biomedical engineering phd requirements

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Earn Your PhD in Biomedical Engineering at Duke

Join a thriving, interdisciplinary research community with unique opportunities in translational research.

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Esteemed faculty members—more than half are also faculty of the Duke University School of Medicine

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"At Duke BME, I had experiences and opportunities in global health research that I could not have had at any other university." Mercy Asiedu, PhD |Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, MIT

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A breadth of faculty expertise, with a translational focus

• Bioelectric Engineering
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The duke BME PhD experience

First-day mentorship and support.

• Full funding, plus conference & travel support
• Direct admission to a Duke BME research group
• Membership and representation via BEPSA , Duke BME's PhD student association

Authentic Opportunities to Learn Mentorship Through Mentoring

In preparation for your role as a research mentor, Duke Engineering actively encourages and supports efforts by its PhD students to mentor undergraduates in research work.

Our PhD students can register to serve as a mentor and post a research project to a university-wide directory of research opportunities for undergraduates: Muser .

As mentors, our PhD students build professional mentoring relationships with undergraduates, while increasing undergraduate involvement in research—one of the hallmarks of a Duke Engineering education.

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• Duke BME Startup Prize—$10,000 to develop a startup
• Duke EngEn —Access to mentorship from experienced biotech entrepreneurs and more
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Dedicated Professional Development and Career Services

• PhD Plus —Seminars, workshops and networking opportunities to build professional skills
• Positive career outcomes for our graduates—a track record of jobs in academia and industry

Grant-Supported Training Programs

• Biomolecular and Tissue Engineering
• Integrative Bioinformatics
• Medical Scientist (MD-PhD)
• Surgical Technology Design

Graduate Certificates Programs

• Nanoscience

More about these certificate and training programs »

BioMedical Engineering PHD Details

• Life Science course —3 credits
• Advanced Mathematics course —3 credits
• Additional courses—24 credits
• 2 Semesters of Teaching Assistantship (TA)
• Orientation
• 4 RCR forums
• Thesis and Defense

The program of coursework, including the applicability of any transfer credits , is determined by the student, their advisor, and their committee. The minimum required amount of coursework is 30 units.

The advanced math (3 units required) and life science (3 units required) courses and up to one (1) independent study class may be used toward this requirement. See Duke BME's list of potential life science and advanced math courses ; however, students are not limited solely to these courses.

Ungraded seminars do not count toward the 30-unit requirement. Students are encouraged to discuss class selection with their advisor upon matriculation and frequently throughout their course of study.

Each committee meeting should include an update on progress towards coursework requirements. The student’s committee retains the power to approve the coursework or request that the student take additional courses. Note: students seeking a master’s degree en route to a PhD must satisfy the degree requirements for the master’s degree. These are not necessarily aligned with the PhD coursework requirements, and so special consideration should be taken.

Two semesters of BME Seminar are required. New matriculants take BME 702s (Fall only). Second-year students take BME 701s (Spring only).

Two (2) semesters are required. Students typically fulfill their Teaching Assistant (TA) assignments in years 2–5. Students must sign up for the TA seminar during the semester in which they TA, and they must also complete a Pratt School of Engineering TA training session .

RCR training at Duke challenges students to engage in ethical decision-making through active learning—by using realistic scenarios and current issues.

One (1) orientation session and 4 forums are required. More details »

Recently admitted applicants have strong academic records and compelling evidence that they are serious about preparing for a career in research. Specifics vary widely depending on many factors, including the resources available to each applicant. Applications are reviewed holistically and consider all of the materials submitted in the application package.

 Average scores of recently admitted applicants:

• GRE scores are not required.

Minimum Requirements:

• Undergraduate GPA: 3.2
• TOEFL score: 90 (Internet-based test)

Take the Next Step

Are you looking for help with the application process.

Duke Engineering Graduate Ambassadors offers assistance from a current Duke graduate student mentor to help navigate your application process and offer perspectives on general graduate student life.

More Information Here

PhD Program

Main navigation, phd program in bioengineering.

Study for the PhD in Bioengineering combines rigorous coursework with novel research mentored by Stanford faculty, enabling students to develop as independent intellectual leaders working at the interfaces between biology, medicine, engineering, and the physical sciences. Our mission is to train students at the intersection of biomedicine and engineering in both academia and the burgeoning biomedical and biotechnology industries. Applicants should have a commitment to learning and a passion for research. 

On average, the program is completed in five to six years, depending on the student’s research and progress. First-year students have the opportunity to rotate in three different labs before selecting their dissertation advisor (PI). Many students choose to join labs in the Bioengineering department, but we also have several students who join labs within the Schools of Engineering, Medicine, and Humanities & Sciences. 

The Bioengineering Department also believes that teaching is an important part of graduate-level education in Bioengineering. Consequently, serving as a teaching assistant for two courses is a requirement for the PhD in Bioengineering. Current BioE and Stanford graduate students can learn more about our TA opportunities via our BioE intranet .

Along the way to the PhD degree, students have clear and defined milestones that help guide them to the successful completion of their dissertation and oral defense. More information regarding our PhD degree requirements and milestones can be found in the Stanford Bulletin .

What We Look For

BioE PhD students come from a wide variety of personal, educational, and professional backgrounds. We welcome applicants with undergraduate degrees in diverse STEM disciplines including Bioengineering, Biophysics, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biochemistry, Physics, and Chemistry. There are no specific course requirements for applicants, but a competitive candidate will have strong quantitative training in mathematics and the physical sciences, along with a background in biology acquired through coursework or prior research. All admitted graduate students should be prepared to take the core courses  in the first year.

We welcome students entering directly from undergraduate programs, as well as applicants with MS degrees and/or substantial work experience in areas ranging from biotechnology to robotics. Our admissions committee will look for evidence that an applicant has demonstrated qualities of successful PhD students such as creativity, self-initiative, dedication, and perseverance. We also aim to admit bioengineering students who can thrive at Stanford because their specific interests and aspirations are well-matched with the research of our faculty and the educational environment of our department

Incoming Student Profile

The Bioengineering community is home to over 165 PhD students who come from a variety of diverse backgrounds and experiences. Below is a snapshot of our BioE PhD cohort that started in Fall 2020.

Biomedical Engineering, PhD

School of medicine.

Biomedical Engineering (BME) has emerged as one of the most exciting interdisciplinary research fields in modern science. Biomedical engineers apply modern approaches from the experimental life sciences in conjunction with theoretical and computational methods from the disciplines of engineering, mathematics, and computer science to the solution of biomedical problems of fundamental importance. The Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program of the Johns Hopkins University is designed to train engineers to work at the cutting edge of this exciting discipline. There are two graduate programs in biomedical engineering. The master's program is supported by the Whiting School of Engineering and leads to a Master's of Science degree. The Ph.D. program is supported by the School of Medicine and leads to a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering.

Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering

The cornerstone of the Program is our belief in the importance of in-depth training of students in both life sciences and modern engineering. In-depth training in life sciences is achieved in one of two ways. Many of our incoming Ph.D. students enroll in classes that are part of the first-year basic sciences curriculum of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. That is, they learn human biology with the medical students. This is a unique and intensive curriculum covering a broad range of topics including molecules and cells, human anatomy, immunology, physiology, and neuroscience. This curriculum is an excellent way to build a broad and solid foundation in the life sciences. Alternatively, students may take graduate-level biology and life sciences courses from the many exceptional biosciences departments at Johns Hopkins. This option is often of particular value to students who enter the program already having a strong background in the life sciences. In-depth training in engineering, mathematics, and computer science is achieved through elective courses that are taken in the first and second years.

All students are fully supported during their time in the Ph.D. program. This covers tuition and provides a stipend for the duration of their Ph.D. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of Biomedical Engineering, students can choose to perform their dissertation research in almost any laboratory in the University (subject to the approval of the program directors). Some students choose their research lab before matriculating, and some students have the opportunity to do research rotations among several labs during their first academic year. The opportunities to do research rotations are generously funded by multiple training grants supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Emphasis is placed on original research leading to the doctoral dissertation. The research may be experimental or computational - the breadth of research in Biomedical Engineering is large, and we encourage students to attend various seminars to learn about cutting edge approaches. To explore the current range of research by labs within the Biomedical Engineering department, see here ; in addition, many of our students work in labs outside the Biomedical Engineering department. 

Program Directors

Rachel Karchin, Ph.D. and Patrick Kanold, Ph.D.

Financial Aid

All BME Ph.D. students (regardless of citizenship or national origin) are supported (tuition, stipend, health and dental insurance) for the duration of their Ph.D. U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents are eligible for support from training grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Students are also encouraged to apply for individual graduate fellowships from the National Science Foundation, NRSA awards from the NIH, and fellowships from private foundations. Only online applications for admission are accepted, and must be received by December 1.

Admission Requirements

Note: up-to-date admissions requirements are maintained on the Biomedical Engineering website , and applications are submitted through the School of Medicine's application system . 

The Program accepts applications for the Ph.D. program until December 1st of each year. We typically recruit students in seven areas: Biomedical Data Science, Biomedical Imaging & Instrumentation, Computational Medicine, Genomics & Systems Biology, Immunoengineering, Neuroengineering, and Translational Cell & Tissue Engineering. The program is unique in that it offers the BME student the strengths of one of the best medical schools in the world. If you wish to combine engineering with cutting edge research in medicine, this may be the program for you.

