biomedical engineering phd topics

Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering

A Ph.D. is for those who know they want to pursue a research career in academia, industry, or government, although there are many additional career paths for Ph.D. graduates.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biomedical Engineering is a mentored opportunity to become an expert on a specific research topic and train for a career involving independent research.  This means identifying a void in knowledge with your Ph.D. advisor and Ph.D. Committee members, devising a plan to fill the void rigorously and executing that plan all the way through analysis, interpretation and transmission of results to the broader scientific community.  The Ph.D. dissertation communicates the gap in knowledge by synthesizing the existing literature, fills the gap with interpretable and actionable results and discusses the broader implications and future directions of the research topic. 

The Ph.D. degree requires 24 graded credits of course work past the bachelor’s degree, plus two ELECTIVE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES (EEEs). The timeline for a Ph.D. depends on research progress and the choice to pursue intervening activities, such as laboratory rotations and PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS .  Normally, Ph.D. candidates defend their dissertation in 5–6 years. 

All Ph.D. students are supported with full tuition, fees, health insurance, and a stipend. These are paid by graduate research assistantships from the sponsoring laboratory, graduate teaching assistantships, predoctoral FELLOWSHIPS secured independently by the student, departmental and institutional fellowships, and TRAINING GRANTS from the NIH and other federal agencies, and private sector and foundation support.  A Ph.D. is for those who know they want to pursue a research career in academia, industry, or government, although there are ADDITIONAL CAREER PATHS that Ph.D. graduates can take.

The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only.  The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements. These publications may be found here .

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Biomedical Engineering and Physiology Track

Excellent research infrastructure.

including core facilities and experts in biostatistics and bioinformatics

active faculty members across 10 departments who are dedicated to this program

Guaranteed 5-year internal fellowship

includes full tuition, stipend and benefits

The human body is complex and fragile, at risk of developing any number of conditions like joint disease or nerve or muscle injury. As we age, body tissues break down and lose vital functions. Through studying the human body to understand how it works, biomedical scientist teams of engineers, clinicians and other scientists are at the front lines developing novel approaches to treat and prevent human illness.

The Biomedical Engineering and Physiology Track within the Ph.D. Program at Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Science is built on a foundation of world-renowned research programs and courses with real-world relevance. Collaboration with faculty and clinicians from a wide variety of disciplines provide you with the support and guidance you need to succeed.

As a student, you’ll have several areas of emphasis to choose from:

• Biomechanics. Biomechanics involves the study of structure and function of biological systems and artificial tissue interactions using the principles of mechanics, material science and physiology. Some of the methods used include tissue scaffolding, materials testing, mechanical modeling, imaging of motion and joint mechanics. Examples of recent projects include study of fracture mechanics in aging vertebrae, measurement of passive muscle stiffness in children with cerebral palsy, modeling of cartilage regrowth and postural analysis of wheelchair users.
• Biomedical imaging. Biomedical imaging advances the design and application of imaging techniques to improve disease diagnosis and staging, as well as treatment planning, delivery and assessment. The faculty and students at Mayo work in many modalities, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, positron emission tomography (PET), radiation therapy and molecular breast imaging, as well as image processing and visualization and imaging informatics. Relationships with industry allow access to the latest medical imaging technology before it is commercially available, and techniques developed here are often licensed by industry for use in future products.
• Molecular biophysics and biosensing. Molecular biophysics and biosensing applies principles of physics, chemistry and mathematics to study biomolecules that underlie function of cells, organs and organisms. Research interests include the structure and function of proteins and protein assemblies in live cells and model organisms with applications to ion channels, transporters, molecular motors, and biosensing technologies. Strengths in basic and translational research include monitoring single biomolecule function in real time, linking protein dynamic motions to disease phenotypes, and biophysical and computational characterization of small molecule effectors targeting protein function in models of human diseases.
• Physiology. Physiology addresses complex biological systems from molecular and cellular to tissue and organismal principles that govern their function. An assortment of novel and state-of-the-art techniques and tools are used to investigate the mechanisms of diseases and novel pathways with therapeutic potential, as well as the engineering tools necessary to develop and optimize tissue and organ regeneration. Physiology at Mayo integrates basic, clinical and translational research that builds on a strong tradition of "bench-to-bedside" and "bedside-to-bench" investigation. Studies are conducted on cell, tissue and animal models, including humans in the lab setting and even in the course of living their daily lives using innovative remote physiological monitoring tools.

The Biomedical Engineering and Physiology curriculum is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in your research and future career. The curriculum focuses on an integrative approach to learning by applying engineering concepts in the context of physiological systems.

During the first year of study, all students complete the BMEP core curriculum designed to provide you with a firm foundation in biomedical engineering and physiology concepts. Core courses include:

• Physiology: From Cell to Organism
• Mathematics in Biomedical Engineering and Physiology
• Introduction to Medical Imaging
• Biomechanics
• Bio-instrumentation and Signal Processing
• Molecular Biophysics

You then move on to more advanced courses that are directly related to your chosen research project.

During the first year, you’ll complete small research projects in three different laboratories. These lab rotations are set up to help you select a thesis adviser based on your scientific interests and goals.

Qualifying exams consisting of both a written and oral component are completed at the end of the first year and during the second year, respectively.

After completing the curriculum and passing the qualifying exam, you’ll focus on your thesis research.

You’re encouraged to apply for external funding and to attend and present at national and international scientific meetings. Effective communication is an essential skill, and our curriculum is designed to develop and enhance both oral and written communication proficiency. You’ll have the opportunity to present in the classroom, weekly seminars, lab meetings and small group tutorials, as well as at scientific meetings.

You’ll assemble a thesis committee made up of experts from Mayo Clinic and other institutions that facilitate and guide your education and research. Reflecting the collaborative and highly interdisciplinary environment at Mayo, most thesis committees are made up of researchers and clinicians from a variety of departments.

I’ve had a number of mentors within the program, and each of them has had their own style. From daily walking chats to monthly talks over froyo, or physically dismantling and rebuilding equipment — each mentor has elevated my educational and research experiences at Mayo. My mentors have shown me that Mayo values me, and I have never felt embarrassed to come to any of them with questions or concerns.

Victoria Marks Ph.D. student, Biomedical Engineering and Physiology Track

I appreciate the freedom the graduate school endows us with. I wanted to work on microbiology and molecular biology, but coming from a quantitative background, math and engineering education was important to me. The school was supportive on this. Even though I’m a Biomedical Engineering and Physiology student, I was given the liberty to choose a lab in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology/Clinical and Translational Science department for my thesis.

Gabriel Martinez Galvez Ph.D. student, Biomedical Engineering and Physiology Track

