Biomaterials, MS
One of the few biomaterials graduate programs in the world, this interdisciplinary masters degree program focuses on the use of synthetic and natural materials in biomedical engineering, dentistry and environmental engineering. Students also have the opportunity to participate in a unique dental ceramics training specialization.
Fall 2023 Enrollment
The application cycle is closed.
On this page:
General Admissions Requirements
The University sets general admissions requirements for graduate study. These include letters of recommendation; a minimum undergraduate GPA; and demonstration of English Language proficiency for international applicants. Please refer to the General Admissions Requirements page for full details.
Program-specific requirements are described on this page.
About the Program
Successful completion of the program leads to a Master of Science (MS) degree.
The Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomaterials is an outgrowth of a masters degree program in Dental Materials, sponsored by the School of Dental Medicine since 1971. Courses and research topics have been developed to provide comprehensive knowledge of prosthetic materials, from bio/surface and molecular interactions to device design and surgical requirements.
Preparing Students for Success in Many Fields
The program emphasizes ethics and professional/client interactions as applied to the fields of medicine, dentistry, law and engineering. Supporting themes include:
- Safe processing of biological materials and devices (e.g., sterilization)
- Global regulatory perspectives
- Engineering design
Applicants to this program typically include chemists, engineers, biologists, pre-medical students, clinicians and social scientists.
Graduates have the option of working in the biomedical industry, entering a professional clinical program (DDS program or MD program), or, if they are already a licensed clinician, obtaining an academic clinical position in their home country or entering a post-graduate clinical specialty program.
For graduates interested in further research training, a doctoral program in a related field of specialization would be appropriate. Our former students have specialized in mechanical engineering, biophysics, immunology, pharmaceutical sciences, and other fields at our university and other universities.
Focused on Application of Materials
This is not a clinical program. No direct access to clinical facilities or clinic patients is provided. The emphasis of the biomaterials program is on the application of materials to biomedical and dental engineering.
About Biomaterials
Biomaterials replace, duplicate or augment the function or appearance (or otherwise intimately contact) biological substances, either temporarily or permanently, while maintaining compatible interfaces with living cells, biofluids and their constituents.
Industry/University Center for Biosurfaces (IUCB)
IUCB is a multidisciplinary center focused on the understanding, prediction and control of biological adhesion.
Most students complete the program within two academic years, and begin their thesis research tasks during the intervening summer.
Many faculty in the School of Dental Medicine and other University at Buffalo schools participate as research mentors and thesis committee members, depending on the individual student’s interests and goals.
Biomaterials faculty have also served on graduate committees for students in mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, and biophysics (through Roswell Park Cancer Institute).
A minimum of 30 credit hours is required to complete the program, including thesis research and preparation of the thesis:
- Required "core" courses (10 credits total)
- Biomaterials Science of Cell/Surface Contact Phenomena
- Polymeric Biomaterials
- Evaluation of Biomedical Materials
- Required seminar course each semester (2 credits total over 2 years)
- Elective courses (6-12 credits), including lecture courses taken in other departments
- Lab research and thesis (6-12 credits)
Your electives are selected in consultation with the Director of the Biomaterials Graduate Program, and should be closely related to your research interests. Successful completion of the program requires passing the public defense of your thesis, including confirmation of your fundamental knowledge of biomaterials principles, and final acceptance of the written thesis by an Outside Reader, your thesis committee, and the graduate school administration.
The summer preceding the second year of study is usually spent doing research with a faculty advisor. This work often forms the basis of the MS thesis. During the second year, students complete any remaining coursework and finish their thesis research, which must be reviewed by an expert outside reader before eligibility for a formal oral defense.
Students may also take or transfer approved graduate-level courses at other institutions and count these courses toward formal requirements for the MS degree, after review by the program faculty and Graduate School. There is a limit of six credits that can be transferred.
In addition to the facilities at the School of Dental Medicine, various departments throughout UB — including mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering and biophysics (through Roswell Park Cancer Institute) — provide research venues for biomaterials MS students.
During the first year, students are required to complete 12 credit hours of core courses and approximately 12 credits of elective courses from the Biomaterials Program and other university departments. An example of a core course is BMA 520 (Evaluation of Biomedical Materials), which is also a required course for the biomechanicall engineering PhD option in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
Some of the additional course offerings include:
- Biomaterials Science and Engineering
- Polymeric Biomaterials
- Regulatory Environment of Medical Products
- Research Seminar in Biomaterials
- Research Design
- Statistics
Students must take a minimum of 6 credits of elective coursework, most of which must be related to their area of research. The remaining credit hours are fulfilled through thesis research and thesis preparation.