Our students have the option of taking many of the same courses as the medical students, including human anatomy, molecular and cellular biology, immunology, and pharmacology. Our students also take advanced engineering courses. Our admitted students come from many backgrounds and majors, and not all were undergraduate engineering majors. However, all have demonstrated a strong quantitative training, as well as sufficient background in biology (typically at least two introductory courses). Depending on their preferred research focus area, relevant preparation for that focus area should be evident in their application.  

The admissions are reviewed by research focus area committees. The applicant should specify which area(s) they are interested in, and write about the kind of research they are considering. The faculty in each area vote and rank the applicants. The final pool of applicants is reviewed and approved by the whole program faculty. We use a holistic review process; for example, the median GPA is typically ~3.8, but we have no minimum GPA or GRE thresholds for review. Don’t think that one bad grade or a tough semester stands in your way. We review the whole application and evaluate the potential of the person that wrote it, not just a set of numerical metrics.

Applications should be complete when submitted. In order to be considered a complete application, we must have:

• Official transcripts from each college or university attended. We no longer require applicants to submit official transcripts to OGSA via mail or electronically. Applicants may upload transcripts to the online application for review. Applicants who receive an offer or accept an offer of admission are required to submit official transcripts to OGSA via mail or electronically to [email protected] 
• Previously, we have required official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores or MCAT scores, which can be arranged through the Office of Graduate Affairs. As of June 2021, we are actively reviewing this and you should look to the most up-to-date information on the BME website .  The GRE code for applying to graduate programs at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine is 5316. The BME PhD program does not rely heavily on the GRE exam in making admission decisions. Research experience, course grades, and recommendations carry more weight.
• Three letters of recommendation – these letters should come directly from faculty members who are acquainted with you and your academic work. These letters should comment on your aptitude and promise for independent research.
• Personal statement – a typewritten statement (one page maximum) indicating the basis of your interest in graduate study and your career objectives. Included should be a discussion of any research experience you have had.
• A CV - this is your opportunity to list all relevant experiences and achievements
• TOEFL scores (for foreign students only; official copy)

Applicants for admission must fulfill the following course prerequisites:

• One year of college-level biology (may include quantitative biology or physiology)
• One semester of organic chemistry is required for students interested in the Immunoengineering or Translational Cell & Tissue Engineering research areas
• Sufficient mathematical training, typically including differential equations or other relevant mathematical preparation

If you are interested in applying and do not yet have the prerequisite courses, you may want to submit your application with an explanatory note indicating that, if accepted, you will make arrangements to take the prerequisites before matriculation. In the past, applicants have taken the prerequisites at their present schools, local community colleges, etc. Courses taken at any accredited college or university are acceptable.

Each applicant must have received a BA or BS degree or its equivalent prior to matriculation. A Master's degree is not required for admission to our program. 

Process: The PhD program admissions committee will not consider any application until it is complete. Applicants may check the status of their application by logging into their online account.

Interview: The admissions committee will review completed applications and invite selected applicants to come to Johns Hopkins for a personal interview with faculty. Applicants who are residents of North America must come for an interview to be considered for admission. For residents outside of North America, for whom such a trip is not possible, a Zoom or telephone interview will be conducted. Final admission decisions will be made from the pool of interviewed applicants. Interview invitations will be sent out to applicants via email by the third Monday in January, or earlier if feasible. Videoconference interviews may be conducted, and personal interviews will be conducted on campus in February and/or March.

Acceptance: Applicants will be notified via email by late March with the outcome of their application. A full offer of admission to the program will include a yearly stipend, full tuition, matriculation fee, and individual medical and dental insurance. This applies to every accepted applicant, regardless of citizenship or national origin unless the applicant receives a conditional acceptance. Those offered admission will be asked to communicate their decision as soon as possible. In any case, we must have the applicant’s decision by April 15.

Program Requirements

• Complete 30 credits of coursework in life sciences, engineering, mathematics, applied math, and/or computer science. Courses must be passed with a grade of B- or higher. Of the 30 credits, at least 12 credits must be in the life sciences and at least 12 credits must be in quantitative sciences. More detailed requirements can be found at our page on  PhD degree requirements  
• Complete at least 8 hours of face to face research ethics training 
• Successfully pass the Doctor of Philosophy Board Oral Examination (this is a University-wide requirement)
• At least one year as a resident student at JHU (this is a University-wide requirement)
• Dissertation must be approved by at least two readers and certified by them to be a significant contribution to knowledge and worthy of publication
• Certification by the Program Director that all requirements have been fulfilled
• Submission of a dissertation to the library that adheres to the Doctor of Philosophy Board Dissertation Guidelines
• The program may determine the allowable time to complete degree requirements but in no case may that time exceed 9 years. Any approved leave of absence would not count toward the 9 years.

Integrated M.D.-Ph.D. Program

Candidates for the Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering who wish to apply jointly for the M.D. degree must apply directly to the MSTP program through the School of Medicine. Typically, MSTP students complete their PhD between their 2nd and 3rd medical school years, and in addition can do research during their 1st year summer. Good preparation in biology and chemistry as well as mathematics, engineering, and the physical sciences is essential. Life science graduate requirements are met by the first-year program of the School of Medicine. This program is more arduous than the Ph.D. program alone, but it may have marked advantage for students interested in clinical research and applications in hospital systems and in the delivery of health care. The catalogue for the School of Medicine should be consulted for admissions requirements and procedures.

Information about applying to the combined M.D.-Ph.D. program can be found at the the  MSTP program  website, and applications are reviewed a separate MD-PhD Review Committee; a separate Graduate School application is not necessary, unless the student wishes to also be considered for the PhD program only. If offered admission by the MSTP program, students may choose to take part in the Biomedical Engineering PhD program, as long as they have sufficient background to succeed in the quantitive courses required by the program; matriculants and current MSTP students should schedule a meeting with the Program Director to discuss joining the program.

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Ph.D. Degree Requirements

Students must meet the requirements specified by the  University of Utah Graduate School and the John and Marcia Price College of Engineering . In addition, students must complete the following requirements to be eligible for the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biomedical Engineering:

Ph.D. research

Ph.D. students must complete independent research and advance the state of knowledge in the field. Completion of the research requirement is demonstrated by publishing three (or more) peer-reviewed publications as first author, as approved by the research supervisory committee.

Credit hour requirements

A Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. program of study typically includes 90-120 total credit hours beyond the baccalaureate level. Course work should include at least 6 credit hours of advanced (7000) level courses. Completion of significant, peer-reviewed, original research is the primary requirement of the Ph.D. program and usually requires at least 60 credit hours of dedicated research (Bioen 7970). Students must also complete the graduate  biomedical engineering core curriculum  (17 credit hours of core courses or approved substitutes) and at least 13 credit hours of graduate level science and engineering courses for a total of 30 course credit hours beyond the baccalaureate level. The research supervisory committee may require students to take additional courses depending on the student’s performance on the qualifying exam, academic background, or other factors. The minimum allowable grade for any course counted toward the requirements for your graduate degree in Biomedical Engineering is a B-.

Starting with the graduate students who entered the PhD program in 2011/12 academic year, every PhD student has to fulfill the teaching mentorship requirement by completing 4 credit hours of BME 7880 TA Mentorship course by the end of their fourth year. The teaching mentorship assignments will be determined based on the student track specialization, his/her teaching interests and current TA needs in the Department.

The doctoral  Program of Study  in Biomedical Engineering must list all relevant courses taken beyond the baccalaureate degree, and must list all research credits (Bioen 7970) to be applied toward the Ph.D. degree. Up to 30 credit hours previously applied toward an M.S. degree in Biomedical Engineering or Biomedical Engineering can be included as part of the Ph.D. program of study but listed on the  Program of Study Form  at “0” credits applied to the Ph.D. itself. These prior courses can be used to justify waiver of all or part of the course credit hour requirements described above, subject to specific approval by the Director of Graduate Studies and Ph.D. Research Supervisory Committee.

Research supervisory committee

All Ph.D. students form a research supervisory committee consisting of at least 5 University of Utah faculty members. The committee must include at least 3 faculty members with tenure-track appointments in Biomedical Engineering. An external reviewer is optional (see below).

Qualifying exam

The Ph.D. qualifying exam in Biomedical Engineering consists of two parts: a written comprehensive exam in the student’s field of study and a research proposal describing the student’s specific Ph.D. research. The written exam should be taken no later than the fall of the third year and the research proposal no later than the end of the fourth year.

