PhD Biomedical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University

Programme overview

The PhD in Biomedical Engineering centers on original, independent thesis research, with first-year research setting the theme for the Qualifying Examination. Students who pass the exam are formally accepted as PhD candidates, and the dissertation must be completed within six years of passing it.

Faculty: College of Engineering | Department: Biomedical Engineering | Duration: Direct Entry: most graduate in 4-5 years; Advanced Entry (approved MS): many in no more than 4 years; most students graduate within 5 years | Intake: Fall (deadline December 1) and Spring (August 31) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Pittsburgh, PA, United States

What you will study

Direct Entry students complete at least 84 units of coursework and Advanced Entry students 42 units, covering at least three of five core areas (physiology and cellular/molecular biology, biomaterials and tissue engineering, biomechanics, biomedical imaging and bioinformatics, neuroengineering) with courses of 9 units or more. All students attend the BME Seminar each semester and complete three semesters of teaching assistantship. Milestones are the Qualifying Examination at the start of year two and the Proposal Examination within the first three years.

Career pathways

Students may add the optional PhD Certificate in Engineering Management, Leadership, and Innovation to prepare for industry leadership roles.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

BME department (MS and PhD): bachelor's degree in engineering, science or a related field with strong quantitative skills or a life sciences background; the GRE is optional with no GPA cut-off. Three letters of recommendation and a Statement of Purpose are required; fee $75. Non-native English speakers submit TOEFL iBT 86 overall (Reading 22, Listening 22, Speaking 20, Writing 22, single test date, MyBest not accepted), IELTS 7.0, or Duolingo 105 (Literacy 105, Comprehension 115, Production 70, Conversation 96); scores valid two years; waived for applicants who earned a prior US degree. PhD Fall deadline December 1; Spring August 31. PhD admission is selective and funded positions in the applicant's area matter. Funded students receive tuition, fees and a stipend for the period in the offer letter.

Requirements published at program group level.

Intake: Fall (deadline December 1) and Spring (August 31)

Duration: Direct Entry: most graduate in 4-5 years; Advanced Entry (approved MS): many in no more than 4 years

Apply through the official page: https://www.cmu.edu/graduate/prospective/index.html

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