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PhD in Bioengineering
Our bioengineering PhD program, which emphasizes both engineering and biology, focuses on the areas of biomaterials and biomechanics. This interdisciplinary program provides a broad-based research perspective that draws upon the expertise of our faculty from unique disciplines.
Emphasis areas include a wide variety of subjects:
- Biophysics
- Biomedical engineering
- Medical device engineering
- Tissue engineering
- Energy efficient remote sensing
- Engineering of artificial plants
- Environmental endocrinology
- Informatics and computing
- Muscle-like actuation and wearable robotics
- Novel biomaterials
- Wound healing
For a more comprehensive view on faculty research, see our faculty webpage.
What Will You Gain From Our Program
The goal of this graduate program is to educate future industry and research leaders in bioengineering through an integrative and interdisciplinary approach. You will receive advanced training in research through focused coursework and 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 the bioengineering degree, you’ll be prepared to undertake a career in industry, government organizations, nonprofits, and/or universities.
Learning Outcomes
You will build skills and knowledge through formal course work and an original dissertation project. The goal is to foster your 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:
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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 and Computing).
Interdisciplinary: 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.
For more information regarding the curriculum requirements, please search for the PhD in bioengineering program of study.
Admissions Requirements
Excellent candidates for this doctorate have an earned thesis-based master of science degree in one of these areas or an appropriately related science:
- Bioengineering
- Biology
- Mechanical engineering
Direct entry into the PhD program from a bachelor of science degree will be considered on a case-by-case basis for exemplary applicants.
Important: All applicants are expected to make contact (i.e. e-mail communication or lab visit) with potential faculty members in the department BEFORE APPLYING. You should only apply if a mentor agrees to support you.
For a more comprehensive view of faculty research, see our faculty webpage.
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You must have earned an undergraduate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale), or the equivalent.
Online applications to the program will include:
- Undergraduate and/or graduate coursework transcripts,
- GRE revised General Test results
- Three letters of recommendation
- A personal statement or essay
- Demonstrated research ability by being a responsible author on a scientific, peer-reviewed publication (journal article)
- Or equivalent credentials to the above (contact the program to discuss)
Funding Your Graduate Education
A variety of funding possibilities exist to support your education at NAU:
- Graduate Assistantships
- Teaching Assistantships
- Research Assistantships
- Service Assistantships (outside of your department)
- Speak with faculty in your research discipline BEFORE APPLYING to discuss available teaching and research assistantships.
- Presidential Fellowship Program
- Financial Aid
For more information on funding, please visit the Graduate College.