Donghua University 3+2 Cooperative Education Program

Q: What is the DHU/University of Illinois 3+2 Program?

A: In partnership with Donghua University (DHU), the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is offering an exciting new undergraduate/graduate combined program for qualified Juniors enrolled in the following majors at DHU:  bioengineering, electrical engineering, computer science, material science, mechanical engineering and other majors that are relevant to the field of bioengineering, including mathematics, applied chemistry, applied physics and statistics, to name a few.  After completing three years at DHU, admitted students will spend their final undergraduate year of study at Illinois. Classes taken during that fourth year — which may include completion of a senior design project — will be applied toward the students’ bachelor degree program at DHU, at the discretion of and according to the policies and standards established by DHU.

Students then will be able to stay for an extra year for the purpose of earning an Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) in Bioengineering degree from Illinois. The bachelor’s degree will be awarded by DHU, and the M.Eng. will be awarded by Illinois. Students participating in the program must satisfy all degree requirements of the institution granting the degree in order to successfully complete the program.

Students are able to choose from the two M.Eng. in Bioengineering transcriptable concentrations:  bioinstrumentation and general bioengineering.

Q: Why should I enroll in the 3+2 program?

A: Students who enroll in the 3+2 degree program will be able to complete their undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign through the Department of Bioengineering in The Grainger College of Engineering. The College is ranked consistently in the top engineering schools in the United States and is recognized internationally as one of the premier schools from which to earn degrees in engineering.

The M.Eng. in Bioengineering program trains engineers to be industry leaders by combining rigorous graduate-level engineering coursework in fields related to bioengineering with fundamental business training. It is geared toward students looking to carve a career in industry.  Through the program, students will augment the depth of their engineering background while also developing skills applicable to business, including product development, intellectual property management, regulatory requirements compliance, statistical analysis and computational modeling.

Q: What is the difference between an M.Eng. degree and a traditional M.S. degree?

A: The M.Eng. in Bioengineering degree is a non-thesis professional program that prepares students for a career in industry. Students train to be industry leaders by completing rigorous graduate-level technical coursework combined with business training. Courses and lectures in the M.Eng. program are delivered by world-class Engineering and Business faculty at Illinois, as well as accomplished industry partners.

After completing the M.Eng. program, students who plan to work in a research laboratory setting or would like to earn a Ph.D., could still apply to pursue a traditional PhD degree, which usually requires a thesis.

Q: Who can apply to this program?

A: Students currently enrolled in their third (junior) year of their undergraduate degree program at DHU may apply to the 3+2 degree program at Illinois.

Q: What do I need to apply?

A: The following items are necessary to begin the application process:

• Online application through the University of Illinois Graduate College
• Three letters of recommendation
• TOEFL or IELTS score
• A personal essay
• Proof of funding (can be submitted after the student has been admitted into the program)
• Copy of passport
• Transcript from DHU
• Application fee

Q: Where do I find more information?

A: Details and application:

• Master of Engineering in Bioengineering program
• Application form
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Q: What program should I select in the online application?

A: Choose “Bioengineering” and then select either “Bioinstrumentation-MEng” or “General Bioengineering – MEng” under the “Degree” field, depending on your choice of concentration.”

Q: What are the tuition and fees for the program?

A: For the two years that DHU students will be enrolled at Illinois, they will have graduate-level standing as students in the M.Eng. in Bioengineering program and will be assessed the program’s graduate tuition rate for each year. For more information about tuition and fees, visit registrar.illinois.edu/tuition-fee-rates. Students in the 3+2 program at Illinois will pay all required tuition and fees, and travel and living expenses incurred while participating in the program.

Q: What coursework will I take at Illinois?

A: During the final year of undergraduate study, students will take classes that will satisfy their undergraduate degree requirements of DHU, which may include the senior design project course. Students will be able to choose from a wide array of elective courses offered by various departments in the The Grainger College of Engineering at Illinois, allowing them to select coursework based on their career interests.

After completion of the undergraduate courses, students then will take graduate-level courses that will satisfy the M.Eng. in Bioengineering degree. Students will be able to choose from one of two concentrations, and coursework will be specific to each concentration track:  bioinstrumentation and general bioengineering.  Advisors will be available to provide guidance on recommended coursework.

Q: Who should I contact if I have questions?

A: Program advisor at Illinois:

• M.Eng. information: Liezl Bowman, liezlb@illinois.edu