Written Comprehensive Exam

The Ph.D. written comprehensive exam is administered by the Dept. of Biomedical Engineering each year within the first two weeks of the fall semester. Students should inform the Director of Graduate Studies of their intent to take the exam and submit a proposed Preliminary Program of Study  Plan of Study  at least one semester prior to the exam date. The preliminary program of study is a list of all courses that the student plans to complete as part of the requirements for the Ph.D. The preliminary program of study must be approved by the graduate advisor and the research supervisory committee. Students can choose to take the exam in any of the  PhD program tracks . Please consult with the Director of Graduate Studies or your research supervisory committee to select the most appropriate exam. The exams are prepared and graded by a committee of biomedical engineering faculty members with expertise in the exam area. Students may contact the chairperson of their exam committee to discuss the format of the exam. The format of the exams may vary somewhat from committee to committee, but will generally consist of a set of in-depth questions from the field of specialization and will include comprehensive questions from the biomedical engineering core. The exam will take 8 hours. Books and notes will not be allowed in the exam. The Director of Graduate Studies will inform the students of their exam outcomes. Students who fail will be given a second opportunity to pass the exam. The strengths and weaknesses of students that pass the exam will be noted by their exam committee in a written report that will be placed in the student’s file. The student’s supervisory committee will review this report before the oral qualifying exam and may direct their questions accordingly.

Research Proposal

The research proposal consists of a written and oral presentation of the proposed Ph.D. research. Adherence to the  PhD timeline is expected: a failure to deliver research proposal by the end of Fall Semester of Year 3 may result in a loss of RA support and associated tuition waiver. The written portion of the research proposal should follow NIH required format. The written portion of the research proposal must be delivered to the supervisory committee at least two weeks prior to the oral presentation. An announcement and abstract of the proposal presentation must be publicly posted at least one week prior to the presentation. The oral presentation is followed by questions from the audience. The supervisory committee then meets in a closed-door session to examine the student in the absence of their graduate research advisor. To pass the exam, the student must demonstrate adequate preparation to begin effective research: the student must be well versed in the fundamentals, have cogent familiarity with the primary literature in the proposed area of research, and demonstrate an ability to design and communicate a scientific research plan. In some cases, the committee may pass the student contingent upon successfully responding to issues raised during the oral qualifying exam. Students are given two opportunities to pass. A report of the research proposal and oral exam outcome must be signed by the supervisory committee and delivered to the department  (pdf form) .

Ph.D. candidacy

A student becomes a Ph.D. candidate after passing the written comprehensive exam and successfully completing both parts of the research proposal (written & oral).

Seminar presentation

Ph.D. students must present at least one oral podium presentation or seminar  (department pdf form) .

External reviewer

The review of Biomedical Engineering PhD dissertation by an external reviewer is no longer required, but is optional. The PhD candidate and her/his supervisory committee should consider this option if deemed necessary. The external reviewer must hold an academic appointment at an institution outside the University of Utah and should submit a written evaluation of the dissertation to be read at the time of defense.

Dissertation

Preparation of the dissertation must adhere to University of Utah Graduate School requirements. The Dissertation typically includes three or more peer reviewed publications written by the candidate that have (or will) appear in supervisory committee-approved journals as well as introductory and concluding chapters. A draft copy must be delivered to the external reviewer as noted above. Copies of the dissertation must be given to the advisor, each member of the supervisory committee and to the biomedical engineering graduate academic advisor at least two weeks prior to the defense. One copy will be placed in the departmental office for public viewing.

Dissertation defense

The Ph.D. candidate must successfully defend his/her dissertation in a public forum in accordance with the rules of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, the Price College of Engineering and the Graduate School. The location, date, and time of the defense must be announced at least 10 days in advance. The oral presentation is followed by general questions from the audience. If relevant, the external review of the dissertation is presented near the end of the public session. The review should be delivered by the external reviewer. In some cases an oral reading by the thesis advisor will suffice if the external reviewer is unable to attend the defense. Following the public defense the research supervisory committee further examine the candidate in a closed session (the external reviewer can be included in the closed session by committee invitation). To successfully defend the dissertation the candidate must effectively apply the scientific method, demonstrate the significance of his/her contributions to the field, and professionally communicate the results in both written and oral form. Following the defense, the supervisory committee and the external reviewer (if any) meet in private to discuss the candidate’s work and defense. The vote to pass the candidate is taken by the committee alone; the external reviewer does not have a vote. The committee can pass the candidate, pass the candidate contingent upon the candidate’s successfully responding to issues raised at the defense, or fail the candidate. Ph.D. candidates are given two opportunities to pass the defense. Changes and improvements to the dissertation, recommended or required by the reviewer and/or the committee members, are incorporated into the document prior to obtaining final reading approval from the committee chair and the department chair for submission to the thesis editor.

Boston University Academics

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• PhD in Biomedical Engineering

The PhD program in Biomedical Engineering at BU is a highly quantitative approach to the biomedical sciences, based on principles of engineering and physical science. Details of the academic requirements for the PhD in Biomedical Engineering can be found in the BME Graduate Student Handbook . Key elements of the program are outlined here.

Admission, Prerequisites, and Financial Aid

Students with undergraduate training in engineering, mathematics, physics, or quantitative natural sciences are invited to apply. All new PhD students who are admitted to the Biomedical Engineering department are offered fellowships for their first year. Over two semesters, while the students are also taking courses, they perform several lab rotations and arrange with an approved professor for a research assistantship starting the summer after the first academic year, assuming that the student has been making satisfactory progress in his/her academic studies. Since the Biomedical Engineering department at BU is one of the largest in the country, with a wide range of research areas, this approach is advantageous for students as well as professors, giving both a chance to get to know each other and to assess the fit of the student to the lab before committing.

All applications must be submitted by December 15 for admission for the following fall semester. Students can apply online through the college’s Graduate Programs website.

Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the PhD in Biomedical Engineering program will be able to:

• Demonstrate a strong foundation of biomedical engineering knowledge in the phenomena of molecular and cellular biology and in physiology from a quantitative and systems perspective as measured by successful completion of coursework and the qualifying examination.
• Demonstrate the ability to obtain, analyze, and synthesize quantitative data and generate hypotheses pertaining to biological systems.
• Demonstrate the ability to perform and effectively communicate original scientific research in biomedical engineering as measured by conference presentations, peer-reviewed and other publications, and the completion of a novel doctoral thesis.

Course Requirements

Post-bachelor’s PhD students must complete a minimum of 64 credits (formal courses plus research credits) prior to graduation, earning at least 56 credits at BU. These include eight structured graduate courses (32 credits) and two semesters of Teaching Practicum (8 credits). Additional credit requirements are fulfilled with research credits, to reach the minimum total of 64. Specific course requirements include:

• ENG BE 605 Molecular Bioengineering (4 cr)
• ENG BE 606 Quantitative Physiology for Engineers (4 cr)
• ENG BE 790 Biomedical Engineering Seminar (0 cr)
• ENG BE 791 BME PhD Laboratory Rotation (3 cr over two semesters)
• ENG BE 792 Literature Review (2 cr)
• ENG BE 801 Teaching Practicum I (4 cr)
• ENG BE 802 Teaching Practicum II (4 cr)
• Three BE graduate-level electives at 500 level or higher (12 cr)
• Two graduate-level technical electives at 500 level or higher (may also be BE electives) (8 cr)
• Math course from approved list (4 cr)
• A minimum of 12 research credits of ENG BE 900 (pre-prospectus)/991 (post-prospectus)

Post-master’s PhD students must enroll for a minimum of 32 credits and must take six approved structured courses, including ENG BE 605, BE 606, BE 790, BE 791, BE 792, BE 801, BE 802, the math requirement, and two graduate-level technical electives (at least one BE). Each post-MS student consults individually with the Associate Chair for Graduate Programs to determine overlap of prior coursework with PhD curriculum requirements. Students must complete a minimum of 4 research credits of ENG BE 900.

All graduate students are assigned an academic advisor who is a full-time faculty member in the department. Once a student joins a lab, their research advisor also becomes the student’s academic advisor, or a co-advisor is chosen in the case of a research advisor who is not in the Biomedical Engineering department.

Oral Qualifying Examination

The Biomedical Engineering oral qualifying examination is taken at the end of the first academic year. Upon successfully passing the exam and satisfying the math requirement, the student officially becomes a PhD candidate.

Prospectus Defense

Within six semesters of matriculation, the student is required to present an oral defense of their prospectus to their dissertation committee and have the written dissertation prospectus approved. The committee evaluates the potential of the proposed research and the student’s academic preparation to engage in dissertation research.

Progress Reports

Following the prospectus defense, the student must meet at least once every 12 months with his/her dissertation committee to provide a progress report, allowing the committee to assess progress toward program milestones. Starting at the prospectus defense, the student’s dissertation committee must indicate expected milestones for the next dissertation committee meeting. These meetings are to be held on a regular basis in order for the student to report progress and the committee to provide feedback. The student must forward to his/her committee a written report detailing progress toward milestones and the next planned steps at least one week before each meeting.

See Course Requirements in the Doctoral Programs Overview section of this Bulletin.

Dissertation Defense

A PhD candidate is expected to prepare and carry out an independent and original research project in partial fulfillment of the dissertation requirement. The dissertation committee, with a minimum of five members, must include at least two primary BME faculty members and one member from a different department or institution. Frequently, scholars from other colleges within the University, as well as outside the University, serve on dissertation committees. A Special Appointment in Engineering request form is available from the Biomedical Engineering department for this purpose.

MD/PhD Combined Degree Program

The combined degree program is conducted under the joint auspices of the BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and the College of Engineering and is intended for qualified individuals who are strongly motivated for an education and a career in both medicine and research.

The program typically requires eight years of study/research in both schools and leads to award of both the MD and PhD degrees.

