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Bioengineering, Doctor of Philosophy
This doctoral degree provides advanced training in research and technology development through focused coursework, extensive research experience, and industry collaboration. In this program, students will join a new generation of industry leaders, scientists, and engineers who will be uniquely trained to embrace opportunities in the Bioengineering field. The goal of this degree is to foster interdisciplinary, collaborative, and transformative research that lies between traditional science and engineering sub-disciplines. The program promotes professional development by emphasizing excellence in research and effective communication of ideas and findings.
The program focuses on biomaterials and biomechanics with emphases in informatics and computing and biophysics. Advanced research facilities available to doctoral students in the program include the Center for Bioengineering Innovation (CBI) and the Imaging & Histology Core Facility (IHCF), as well as industrial collaborations in Flagstaff, the state of Arizona, and nationwide.
Requirements Accordion Open
To receive a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses, from one or more disciplines, ranging from at least 60 - 109 units of graduate-level courses. Most plans require research, a dissertation, and comprehensive exams. All plans have residency requirements regarding time spent on the Flagstaff campus engaged in full-time study.
The full policy can be viewed here.
Overview Accordion Closed
In addition to University Requirements:
- Complete individual plan requirements.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 60 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Required |
| Dissertation | Dissertation is required. |
| Comprehensive Exam | Comprehensive Exam is required. |
| Oral Defense | Oral Defense is required. |
| Research | Individualized research is required. |
Purpose Statement
The Bioengineering Program is uniquely broad in its objectives, as we envision that the majority of graduates from this program will fill the demand for leadership in industrial research and development. The purpose of the program is to significantly expand NAU’s research strengths in the areas of biomaterials and biomechanics research, while building capacity for basic research in the life sciences to be translated into engineering solutions in the biotechnology sector. Students will build skills and knowledge through formal course work and an original dissertation project. The goal is to foster students’ abilities to identify and synthesize fundamental principles of bioengineering and apply them to complex problems.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will build skills and knowledge through formal course work and an original dissertation project. The goal is to foster students’ abilities to identify and synthesize fundamental principles of bioengineering and apply them to complex problems. NAU graduates with a PhD in Bioengineering will be able to:
- Critical Thinking
- Apply graduate level critical thinking skills to formulate and solve advanced bioengineering problems
- Disaggregate, reformulate and adapt principal ideas, techniques and/or methods to solve advanced bioengineering problems.
- Solve advanced bioengineering problems by articulating the problem’s significant challenges, identifying and elucidating the relationships between theory and practice for problem resolution; and explore and/or implement approaches that synthesize ideas and methods to address the problem/challenge.
- Apply graduate level critical thinking skills to formulate and solve advanced bioengineering problems
- Interdisciplinarity
- Integrate information, data, techniques, tools, perspectives, concepts, and/or theories from two or more disciplines to advance fundamental understanding or to solve problems whose solutions are beyond the scope of a single discipline or area of research practice.
- Research Design and Execution
- Independently and creatively design and conduct research studies, including synthesis of the scientific literature in the field of study, design of dissertation research, and interpretation of complex quantitative analyses.
- Oral Communication
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively the results of a comprehensive research project through oral presentations.
- Written Communication
- Compose and engage in highly effective written communication in bioengineering; demonstrate clear argumentation and logic in a variety of written communications, including published papers and grant proposals.
Details Accordion Closed
Graduate Admission Information
The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.
Admission requirements include the following:- Transcripts.
- Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
Ready to apply? Begin your application now.International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
Additional Admission Requirements
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
- GRE® Revised General Test
- Three letters of recommendation
- Personal statement or essay
- All applicants are expected to make contact (i.e. email communication or lab visit) with potential faculty members in the department BEFORE APPLYING. Applicants should only apply if a mentor agrees to support the applicant.
- An earned degree in bioengineering, biology, mechanical engineering, or appropriately related science.
Doctoral Requirements
This Doctoral degree requires 60 units distributed as follows:
- Bioengineering Foundation Coursework: 12 units
- Bioengineering: 6 units
- Grant Writing: 1 - 2 units
- Seminar: 4 - 5 units
- Biology, Mechanical Engineering, and/or Other Electives: 33 units
- Dissertation: 15 units
Given the breadth of Bioengineering as a discipline, to best prepare you for your dissertation research, your Advisory Committee will approve our individualized Plan of Study at the end of your first year. You must obtain an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 to remain in the program in good standing.- Bioengineering Foundation Coursework: 12 units
Bioengineering Foundation (12 units)
Biology, Engineering, and Other Electives (33 units)
Up to 12 units of individualized study (608/685/697) may be applied to this degree.- Select from the following (33 units):
- Biology Electives:
- Mechanical Engineering Electives:
- Other Electives:
- As a doctoral student in the Bioengineering program, you are encouraged to pursue coursework related to business foundations and entrepreneurship in the Franke College of Business. You will also be encouraged to take courses in other disciplines, including but not limited to, courses offered in the Informatics and Computing Program, the Applied Physics and Materials Science Program, Mathematics, and other branches of engineering.