Recent thesis topics

• “Xenogeneic small diameter vein extracellular matrix scaffolds for use in vascular diseases,” Manuela Lopera Higuita, Ph.D. (Mentor: Leigh Griffiths, Ph.D.)
• “A Hardware and Software Approach to Facilitate Genome Engineering,” Gabriel Martinez Galvez, Ph.D. (Mentor: Stephen Ekker, Ph.D.)
• “Pulmonary Congestion and Exercise Intolerance in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction,” Caitlin Fermoyle, Ph.D. (Mentor: Bruce Johnson, Ph.D.)
• “Epigenetic mechanisms regulating lung fibroblast activation,” Dakota Jones, Ph.D. (Mentor: Daniel Tschumperlin, Ph.D.)
• “Evaluation of Motor Output Selectivity During Epidural and Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation,” Jonathan Calvert, Ph.D. (Mentor: Kendall Lee, M.D., Ph.D.)
• “An investigation towards understanding how the brain affects anterior cruciate ligament injury risk,” April McPherson, Ph.D. (Mentor: Clifton R. Haider, Ph.D.)
• “A method for quantifying body composition from abdominal CT using deep neural networks,” Alexander Weston, Ph.D. (Mentor: Bradley Erickson, M.D., Ph.D.)
• “Advances in Multi-Parametric Prostate MRI,” Soudabeh Kargar, Ph.D. (Mentor: Stephen Riederer, Ph.D.)
• “A comprehensive Description of Independent Function of Adults with Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injuries,” Christina Webber, Ph.D. (Mentor: Kenton Kaufman, Ph.D.)
• “Characterization and control of neurotransmitter release and its implications for closed-loop neuromodulation therapies,” James Trevathan, Ph.D. (Mentor: J. Luis Lujan, Ph.D., M.S.)
• “Functional Impact of Phrenic Motor Neuron Loss,” Obaid Khurram, Ph.D. (Mentor: Carlos Mantilla, M.D., Ph.D.)
• “The Effect of Healthy Aging on Pulmonary Vascular Function," Kirsten E. Coffman, Ph.D. (Mentor: Bruce D. Johnson, Ph.D.)
• "Characterization of the Anisotropic and Nonlinear Properties of the Kidney Using Shear Wave Elastography," Sara Aristizabal, Ph.D. (Mentor: Matthew Urban, Ph.D.)
• "Targeting Motoneurons Using Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles," Maria Gonzalez, Ph.D. (Mentor: Carlos Mantilla, M.D., Ph.D.)
• "Shear Wave Elastography with a Continuously Vibrating Probe," Daniel Mellema, Ph.D. (Mentor: Shigao Chen, Ph.D.)
• "The Impact of Pulmonary Congestion on Lung Structure and Function in Heart Failure," Steven C. Chase, Ph.D. (Mentor: Bruce D. Johnson, Ph.D.)
• "Characterization of Relative Biological Effectiveness (RBE) for Proton Therapy in Human Cancer Cell Lines," Michelle E. Howard, Ph.D. (Mentor: Michael G. Herman, Ph.D.)
• "Artifact Correction for High-Performance MRI Gradient Systems," Shengzhen Tao, Ph.D. (Mentor: Matt A. Bernstein, Ph.D.)
• "Engineered Esophageal Regeneration," Johnathon M. Aho, Ph.D. (Mentor: Daniel J. Tschumperlin, Ph.D.)
• "Advancing Skeletal Muscle Force Assessment Using Animal and Human Models," Loribeth Q. Evertz, Ph.D. (Mentor: Kenton R. Kaufman, Ph.D.)
• "Electrophysiologic Biomarkers of Epileptogenic Brain," Brent M. Berry, Ph.D. (Mentors: Gregory Worrell, M.D., Ph.D., and Gary Sieck, Ph.D.)
• "Cellular Mechanisms of Cardiac Contractile Dysfunction in Response to Hypothermia and Rewarming," Niccole Schaible, Ph.D. (Mentor: Gary Sieck, Ph.D.)
• "Accurate Quantification of Percent Area Luminal Stenosis Using Material Decomposition and a Whole-Body Research Photon Counting Multi-Energy CT System," Zhoubo Li, Ph.D. (Mentor: Cynthia H. McCollough, Ph.D.)
• "Investigation of Motor Control Through Simultaneous Measurement of Force, Electromyography, and Intramuscular Pressure," Shanette Go, Ph.D. (Mentor: Kenton R. Kaufman, Ph.D.)

Your future

Many former Biomedical Engineering and Physiology students now hold faculty positions at leading universities (Stanford, Vanderbilt, Tulane, Ohio State, Washington University, University of Southern California and Mayo Clinic) and leadership positions in industry (General Electric, Siemens, Philips and Merck) and government (National Institutes of Health and Food and Drug Administration). Two are currently presidents of small companies.

Meet the leadership team

Welcome to our Biomedical Engineering and Physiology Track. Faculty in this track have a passion for student learners, extensive and innovative research expertise and laboratory staff, and cutting-edge equipment and facilities. This program provides a dynamic learning environment that emphasizes problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills.