The applicant must meet the requirements for admission to both the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine as a candidate for the MD degree and the Biomedical Engineering department as a candidate for the PhD degree. Typically, the student attends the first two years of instruction in the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine , then transfers to the Biomedical Engineering department for approximately four years of coursework and research, culminating in the dissertation defense, after which the student returns to the Medical Campus to complete the third and fourth years of medical training.

Read more about degree, eligibility, and admission requirements . Requirements for application to the MD/PhD program can be found on the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine website.

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Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering

Degree Requirements

Students pursuing a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering must earn a minimum of 90 credit hours beyond the B. S. degree. An M.S. degree is not required for admission to the program.

Of these 90 hours, 40-55 equivalent credit hours may be taken for research and dissertation (BMES 7994).

Clinical Rotation

In addition to the course requirements, the program requires a clinical rotation for all Ph.D. students, along with completion of a medical ethics program.

Student Advisory Committee

Prior to submitting a program of study, and no later than the second academic semester, each student must form an advisory committee. The advisory committee is composed of the major professor and a minimum of four other faculty members. At least two must be SBES faculty members (including the chair), and at least three members must be in engineering. (Advisory committee members can be from either institution. Students may have more than five members on the Ph.D. committee if desired.)

Qualifying Examination

The examination must be taken by the end of the second semester for students entering directly into the Ph.D. program or within one year of entering the program after completing the M.S. degree.

Preliminary Examination

All Ph.D. students must take a preliminary examination administered by the student's advisory committee.

The student will present his/her dissertation research proposal. The examination will cover all course material and the proposed research plan, including the student's knowledge of the literature, and the feasibility and originality of the proposed work.

The examination should be taken at or near the completion of the coursework during the third or fourth year and must be taken at least nine months prior to scheduling the final examination.

Final Examination

To complete the program, students must pass the final examination, including approval of the dissertation in final form. 

More Information

For more detailed information on degree requirements, advisory committees and examinations, see the Virginia Tech  graduate catalog  and the SBES graduate manual .

MIT Department of Biological Engineering

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Prospective Graduate

Overview of the Biological Engineering (BE) PhD Program

MIT Biological Engineering’s mission is to generate and communicate new knowledge in the application of engineering principles in biological systems and to educate leaders in our discipline. We focus at the interface of engineering and biology by combining quantitative, physical, and integrative engineering principles with modern life sciences research to lead the field in the positive impacts of our research and effectiveness of our training programs. MIT BE offers a graduate PhD degree, and only accepts PhD applications through the annual Departmental process for admission fall term of the following year. Our program is an excellent match for ambitious applicants with extraordinary qualifications who want to advance the intellectual boundaries of biological engineering and make positive impacts on society through the creative and rigorous application of research in biological engineering.

PhD-level training in BE prepares students to conduct research that will:

• Explain how biological systems function in terms of biological/chemical/physical mechanisms, and how they respond when perturbed by endogenous, environmental, and therapeutic factors
• Engineer innovative technologies based on this understanding and apply technologies to address societal needs across all sectors including, but not limited to, biomedicine
• Establish new biology-based paradigms for solving problems in areas of science and engineering that have not historically been impacted by biological approaches

In addition, PhD-level training in BE prepares students to translate this research for positive impact in the world by developing skills to:

• Explain technical subject matter clearly, accurately, and in a compelling and contextual manner for a range of audiences
• Engage collaboratively in diverse teams to contribute biological engineering expertise needed for multidisciplinary projects
• Exercise intellectual and operational leadership to advance on goals in technically and organizationally complex scenarios
• Exhibit integrity and ethical judgment in the design of research and the application of research results

Degree Requirements

BE PhD students complete two core courses in the first year, supplemented with four additional electives ( Course Requirements ). Individual students pace their own progress through elective coursework in consultation with their academic advisor.

In addition to the course requirements, students perform a qualifying exam with written and oral components and submit a thesis proposal to be completed by the end of the fall term in their third year.

BE PhD students complete research rotations in the fall and winter of their first year and select a BE Faculty member as a research and thesis advisor. Students carry out thesis research with the guidance and support of their faculty advisor and a thesis committee formed by the student. Technical communication is an important part of the BE PhD curriculum. Students gain and practice scientific communication skills through one or more terms of teaching experience at the graduate or undergraduate level and research-focused activities including poster and oral presentations at Departmental events including our retreat, the Bioengineering and Toxicology Seminar (BATS) series, and culminating in delivery of a written PhD thesis and oral defense of their thesis work.

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Biomedical Engineering Graduate Group

Doctoral degree.

PhD Degree Requirements

The requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biomedical Engineering are completion of a minimum of 40 units of approved graded coursework, including four core courses (below), quarterly seminar in Biomedical Engineering, a course in Scientific Communication, a course in Scientific Integrity, at least one quarter teaching experience, and a dissertation approved by a three to five-member faculty committee. The MS degree is not a prerequisite for the PhD program. Courses must be taken for a letter grade; the minimum acceptable grade is B- and the minimum overall GPA is 3.50. S/U-graded courses (e.g., research 290C and 299 and seminar 290 courses) do not count toward the 40-unit graded course requirement. Each student’s program of study must be approved by their major professor and signed by their  graduate advisor . Students are asked to file a preliminary program-of-study plan with the biomedical engineering graduate office within the first two weeks of the first quarter of enrollment. The plan is to be updated annually.

Core Courses

Bim 202: cell and molecular biology for engineers.

Preparation for research and critical review in the field of cell and molecular biology for biomedical or applied science engineers. Emphasis on biophysical and engineering concepts intrinsic to specific topics including protein traffic, the cytoskeleton, cell motility, cell division, and cell adhesion. Modern topics in mechano-biology of cancer cells and stem cells.

• Requirements: Biol

BIM 204: Physiology for Bioengineers

Basic human physiology of the nervous, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, lymphatic, renal and gastrointestinal systems and their interactions. Emphasis is placed on the physical and engineering principles governing these systems, including control and transport processes, fluid dynamics, and electrochemistry.

BIM 281: Acquisition and Analysis of Biomedical Signals

This lecture/laboratory course introduces basic concepts associated with digital signal recording and analysis. Lectures introduce concepts of sampling; standard probability distributions; statistical error analysis related to experimental design; Fourier, and spectral analysis applied to signal and image processing. Labs are designed to provide hands-on experience with digital oscilloscopes, waveform generators, optical microscopy, Matlab- and Labview-based software applications.

• Requirements: Engr

BIM 283: Experimental Design for Biomedical Engineers

Provides biomedical engineering graduate students with the tools to properly design experiments, collect and analyze data, and extract, communicate and act on information generated. 

BIM 284: Mathematical Methods for Biomedical Engineers

Theoretical and numerical analyses of linear and nonlinear systems, ordinary and partial differential equations that describe biological systems and instruments that measure them. Students will be introduced to numerical solution techniques. 

Course Selection

At least 30 units of the 40-unit total graded coursework must be graduate-level engineering courses (those numbered 200 – 289). The remaining 10 units must be either advanced undergraduate (courses numbered 100 – 189) or graduate courses (200 – 289).  Students must enroll in BIM 290 seminar course (1 unit) during each quarter it is offered.  Students must also complete BIM 201 Scientific Communication, BIM 209 Scientific Integrity, and 1 quarter of teaching experience (BIM 396).  Students select courses in consultation with their major professor and graduate advisor. For an up-to-date listing of classes, please see the  courses  page.

EXAMINATIONS FOR THE PhD DEGREE

The Biomedical Engineering Graduate Group offers the Ph.D. degree under Plan C and requires two examinations:

Examination 1  is an oral  Qualifying Examination  taken upon completion of the coursework and all other requirements described above, normally by the 7th quarter. The examination must be completed within nine quarters of matriculation to the graduate group. Students who do not complete the examination within the prescribed time frame will be subject to disqualification from the program unless the Graduate Advisor has granted a written extension with specified conditions. The purpose of the qualifying examination is to assess a student’s potential for completing dissertation research that will be of sufficient quality to merit publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Once students have passed the exam and advanced to candidacy, they are no longer required to take any additional course work. A 13-page written research plan is prepared by the student in consultation with the major professor and distributed to the committee at least two weeks prior to the examination date. The plan and the student’s command of the field is defended before a 5-member committee with representation both from engineering and biology/medicine.  The oral presentation should be approximately 30 minutes, excluding questions; the total exam will last 2-3 hours in length. The committee will ensure that the student has both breadth and depth of knowledge of the field and provide guidance to the student regarding their research plan. Food and/or drinks should not be brought to the examination.  Please see  BMEGG Qualifying Examination  for additional information. The Chair of the QE Committee completes the  Report on the Doctoral Qualifying Examination in GradSphere  immediately following the exam.

Examination 2  is a final oral examination taken after preparation of a written Ph.D. dissertation. Each student will prepare and present a seminar defending the scientific importance of his/her dissertation before a 3 (or more) member Dissertation Committee and interested faculty and graduate students in the program. Following the open presentation, the audience will be excused and the committee will continue to examine the student regarding their presentation and dissertation work. This examination is usually restricted to the members of the committee, but may be open to faculty members and guests, with the consent of the student and all the members of the dissertation committee. The Chair of the Dissertation Committee completes the Ph.D. Final Examination Report in GradSphere  immediately following the Dissertation Defense.

