Doctoral Degree

PhD Degree Requirements

The requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biomedical Engineering are completion of a minimum of 40 units of approved graded coursework, including four core courses (below), quarterly seminar in Biomedical Engineering, a course in Scientific Communication, a course in Scientific Integrity, at least one quarter teaching experience, and a dissertation approved by a three to five-member faculty committee. The MS degree is not a prerequisite for the PhD program. Courses must be taken for a letter grade; the minimum acceptable grade is B- and the minimum overall GPA is 3.50. S/U-graded courses (e.g., research 290C and 299 and seminar 290 courses) do not count toward the 40-unit graded course requirement. Each student’s program of study must be approved by their major professor and signed by their graduate advisor. Students are asked to file a preliminary program of study with the graduate group within the first two weeks of the first quarter of enrollment. The study plan is to be updated annually.

PhD Degree Requirements

PhD Checklist

Full-time students enrolled in the Ph.D. program and who have entered with adequate preparation are expected to adhere to the following timetable:

Year One - Fall
  • BIM 201: Scientific Communication in BME
  • BIM 202: Cell & Molecular Biology
  • BIM 204: Physiology
  • BIM 290: BME Seminar
  • Elective
  • Rotate in Research Labs
Year One - Winter
  • BIM 283: Experimental Design or 284: Math Methods
  • BIM 290: BME Seminar
  • 2 Electives
  • Rotate in Research Labs
  • Join Research Lab
Year One - Spring
  • BIM 209: Scientific Integrity
  • BIM 281: Acquisition & Analysis
  • BIM 290: BME Seminar
  • Elective
  • BIM 299: Dissertation Research
Year One - Summer
  • Dissertation Research
Year Two - Fall
Year Two - Winter
Year Two - Spring
  • BIM 290: BME Seminar
  • BIM 299: Dissertation Research
  • Elective
  • Qualifying Exam Preparation
Year Two - Summer
Year Three to Five

Course Selection

At least 30 units of the 40-unit total graded coursework must be graduate-level engineering courses (those numbered 200 – 289). The remaining 10 units must be either advanced undergraduate (courses numbered 100 – 189) or graduate courses (200 – 289).  Students must enroll in BIM 290 seminar course (1 unit) during each quarter it is offered.  Students must also complete BIM 201 Scientific Communication, BIM 209 Scientific Integrity, and 1 quarter of teaching experience (BIM 396).  Students select courses in consultation with their major professor and graduate advisor. For an up-to-date listing of classes, please see the courses page.

Core Courses

BIM 202: Cell and Molecular Biology for Engineers

Preparation for research and critical review in the field of cell and molecular biology for biomedical or applied science engineers. Emphasis on biophysical and engineering concepts intrinsic to specific topics including protein traffic, the cytoskeleton, cell motility, cell division, and cell adhesion. Modern topics in mechano-biology of cancer cells and stem cells.

  • Quarter: F
  • Units: 4
BIM 204: Physiology for Bioengineers

Basic human physiology of the nervous, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, lymphatic, renal and gastrointestinal systems and their interactions. Emphasis is placed on the physical and engineering principles governing these systems, including control and transport processes, fluid dynamics, and electrochemistry.

  • Quarter: F
  • Units: 5
BIM 281: Acquisition and Analysis of Biomedical Signals

This lecture/laboratory course introduces basic concepts associated with digital signal recording and analysis. Lectures introduce concepts of sampling; standard probability distributions; statistical error analysis related to experimental design; Fourier, and spectral analysis applied to signal and image processing. Labs are designed to provide hands-on experience with digital oscilloscopes, waveform generators, optical microscopy, Matlab- and Labview-based software applications.

  • Quarter: S
  • Units: 4
BIM 283: Experimental Design for Biomedical Engineers

Provides biomedical engineering graduate students with the tools to properly design experiments, collect and analyze data, and extract, communicate and act on information generated. 

  • Quarter: W
  • Units: 4
BIM 284: Mathematical Methods for Biomedical Engineers

Theoretical and numerical analyses of linear and nonlinear systems, ordinary and partial differential equations that describe biological systems and instruments that measure them. Students will be introduced to numerical solution techniques. 

  • Quarter: W
  • Units: 4

Examinations for the PhD Degree

The Biomedical Engineering Graduate Group offers the Ph.D. degree under Plan C and requires two examinations:

Examination 1 is an oral Qualifying Examination taken upon completion of the coursework and all other requirements described above, normally by the 7th quarter. The examination must be completed within nine quarters of matriculation to the graduate group. Students who do not complete the examination within the prescribed time frame will be subject to disqualification from the program unless the Graduate Advisor has granted a written extension with specified conditions. The purpose of the qualifying examination is to assess a student’s potential for completing dissertation research that will be of sufficient quality to merit publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Once students have passed the exam and advanced to candidacy, they are no longer required to take any additional course work. A 7-page written research plan is prepared by the student in consultation with the major professor and distributed to the committee at least two weeks prior to the examination date. The plan and the student’s command of the field is defended before a 5-member committee with representation both from engineering and biology/medicine.  The oral presentation should be approximately 30 minutes, excluding questions; the total exam will last 2-3 hours in length. The committee will ensure that the student has both breadth and depth of knowledge of the field and provide guidance to the student regarding their research plan. Food and/or drinks should not be brought to the examination.  Please see BMEGG Qualifying Examination for additional information. The Chair of the QE Committee completes the Report on the Doctoral Qualifying Examination in GradSphere immediately following the exam.

Examination 2 is a final oral examination taken after preparation of a written Ph.D. dissertation. Each student will prepare and present a seminar defending the scientific importance of his/her dissertation before a 3 (or more) member Dissertation Committee and interested faculty and graduate students in the program. Following the open presentation, the audience will be excused and the committee will continue to examine the student regarding their presentation and dissertation work. This examination is usually restricted to the members of the committee, but may be open to faculty members and guests, with the consent of the student and all the members of the dissertation committee. The Chair of the Dissertation Committee completes the Ph.D. Final Examination Report in GradSphere immediately following the Dissertation Defense.

Completing the PhD

Dissertation Resources:

Graduating and Departing UC Davis: