Doctor of Philosophy with a Major in Bioengineering
The BioE Program is interdisciplinary in that it is not a standalone academic unit like most departments or schools at Georgia Tech. This interdisciplinary graduate program offers advanced courses in bioengineering, engineering specialties, and life sciences combined with training in cutting-edge bioengineering research. The BioEngineering PhD degree requires a thesis based on independent study of a bioengineering research topic under the guidance of a BioEngineering program faculty member. Bioengineering research focuses on the development of new or improved physical and mathematical concepts and techniques that may be applied to problems in medicine and biology, including the fundamental study of biological phenomena and development of new medical devices.
Eight different academic units from the Colleges of Engineering, Computing, and Design participate in the program. The BioE Program provides research opportunities for students with any participating program faculty, allowing tremendous diversity and flexibility for research topics and advisors.
All PhD programs must incorporate a standard set of Requirements for the Doctoral Degree.
Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy with a major in Bioengineering
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying Examinatin | ||
| Teaching Practicum | ||
| Thesis Proposal | ||
| PhD Dissertation | ||
| Coursework requirements | ||
PhD students in BioEngineering must complete course requirements with an average cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher. PassFail hours not allowed.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework Requirements | ||
| Engineering Fundamentals | 9 | |
| Biological Sciences | 9 | |
| Engineering Mathematics | 3 | |
| Technical Electives | 12 | |
| Doctoral Minor | 9 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 42 | |
Qualifying Exam
The qualifying exam is a 1.5 to 2 hour oral exam consisting of questioning from a committee of three BioEnginereing faculty. PhD students must take the qualifying exam after 3 academic semesters of residency (excluding summers), except those students entering with a master’s degree must take the qualifying exam within 2 academic semesters. Students must have a GPA of 3.2 to take their qualifying exam. Students who do not pass the exam the first time have a second opportunity to take and pass the exam within the following 3 months.
Teaching practicum
The purpose of the practicum is to provide the student with training and experience in teaching a course. The student will work with a BioE faculty member on all aspects of teaching a course, including:
– delivering lectures or managing discussion sessions
– holding office hours
– helping to prepare and grade assignments
The instructing faculty member must attend the student’s lectures and provide feedback.
PhD students must also satisfy any related home school requirements.
Thesis proposal
A student must provide a cohesive research plan addressing a significant problem and obtain input and approval from their thesis committee on the proposed research plan via an oral defense of their thesis proposal. The proposal should include a critical review of the relevant literature, a cohesive set of specific aims, hypothesis, and expected outcomes addressing thesis topic, and an appropriate research design and plan.
PhD Dissertation
A student must complete a searching and authoritative investigation of their chosen field, culminating in a written Thesis covering that investigation. An oral defense will be scheduled on the subject matter for the Thesis and the field in which it lies. The thesis defense examination will be conducted by the Doctoral Examination Committee chosen by the student and the thesis advisor and approved by the Graduate Studies Committee and the Dean of Graduate Studies.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Fundamentals | ||