Ph.D. Committees:  By the end of the third quarter of enrollment, each Ph.D. student must select a major professor. In preparation for the qualifying examination, students, in consultation with their major professors and subject to acceptance by the graduate advisor, must select an examination committee composed of five faculty members. The major professor can be a member of the committee but may not chair it. At least three committee members must be BME Graduate Group members, and one member must be from outside the BME Graduate Group.  A BME Graduate Group Member must be selected as chair. This committee administers Examination 1. At least three members from this committee guide the students research and approve the dissertation. The dissertation committee includes the major professor, who normally serves as chair, and administers Examination 2. The student must electronically file the approved dissertation with the Office of Graduate Studies.

For deadlines and calendars see:  https://gradstudies.ucdavis.edu/academic-dates.

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• Northwestern Engineering

Academics   /   Graduate Study Biomedical Engineering (PhD)

The PhD program emphasizes advanced coursework, hands-on teaching experience, and world class research at the forefront of the broad disciplines of biomedical engineering. Students are trained to become leaders in research and development in industrial and university settings.

Students in the biomedical engineering doctoral program study equal portions of engineering, life sciences, and mathematics.

Learn more about the department's research areas

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Download a PDF program guide about your program of interest, and get in contact with our graduate admissions staff.

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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biomedical Engineering

The Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering is designed to be completed in four to five years of full-time study, including summer terms. A minimum of 60 units is required for this program beyond the bachelor of science degree. Ph.D. candidates must take all required core courses, complete lab rotations (BME 505aL and BME 505bL) and pass a Screening Exam at the end of their first year; pass a Qualifying Exam when they begin their dissertation research; and conduct an oral Defense of their dissertation at the end of the program.

These are our areas of specialty in the program:

• Biosignals & Biosystems Engineering
• Medical Devices
• Biomedical Imaging
• Systems Cellular-Molecular Bioengineering
• Biomechanics
• Biomedical Microelectromechanical Systems (Bio-MEMS)

 Year 1 (BME Ph.D. Core Requirements)

New PhD students in BME are required to take core courses during their first year. Completion of these courses during the first year makes one eligible to take the Screening Exam, which takes place at the end of the spring semester of the first year. Students should consult their potential faculty advisors for suggestions about which courses to choose from the list.

• Register in BME 505aL and BME 505bL (lab rotations - - fellowship students) and 
• Choose  ANY 4 classes from the list below (2 per semester)

Year 1 - Fall (select two)

• BME 501 | Advanced Studies in Biomedical Systems
• BME 502 | Advanced Studies of the Nervous System
• BME 504 | Neuromuscular Systems
• BME 506 | Bioengineering of Disease and Cell Therapeutics
• BME 511 | Physiological Control Systems
• BME 527 | Integration of Medical Imaging Systems
• BME 540 | Biofluid Mechanics: Transport and Circulatory Systems
• BME 620L | Applied Electrophysiology
• BME 650 | Biomedical Measurement and Instrumentation

Year 1 - Spring (select two)

• BME 513 | Signal and Systems Analysis
• BME 514 | Physiological Signals and Data Analytics
• BME 525 | Advanced Biomedical Imaging
• BME 528 | Medical Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Informatics Application
• BME 530 | Introduction to Systems Biology
• BME 551 | Introduction to Bio-MEMS and Nanotechnology
• BME 552 | Neural Implant Engineering
• BME 559 | Nanomedicine and Drug Delivery

Year 2 (Research)

The second year of graduate study allows you to focus on a specific area or study in biomedical engineering. Any class that you take in the program must be approved by your faculty advisor. You may also start taking BME 790 (Directed Research). See info below.

Years 3 and 4 (Research and Dissertation)

The third and fourth year of graduate study allows you to focus on a research area/topic to explore and develop for your dissertation. By the end of your third year, you should be able to take the Qualifying Exam. After passing the Qualifying Exam, you are eligible to take coursework for your dissertation. You must take at least BME 794ab for a total of 4 units.

Research                                                                                        BME 790 Directed Research (1-12 units)

Dissertation                                                                                     BME 794abcdz Doctoral Dissertation (2-2-2-2-0 units)

Years 5 and Beyond

If you have not completed your research and dissertation by the end of the sixth year, please communicate with the Graduate Student Affairs Advisor for more information.

All information contained here is summarized from the USC Catalogue and is considered non-official. For all rules, regulations, procedures, and outlines, please see the current academic year USC catalogue.

Research Opportunities

Please check out our research page for our faculty laboratory websites..

Published on February 1st, 2017

Last updated on August 7th, 2023

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Biomedical Engineering PhD

School of engineering and applied sciences, program description.

Our flexible Biomedical Engineering PhD program allows students to pursue research in molecular, cellular and tissue engineering, biomedical devices, sensors, instrumentation and diagnostics, computational engineering and modeling, medical imaging and analysis, or in a student's chosen area of interest. Faculty in the Biomedical Engineering department, part of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, help students gain the knowledge and research skills to contribute to a company or university in a research setting. 

School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Office of Graduate Education 415 Bonner Hall Buffalo, NY 14260 Email: [email protected]

Instruction Method

• In Person   (100 percent of courses offered in person)

Full/Part Time Options

Credits required, time-to-degree, application fee.

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).

Online programs/courses may require students to come to campus on occasion. Time-to-degree and number of credit hours may vary based on full/part time status, degree, track and/or certification option chosen. Time-to-degree is based on calendar year(s). Contact the department for details.

Biomedical Engineering

College of engineering, ph.d. program.

Formal coursework for a Ph.D. must cover at least three out of five core areas: physiology and cellular/molecular biology, biomaterials and tissue engineering, biomechanics, biomedical imaging and bioinformatics, and neuroengineering; Each of these core courses must be of 9 units or more. Graduate level introductory courses in each core area are available for students who are unfamiliar with the subject area. Aside from the core area requirement, considerable flexibility is allowed in the selection of courses to adapt to diverse interests, educational backgrounds, and career plans. Students are also allowed to take a certain number of upper-level undergraduate courses to broaden their background.

Students start thesis research within a few weeks of matriculation. Research during the first year defines the theme for the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination at the beginning of the second year. The purpose of the Qualifying Examination is to ensure that the student is sufficiently prepared and motivated to complete Ph.D. thesis research. Students submit a research document and take an oral examination with questions centered around the subject of the document. The questions may range from fundamental knowledge, prior research, to future prospect. By passing the Qualifying Examination, the student is formally accepted as a Ph.D. candidate.

The ensuing Ph.D. research must demonstrate the student’s ability to conduct an original, coherent, and independent investigation, to abstract principles, and to interpret the results in a logical manner. The student must pass a Ph.D. Proposal Examination, designed to assess the plan for completing the Ph.D. research, within the first three years of residence. Ph.D. dissertation and oral defense must be completed within six years of passing the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination.

Other Requirements

All students are required to take Biomedical Engineering Seminar (42-701) or (42-801) during each semester of residence. All Ph.D. students must also complete three semesters of Teaching Assistantship. Detailed requirements are described in the Graduate Student Handbook.

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Direct Entry

Students entering the Ph.D. program without an M.S. degree are classified as Direct Entry. Direct Entry students must satisfactorily complete at least 84 units of coursework, among which at most 21 units may be advanced undergraduate courses. Most Direct Entry students graduate within 4-5 years of full-time study.

Advanced Entry

Qualified candidates with an approved M.S. degree may be accepted into the Advanced Entry Ph.D. program. Advanced Entry students are required to complete 42 units of coursework, among which at most 9 units may be advanced undergraduate courses. Advanced Entry students are expected to devote most of the effort to research starting the first year. Many of them are able to graduate in no more than 4 years.

The Department of Biomedical Engineering participates in a combined M.D.-Ph.D. Program with the  University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine,  to offer M.D. degree from the University of Pittsburgh and Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University. The aim is to allow physician-engineers to blend research and clinical perspectives in treating patients.

Prospective students should apply directly to the  University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine , indicating an interest in the Ph.D. Program in Biomedical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. During the first semester of the second year of medical school, the student should submit an application to the Ph.D. program, which may include supporting documents previously submitted to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Students formally enter the Ph.D. program after completing their second year of medical school, although research may start as soon as the summer before the first semester of medical school and during the subsequent two summer semesters. This allows the student to gain a total of six months of research before officially entering the Ph.D. program.

Ph.D. requirements are similar to those for the Advanced Entry Ph.D. program except that there are no specific core course requirements, such that students may tailor biomedical engineering -relevant courses in consultation with the advisor. Completion of the Ph.D. program is targeted at 3-4 years.  The student then returns to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine to completes the last two years of M.D. training.

BME PhD Admission and Completion

As a top ranked graduate school, CMU is selective in its PhD admissions. Once admitted, CMU BME has a regular PhD review process that tracks student progress and ensures supportive mentorship. As a result, the large majority of our students complete their PhD.

BME PhD Financial Support

All full time Ph.D. students accepted through the normal application process are provided continued support for the duration specified in the admission offer letter, subject to successful progress evaluated each semester, including tuition, fees and a competitive stipend.