The needs of the learner are met at Mayo Clinic through our integrated educational environment, built up upon collaboration across world-class education, research, and clinical teams who collaborate to solve complex medical issues across a spectrum from basic science studies to clinical trial.

Kristin Zhao, Ph.D. Director, Biomedical Engineering and Physiology Program Director, Assistive and Restorative Technology Laboratory Director, Spinal Cord Injury Research Program Senior Associate Consultant II, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiology and Biomedical Engineering [email protected] See research interests.

Leigh Griffiths, Ph.D., MRCVS Assistant Program Director, Biomedical Engineering and Physiology Consultant, Department of Cardiovascular Diseases Consultant, Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering Professor of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine [email protected]   See research interests.

Browse a list of Biomedical Engineering and Physiology Track faculty members

Biomedical Engineering and Physiology track: Student research profiles

These are a few of our featured student research profiles in the Biomedical Engineering and Physiology track. Students share their research journeys and future plans. See all student research in Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

Sydney Gorman Hillan: Exploring psychiatric effects of DBS for Parkinson’s disease

My research used several methods, such as computational modeling, to study changes in anxiety.

Lydia Bardwell Speltz: Student tests cutting-edge compact MRI technology

I studied MRI technology, particularly the usefulness of a new, compact 3T MRI scanner, which is currently only used for research.

Tory Marks: A student’s approach to real-time seizure detection

The goal of my thesis project was to develop and validate tools for tracking the signs and symptoms of epilepsy.

Bioengineering PhD

Bioengineering is an interdisciplinary program where students are free to collaborate and interact closely with other labs as well as with centers and schools across the Harvard engineering and medical campuses. You will learn how bioengineering integrates fundamental engineering disciplines such as thermodynamics and fluid mechanics with the physical and life sciences while drawing on mathematics and computational sciences. This convergence will enable you to understand the operation of living systems that leads to the design of novel solutions to address critical problems in medicine and biology.

Bioengineers at Harvard are making advances in bio-inspired robotics and computing, biometrics and motor control, cell and tissue engineering, biomaterials, and therapeutics. Examples of projects current and past students have worked on include embedding stretchable nanoelectronics into brain organoids to study brain development and developing injectable clotting agents to reduce blood loss.

Graduate education is focused on individualized programs tailored to the interests, needs, and background of the student. Students are integral to the interdisciplinary and integrated approach to design, discovery and innovation. As such, students from diverse technical backgrounds are encouraged and welcomed to join us. We seek to identify and attract the most promising students to form a dynamic and diverse community, and to shape them into visionary scholars, innovative educators, and creative leaders.

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PhD in Bioengineering Degree

Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences offers a  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D)  degree in Engineering Sciences: Bioengineering , conferred through the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Doctoral students may earn the masters degree en route to the Ph.D.  Prospective students apply through the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate of School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS). In the online application, select “Engineering and Applied Sciences” as your program choice and select “PhD Engineering Sciences: Bioengineering” in the area of study menu.

The Bioengineering program does not offer an independent Masters Degree.

Bioengineering PhD Career Paths

Graduates of the program have gone on to a range of careers in industry in companies like McKinsey & Company and Medtronic. Others have positions in academia at MIT, Vanderbilt, and Stanford.

Admissions & Academic Requirements

Please review the  admissions requirements and other information  before applying. Prospective students apply through the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate of School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS). In the online application, select “Engineering and Applied Sciences” as your program choice and select “PhD Engineering Sciences: Bioengineering” in the area of study menu. Our website also provides  admissions guidance ,  program-specific requirements , and a  PhD program academic timeline .

Academic Background

Applicants typically have bachelor’s degrees in the natural sciences, mathematics, computer science, or engineering. 

Standardized Tests

GRE General: Not Accepted

Bioengineering Faculty & Research Areas

View a list of our  Bioengineering faculty  and  Bioengineering affiliated research areas . Please note that faculty members listed as “Affiliates" or "Lecturers" cannot serve as the primary research advisor.