| AE 6760 | Acoustics I | 3 |
| AE 6762 | Applied Acoustics | 3 |
| AE 6766 | Combustion | 3 |
| AE 6770 | Energy and Variational Methods in Elasticity and Plasticity | 3 |
| AE 7772 | Fundamentals of Fracture Mechanics | 3 |
| CEE 6251 | Intermediate Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| CEE 6504 | Finite Element Method of Structural Analysis | 3 |
| CEE 7772 | Fundamentals of Fracture Mechanics | 3 |
| CHBE 6100 | Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics | 3 |
| CHBE 6200 | Advanced Transport Phenomena, Fluid Mechanics, and Heat | 3 |
| CHBE 6220 | Computational Fluid Dynamics: Applications in Environmental | 3 |
| CHBE 6250 | Mass Transport through Solids | 3 |
| CHBE 6260 | Transport Phenomena-Mass Transfer | 3 |
| CHBE 6300 | Kinetics and Reactor Design | 3 |
| CHBE 6400 | Advanced Process Control | 3 |
| CHBE 6768 | Polymer Structure, Physical Properties and Characterization | 3 |
| CHBE 7772 | Fundamentals of Fracture Mechanics | 3 |
| CHEM 6751 | Physical Chemistry of Polymer Solutions | 3 |
| CS 6230 | High-Performance Parallel Computing: Tools and Applications | 3 |
| CS 7641 | Machine Learning | 3 |
| CS 7643 | Deep Learning | 3 |
| ECE 4270 | Fundamentals of Digital Signal Processing | 3 |
| ECE 4580 | Computational Computer Vision | 3 |
| ECE 6130 | Advanced VLSI Systems | 3 |
| ECE 6250 | Advanced Digital Signal Processing | 3 |
| ECE 6254 | Statistical Machine Learning | 3 |
| ECE 6255 | Digital Processing of Speech Signals | 3 |
| ECE 6258 | Digital Image Processing | 3 |
| ECE 6273 | Methods of Pattern Recognition with Application to Voice | 3 |
| ECE 6350 | Applied Electromagnetics | 3 |
| ECE 6360 | Microwave Design | 3 |
| ECE 6370 | Electromagnetic Radiation and Antennas | 3 |
| ECE 6380 | Introduction to Computational Electromagnetics | 3 |
| ECE 6412 | Analog Integrated Circuit Design | 3 |
| ECE 6414 | Analog Integrated System Design | 3 |
| ECE 6435 | Neuromorphic Analog VLSI Circuits | 3 |
| ECE 6442 | Electronic Oscillators | 3 |
| ECE 6450 | Introduction to Microelectronics Technology | 3 |
| ECE 6451 | Introduction to the Theory of Microelectronics | 3 |
| ECE 6453 | Theory of Electronic Devices | 3 |
| ECE 6460 | Microelectromechanical Devices | 3 |
| ECE 6500 | Fourier Techniques and Signal Analysis | 3 |
| ECE 6501 | Fourier Optics and Holography | 3 |
| ECE 6520 | Integrated Optics | 3 |
| ECE 6522 | Nonlinear Optics | 3 |
| ECE 6542 | Optoelectronics: Devices, Integration, Packaging, Systems | 3 |
| ECE 6550 | Linear Systems and Controls | 3 |
| ECE 6552 | Nonlinear Systems and Control | 3 |
| ECE 6553 | Optimal Control and Optimization | 3 |
| ECE 6554 | Adaptive Control | 3 |
| ECE 6556 | Intelligent Control | 3 |
| ECE 6560 | Partial Differential Equations in Image Processing and Computer Vision | 3 |
| ECE 6605 | Information Theory | 3 |
| ECE 6606 | Coding Theory and Applications | 3 |
| ECE 6771 | Optoelectronics: Materials, Processes, Devices | 3 |
| ECE 6779 | Thermal Engineering for Packaging of Micro and Nano Systems | 3 |
| ECE 7252 | Advanced Signal Processing Theory | 3 |
| ISYE 6215 | Models in Human-Machine Systems | 3 |
| ISYE 6223 | Understanding and Supporting Human Decision Making | 3 |
| ISYE 6234 | Measurement and Evaluation of Human-integrated Systems | 3 |
| ISYE 6650 | Probabilistic Models and Their Applications | 3 |
| ISYE 6669 | Deterministic Optimization | 3 |
| ME 6124 | Finite-Element Method: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| ME 6201 | Principles of Continuum Mechanics | 3 |
| ME 6203 | Inelastic Deformation of Solids | 3 |