Much of the efficiency of the Ph.D. Program, where most students graduate within 5 years, may be attributed to the early start of research and the rigorous system of performance assessment held...

Students start thesis research within a few weeks of matriculation. Research during the first year also defines the theme for the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination at the beginning of the second year.

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Ph.D. Requirements

Application requirements:.

The application deadline for the BME Ph.D. program (fall semester)  is January 2nd . Please note that all materials should be received by this date to receive full consideration.

For an application fee waiver, please send an email to Belinda Whisman , for more information.

The application process is entirely online via the Cornell University Graduate School .

Student background and qualification:  Most students entering the Graduate Field of Biomedical Engineering have had formal training in a recognized discipline of engineering. Students with a science degree that includes appropriate mathematics and physics are also eligible.

Degree requirements:

To promote an individualized program optimized for each student’s needs and interest, the specific requirements for the Ph.D. degree are minimal. The fundamental requirement is to form a thesis committee of at least three Cornell faculty members. The chair of the committee is your thesis advisor. The two required additional members represent your minor programs, one in engineering and one in life science. The content of your program is determined jointly with your committee, with a small number of required core courses complemented by graduate level classes in chosen areas of specialization.

To earn the BME Ph.D. degree, a student must fulfill the following requirements:

• Pass the comprehensive Admission to Candidacy examination ("A Exam") with the Special Committee before the beginning of the seventh semester of study
• Successfully complete the course work required by his/her Special Committee and the BME Ph.D. program
• Conduct original research that will have lasting value, and write a dissertation recording that work
• Pass the final examination ("B exam") defending the dissertation with the Special Committee
• Have a minimum of six academic terms of full-time study

A student is recommended for the Ph.D. degree when his/her Special Committee members agree that the appropriate level of scholarly achievement has been reached and that the Graduate School's requirements for assessment  have been satisfied. 

Special Committee

Each student's progress towards the Ph.D. degree is supervised by a Special Committee composed of Cornell graduate field faculty members chosen by the student. The supervision of a student's Ph.D. program by the Special Committee allows for individualized programs tailored to each student's specific interests that can seamlessly merge traditional disciplines. 

For Ph.D. degree candidates, the Special Committee is composed of at least three faculty members: The PhD thesis advisor and two members who represent the two minors selected by the student. The Ph.D. thesis advisor, who must be a BME graduate field member, serves as the chair of the Special Committee. 

Ph.D. students select one minor in the life sciences (i.e., biology, biophysics, biomedical science, etc.) and one minor in a traditional engineering discipline (outside BME), often the area of undergraduate specialization. Study in the engineering minor is expected to be equivalent to the core course sequence of Ph.D. students majoring in that field. This combination provides breadth in general approach and depth in at least one specific engineering discipline.

The goals of the coursework are to provide students with both breadth across a wide range of BME and depth in a particular specialization within BME. The extent of required coursework depends on each student's previous preparation and goals.

The first-year core curriculum includes BME 7010 Seminar for First-Year Biomedical Engineering PhD Students in the fall, BME 7130 Core Concepts in Disease in the spring, and BME 7160 Immersion Experience in Medical Research and Clinical Practice in the summer. Students further participate in the departmental seminar (BME 7900 Biomedical Engineering Graduate Colloquium) and present their ongoing research as part of a work-in-progress seminar (BME 7020 Biomedical Engineering Research Seminar).

All students in the BME Ph.D. program must complete the following courses:

BME 7010: Seminar for First-Year Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. Students  (Fall of 1st year). This course provides an introduction to the Cornell BME Ph.D. program, resources and opportunities available at Cornell, and help and guidance in preparing fellowship application. 

BME 7020: Biomedical Engineering Research Seminar  (total of 6 semesters). These seminar features work-in-progress presentations by current BME Ph.D. students. The goal of the BME 7020 seminar is to provide students with an opportunity to present their research to a broad audience, to collect feedback from faculty and their peers, and to stimulate intra-departmental collaborations and interactions in the BME field and beyond.

BME 7130: Core Concepts in Disease  (Spring of 1st year). This course exposes students to fundamental disease processes, including infection, inflammation, neoplasia, genetic mutation, protein misfolding, and metabolic dysregulation, to identify common pathways and mechanisms in pathobiologies. This course also provides disease background prior to the Immersion experience. 

BME 7160: Immersion Experience in Medical Research and Clinical Practice  (Summer of 1st year). The clinical immersion term provides first-year Ph.D. students with the opportunity to experience actual clinical practice in a hospital setting and to participate in clinical research. 

BME 7900: Biomedical Engineering Graduate Colloquium  (total of 6 semesters). This weekly colloquium features talks by invited seminar speakers to provide exposure to a broad range of research topics. 

Course selection beyond the required courses is up to each student in consultation with the Special Committee. The Special Committee is responsible for approving classes chosen by the student to fulfill the minor requirements. Students are encouraged to select additional courses of interest.

• University of Wisconsin-Madison

DEGREE Biomedical Engineering, PhD

Doctoral degree in biomedical engineering

As a PhD student in biomedical engineering, you’ll work alongside world-class faculty mentors and lead research that solves critical challenges in biology and medicine. You’ll also enhance your skills in using advanced engineering methods of analysis and design.

At a glance

Biomedical engineering department, learn more about what information you need to apply., how to apply.

Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.

Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online .

Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in engineering (biomedical, chemical, electrical, industrial, mechanical, etc.) or science (biology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, immunology, physics, etc.). Each application is judged on the basis of:

• Official academic transcripts
• English Proficiency Test scores (if applicable)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose

All applicants must satisfy requirements that are set forth by the Graduate School . Students admitted to the program may be required to make up deficiency course requirements.

To apply to the BME program, complete applications , including supportive materials, must be submitted as described below and received by the following deadline dates:

• Fall Semester—December 1 
• Spring Semester—September 1 
• Summer Session 1 —December 1 

1 Please note that summer admissions are generally limited to continuing BME students at UW–Madison or applicants who have research assistantships already arranged with UW faculty.

Official Academic Transcript

Electronically submit one copy of your transcript of all undergraduate and previous graduate work in your online application to the Graduate School. Unofficial copies of transcripts will be accepted for review. Official copies are required after an applicant is recommended for admission. Please do not send transcripts or any other application materials to the Graduate School or the BME department unless requested. If you have questions, please contact [email protected] .

English proficiency test scores (if applicable)

An applicant whose TOEFL (iBT) score is below 92; TOEFL (PBT) score is below 580; or IELTS score is below 7 must take an English assessment test upon arrival. Depending on the result, an applicant may need to register for recommended English as a Second Language (ESL) courses in the first semester of enrollment.

All BME PhD students will participate in teaching during their graduate degree. International students whose native language is not English must take the SPEAK test  during their first semester on campus, unless they have achieved a score 26 or greater on the speaking section of the iBT TOEFL (8.0 for the IELTS). Any recommended ESL coursework must be completed during the first year.

Three Letters of Recommendation

These letters are required from people who can accurately judge the applicant’s academic or research performance. Letters of recommendation are submitted electronically to graduate programs through the online application. Applicants should not send any more than three letters (if more than three are sent, only the first three will be considered). See the Graduate School for FAQs regarding letters of recommendation.

Statement of Purpose

In this document, applicants should explain why they want to pursue further education in BME and discuss which UW faculty members they would be interested in doing research with during their graduate study. See the Graduate School for more advice on how to structure a personal statement .

Upload your resume in your application.

Application Fee

Submission must be accompanied by the one-time application fee. It is non-refundable and can be paid by credit card (Master Card or Visa) or debit/ATM. This fee cannot be waived or deferred.   Fee grants   are available through the Graduate School under certain conditions.

Tuition and funding

Tuition and segregated fee rates are always listed per semester (not for Fall and Spring combined).

View tuition rates

Graduate School Resources

Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid.  Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.

Students admitted to the BME PhD program are guaranteed financial support from the department in the form of research assistantships, teaching assistantships and fellowships. Support will continue as long as the student maintains satisfactory progress toward their degree.

Biomedical engineering is multidisciplinary, bringing together expertise in engineering, physics, materials science, computation, biology and medicine to increase our understanding of diseases, improve diagnosis, and develop treatments that benefit human health. Our researchers are pushing the boundaries of science and technology, developing new tools and techniques to help solve some of the most challenging problems in medicine and healthcare.

View our research

Requirements

Minimum graduate school requirements.

Review the Graduate School minimum  academic progress and degree requirements , in addition to the program requirements listed below.

REQUIRED COURSES 

Students who follow the Ph.D. coursework guidelines should fulfill the Biomedical Engineering: Research, M.S. requirements. They may file for that degree prior to their preliminary examination.

Biomaterials & Tissue Engineering Pathway 1

Biomaterials and tissue engineering employ a diverse range of approaches to develop methods to diagnose and treat diseases, create living tissue environments that may be used to restore the function of a damaged organ, and uncover biological mechanisms related to tissue development and disease. Graduate students trained in biomaterials and tissue engineering are expected to gain a detailed understanding of cellular and molecular biology, materials science, and engineering methods relevant to their research focus. 

