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Bioengineering, Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy in Bioengineering provides advanced training in research through focused coursework and extensive research experience using an integrative and interdisciplinary approach. Students will develop expertise in collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting data at a level appropriate for positions in industrial research and development or academia. After completing this degree, students will be ready to undertake careers in private companies, government organizations, nonprofits, and universities. Graduates will be prepared to direct a research laboratory and decide which questions to investigate, lead a team that solves problems related to bioengineering, coordinate large research and development projects, teach others about bioengineering including how to conduct research, and translate research discoveries into inventions, products, and businesses.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Bioengineering allows advanced students to pursue their academic interests and to develop their research skills while studying with faculty specialists in the broad field of bioengineering. Bioengineering research is highly interdisciplinary and facilitates collaborations among faculty and students from several departments across campus including Biology, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, and Physical Therapy. Students from a wide range of science backgrounds can enter this program. The goal of the program is to educate future leaders in industry and academia in the field of Bioengineering.

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.

University Requirements

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

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.
Foreign Language	Optional
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 have achieved the following learning outcomes:

Critical Thinking
- demonstrate the ability to apply graduate level critical thinking skills to formulate and solve advanced bioengineering problems in the emphasis area (Biomaterials, Biomechanics, Biophysics, Informatics & Computing)
Interdisciplinarity
- demonstrate the ability to 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
- demonstrate the ability to 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

Additional Admission Requirements

Admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

- NAU Graduate Online application is required for all programs. Details on admission requirements are included in the online application.
- Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A"), or the equivalent.
- Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
- Transcripts
- For details on graduate admission policies, please visit the Graduate Admissions Policy
- International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy
Individual program admission requirements include:

- GRE® revised General Test

- 3 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 thesis-based MS degree in a bioengineering, biology, mechanical engineering, or appropriately related science. Direct entry into the PhD Program from a BS degree will be considered on a case-by-case basis for exemplary applicants.

- Demonstrated research ability by being a responsible author on a scientific, peer-reviewed publication (journal article).

- Have equivalent credentials to above, which may include considerable relevant research experience, average GRE scores above the 70th national percentile in Verbal, Quantitative and Writing Ability, experience presenting scientific papers as an author at regional, national or international scientific meetings, with reference letters attesting to the student's performance and responsibility for the science reported at such venues.

Doctoral Requirements

This Doctoral degree requires 60 units distributed as follows:
- Bioengineering Foundation Coursework: 11 units
- Interdisciplinary Emphases: 12 units
  - Bioengineering Informatics
  - Bioengineering and Biophysics
- Selected Biology, Engineering, and/or Other Electives: 37
For the doctoral program in bioengineering, you must complete at least 60 of coursework, including required foundation and elective courses. 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 of at least a 3.0 to remain in the program in good standing.

Bioengineering Foundation (11 units):
- ME 563, ME 573 (6 units)
- BIO 540 (3 units)
- BIO 698 Scientific Writing (1 unit)
- BIO 698 or ME 698 Challenges of Interdisciplinarity (1 units)

Interdisciplinary Emphases (minimum of 12 units):
- Bioengineering Informatics: courses offered by the Informatics and Computing Program
- Bioengineering & Biophysics: courses offered by the Department of Physics & Astronomy

Biology, Engineering, and/or Other Electives (37 units)

- Biology Electives
  - BIO 514, BIO 535, BIO 542, BIO 545, BIO 587, BIO 682, BIO 685, BIO 799
  - BIO 599 Immunology
  - BIO 599 Pathology
  - BIO 599 Human Gross Anatomy
  - BIO 599 Human Physiology
  - BIO 599 Human Tissue Biology
  - BIO 599 Professional Grant Writing

- Engineering Electives
  - ME 520, ME 554, ME 560, ME 561, ME 575, ME 599, ME 685, ME 799

- 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 obtain an internship with a local or regional industrial partner as part of your graduate training.

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 3^rd 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, 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.
  
  Advancement to Candidacy (end of 4^th semester)
  After completion of your prospectus, you will form an Advisory Committee in consultation with your major advisor. Advancement to candidacy will be conferred 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.
  
  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.