PhD in Bioengineering

Your degree will take your training to the next level, giving you the breadth of knowledge and the experience you need to make innovative change.

As a student in our doctoral program, you'll become a leader in the bioengineering field. You'll master the technological changes that are revolutionizing the medical profession.

A major feature of our curriculum is teaching students how to discover solutions through the creative process and then develop them to direct applications in clinical practice and commercialized technologies.

While you're here, you'll have the opportunity to work with some of the top scientists in the field.

• We develop computational models to study blood flow in the brain to understand how aneurysms form, progress, and rupture and to correct eye diseases. This work receives funding from the National Institutes of Health.

• We are using the latest ultrasound technology to improve prosthetics for arms, hands, and legs and to combine with photonics for high-resolution photoacoustic microscopy. These projects are funded by the National Science Foundation and the Department of Defense.

• We are putting together maps of neuron connections in the brain to understand brain function and studying dopamine pathways related to disease with funding from the National Institutes of Health.

• Our researchers are working on novel therapeutics using biomaterials and nanoparticles to treat cancer and tissue degeneration and to develop next-generation vaccines with support from the National Institutes of Health.

The PhD program is open to students with engineering or science degrees since an introductory set of courses provides complementary knowledge in either the biological or engineering fields not covered in the student's previous education. Each student then completes core courses in Research Methods, Multidisciplinary Research, Clinical and Commercialization Courses, and Statistics prior to 4 courses specializing in one of the following 4 concentrations:

• Biomedical Imaging and Devices

• Computational Biomedical Engineering

• Biomaterials and Nanomedicine

• Neurotechnology and Computational Neuroscience

University-wide technical electives and lab rotations are also included. Each student is guided through the process of a qualifying exam, research proposal, and research dissertation by a committee of four experts in the chosen field, leading to a broad foundation in Bioengineering combined with deep expertise in a chosen field. Our graduates go on to high-level industry and academic positions both nationally and internationally.

Check out the catalog for more information.

Applying to our program?

Please note that departmental and university fellowships are available only in the Fall admission cycle. Students applying to Spring admission should be aware that funding options in that cycle are limited to GRAs from faculty only.

Application fee waiver:
We will waive the application fee for Fall 2025 applicants who submit their application by November 15, 2024. Please click here to complete the initial form prior to starting an application. This will prompt an email with further instructions. Fee waiver is offered to Fall 2025 applicants only. Please contact Carol McHugh for inquiries.

Funding opportunities:
For full consideration for all departmental funding opportunities, completed applications for Fall enrollment into Mason-Bioengineering PhD program must be received by December 1 of the preceding year.

Interview at Prospective Grad Student Campus Visit (required):
In addition to the application requirements, prospective PhD students will also be required to participate in an interview with a committee comprised of departmental faculty during pre-admission Prospective Grad Student Campus Visit event held in January. Please note that students who do not participate in the interview will be automatically disqualified from consideration. This event will provide prospective candidates an opportunity to meet with current faculty and students, learn about various research opportunities and core research infrastructure, explore our campuses and surrounding areas. The date for our next Visit is January 16 & 17, 2025.

International applicants and those currently residing outside of the contiguous United States can participate in the Visit and the interview virtually.