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M.E. Program

The Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) degree is a non-thesis course of study designed for those who are interested in broadening their general knowledge of Biological Systems Engineering, rather than specializing in one specific area.

A group of Virginia Tech biological system engineering graduate students work together on a drone

Requirements to apply

Required Application Materials

  • Completed graduate application & application fee
  • Resume
  • Statement of purpose
  • Two (2) references, minimum (see below for instructions)
  • TOEFL scores (if English is not your native language)
  • Scanned official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended

Optional Application Materials

  • Abstracts of articles published in refereed scientific journals, if applicable
  • GRE scores 

Please submit ONLY the items listed above. Extraneous material will be discarded.

How to apply

Complete the online application, following the included instructions carefully:

  1. Include accurate email addresses for your references in the "Letters of Recommendation" section of your online application. Your references will be sent an email with a link to submit their letters of recommendation online.
  2. List up to three BSE faculty members whose research areas may interest you.
  3. Upload your resume into your online application (PDF format preferred).
  4. Upload your statement of purpose into your online application (PDF format preferred).
  5. Upload scans of your official transcript(s), or your unofficial transcript from HokieSpa, into your online application (PDF format preferred). Consult the Graduate School's Applying to Virginia Tech page for more information on uploading a transcript.
  6. Submit your online application and application fee.

Complete the online application, following included instructions carefully:

  1. Include accurate email addresses for your references in the "Letters of Recommendation" section of your online application. Your references will be sent an email with a link to submit their letters of recommendation online.
  2. List up to three BSE faculty members whose research areas may interest you.
  3. Upload your resume into your online application (PDF format preferred).
  4. Upload your statement of purpose into your online application (PDF format preferred).
  5. Upload scans of your official transcript(s) into your online application (PDF format preferred). Consult the Graduate School's Applying to Virginia Tech page for more information on uploading a transcript.
  6. Submit your online application and application fee.
  7. Have your GRE scores transmitted electronically to Virginia Tech, using institution code 5859. Do not enter a department code.

Complete the online application:

  1. Include accurate email addresses for your references in the "Letters of Recommendation" section of your online application. our references will be sent an email with a link to submit their letters of recommendation online.
  2. List up to three BSE faculty members whose research areas may interest you.
  3. Upload your resume into your online application (PDF format preferred).
  4. Upload your statement of purpose into your online application (PDF format preferred).
  5. Upload scans official transcript(s) into your online application (PDF format preferred). Consult the Graduate School's Applying to Virginia Tech page for more information on uploading a transcript.
  6. Submit your online application and application fee.
  7. Have your GRE and TOEFL scores transmitted electronically to Virginia Tech, using institution code 5859. Do not enter a department code.
  8. Submit materials requested by the Graduate School regarding immigration and financial resources directly to the Graduate School. Do not send these materials to the department.

What to expect during the pursuit of your M.E. degree

Although a thesis is not required for this degree program, the students are required to complete a project report.  Thirty credit hours, including 3 to 6 credit hours of Project and Report are required. This degree is not recommended for students who might be interested in pursuing a Ph.D. degree.