MS in Biomaterials: Curriculum, Degree Requirements & Timeline

Degree Requirements

The M.S. degree in Biomaterials Science is awarded after: (1) completion of 30 points course work with grade point average of B or better, and (2) satisfactory submission of an approved independent project in biomaterials. Of the 30 points required, 26 must be from the Department of Biomaterials at New York University or from courses taught in conjunction with the department.

Only 4 points may be transferred from outside the University and other departments outside NYU College of Dentistry. In these cases, no courses older than ten years may be transferred. All courses must be approved for transfer by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of NYU Dentistry. Application for transfer of courses must be within the first semester of attendance as a matriculant. Courses for which a degree has already been awarded may not be transferred or applied to the Master’s program. Permission must be received from the Director of Graduate Studies for any course work taken outside the department. As also mentioned above, it is anticipated that full time students (average 15 credits per semester) would finish the program in one academic year. All students are required to complete the program within five years unless special permission is obtained from the Chair of the Department of Biomaterials or the program director.

The M.S. degree in Biomaterials Science is awarded after: (1) completion of 36 points course work with grade point average of B or better; (2) satisfactory oral defense of a completed research effort; (3) submission of an approved research thesis. Of the 36 points required, 28 must be from the Department of Biomaterials and Biomimetics at New York University or from courses taught in conjunction with the department.

Only 8 points may be transferred from outside the University and other departments outside the NYU College of Dentistry. In these cases, no courses older than ten years may be transferred. All courses must be approved for transfer by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of NYU Dentistry. Application for transfer of courses must be within the first academic year of attendance as a matriculant. Courses for which a degree has already been awarded may not be transferred or applied to the Master’s program. Permission must be received from the Director of Graduate Studies for any course work taken outside the department. As also mentioned above, it is anticipated that full time students (12 – 15 credits per semester) would finish the program in two academic years, depending upon research progress. It is anticipated that part time students should finish the program in three years. All students are required to complete the program within five years unless special permission is obtained from the Chair of the Department of Biomaterials or the program director.

The M.S. degree in Biomaterials Science is awarded after: (1) completion of 36 points course work with a grade point average of B or better, and (2) satisfactory submission of an approved independent project in biomaterials. Of the 36 points required, 28 must be from the Department of Biomaterials at New York University or from courses taught in conjunction with the Department.

Only 8 points may be transferred from outside the University and other departments outside NYU Dentistry. In these cases, no courses older than ten years may be transferred. All courses must be approved for transfer by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of NYU Dentistry. Application for transfer of courses must be within the first academic year of attendance as a matriculant. Courses for which a degree has already been awarded may not be transferred or applied to the Master’s program. Permission must be received from the Director of Graduate Studies for any course work taken outside the department. As also mentioned above, it is anticipated that full time students (12 – 15 credits per semester) would finish the program in two academic years, depending upon overall academic progress. It is anticipated that part time students should finish the program in about three years. All students are required to complete the program within five years unless special permission is obtained from the Chair of the Department of Biomaterials or the program director.

Introduction to Biomaterials Research and Principles of Biomaterials Science. All beginning graduate students are required to register in their first Fall semester for BIOMS-DN 2001, "Introduction to Biomaterials Research" (2 credits), and BIOMS-DN 1000, "Principles of Biomaterials Science" (3 credits). These two courses are the foundation for all remaining coursework for all program options.

Special Program Emphasis may be arranged by the Department Chair or program director for students desiring to participate in a Special Emphasis research study (eg, concentration in another department of the University, but still related to Biomaterials and Biomimetics (physics, chemistry, biology, etc.). Students working with a Special Program Emphasis may, in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies, be required to take courses in addition to the 36 points mentioned above. Special Program Emphasis rules apply to the 2-year options only.

Mandatory attendance is required of all graduate students to periodic departmental seminars and/or research group meetings and various sessions of Laboratory Safety (see section “Requirements for Participation in Research”). At these seminars and research group meetings, students, faculty and scholars from other institutions discuss their research plans and findings. In addition, the department may co-sponsor special seminars throughout the year for which attendance is also mandatory unless specifically excused by the Director of Graduate Studies.

All students are required to schedule regular meetings with the Program Administrator in order to keep current regarding course requirements, regulatory status, research requirements, research progress, thesis defense preparations, and if applicable, visa status.

Information concerning NYY Dental graduation dates and participation in NYU Dental graduation ceremonies can be obtained from the Program Administrator and NYU Dental administration.  

Curriculum

Each course consists of a series of lectures (and laboratory sessions when indicated), mid-term and final examination. Courses indicated by an asterisk (*) are required. Independent Project in Biomaterials (BIOMS-DN 3001) is required for 1-year option, and 2-year non-thesis option students. Announcements of available courses, schedule changes and other information are posted on the Graduate Students Bulletin Board between rooms 822 and 824 at 433 First Avenue.

Timeline for Degree Completion

One-year option

This time frame is based on 1-year non-thesis option completion plan for full time students. Because of the compressed timeline of this program:

  • First Semester: 8 credits of required courses must be taken during the first semester, with an additional 5-7 credits of electives taken based on choice and availability (13-15 total credits).
  • Second Semester: The remaining 15-17 credits (14 of which are required courses) are taken in the spring. The independent project (2 credits) should be the final submission required for graduation.  

Two-year thesis option

This time frame is based on a two-year completion plan for full time students for the thesis-based Master’s Degree. It is anticipated that the student will complete most of the course requirement in the first academic year and the research requirements in the second year.

  • First Semester: Begin coursework. Begin selection process for thesis research project as well as mentor and committee selection.
  • Second Semester: At this time the mentor and committee should be selected and a preliminary proposal should be prepared. By mid semester these steps should be complete. By the end of this semester the student should have submitted their first draft of a thesis proposal.
  • Third Semester: By the beginning of the third semester of graduate study, the student should have an approved thesis proposal or independent project and be starting their writing. The student should also begin writing the final dissertation. The bulk of the thesis work and data acquisition should be conducted during this semester.
  • Fourth Semester: Work in the fourth semester should revolve around completion of thesis research, writing of the final dissertation, and completion of the Master’s Degree Checklist. By the middle of this semester, arrangements should be made for submission of the final dissertation and arrangement of the thesis defense date. By the end of the semester, all thesis requirements should be completed so the student can graduate.

Two-year non-thesis Option

This time frame is based on a two-year completion plan for full time students for the non-thesis based Master’s Degree. It is anticipated that the student will complete most of the course requirement in the first academic year and the research requirements in the second year.

  • First Semester: Begin coursework. Begin selection process for thesis research project as well as mentor and committee selection.
  • Second Semester: During this semester the student should begin selecting a topic and mentor for their independent project.
  • Third Semester: By the beginning of the third semester of graduate study, the student should have selected a topic and mentor for the independent project and begun to research the literature on the subject. Students should also be actively working on laboratory research.
  • Fourth Semester: Work in the fourth semester should revolve around completion of any remaining coursework, completion of research projects, and completion of the independent project. The independent project should be the final submission required for graduation.