UC Davis to Launch Engineering Master's Degree in Medical Device Development

The UC Davis Department of Biomedical Engineering is launching a new nine-month master's degree program in medical device development at Aggie Square, the expansive innovation district the university will open in Sacramento in 2025. The program combines hands-on training with entrepreneurial expertise that aims to fast-track careers in industry. 

With classes launching in September 2025, the Master of Engineering in Medical Device Development is the first graduate degree program specifically designed for Aggie Square, offering students direct access to observe and participate in clinical innovation. All 12 required courses will be taught at Aggie Square, including a three-quarter capstone project to translate UC Davis research into clinically directed training in device design.

Students will work side-by-side with clinicians to collaborate on medical solutions that will improve the quality of care patients receive and ensure that devices, after prototyping, can be commercialized at scale.

This innovative academic program is designed to equip students with the skills to effectively translate engineering concepts into scalable devices in the private sector, focusing on areas not thoroughly covered in undergraduate programs, such as product development, commercialization, financing and leadership. 

“Our new Master of Engineering in Medical Device Development aims to provide skills that will accelerate the career of the student,” said Steven C. George, chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering. “This will likely be in the medical device private sector, but could also serve students who decide to pursue an advanced professional degree in the health sciences or law.”

The program stands out for its emphasis on business and leadership classes, offered in partnership with the UC Graduate School of Management. It bridges a gap between product development and entrepreneurship, setting it apart from similar Master of Engineering tracks offered across the UC system. 

The Translating Engineering Advances to Medicine, or TEAM, Lab will serve as a resource for students in the program with its new 10,000-square-foot space in Aggie Square that will feature significant infrastructure for device fabrication, from modern 3D printers and computer numerical control mills to belt sanders and drill presses.

Faculty within the Department of Biomedical Engineering and industry experts will lead classes, offering practical experiences and insights to support students and their career pathways. 

The new program positions UC Davis as a leader in translating biomedical device development into tangible clinical solutions that can improve healthcare outcomes for our local and global communities. It's also well-placed in the Sacramento region, leveraging California's position as a nerve center for biotech companies and biomedical engineering employment. 

“The fact that Aggie Square is home to the Master of Engineering in Medical Device Development degree program thrills me,” said Richard L. Corsi, dean of the College of Engineering. “Not only will our engineering students receive a world-class education from professors and clinicians at the UC Davis Medical Center — one of the nation's best hospitals — they will be active participants in the growing medical device research and industry hub in Sacramento and California as a whole.”

The Master of Engineering in Medical Device Development degree was approved by the University of California Office of the President on July 11, 2024, and is now accepting applications for the first cohort, beginning in September 2025. 

Learn more about the new master's degree program