| ME 6204 | Micromechanics of Materials | 3 |
| ME 6229 | Introduction to Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems | 3 |
| ME 6242 | Mechanics of Contact | 3 |
| ME 6301 | Conduction Heat Transfer | 3 |
| ME 6302 | Convection Heat Transfer | 3 |
| ME 6303 | Thermal Radiation Heat Transfer | 3 |
| ME 6304 | Principles of Thermodynamics | 3 |
| ME 6305 | Applications of Thermodynamics | 3 |
| ME 6401 | Linear Control Systems | 3 |
| ME 6402 | Nonlinear Control Systems | 3 |
| ME 6403 | Digital Control Systems | 3 |
| ME 6405 | Introduction to Mechatronics | 3 |
| ME 6407 | Robotics | 3 |
| ME 6441 | Dynamics of Mechanical Systems | 3 |
| ME 6442 | Vibration of Mechanical Systems | 3 |
| ME 6443 | Variational Methods in Engineering | 3 |
| ME 6449 | Acoustic Transducers and Signal Analysis | 3 |
| ME 6452 | Wave Propagation in Solids | 3 |
| ME 6601 | Introduction to Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| ME 6602 | Viscous Flow | 3 |
| ME 6622 | Experimental Methods | 3 |
| ME 6760 | Acoustics I and II | 3 |
| ME 6762 | Applied Acoustics | 3 |
| ME 6766 | Combustion I | 3 |
| ME 6768 | Polymer Structure, Physical Properties, and Characterization | 3 |
| ME 6769 | Linear Elasticity | 3 |
| ME 6770 | Energy and Variational Methods in Elasticity and Plasticity | 3 |
| ME 6779 | Thermal Engineering for Packaging of Micro and Nano Systems | 3 |
| ME 6796 | Structure-Property Relationships in Materials | 3 |
| ME 7751 | Computational Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| ME 7771 | Mechanics of Polymer Solids and Fluids | 3 |
| ME 7772 | Fundamentals of Fracture Mechanics | 3 |
| ME 7774 | Fatigue of Materials and Structures | 3 |
| MSE 6130 | Surface Analysis | 3 |
| MSE 6751 | Physical Chemistry of Polymer Solutions | 3 |
| MSE 6752 | Polymer Characterization | 4 |
| MSE 6768 | Polymer Structure, Physical Properties, and Characterization | 3 |
| MSE 6796 | Structure-Property Relationships in Materials | 3 |
| MSE 7772 | Fundamentals of Fracture Mechanics | 3 |
| PTFE 6100 | Mechanics of Fibrous Materials | 3 |
| PTFE 6751 | Physical Chemistry of Polymer Solutions | 3 |
| PTFE 6768 | Polymer Structure, Physical Properties, and Characterization | 3 |
| PTFE 6796 | Structure-Property Relationships in Materials | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Sciences | ||
| APPH 6211 | Systems Physiology I: Cellular Mechanisms of Plasticity | 3 |
| APPH 6212 | Systems Physiology II: Physiology of Neuromotor Tissues | 3 |
| APPH 6231 | Biomechanical Aspects of Human Motor Control | 3 |
| APPH 6232 | Locomotion Neuromechanics | 3 |
| APPH 6600 | Muscle Structure and Plasticity | 3 |
| APPH 6213 | Systems Physiology III: Integrated Systems and Adaptation | 3 |
| BIOL 6418 | Microbial Physiology | 3 |
| BIOL 6570 | Immunology | 4 |
| BIOL 6600 | Evolution | 3 |
| BIOL 6626 | Physiological Ecology | 3 |
| BIOL 6756 | Discovery of Signaling Molecules | 3 |
| BIOL 7001 | Foundations in Molecular and Cell Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 7668 | Eukaryotic Molecular Genetics | 3 |
| BMED 4752 | Introductory Neuroscience | 3 |
| BMED 6031 | Principles of Basic Biomedical and Biological Sciences I | 6 |
| BMED 6032 | Principles of Basis Biomedical and Biological Sciences II | 6 |
| BMED 6042 | Systems Physiology | 3 |
| BMED 6793 | Systems Pathophysiology | 3 |
| CHEM 6183 | Organometallic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 6373 | Organic Synthesis | 3 |
| CHEM 6501 | Biochemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 6502 | Biochemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 6571 | Enzymology and Metabolism | 3 |
| CHEM 6572 | Macromolecular Structure | 3 |
| CHEM 6573 | Molecular Biochemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 6582 | Biophysical Chemistry | 3 |