Biomedical Imaging & Optics Pathway 1

Biomedical imaging and optics research develops and utilizes new experimental and computational tools to characterize tissue structure across multiple size scales. A particular focus is on human health, especially with respect to achieving superior diagnostic/prognostic tools for a spectrum of diseased states. Graduate students trained in this pathway are expected to gain a detailed understanding of mathematics, biology and engineering both optical and/or physical methods relevant to their research focus.

Biomechanics Pathway 1

Biomechanists use experiments and computational tools to investigate the mechanical aspects of biological systems at levels ranging from whole organisms to organs, tissues, and cells. Graduate students trained in biomechanics are expected to gain a detailed understanding of mechanics, mathematics, biology, and engineering relevant to their research focus.

Medical & Microdevices Pathway 1

Medical and mircodevices involve the use of electronic and computational tools to develop devices used in diagnosis and treatment of disease ranging from the systemic to the cellular and molecular levels.

Neuroengineering Pathway 1

Neuroengineering is the convergence of neuroscience, computation, device development, and mathematics to improve human health. Neuroengineering brings together state-of-the-art technologies for the development of devices and algorithms to assist those with neural disorders. It is also used to reverse engineer living neural systems via new algorithms, technologies and robotics. Students pursing this pathway are involved in all of these endeavors so as the next generation of engineers, they will transcend the traditional boundaries of neuroscience, technology, engineering and mathematics. 

Systems & Synthetic Biology Pathway 1

Systems and synthetic biology utilizes experimental and computational tools in an iterative fashion to analyze and regulate biological systems.

Students interested in earning a doctoral minor in Quantitative Biology : enrollment in B M E 780 Methods in Quantitative Biology  is a requirement. Additionally, students will need to take one additional 3-credit course in quantitative science, biology, or integrated biology/quantitative science from the approved list of courses in the doctoral minor (this course counts toward the elective credits for this pathway).

 Guidelines for students who earned a master’s degree in another field at UW-Madison

• Students who have earned a master’s degree in another field at UW-Madison should contact the Associate Chair of the PhD Degree to understand remaining course requirements. A maximum of 7 credits can be counted from a separate MS degree, in compliance with the Graduate School’s Double Degrees policy .
• Master’s degree students who have been absent for five or more years lose all degree credits earned before their absence. 
• All students with a prior master’s degree will need to complete the Qualifying Exams and Preliminary Exam requirements even if coursework requirements have been met. Please discuss your specific plan with the Associate Chair of the PhD Degree.

These pathways are internal to the program and represent different curricular paths a student can follow to earn this degree. Pathway names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.

The math requirement can be waived by a B- or better in the equivalent course in undergraduate. To request this waiver, please e-mail the Associate Chair of the PhD Degree a copy of your unofficial transcript and indicate the course you are proposing to use. The credits do not transfer; you will instead be able to take an additional 3 credits of electives.

Graduate Student Services [email protected] 3180 Mechanical Engineering 1513 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706

Pam Kreeger, Associate Chair, Graduate Advising [email protected]

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Biomedical Engineering (Ph.D.)

Focus: integrating life sciences, engineering, and mathematics with the goal of enabling students to postulate and solve biomedical problems quantitatively and with a systems perspective.

• MyU : For Students, Faculty, and Staff

PhD program

Get the doctoral training you need to advance biomedical engineering discoveries.

Broad, deep research and training environment

You’ll have the opportunity to work closely with graduate faculty members who span the full spectrum of biomedical engineering. 

Our 80+ faculty hail from more than 20 departments as well as our own, which has special research expertise in cardiovascular, neural, and cancer bioengineering.

Early exposure to research

• Our efficient rotation program allows you to make a more informed decision in selecting a lab.
• Three student-driven lab rotations, three weeks each.
• Students join a PhD lab in November.

Coursework tailored to your interests

Our electives-based curriculum allows you to design an individualized program of study, providing optimal flexibility in balancing coursework and research.

A top public research university

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities is a top 10 U.S. public research university with world-class facilities.

More about UMN research

Proximity to engineering, science, and medicine

We’re adjacent to the Medical School and other University of Minnesota science and engineering domains — they’re just steps away and connected by tunnels.

This proximity creates an intellectual environment where there’s:

✓ Interdisciplinary research. ✓ Engineering being applied to fundamental biological questions. ✓ Clinical and translational research collaborations.

UMN resources for biomedical engineering research

A great place to live

The Minneapolis-St. Paul area offers vibrant culture and arts and abundant opportunities to enjoy the outdoors — all at a lower cost of living than cities on the east or west coast.

Why Minneapolis-St. Paul?

Fulfilling career opportunities

• Biomedical engineer
• Research and development engineer
• Prosthesis designer
• Medical device designer
• Manufacturing engineer
• Quality control/assurance engineer
• Medical diagnostics
• Rehabilitation engineer
• Physiological systems engineer

An inclusive, close-knit community

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is integral to departmental decision-making, including graduate admissions. In fact, we were among the first Biomedical Engineering departments with a full-time DEI Coordinator .

Students also enjoy:

• A two-tiered peer mentoring program organized by the department.
• Highly engaged student groups.
• Student groups

Benefits and financial support

All full-time PhD applicants (both domestic and international) are automatically considered for financial support, which includes a stipend, health insurance, and full tuition coverage.

Financial support

+ How support is provided

How support is provided.

Students admitted to our full-time PhD program are awarded graduate assistantships that come with:

• Health benefits
• Tuition coverage

Support is provided through a combination of:

• Research assistantships
• Teaching assistantships
• Traineeships with the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH)

+ Competitive fellowships

Competitive fellowships.

We have also helped many of our students get:

• Competitive graduate fellowships from NSF, NIH, and American Heart Association (AHA)
• Internal support from the University's Graduate School and College of Science and Engineering. These come in the form of first-year fellowships, dissertation completion fellowships, and interdisciplinary research fellowships.

Meet our students (current and former)

Claire Kaiser

Marcus Flowers

Lizzy Crist

Sarah Anderson

Efraín Torres

Application process

Our straightforward application process allows interested students to directly apply to the overarching PhD program. When admitted, students will undergo rotations in labs of graduate faculty members to identify a PhD advisor.

Contact us and more information

Dave Wood Director of Graduate Admissions [email protected]

Erica Ratner Graduate Program Coordinator [email protected]

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Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. Requirements

Complete these requirements for a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering.

Graduate Admissions Requirements

In addition to meeting these program requirements, you must also meet the UND School of Graduate Studies admissions requirements to apply for this program.

Graduate Requirements

Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. Requirements Disclaimer

The requirements on this page are pulled from UND’s academic catalog and may not reflect future terms. Updates are published annually in April.

By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies, Privacy Information .

Bioengineering PhD Model Program

Bioengineering is a diverse and growing field encompassing many topics including biomaterials, biomechanics including robotics, biophysics and neuromotor control.  

The guidelines given here form a starting point for a discussion with the faculty about areas of interest. Students should become familiar with both these bioengineering course guidelines as well as the school's overall PhD course requirements , and work in close consultation with their advisors to develop an individualized program plan that is consistent with those requirements. Courses provide the background knowledge that is needed to successfully complete research and allow students to learn more broadly about a field or related fields in a structured fashion.

Students can consider structuring their coursework in the following framework:

• Applied math and computation, 2-3 courses. The goal is to acquire analytical and computational tools for modeling and data analysis. Typical courses include AM 121, AM 201, AM 205, AM 216, AM 232, AC 209a.
• Cells, Tissues, and Biomaterials: ES 222, ES 230, ES 221, ES 228, ES 220, ES 293, ES 240, AP 225, AP 235
• Applied Mechanics: ES 240, ES 241, ES 246, ES 228, ES 220, AP 235
• Signal, Image and Data Processing: ES 201, ES 226r, ES 250, ES 255, AM 254, CS 283
• Controls and Robotics: ES 201, ES 202, ES 226r, ES 249, ES 259, ES 252r, CS 289
• Medical Imaging & Image Processing: CS 283, ES 250, ES 258, ES 293
• Design and Instrumentation: ES 227, ES 228, ES 259, ES 276, ES 277, ES 291, PHY 223
• Physiology and biology, 1-2 courses. Background in biological function that informs thesis research and prepares students for future research in bioengineering. Subject areas may range from molecular to cellular to organs to system-level anatomy and function. Typical courses include: ES 222, CELLBIO 304qc.

It is also worth noting that Harvard and MIT students may cross register for courses at either institution.

The Model Program provided above is intended to provide guidance and should not be construed as a requirement; students, in consultation with their advisor(s) , have the flexibility to construct any Ph.D. Program Plan that meets the overall PhD Program course requirements.

In Bioengineering

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Search Form

Biomedical engineering (phd), biomedical engineering , phd, applying for admission, standard requirements for all graduate programs.

• Application for Admission with $50 non-refundable application fee .

If International: Uploads must include all college- or university-level transcripts or mark sheets (records of courses and marks earned), with certificates, diplomas, and degrees plus certified English translations.

After admission: Official documents are required from all students who are admitted and enroll. Photocopies of certified records are not acceptable. International students enrolled in other U.S. institutions may have certified copies of all foreign records sent directly to the Office of Graduate Studies by their current school’s registrar office.

When sending TOEFL scores, our institution code is 6877 and a department code is not needed.