Students admitted to the program usually have backgrounds in biological science or engineering. The Program Director encourages graduate mechanical engineering and biophysics courses as electives for those students anticipating PhD studies after completing the MS degree in Biomaterials.
The Advanced Education overview page provides information about the Cost of Attendance.
Financial support is not available from the Biomaterials Graduate Program. Students are expected to have their own financial resources to pay for the 2 to 2.5 years of study in the program. The University's Office of Financial Aid can provide information regarding types of available aid including loans.
Part-time jobs, such as tutoring undergraduate students or working in the campus libraries, are available on campus on a competitive basis. A paid research assistant position may become available after one year, but is not guaranteed.
The Biomaterials Graduate Program follows the policies of the Graduate School and University at Buffalo.
The Biomaterials Program Committee considers all aspects of an application: academic preparation as quantitatively recorded in grade sheets and transcripts (particularly in the basic sciences), activities, honors, presentations, publications, and recommendation letters. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is NOT required for application to the program.
Application requirements include:
- A strong baccalaureate record in engineering, the biological sciences, or an associated clinical field (e.g. dentistry)
- An acceptable grade point average (GPA; acceptable minimum is 3.0 on a 0-4.0 scale); we are well-acquainted with transcripts from universities in other countries, and we will focus on your grades in basic science courses
For international applicants, we also require an acceptable TOEFL score (79+) or IELTS score (6.5 overall). The PTE may also be accepted to demonstrate English language skills. See the University's webpage for more detailed information.
All supporting materials must be uploaded via the application portal by the application deadline.
To apply, please submit all documents listed below. Your application will not be complete until these items have been received and you have submitted your application for formal review.
Required (All candidates applying via the UB Application)
1. The On-line UB Application
- Please complete all questions on the application completely and accurately.
- You must select your desired entry term (i.e. Fall 2024) and intended program of study as you begin the application.
- The personal information section of the application provides special instructions for international applicants; be certain to following instructions on how to accurately enter your name.
2. $50.00 non-refundable application fee
- Once you have submitted your online application for review, you will be able to pay the application fee by credit/debit card. Your application cannot be reviewed until the fee has been paid. Please note that the $50 application fee is non-refundable.
3. CV/Resume (upload to application)
4. Personal Statement (upload to application)
5. Letters of Recommendation
- Two letters of recommendation and a Dean's letter (if graduated from a US or Canadian dental school), otherwise three letters of recommendation.
- Recommendation letters must be uploaded electronically by your recommenders.
- You will submit names, titles and email addresses for three recommenders. They will receive an email request to electronically submit a letter on your behalf. The notification is traditionally sent to recommenders after the application is submitted for review. However, you can opt to have the email requests sent immediately as you enter recommender names; this option is suggested for candidates who are applying close to the application deadline to ensure sufficient time for upload.
6. Unofficial transcripts from EVERY college/university attended
- Transcript copies are accepted at the time of application and should be uploaded via the secure applicant portal. Do not mail original documents to us at the time of application unless specifically requested. If you are accepted into the program you will be asked to submit original transcripts with proper signatures, seals or stamps.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Academic documents from international institutions must be accompanied an ECE or WES document. Transcripts in a language other than English, require an exact, certified translation; an ECE course-by-course report is preferred. International applicants please include copy of certificate/diploma with proof of degree.
7. Unofficial GRE Score (if applicable)
- The GRE is required for application to the MS program in Orthodontics.
8. Unofficial NBDE Scores (optional)
- Unofficial scores from the National Board of Dental Examination Part I and/or Part II; required for all programs using the PASS application. Note: PASS candidates who take the iNBDE during their final year of dental training should provide the intended test date; scores must be submitted before a formal offer of admission is granted.
- The NBDE is optional for all non-PASS programs.
Additional Requirements — International Applicants
In addition to the requirements listed above, please provide the following information on the ADEA PASS Application:
English Language Proficiency | ADEA PASS Application
International applicants must report a TOEFL score (79+) obtained within eighteen months of the application deadline; unoffocial score reports are sufficient.
NOTE: An official score report is not required; please do not send directly to the school.
Additional Documents (upon acceptance)
Upon acceptance into the program, you will be asked to submit a copy of your passport along with financial documents. F1 and I-20 documents will also be requested, as applicable.
* All documents become property of the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine and are not returnable to the applicant.
English Language Proficiency
In lieu of submitting a TOEFL score (79+), the IELTS (6.5 overall) and other tests also may be used to demonstrate English language proficiency. Please see the University's admissions page for more details.
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International Students
Get information about immigration deadlines, visas requirements and other important details from UB’s Office of International Student and Scholar Services.