| ME 6793 | Systems Pathophysiology | 3 |
| Emory Courses: | ||
| IBS 506 | Basics of Neurological Diseases | |
| IBS 518 | Human Embryology | |
| IBS 519 | Foundations in Developmental Biology | |
| IBS 524 | Cancer Biology | |
| IBS 526 | Cellular and Developmental Neuroscience | |
| IBS 527 | Cell Biology and Histology | |
| IBS 531 | Principles of Pharmacology | |
| IBS 536 | Drug Metabolism and Toxicology | |
| IBS 542 | Concepts of Immunology | |
| IBS 548 | Biology of the Eye | |
| IBS 600 | Blood and Water | |
| IBS 761 | Cancer Pharmacology | |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Mathematics | ||
| CHBE 6500 | Mathematical Modeling and Analysis of Chemical Processes | 3 |
| ECE 6601 | Random Processes | 3 |
| MATH 6267 | Multivariate Statistical Analysis | 3 |
| MATH 6646 | Numerical Methods for Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
| MATH 6701 | Math Methods of Applied Sciences I | 3 |
| PHYS 6268 | Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Electives | ||
| AE 6230 | Structural Dynamics | 3 |
| APPH 6202 | Clinical Gait Analysis | 3 |
| APPH 6225 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| BIOL 7015 | Cancer Biology and Technology | 3 |
| BIOL 7023 | Bioinformatics | 3 |
| BMED 4750 | Diagnostic Imaging Physics | 3 |
| BMED 4783 | Introduction to Medical Image Processing | 3 |
| BMED 4784 | Engineering Electrophysiology | 3 |
| BMED 6517 | Machine Learning in Biosciences | 3 |
| BMED 6700 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| BMED 6710 | Rational Design of Biomaterials | 3 |
| BMED 6720 | Biotransport | 3 |
| BMED 6739 | Medical Robotics | 3 |
| BMED 6743 | Tissue Mechanics | 3 |
| BMED 6774 | Biomaterials: Structure and Function | 3 |
| BMED 6780 | Medical Image Processing | 3 |
| BMED 6782 | Cellular Engineering | 3 |
| BMED 6784 | Cardiovascular Biomechanics | 3 |
| BMED 6786 | Medical Imaging Systems | 3 |
| BMED 6786 | Medical Imaging Systems | 3 |
| BMED 6787 | Quantitative Electrophysiology | 3 |
| BMED 6794 | Tissue Engineering | 3 |
| BMED 7201 | Advanced Seminar: Cardiovascular Biology & Biomechanics | 3 |
| BMED 7413 | Biochemical Systems Analysis | 3 |
| BMED 7610 | Quantitative Neuroscience | 3 |
| CEE 6345 | Sustainable Engineering | 3 |
| CHBE 6710 | Microfluidics & Appl | 3 |
| CHBE 6752 | Polymer Characterization | 4 |
| CHBE 6765 | Drug Design, Development and Delivery | 3 |
| CHBE 6777 | Advanced Biomaterials | 3 |
| CHBE 6782 | Cellular Engineering | 3 |
| CHBE 6794 | Tissue Engineering | 3 |
| CHBE 8803 | Special Topics (Biosurfaces) | 3 |
| CHEM 6750 | Preparation and Reaction of Polymers | 3 |
| CS 7643 | Deep Learning | 3 |
| ECE 4781 | Biomedical Instrumentation | 3 |
| ECE 4782 | Biosystems Analysis | 3 |
| ECE 4784 | Engineering Electrophysiology | 3 |
| ECE 6200 | Biomedical Applications of Microelectromechanical Systems | 3 |
| ECE 6780 | Medical Image Processing | 3 |
| ECE 6786 | Medical Imaging Systems | 3 |
| ECE 6787 | Quantitative Electrophysiology | 3 |
| ISYE 6413 | Design and Analysis of Experiments | 3 |
| ISYE 6414 | Statistical Modeling and Regression Analysis | 3 |
| ISYE 7406 | Data Mining and Statistical Learning | 3 |
| ME 6743 | Tissue Mechanics | 3 |
| ME 6746 | Rehabilitation Engineering | 3 |
| ME 6777 | Advanced Biomaterials | 3 |
| ME 6782 | Cellular Engineering | 3 |
| ME 6794 | Tissue Engineering | 3 |
| MP/NRE 4750 | Diagnostic Imaging Physics | 3 |
| MSE 6600 | Advanced Polymer Processing | 3 |
| MSE 6752 | Polymer Characterization | 4 |
| MSE 6777 | Advanced Biomaterials | 3 |
| PHYS 6268 | Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos | 3 |
| PTFE 6750 | Preparation and Reactions of Polymers | 3 |
| Emory course: | ||
| IBS 534 | Computational Neuroscience | |