- Select from the following (33 units):
BE 608, BIO 608, and/or ME 608,are encouraged so that students obtain an internship with a local or regional industrial partner as part of your graduate training. However, no more than 3 units of BE/BIO/ME 608 may be used towards your degree.
All electives must be approved by your advisor. Dissertation/thesis units (799/699) may not be used towards fulfillment of any elective requirements.
- Dissertation (15 units):
Required Milestones: The focus of this program is to develop and execute an original research project in Bioengineering, along with excellent oral and written communication skills necessary for leadership in industry and academia.
Prospectus (beginning of 3rd semester)
You will be expected to complete a dissertation prospectus by the beginning of your third semester. Writing of the prospectus will commence in the first semester in BIO 698 Scientific Writing, or in BE/BIO 537, one of which is a required course for all incoming students. The prospectus will include a literature review of your proposed topic area, motivation and rationale for your proposed studies, detailed methods including hypotheses to be tested, expected results and interpretation, and expected impact on the field. After approval of your prospectus, you need to submit a completed and signed Dissertation Recommendation Form, available on the Graduate College's website.
Advancement to Candidacy (end of 4th semester)
After completion of your prospectus, you will form an Advisory committee in consultation with your major advisor. Departmental approval of your candidacy application will be based on evaluation of your written prospectus and an oral presentation to your Advisory Committee, based on the prospectus, which must be completed before the end of your second year as well as completion of the qualifying exam (which may be written and/or oral). The qualifying exam may be a separate examination or part of your prospectus defense. After receiving departmental approval, you need to submit a completed and signed Candidacy Application to the Graduate College.
Dissertation Defense (end of final year)
You will submit a written doctoral dissertation to your Advisory Committee, and present a public seminar based on your research. An oral examination will be administered by your advisory committee after completion of your public seminar.
Additional Information
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.
Application Requirements Accordion Closed
- Statement of purpose - This should be a short letter addressed to the Admissions Committee. It should state your reason for pursuing the intended degree, what relevant experience you already have, and what experience you hope to gain by completing the degree.
- Curriculum Vitae – This is an extended version of your resume. It should provide more information on your studies and experiences, and support your statement of purpose.
- Three letters of recommendation - These should come from individuals who could provide insight on your readiness and ability to successfully complete your graduate studies (e.g. faculty members, technical supervisors, or other individuals from the field in which you wish to pursue the degree). Within the online application you will be required to input the email addresses of your references and the system will automatically send the letter of recommendation request to each of them.
- Advisor- Please note in the application who you would like to be your advisor at NAU. We strongly recommend directly contacting faculty whose research interests you to inquire if they are currently taking students.
- Test scores - If you are having trouble taking GRE due to Covid-19 restrictions, please contact MEgraduate@nau.edu to request accommodation
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- Official GRE scores are required and the examination must have been completed no earlier than five years prior to the application. Competitive GRE scores are expected. Quantitative scores over 151, Verbal scores over 148, and Written scores over 3.0 are encouraged. Scores should be sent to Northern Arizona University, institution code 4006 without a department code. Please be aware, scores sent to other institution codes or with additional department codes cannot be retrieved and must be re submitted.
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- International applicants from non-English speaking countries (or who didn't complete prior degrees with English as language of instruction) must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. The minimum scores accepted for TOEFL and IELTS are 80 and 6.5, respectively. Applicants with lower scores may be considered for the Program in Intensive English.
- Transcript(s) - Your transcripts must be included in your application. GPA over 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is expected. Official transcripts are not required until admissions. undergraduate degree will not post until after your application is submitted, please send an email at sce@nau.edu to let us know when you will send the official transcript with your degree posted.
Documents and forms Accordion Closed
Checklist
General Forms
Candidacy Forms
- Candidacy Application
- Learning Outcome Assessment: Comprehensive Exam
- Comprehensive Exam Result Submission Form
- Prospectus Review Submission Form
Dissertation Forms
- Dissertation Defense Scheduling
- Learning Outcome Assessment: Dissertation
- Oral Defense Form: Part I
- Oral Defense Form: Part II