Biomedical Science PhD
Degree Awarded: Doctor of Philosophy (PHD)
Minimum Required Credits: 30.0
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 26.0102
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 19-1020
About the Program
The distinguished curriculum develops leaders in Biomedical Science who can perform independent research, identify and address unmet clinical, diagnostic, and healthcare needs. Doctorates require the analytical tools and broad knowledge of modern biomedical science, fundamental understanding of the biological or physiological system, and familiarity with recent technological breakthroughs.
Doctorates will be prepared for the rigors of academic and professional research in biomedical science by providing foundational training in essential career skills and the responsible conduct of research, communication and grant writing, building the necessary confidence to successfully launch their independent research initiatives. Students may choose elective courses in a wide variety of areas fitting their research needs including advanced therapeutics, biocomputing/bioinformatics, biomaterials, tissue engineering, biomechanics and neuroengineering/neuroscience or take courses in medical device development or pediatric engineering.
Biomedical science doctorates primarily pursue careers as research scientists in academia, pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry or government. Focusing on innovation in areas like advanced therapeutics, medical devices and healthcare, top roles include Senior R&D Scientist, Principal Investigator or Clinical Trial manager.
Additional Information
For more information about this program, please contact the School of Biomedical Engineering and Science
Admission Requirements
Students with training in natural science or engineering, as well as individuals with academic or professional degrees in the medical science disciplines will be considered for admission to the doctoral program.
Both post-baccalaureate and post-master's students are admitted into the doctoral program in Biomedical Science but have slightly differing sets of requirements.
For post-master’s students, 30.0 of the credits that they earned toward their master’s degree may be applied toward the PhD. If coming from the master’s program in Biomedical Science at Drexel University, those courses they took would apply. For non-Drexel students who have completed their master’s elsewhere, there may be exceptions made. If these students believe that they have covered the material of the required courses in another program, they must show evidence of such material and obtain a formal waiver of this requirement from the graduate advisor.
For post-baccalaureate students, students must complete a minimum of 60.0 credits and a research thesis. These 60.0 credits include the core courses required by Drexel’s MS in Biomedical Science.
To be awarded the PhD degree, students must complete 30.0/60.0 required credits and fulfill a one-year residency requirement.
Degree Requirements
Post-Bachelor's PhD Students
| Core/Foundational Courses | ||
| BMES 5010 | Biomedical Engineering and Science Seminar I | 1.0 |
| BMES 5020 | Biomedical Engineering and Science Seminar II | 1.0 |
| BMES 7001 | Professionalism, Ethics and Integrity in Biomedical Engineering and Science Research | 3.0 |
| BMES 7002 | Grant Writing and Communication | 3.0 |
| Subject Area Focused Courses | ||
| BMES 5100 | Advanced Design and Analysis for Biomedical Studies | 3.0 |
| BMES 5601 | Foundations in Mathematics and Modeling in Biomedical Science | 3.0 |
| Select one (1) course: | 3.0 | |
| Biomedical Computing: Introduction to Programming in Matlab and Python | ||
| Software Design and Development for Biomedical Problems | ||
| Select one (1) course: | 3.0 | |
| Biomedical Modeling: Cellular Systems | ||
| Biomedical Modeling: Physiological Systems | ||
| Biomedical Signal Processing Fundamentals | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select four (4) courses: | 12.0 | |
| Advanced Biomaterials | ||
| Immune Engineering | ||
| Tissue Engineering | ||
| Design and Manufacturing of Advanced Therapeutics | ||
| Joint Biomechanics and Modeling | ||
| Musculoskeletal Injury, Clinical Assessment and Intervention | ||
| Cardiovascular Mechanics | ||
| Nanoscale Biomechanics | ||
| ML-AI Foundations in Biomedical Applications | ||
| Biomedical AI Research and Innovation | ||
| Bioinformatics: Transcriptomics and Functional Genomics | ||
| Algorithms in Bioinformatics and Genomic Analysis | ||
| Neuroengineering Cells and Signals | ||
| Neuroimaging and Brain Computer Interfaces | ||
| Computational Neuroscience and Neuroengineering | ||
| Frontiers in Neuroscience | ||
| Medical Device Development | ||
| Pediatric Engineering | ||
| Medical Technology Innovation | ||
| Research and Dissertation 1 | 30.0 | |
| Independent Study in Biomedical Engineering and Science | ||
| Research in Biomedical Engineering and Science | ||
| PhD Dissertation | ||
| Total Credits | 62.0 | |
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In consultation with the doctoral advisor students can take additional electives from the Department of Biology (BIO 5346, BIO 6413, BIO 6420, BIO 6426, BIO 6430, BIO 6444) or the College of Medicine in areas such as Immunology, Neuroscience or Pharmacology.
Post-Master's PhD Students
| Subject-Area Focused Courses | ||
| Research & Dissertation 1 | 30.0-36.0 | |
| Research in Biomedical Engineering and Science | ||
| PhD Dissertation | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select any BMES 5000-7900 level course | 0.0-12.0 | |
| Total Credits | 30.0-48.0 | |
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Number of required research credits may be reduced based on the number of electives required