Bioengineering Degree Options: Ph.D.

Ph.D. Degree Information

The Bioengineering Ph.D. degree requires a thesis based on independent study of a bioengineering research topic under the guidance of a Bioengineering Program Faculty Member. It also requires 36 hours of coursework in a mixture of bioscience, mathematics, bioengineering, traditional engineering and elective classes. In addition to the Bioengineering Ph.D., there are other degree programs at Georgia Tech which may have a bioengineering research topic. Students do not need to apply for an MS to pursue the PhD, and are discouraged from doing so if the PhD is their intended final degree. A majority of our admissions to the PhD program are from applicants who apply with only a BS degree.

Georgia Tech offers a number of different options for students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. degree in a bioengineering-related topic. All options involve coursework and an independent research thesis. Degrees are offered through the interdisciplinary Bioengineering Program, the Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, and traditional engineering schools. Below are descriptions and comparisons of the Ph.D. degree options.

• Comparison: Bioengineering Ph.D. vs. Biomedical Engineering Ph.D.
• Comparison: Bioengineering Ph.D. vs. Traditional Engineering Ph.D.
• Option #1: Bioengineering Ph.D.
• Option #2: Biomedical Engineering Ph.D.
• Option #3: Traditional Ph.D.

  Bioengineering Ph.D. vs. Biomedical Engineering Ph.D.

  The main differences between the Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. programs are (i) admission requirements, (ii) degree requirements, (iii) degree-granting institution, and (iv) timing for selecting a thesis advisor. Students may pursue bioengineering-related thesis topics in either program.

  • The Bioengineering Ph.D. is an interdisciplinary degree conferred by Georgia Tech while the Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. is a degree conferred jointly by Georgia Tech and Emory University.
  • For the Bioengineering Ph.D. curriculum, students have flexibility in choosing courses to fulfill requirements in areas of biosciences, mathematics, bioengineering, traditional engineering and electives. The Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. curriculum is pre-set with courses in engineering sciences, life sciences, physiological systems, problem-based learning, bioethics, teaching practicum and electives.
  • In the Bioengineering Ph.D., students select their thesis advisor in the fall of their 1st year and then begin their thesis research. In the Biomedical Engineering Ph.D., there are two required lab rotations in the first year after which students select thesis advisors in the fall of their 2nd year and then begin their thesis research.

Bioengineering Ph.D. vs. Traditional Engineering Ph.D.

The primary difference between earning a Ph.D. degree through the Bioengineering Program or a traditional engineering school is the coursework and qualifying exams that are required. There may be additional differences in admission and degree requirements. In the Bioengineering Program, students take coursework in a mixture of biosciences, mathematics, bioengineering, traditional engineering and electives, and must pass a qualifying exam that tests integration of engineering and life sciences. In contrast, for a traditional engineering degree students take coursework in traditional engineering, bioengineering and electives, and must pass a qualifying exam that tests core topics of traditional engineering. Students can pursue bioengineering thesis topics in either program.

Biomedical Engineering Ph.D.

This degree requires a thesis based on independent study of a biomedical engineering research topic under the guidance of a Biomedical Engineering Program Faculty Member. It also requires 48 hours of coursework in engineering sciences, life sciences, physiological systems, problem-based learning, bioethics, teaching practicum and elective classes as well as two lab rotations.

Bioengineering Ph.D.

This degree requires a thesis based on independent study of a bioengineering research topic under the guidance of a Bioengineering Program Faculty Member. It also requires 36 hours of coursework in a mixture of bioscience, mathematics, bioengineering, traditional engineering and elective classes.

Traditional Engineering Ph.D.

This degree requires a thesis based on independent study of a traditional engineering research topic under the guidance of a traditional engineering program faculty member. Many traditional engineering program faculty are also members of the Bioengineering Program faculty and thus provide an option for traditional engineering students to select a bioengineering research topic for their thesis. This degree also generally requires at least 36 (requirements depend on the program) hours of coursework in traditional engineering and elective classes. Schools offering traditional degrees which may involve a bioengineering-related topic include Chemical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.

M.S. Degree Information

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