• Centers & Initiatives

View a list of the  research centers & initiatives at SEAS  and the  Bioengineering faculty engagement with these entities .

Graduate Student Clubs

Graduate student clubs and organizations bring students together to share topics of mutual interest. These clubs often serve as an important adjunct to course work by sponsoring social events and lectures. Graduate student clubs are supported by the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin School of Arts and Sciences. Explore the list of active clubs and organizations .

Funding and Scholarship

Learn more about financial support for PhD students.

• How to Apply

Learn more about how to apply  or review frequently asked questions for prospective graduate students.

In Bioengineering

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PhD in Biomedical Engineering

Learn more about the PhD program offered by the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis.

Students pursuing a doctorate in biomedical engineering at Washington University in St. Louis will pursue research in one of seven interdisciplinary research programs that represent frontier areas of biomedical engineering and leverage strengths of our faculty and resources.

Our core faculty and more than 100 affiliated faculty work together in interdisciplinary research centers and pathways offering students the opportunity to learn in a diverse and rich spectrum of biomedical engineering research areas.

Students pursuing the PhD in biomedical engineering must complete a core curriculum, fulfill a distribution requirement, satisfactorily complete two research rotations, pass the qualifying examination, pass the thesis proposal, complete the teaching requirement, have one accepted first-author publication, submit a second article to a peer-reviewed journal, and complete a research dissertation.

Full Support & Funding

Our PhD students are fully funded, including full tuition support and health and dental insurance. As a doctoral candidate, you will also receive a generous stipend to cover living expenses. This support is guaranteed as you continue to make satisfactory progress towards your degree.

Joint MD/PhD Program

The MD/PhD in biomedical engineering, given jointly with the top-ranked School of Medicine, gives students in-depth training in modern biomedical research and clinical medicine. The typical MD/PhD career combines patient care and biomedical research but leans toward research.

Students pursuing the combined MD/PhD in biomedical engineering must complete the degree requirements for both schools. MD/PhD students typically complete the first two years of the medical school pre-clinical curriculum while performing one or more research rotations, then the remaining requirements for the doctoral degree, and finally the clinical training years of the medical degree. The department generally gives graduate course credits for some of the medical school courses toward fulfillment of course requirements for the PhD degree. This is arranged on an individual basis between the student, his or her academic adviser and the director of doctoral studies.

The doctoral degree requires a minimum of 72 credits beyond the bachelor's level, with a minimum of 36 consisting of course credits (including the core curriculum) and a minimum of 24 credits of doctoral dissertation research.

The core curriculum that must be satisfied by all PhD students consists of the following:

• One graduate-level course in life sciences
• One graduate-level course in mathematics
• One graduate-level course in computer science or exemption by proficiency
• Four BME courses from the approved list

The core requirements represent six to seven courses, with a total of nine graduate courses required for the PhD. Up to nine units of BME 601C Research Rotation and/or BME 501C Graduate Seminar may be counted towards the 36 units of graduate coursework required for the PhD. Up to two 400-level courses may be counted towards the nine courses of graduate coursework required for the PhD (not including independent study courses, journal clubs or seminar-based courses).

Each entering student is guided by the director of Doctoral Studies. The director will help in the selection of courses and in the selection rotations with the aim of matching an individual's research interests with those of a research mentor.

As a student progresses through the doctoral program, the adviser's role is replaced by the dissertation mentor to reflect the increasing focus on an area of specialization. By the time research is completed, students will have assembled an advisory group consisting of their dissertation committee.

Research Rotations

Research rotations serve three important purposes:

• Provide an opportunity for each student to be exposed to different areas of biomedical engineering research. This broadening experience, prior to the subsequent necessary specialization, should prove to be useful as their careers develop.
• Serve as an introduction for both students and potential research mentors for the long-term affiliation that is associated with a doctoral dissertation research.
• The field of research represented in one rotation report serves as the basis for the qualifying examination.

