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Bioengineering PhD

Bioengineering PhD

Earn 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Bioengineering PhD and pursue research that will establish you as an expert within the field. Develop the expertise to uncover new insights, innovate new products or expand the leading-edge of knowledge in the field of bioengineering.

The program is defined by a strong emphasis on translational medicine—always pushing to ensure evidence-based conclusions reach the clinical testing stage and, if confirmed, added to treatment protocols.ÌýThe college offers you many research areas to explore, pivoting around advances in biological imaging, biomaterials and injury biomechanics, neuroengineering, stem- and cancer-cell engineering, synthesis and properties of biomaterials, targeted drug delivery, tissue regeneration, and more.  

Doctoral candidates have pursued their research with collaborators 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s , , , and .Ìý

Your progress is fostered by state-of-the-art lab facilities and the support of a small engineering community with an intimate learning atmosphere.

Most courses and lab work occur during the day, but you may take evening classes to complete the program’s didactic coursework.

Completion Requirements

Completion requirements depend on whether you enter the doctoral program with a master’s degree.

  • If you have a master’s degree, you must complete 15 credits of PhD-level didactic coursework and 15 credits of PhD exams and dissertation research, for a total of 30 credits.
  • If you only have a bachelor’s degree, you must complete 45 credits of master’s- and PhD-level coursework and 15 credits of PhD exams and dissertation research, for a total of 60 credits. See the Admissions section below for more information.

Between didactic coursework, dissertation research and examinations, the PhD can take four or five years, depending on your trajectory and project interests. You have up to seven years to complete your degree.

There are three major pieces of culminating work for the PhD.

  • Preliminary examination: This exam evaluates your communication, information-synthesis and research skills.
  • Dissertation proposal: Research and write your proposal, and present it at an open college seminar.
  • Dissertation writing and defense: Present and defend your dissertation in front of a dissertation committee.
Bioengineering students in a lab

Classes & Curriculum

The coursework you complete will be selected in consultation with your research advisor and doctoral advisory committee and follow the outline of your plan of study.

See a full list of courses for the PhD in Bioengineering.

PhDs Awarded

For the academic year 2015–2016, the Department of Bioengineering awarded five PhDs.

Related Graduate Degrees

Labs & Research

As a Bioengineering graduate student, you’ll have access to cutting-edge equipment and faculty conducting research funded through grants from organizations such as the American Heart Association, the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and others, in areas including

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  • imaging and optical spectroscopy,
  • injury biomechanics,
  • neuroengineering,
  • neuromechanics of locomotion,
  • regenerative tissue engineering,
  • stem and cancer cell engineering, and
  • targeted drug delivery.

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Research Funding

The College of Engineering had more than $14 million in active research in 2016–2017. With external support from prestigious organizations including the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Navy and the American Heart Association, faculty members of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s College of Engineering are engaging in advanced research. Graduate students will find multiple opportunities to partner with faculty on innovative projects and perform experiments.Ìý.

In 2016, the National Science Foundation placed 51³Ô¹ÏÍø among the top 100 in terms of research expenditures, which amounted to $242 million. .

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s commitment to access and affordability, this Doctor of Philosophy offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2025–2026 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $1,374.00 per credit
Out-of-state: $1,803.00 per credit

You can view the full .

Additional Program Information