Ph.D. Student Handbook

Course Requirements

Students Entering Fall 2025 and Beyond (New Requirements)

For students who matriculated prior to Fall 2025, please see alternative requirements. 

Please be sure to discuss course selection with your thesis advisor, the Bioengineering Graduate Group Chair or the Associate Director of Graduate Programs.  All courses must be graduate level and meet the requirements of the program. Courses should be chosen in consultation with the advisor.

4 x Bioengineering Electives 2 x Biomedical 2 x Math 2 x Seminars (BE6990/BE5730) 1 x RCR (EAS 9000)

Example of curriculum timeline:

Year 1 – Fall

1 Biomedical course

1 Math course

1 BE 6990 seminar

1 BE 5730 seminar

1 RCR course (EAS 9000)

Year 1 – Spring

1 Biomedical course

1 BE course

1 BE 6990 seminar

1 BE 5730 seminar

Year 2 – Fall

1 Math course

1 BE course

Thesis research/independent study (BE 9999)

Year 2 – Spring

1 BE course

1 BE course

Thesis research/independent study (BE 9999)

Year 3 

1 BE elective

Thesis research/independent study(BE 9999)

Dissertation proposal

Year(s) following proposal….

After proposal enroll in BE 9950 (S/U grading for full time status)

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Students Who Entered Prior to Fall 2025

Below are requirements for students entering prior to Fall 2025.  For students matriculating in Fall 2025 and beyond please see new requirements.

Please be sure to discuss course selection with your thesis advisor, the Bioengineering Graduate Group Chair or the Associate Director of Graduate Programs.  All courses must be graduate level and meet the requirements of the program. Courses should be chosen in consultation with the advisor.

• 3 course units in Bioengineering Fundamentals
  Bioengineering and Engineering courses devoted to analytical methods, modeling as well as experimental methods and data analysis or any grad level Bioengineering course. These courses should be chosen in consultation with the advisor, focusing on the concentration.
• 2 course units in Mathematics
  Suggested courses include: ENM 5100, 5110, ENM 5020, BE 5100
• 2 course units in Biological Science Many students take one course in cell biology and one course in systems physiology to broaden the student’s biological background and emphasize the quantitative aspects of living systems.
• 2 Research Discipline Specific Electives
• Bioengineering Seminar
  A minimum of 2 semesters is required (BE 6990) (0cu each), usually in the first year. Learn more about the Bioengineering Seminar.
• 2 semesters of Bioengineering Soft Skills course for new students (BE 5730) (.5cu each)
• BE PHD Independent Study, Balance of University Requirements BE 9999

TOTAL: 9 courses, EAS 9000- RCR, 2 seminars BE 6990 and 2 semesters of BE Soft Skills Course BE 5730