While also enrolled in classes, within the first year of matriculation, students are required to complete one, two or three research rotations — each typically lasting one semester — by the end of their first full year of enrollment. The rotations can be performed under the mentorship of any of the graduate group faculty — core BME faculty and affiliated faculty. A written report, co-signed by the rotation mentor signifying completion of the rotation, is required at the end of each rotation. A third rotation early in the summer is optional.

Qualifying Exam and Thesis Proposal

No later than the end of the first year of enrollment in the doctoral program, students are required to take and pass both written and oral qualifying examinations. The written portion consists of one of the rotation reports, while the oral portion covers the fields of research encompassed by the research done in the rotation.

A written and oral thesis proposal normally should be completed within two years of completion of the qualifying exam. The thesis committee must meet annually, however, so the thesis committee must be formed within one year of passing the qualifying exam. The members of the thesis committee may change as the research topic evolves.

Doctoral students serve as assistants to instructors for one semester after they have passed their qualifying examinations. Those desiring an academic career are strongly encouraged to spend at least one additional semester (with the permission of their thesis mentor) as an assistant to instructors in one of the department's courses.

Dissertation Research

After the thesis proposal is approved, no later than two years after successfully completing the qualifying examination, dissertation research occupies the bulk of the student's effort. Upon completion of the dissertation, students will defend the dissertation. At the time of the defense, the student will have acceptance of one first-author paper and submission of a second manuscript in a peer-reviewed journal. After this defense, presentation to and acceptance by the registrar's office of the final dissertation completes the degree requirements.

Performance Review, Probation and Dismissal

All students in the PhD program are expected to satisfy the academic performance requirements of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, which can be found in the Graduate School Bulletin's General Requirements section.

In addition, all doctoral students are expected to satisfy the department's additional academic performance requirements, which are described as written in the " Policies and Regulations Governing Doctoral Students in the Department of Biomedical Engineering " manual.

Department-specific criteria for satisfactory academic progress are available to view or download online .

Students can use the PhD worksheet to keep track of their course requirements.

All doctoral students are required to attend a weekly research seminar sponsored by the department (or with permission, an affiliated department), which is a pass/fail course carrying zero or one unit. Up to three units of BME 501C: Graduate Seminar may be counted towards the 36 units course requirement. These seminars provide exposure to state-of-the-art research by scientists both within and outside of WashU. Regular attendance over the duration of a student's tenure provides an invaluable educational experience.

To record seminar attendance

To turn in your critique and copy of the research paper.

• Send an email message to  [email protected]
• Last-name, First-initial_Seminar-Critique_Semester-year
• Last-name, First initial_Seminar-Research-Paper_Semester-year

The seminar critique is a two-page critique of a research paper (not a review article) written by one of the seminar speakers. The seminar research paper is a research paper (not a review article) written by one of the seminar speakers.

Journal Clubs

Many laboratories sponsor a journal club, whose purpose is to critically analyze recent journal publications of interest to investigators in that field. Students and postdoctoral fellows conducting research in that laboratory, as well as those who are rotating through that laboratory, are required to attend these sessions. Generally, a student volunteers to read and present a recent paper of wide interest. Questions from faculty and other students bring out the significance of the paper's findings and possible weaknesses in its arguments.

Journal Club is an important stepping stone as a student moves into the research phase of their doctoral program. In particular, it provides excellent preparation for the dissertation defense.

Start your PhD application

General questions [email protected]

Jin-Yu Shao Director of Doctoral Studies [email protected]

Jai Rudra Associate Director of Doctoral Studies [email protected]

Miri Voigt Graduate Program Coordinator [email protected]

Kim Simpson Graduate Program Advisor [email protected]

BME Graduate Policy Book

PhD Forms (McKelvey School of Engineering)

BME PhD Qualifying Exam Committee Form

BME PhD MTE Pt 1

BME PhD MTE Pt 2

BME PhD Annual Progress Report

BME PhD Independent Study Approval

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 application deadline for the School of Medicine Biomedical Engineering PhD program is December 1 of each year. We typically recruit students in seven broad areas that match the research strengths within the BME department: Biomedical Data Science, Computational Medicine, Genomics and Systems Biology, Imaging and Medical Devices, Immunoengineering, Neuroengineering, and Translational Cell and Tissue Engineering. Applicants do not have to fit into one of these areas, and much of the best research comes from interdisciplinary work. However, these areas help students identify faculty who match their research interests and form part of their community after they matriculate.

