria [back to top]

• Undergraduate or graduate degree in an appropriate discipline (engineering or the physical sciences)

• Cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  
  
• Satisfactory scores on the general portion of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) with a minimum score of 650 on the quantitative portion and 500 on the verbal portion
  
  
• Three Letters of Recommendation
  
  
• Statement of Purpose (a one-page letter expressing your career objectives)
  
  
• For international students whose first language is not English, in order to be excused from the mandatory International Standard English (ISE) placement exam, applicants must score at least:
  
  
  • 250 or higher on the computer-based TOEFL
  • 600 or higher on the paper-based TOEFL
  • 100 or higher on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) with no less than 20 on each of the four individual sections
  
   
  
  Note: Students with other technical backgrounds can be considered for admission if they make up required undergraduate course work.

Graduation Requirements [back to top]

A minimum of 29 units is required for the M.S. in Biomedical Engineering (Medical Imaging & Imaging Informatics) degree.

• Required courses: 23 units (7 courses)
  
  
• Elective courses: 6 units (2 courses)
  
  
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation.
  

Course Descriptions [back to top]

How To Apply [back to top]

In order to evaluate any application for admission, application materials must be submitted by the deadlines listed:

June 15th Fall admission

Please submit the following to the USC Office of Graduate Admission via the online application system by clicking here.

• Statement of Purpose
  • The statement of purpose should describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the proposed program at the Viterbi School of Engineering, your preparation for this field of study, study interests, future career plans, and other aspects of your background and interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study.




• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Letters of recommendation should be from faculty or others (supervisors, professional colleagues, etc.) qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study. They should be written on official letterhead.

Please arrange to have the following sent to the USC Office of Admission as a hard copy (USC Graduate Office of Admission, University Park Campus, Los Angeles, CA  90089-0915):

• Official Transcript(s) from all post-secondary schools you have attended, and official translations if they are not in English.
  
  
• General GRE scores (no older than 5 years). Official scores must be sent through ETS to the University of Southern California, ETS code 4852)
  
  
• TOEFL scores (required for international students)

NOTE:  If you meet our minimum qualifications, you can get started BEFORE you are formally admitted to USC, as a "LIMITED" student! Click here for more information.

Contact Information [back to top]

For the USC Biomedical Engineering Department:

Mischal Diasanta Cabrera
Graduate Affairs Coordinator
Biomedical Engineering
Tel: (213) 740-0344
Email: bmegrad@usc.edu

For the USC Distance Education Network (DEN):

Ray Fujioka
Master's and Professional Programs [MAPP]
Tel: (213) 740-4488
Fax: (213) 821-0851
Email: info@den.usc.edu