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 30 credits of didactic coursework and 30 credits of research thesis.

Research methods and clinical experiences core (3 credits)
Department seminar (3 credits)
Quantitative methods core (3 credits)
Quantitative methods elective (3 credits)
Life sciences electives (6 credits)
Technology electives (6 credits)
General electives (6 credits)
Doctoral thesis (30 credits)

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 this accreditation link.

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PhD Graduation Planning and Deadlines 2024-2025

Applicants to the PhD or Master of Science in Bioengineering should meet the following minimum requirements:

Completion of a bachelor's degree in engineering or physical sciences from an accredited United States institution or comparable international institution, or
Completion of a bachelor's degree in a bioscience-related field with the following courses:

Calculus I, II, and Differential Equations/Linear Algebra
one year of college level Physics, preferably calculus-based
computer programming coursework or experience is not required but highly recommended

Students without these pre-requisite courses may be required to take additional relevant undergraduate courses during their first year in the program; any such requirements will be specifically determined by the Bioengineering Graduate Affairs Committee on a case-by-case basis and will be made known to the applicant at the time of acceptance to the program. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is preferred (but not required) for admission to the program. Applicants with a GPA below the preferred level may still apply but have a lower chance of admission.

CEDC Admissions Deadlines and ELP Requirements

Tools

Resources

Schools & Colleges

Campus Affiliates

College of Engineering, Design and Computing

Bioengineering PhD

Basic Research

Translational Bioengineering

Entrepreneurship

First of its kind

The Center for Bioengineering (SOM)

Bioengineering PhD

Research Tracks

Curriculum

Dual MD/PhD Program

Resources for current students

Bioengineering Student Handbook

Eligibility Requirements

First of its kind

The Center for Bioengineering (SOM)