Components of the Ph.D. Program

Bioengineering Fundamentals

Bioengineering research is based upon two fundamental approaches: analysis and experimentation. Bioengineering fundamentals therefore include: knowledge of how to build, test, and validate analytical models of biological systems; knowledge of how to measure biological events and activities; knowledge of how to design experiments; and knowledge of how to process and analyze experimental data. These bioengineering fundamentals are covered in a sequence of three courses devoted to analytical methods and modeling and to experimental methods and data analysis.

Biomedical Science

Bioengineering research requires thorough knowledge of living systems and organisms. Besides study and coursework in the student's particular research area, the student will obtain a broad biological background through two courses - one covering cell biology, and one covering systems physiology. Both emphasize the quantitative aspects of living systems.

Engineering and Science Electives

Each Ph.D. student has particular needs for acquiring scientific and engineering background knowledge - background knowledge that depends on the student's research area and previous experience. Therefore, science and engineering coursework will be tailored for the student's specific needs.

Programmatic Seminars

Overviews and updates of research in different bioengineering fields are provided in the form of programmatic seminars. These intensive, research-focused seminars are organized by the different research programs within the Graduate Group in Bioengineering. The seminars are conducted by the faculty in those research groups, with assistance from other members of the graduate group. The content varies from year to year, reflecting research directions in the Graduate Group, needs of the students, and new developments in Bioengineering.

Bioengineering Research

Ph.D. students are involved in research from the very beginning of their academic program. The first person with whom a new student has contact is the Bioengineering Graduate Group Chair. The Bioengineering Graduate Group Chair arranges each new student’s laboratory rotations and will also assist each student to develop a program of study for the fall and spring semester of their first year.

Most new students will begin the fall semester of the first year with laboratory rotations. Rotations are designed to allow students the opportunity to select a lab in which to continue their dissertation research. Once a lab is chosen the student’s advisor will be responsible to assist with future course selection plans and guide the student’s dissertation research.  Traditionally all PhD mentors are selected from the Bioengineering Graduate Group Faculty.

Degree Requirements
Degree Requirements can be found in the University of Pennsylvania Doctoral Dissertation Manual.

Detailed academic rules and regulations are issued by the Office of Graduate Studies for the Graduate Council of the Faculties. It is the responsibility of the Ph.D. student to become familiar with all of the degree requirements in addition to those discussed in this document.

The General Bioengineering PhD requirements include:

• The successful completion of the course requirements, a grade-point average of at least 3.0.

• Satisfactory performance in the Ph.D. Qualilfying Exam.

• Successful completion of the PhD Preliminary Examination, consisting of a dissertation proposal.

• The submission and successful defense of the dissertation according to the University Doctoral Dissertation Manual.

• It is also required that all PhD students spend at least one year of the program spent in full-time residency at the University.

Pedagogical Training

Participation of graduate students in the teaching mission of the department develops their teaching, presentation, leadership, and interpersonal skills while assisting the department in discharging its teaching responsibilities. All interested doctoral students are encouraged to participate under faculty guidance in the teaching mission of the department. Students can arrange with the faculty responsible for the course to observe their teaching sessions and comments will be provided to the student. Students may attend seminars emphasizing teaching and communication skills; lead recitations; lead tutorials; supervise undergraduate laboratory experiments; develop instructional laboratories; develop instructional material; and grade homework, laboratory reports, and exams. Penn’s Center for Teaching and Learning offers workshops and teaching certificates. In addition SEAS teaching training seminar typically will be conducted prior to the first day of class. Students interested in participating in teaching should contact the Graduate Program Coordinator at least one month prior.

Department of Bioengineering
School of Engineering and Applied Science
University of Pennsylvania
210 S. 33rd Street
Room 240 Skirkanich Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone No.: (215) 898-8501
Fax No.: (215) 573-2071
beoffice@seas.upenn.edu

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