• If applicant is not a US citizen and expects an F or J visa: financial information .
• Applicants must also fulfill any additional requirements the department specifies at the time of application.

Program-Specific Admission Requirements

Additional requirements specific to this program.

• GRE General (optional)
• GRE Subject (optional)
• Personal Statement: Indicate within your personal statement the specific field of biomedical engineering in which you are interested. It is helpful (but not required) for your statement to describe how your interests relate to the areas of research of any faculty members you name as potential advisors in this form’s Faculty item.
• Coursework: Biomedical Engineering Prerequisite Coursework Form
• Faculty: Identify one or more faculty members in this department with whom you would like to work.

Admission Application Deadlines

For full funding consideration, students must choose Fall term and submit applications by January 15.

Biomedical Engineering

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment.

UNL Graduate Chairs and staff please complete the program update form to provide edits. Updates to graduate program pages are made on an annual basis in conjunction with the Graduate Application for Admission.

The University of North Texas (UNT) offers a unique PhD program in biomedical engineering (BMEN) to produce multi-faceted, new PhD graduates who will fulfill unmet healthcare-related, startup industry needs in the North Texas area specifically and the state of Texas in general.

The educational objectives of this PhD program are twofold:

• to prepare PhD graduates to conduct and continue research into new, unexplored fields that can revolutionize the healthcare-technology sector; and
• to educate PhD students on innovation, business knowledge, and technology transfer to enable them to create new and disruptive healthcare startups that can improve the quality of life for the people of Texas, the U.S., and the world.

Students will have the option of choosing one of two tracks:

• a traditional research track that enables them to get a graduate minor in another area, such as engineering or computer science or biology or performance arts health (music in medicine), with the added feature of organized training to teach after graduation; or
• a healthcare startup track that enables the students to take 4 courses in business, allied to startup management.

The BMEN department aims to educate our PhD students to become innovators of high-tech healthcare ventures of the future, which will increase the visibility of the DFW region, Texas, and the Nation, through technology translation, entrepreneurial endeavors and most importantly, job creation.

The PhD program will admit students with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering or related discipline. The admission criteria include:

• Undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher
• GRE of 305 (combined) or higher [GRE will be waived for UNT graduates and/or students graduating from an ABET accredited program]
• TOEFL and IELTS requirement will be same as MS degree for international students

For students with an MS degree in biomedical engineering or related discipline, the admission criteria include:

• MS GPA of 3.5 or higher
• GRE of 305 (combined) or higher (GRE will be waived for UNT graduates and/or students graduating from an ABET accredited program)

Research and academia track

Students embarking on this doctoral program will have a variety of sub-tracks or options to avail of. Students can choose any one of the following sub-tracks:

• Biomaterials
• Bioinstrumentation
• Biomechanics
• Biocomputing
• Biotechnology
• Music in Medicine

Accordingly, students may choose their electives (3) from one of the following: materials science and engineering (MTSE); electrical engineering (EE); mechanical engineering (MEEN); computer science (CS); biology (BIOL); performance arts health (MUPH) from the College of Music. Thus, students will get a graduate minor in any of these disciplines, in addition to their PhD degree. The graduate minor will enable students to gain a depth of knowledge in their area of research, thus making them valued subject matter experts. In addition, students will be required to take a course in instructional service or teaching practicum, that will prepare them for curriculum development and teaching courses in an effective manner. The degree plan is as follows:

Students entering with a bachelor’s degree

Students entering the biomedical engineering PhD with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering or a related engineering field complete the following for a minimum of 51 hours of course work.

Seminar, 3 hours

• BMEN 5940 - Biomedical Engineering Seminar (1 hour)
• BMEN 6940 - Biomedical Engineering Doctoral Seminar (2 hours)

BMEN focus area, 3 hours

Students take one course from any of the following areas:

BMEN electives, 15 hours

Five (5) BMEN graduate-level (5000-level) courses, to be determined by student and advisor.

Instructional service, 3 hours

Instructional service includes preparation for teaching an undergraduate BMEN course with instructional feedback and mentoring.

• BMEN 6920 - Instructional Service Component

Individual research, 6 hours minimum

Dissertation, 12 hours minimum, electives in sub-track, 9 hours.

Students take 9 graduate-level electives from a sub-track chosen from:

• Materials science and engineering (MTSE)
• Electrical engineering (EE)
• Mechanical engineering (MEEN)
• Computer science (CS)
• Biology (BIOL)
• Performing arts health (MUPH)
• Biomedical Engineering (BMEN)

Students entering with a master’s degree

Students entering the biomedical engineering PhD with a master’s degree in biomedical engineering or a related engineering field complete the following for a minimum of 41 hours of course work.

Seminar, 2 hours

• Instrumentation
• Nanotechnology

BMEN electives, 9 hours

Three (3) BMEN graduate-level (5000-level) courses, to be determined by the student and advisor.

Individual research, 3 hours minimum

Start-up management track.

Students embarking on this doctoral program will have the unique opportunity to take their innovative research and spin it off into a start-up company. Doctoral students will take relevant courses pertaining to creating and running a start-up company from the G. Brint Ryan College of Business. The courses will provide them with the knowledge and foundation necessary to embark on the path of entrepreneurship. In addition, students will be required to take a course in translational biomedical engineering that will prepare them on various aspects of translating their research into a start-up company. The degree plan is as follows:

Students entering the biomedical engineering PhD with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering or a related engineering field complete the following for a minimum of 54 hours of course work.

Translational biomedical engineering, 3 hours

• BMEN 6930 - Translational Biomedical Engineering

Ryan College of Business electives, 12 hours

Students take 12 hours of electives from the G. Brint Ryan College of Business.

Students entering the biomedical engineering PhD with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering or a related engineering field complete the following for a minimum of 44 hours of course work.

Additional requirements

In addition to credit hours requirements, PhD students must complete the following. 

Residence requirement

Students are required to enroll in at least 9 credit hours for two consecutive terms/semesters or in at least 6 credit hours for three consecutive terms/semesters.

Dissertation advisory committee formation

Students admitted to the PhD program will be required to form a committee comprising a BMEN faculty advisor and 3 other committee members (BMEN faculty). Students on the start-up track will need to include an additional advisor from industry. The BMEN department will suggest names for the industry advisor.

PhD qualifying requirements

Biomedical engineering core courses need to be completed with a grade of B or better. An oral PhD qualifying examination is conducted by the student’s dissertation advisory committee to ensure the research readiness of the student. All students will be required to complete their qualifying exam within one year of joining the program. The qualifying exam will be determined by the BMEN advisor and the committee. Students will also be required to make an oral presentation on their research plans.

Students who fail the qualifying exam will get one more opportunity to pass their qualifying exam. Failure in both attempts will result in the student being discontinued from the PhD program.

Dissertation proposal defense

An oral dissertation proposal defense is conducted by the doctoral candidate’s dissertation advisory committee. The dissertation proposal defense must be conducted at least six months before the dissertation defense.

Dissertation defense

An oral dissertation defense is conducted by the doctoral candidate’s dissertation advisory committee. Students must apply for graduation prior to the defense of the dissertation. Graduation information and deadlines are available from the   Toulouse Graduate School .

Engineering on Tap featuring Karen Moxon and Jonathon Schofield

Event Date Tue, Jun 25, 2024 @ 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Join us for an evening of networking, learning and a cold drink at Engineering on Tap—a series designed to connect engineering alumni with each other and the college.

Our spring quarter event will showcase how your College of Engineering is advancing human health through innovative, multidisciplinary research in collaboration with the UC Davis Health System. Learn how our faculty leverage their partnerships with UC Davis Health to pursue cutting-edge research and improve the health of all.

Featuring presentations from Karen Moxon, founding co-director emerita of the Center for Neuroengineering and Medicine and biomedical engineering professor, and Jonathon Schofield, principal investigator for the BEAR Lab and mechanical and aerospace engineering professor.

This is a free event and includes light refreshments and one drink ticket per UC Davis alumni attendee.

[RSVP Today]

About Professor Karen Moxon

Dr. Moxon has conducted groundbreaking research in neuroengineering, developing computational approaches to study the encoding of sensory and motor information. An important focus of her work is the impact of neural injury on the representation of information in the brain. Early in her career, she contributed to the first demonstration of a closed-loop, real-time brain-machine interface system in a rat model that was quickly translated to non-human primates and, more recently, to humans with neurological disorders. This work has spurred an entirely new discipline within neuroengineering that has had a global impact. Dr. Moxon maintains an active research program, combining signal processing and the development of neural interface devices with computational approaches to study how changes in neural encoding contribute to recovery of function after spinal cord injury.

Professor Moxon is a IEEE Senior Member.

About Professor Jonathon Schofield  

Dr. Schofield works to improve user acceptance and promote the seamless integration of humans and assistive medical devices, leveraging techniques in bio-robotic control and feedback, sensory-motor neural interfaces, and cognitive-perceptual neurosciences. The Schofield lab performs interdisciplinary research at the interface of mechanical and electrical engineering, neurosciences and rehabilitation medicine to address unmet clinical needs and understand how humans engage with intelligent technologies such as robotic prostheses and powered exoskeleton orthoses, among many others.