Bioengineering PhD

The doctor of philosophy in bioengineering prepares students for bioengineering careers in industry, government or academia. An advanced degree in this area provides numerous opportunities to work in health care, biomedical industry, government regulatory agencies and academia. At CU Denver, you’ll work with top faculty and researchers in the field, with a choice of training pathways in basic research, clinical applications or commercialization of medical technologies.

Basic Research

Engaging in highly interdisciplinary collaborations between engineers, physical scientists and medicine, students focused on scientific discovery can choose from a strong base of research projects to focus their work. Faculty in the Department of Bioengineering and in the CU School of Medicine avail students the opportunity to work in basic and applied research, from bench-top research to computer simulations to translational work with patients. Basic research is best for students interested in pursuing research careers in academia or industry.

Translational Bioengineering

Students working in translational bioengineering will gain expertise in projects that bridge the gap between clinical and laboratory settings. This track is best for students interested in academic and industry research as well as students interested in careers at regulatory agencies such as the FDA.

Entrepreneurship

Students looking for skills and strategies necessary to launch start-up biomedical technology companies can pursue an emphasis in entrepreneurship. In collaboration with the CU Denver Business School students choose their electives from the Business School’s certificate in entrepreneurship curriculum [link to program]. Coursework will provide the foundations of entrepreneurial strategy, alongside faculty experienced in launching their own start-up companies. This track is designed for students interested in start-up biomedical technology. All aspects of the process required to commercialize a novel biomedical technology, device or application may be studied.

The PhD in bioengineering requires 21 credits of didactic coursework, 30 credits of research coursework, and 9 credits of electives.

6 credits of life sciences core
6 credits of quantitative core
6 credits of technology core
3 credits of research and clinical core
9 credits of electives
30 credits of research

The MD/PhD degree is available for students concurrently enrolled in the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Students complete the PhD degree (60 credits) in five years of full-time study. Contact the department at bioengineering@cuanschutz.edu for advising.

CU Denver and the graduate programs in bioengineering are accredited through the regional accreditation agency. For more information, visit www.ncahlc.org.

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The Center for Bioengineering (SOM)

CU Anschutz

Bioscience 2

12705 East Montview Boulevard

Suite 100

Aurora, CO 80045

303-724-5893

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Bioengineering PhD

Basic Research

Translational Bioengineering

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The Center for Bioengineering (SOM)

Bioengineering PhD

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Dual MD/PhD Program

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Bioengineering Student Handbook

First of its kind

The Center for Bioengineering (SOM)