BME students come from a wide variety of academic and research backgrounds, but a typical BME thesis project involves applying engineering or quantitative approaches to address biological or health related questions. Therefore, students who apply to our program should have a strong background in engineering, physics, or mathematics as well as a sufficient experience in chemistry and biology.

The admission process is led by committees organized by the focus areas listed above. Applicants should specify the area (or areas) in which they are most interested and describe their future research goals. Each application is reviewed holistically, with emphasis placed on research experience, the personal statement, letters of recommendation, and how well the candidate's goals and interests fit with those of the program. Faculty in each area vote and rank the applicants in the initial selection round, and the final pool of applicants is ranked and voted on by the entire admissions committee following the interview process.

Applications must be submitted and complete by the application deadline. To be considered for review, a complete application must include:

• A complete and submitted online application: https://www.bme.jhu.edu/johns-hopkins-biomedical-engieering/apply/. 
• Transcripts from each college or university attended —Applicants may upload unofficial 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 the School of Medicine's Office of Graduate Biomedical Education via mail or email ( [email protected] ).
• Three letters of recommendation —Letters of recommendation should come from faculty members who are acquainted with the applicant's academic work and/or research. These letters should include comments on the applicant's aptitude and promise for independent research.
• Personal Statement —A typewritten personal statement (one page maximum) indicating the basis of the applicant's interest in graduate study and their career objectives. Applicants should include discussion of any previous research and mention which faculty they would be most interested in working with and why. A separate personal statement describing how the applicant's life experiences or identity shaped their goals is optional.

C.V. —A current C.V. summarizing the applicant's academic, professional, and research experience.

TOEFL scores —For international students only; the TOEFL requirement is waived for applicants who completed their degree  at an institution that used English as the primary language of instruction.

Application fee —Information on requesting a fee waiver can be found on the School of Medicine website: https:// www.hopkinsmedicine.org/som/education-programs/graduateprograms/admissions/on-campus-programs.

GRE scores are now optional . Read more about our application requirements and GRE policy here: https://www.bme.jhu.edu/ academics/graduate/phd-program/apply-to-the-phd-program 

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 

Students interested in applying who do not have the prerequisite course experience may want to include in their application an explanatory note indicating any plans to fulfill the prerequisites before the start of the PhD program should their application be accepted. Courses taken at any accredited college or university are acceptable. Each applicant must have received a B.A. or B.S. degree or its equivalent prior to matriculation. A Master's degree is not required for admission to our program.

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.

Interviews:  The admissions committee will review completed applications and invites elected applicants to interview with our faculty by phone, Zoom, or similar virtual platforms. Applicants must complete the interview process to be considered for admission, and final admissions decisions will be made from the pool of interviewed applicants. Interview invitations will be sent out to applicants via email in January and interviews will be conducted in January or early February. Selected students will be invited to an in-person campus visit in late February or early March to meet current faculty and graduate students, as well as learn more about the program and the Hopkins BME environment.

Offers and Acceptance:  Applicants will be notified via email in March, or earlier, if possible, with the outcome of their application. The BME PhD program extends two types of offers: rotation offers and direct-match offers. The only difference between the offer types is how the student chooses their thesis lab; all other aspects of the program are the same for all BME students. Students who receive a direct-match offer typically join a specific research lab from day one, while students who receive a rotation offer are able to rotate in their choice of labs before selecting a thesis lab by the end of their first year.

A full offer of admission to the program will include a yearly stipend, full tuition, matriculation fee, medical and dental insurance and paid health benefits for children and some spouses. This applies to all admitted students regardless of citizenship or offer type. The deadline to accept an offer of admission is 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.