31
other departments with which we actively collaborate
across five Northwestern schools
PhD in Biomedical Engineering
Prepare to innovate the future of human health
Join one of the top-ranked biomedical engineering programs in the world and become one of the PhD students at the heart of our collaborative environment. Your research efforts here will help lay the foundation for future innovations in biological research and human health, and your career will be built on our commitment to excellence in research, education, career placement, and community.
Students in the biomedical engineering doctoral program study equal portions of engineering, life sciences, and mathematics. Our advanced, hands-on coursework begins with foundations in mathematics, physiology, experimental design and measurement, and is then tailored to provide depth in areas relevant to students’ research. Let us help prepare you to be a leader in research in industrial and university settings.
Why Northwestern?
Robust connections university-wide + collaborations with renowned hospitals
Our department enjoys robust connections with Northwestern’s other top-ranked schools, including the Feinberg School of Medicine, as well as with renowned local hospitals, such as Northwestern Medicine, Lurie Children’s Hospital, and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. These connections make us a leader in the field of biomedicine and help ensure that our innovative research is frequently translated into medical practice through easy access to Chicago’s world-class medical device, pharmaceutical, consulting, and biomedical research industries.
Research Excellence
Pushing the boundaries of discovery and moving our ideas into society
Work closely with our leaders in the following research areas: Biomaterials and Regenerative Engineering; Biomechanics; Cell and Molecular Engineering; Computational Biomedical Engineering; Imaging and Biophotonics; Medical Devices and Instrumentation; and Neural Engineering.
12
interdisciplinary research centers
create the structure and support for our extensive work with other disciplines, departments, schools, and institutes.
27
faculty startups
Our department is home to many startups in therapeutics, diagnostics, biological discovery, and instrumentation.
Guillermo Ameer
Daniel Hale Williams Professor of Biomedical Engineering
“I’m excited about translating the work we do in the lab to hospitals and one day having an impact on patient care worldwide.”
Curriculum
The basics at-a-glance
The PhD curriculum provides a solid background in the student’s intended field of inquiry in preparation for a career in research and/or teaching. Students typically complete their PhD in about 5-6 years.
7 degree tracks
Students follow one of seven tracks: bioelectronics and imaging; bioelectronics and sensing; biomaterials; mechanics and transport; neural engineering; regenerative engineering; rehabilitation; or computational genomics and molecular engineering.
Coursework
Entering with a BS degree,12 graduate-level courses in engineering, science, or mathematics are required.
Entering with an MS degree, a minimum of 9 graduate-level courses are required.
Research
A focus of the PhD program is on learning to do research in this exciting and fast-moving field with ever-changing boundaries. PhD research culminates in at least one original research paper in a peer-reviewed journal.
Chicago
A thriving community for biomedical discovery
Situated along Lake Michigan, Northwestern’s unique location offers easy access to research partnerships and networking opportunities in the growing Chicago-area biomedical and biotechnology sector.
Opportunities for PhD Students
Receive the training and make the connections you need for success
Interdisciplinary Programs and Research Groups
The majority of biomedical engineering graduate students participate in interdisciplinary programs and research groups, including:
Numerous PhD Training Programs
Chose from the following:
- Biotechnology Training Program
- Chemistry of Life Processes Training Program
- DPT-PhD (Eng) Program
- General Motor Control Mechanisms and Disease Training Program
- Graduate Training Program of Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Interdisciplinary Biological Science Graduate Program
- Pathophysiology and Rehabilitation of Neural Dysfunction (PRND) Training Program
Strong Research Collaboration and Translation
Our PhD students benefit from:
- access to the 12 interdisciplinary research centers, institutes, and programs led by our department
- our active research collaborations with 31 departments across five schools at Northwestern
- exposure to a translation-focused department that is home to dozens of startups in areas such as therapeutics, medical diagnostics, biological discovery tools, and instrumentation
Request Your Program & Application Guide
Request a customized program guide about the PhD in biomedical engineering.