Medical Product Engineering (MPE) Professional MS (MS-MPE)

Thanks for your interest in exploring obtaining a MS 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) 

The 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. If your questions are NOT answered by the information presented on this web site, PLEASE feel to contact us at MSMPE@pitt.edu

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?
• What are the key elements of the MS in Medical Product Engineering at Pitt BioE?
• What are the required courses required for an MS-MPE?
• What are the elective courses available for an MS-MPE?
• How have our graduates fared professionally?
• The Fine Print (yes, there is always the fine print)– the Do’s and Don’t’s from a University, Departmental and Program Leadership/Administration perspective
• Who is the MS-MPE program’s academic leader?

After reviewing the supplied information, if you still have questions or need to discuss further, please contact 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

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.