Program Overview

PhD in Bioengineering

Presentation of the programme

The PhD in Bioengineering programme at IQS offers an attractive and suitable PhD programme for students interested in research and innovation in the field of biotechnology and bioengineering. The programme has an interdisciplinary approach because it aims to respond to the professional needs of the biotechnology industry and scientific training for academic and industrial research.

Main information

• Spots: 10 new PhD candidates are admitted per academic year
• Beginning: Registration open all year round
• Areas: Chemistry Area, Chemical Engineering Area, Industrial Engineering Area

Facilities

• More than 8,700 m2 of laboratory and workshop space
• Specific laboratories for the Master’s Degree in Bioengineering

Programme objectives

• To educate new doctors who are specialists in the most modern and cutting-edge fields of chemistry and chemical engineering
• To awaken the calling in future university professors and researchers and educate them appropriately for this purpose
• To educate research professionals who are capable of naturally adapting to the increasingly rapid-changing scientific and technological environment
• To ensure that the doctors trained in these studies have an awareness of the impact that their work represents for the environment and humanity
• To maintain a high level of basic and applied research at IQS that fosters a continuous spirit of innovation and staying abreast of current knowledge and methodologies at all teaching levels

Labour insertion

• Main employment opportunities for graduates are in research and research management in companies in the biotechnology sector
• Positions of high responsibility in R&D&I, as well as in universities and other research institutions

Registration steps

• Enrolment period and procedure: Enrolment period is open all year round
• Additional coursework: The Doctoral Programme in Bioengineering does not provide additional training for students who enter the programme with a Master’s degree in Bioengineering, Biotechnology, Biomedicine, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy, or related fields

Admission and requirements

• Admission requirements: Hold an official Spanish bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and a university master’s degree
• Applicant profile: Graduates in official Master’s degrees in Bioengineering, Biotechnology, Biomedicine, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy, or related fields

Grants for doctoral studies

• IQS annually offers grants of up to three years in duration for doctoral studies at IQS
• Research groups at IQS maintain an active policy of attracting research resources through different channels

Faculty

• 12 doctors and researchers form the faculty of the PhD in Bioengineering programme
• All professors are members of a research group recognised by the Government of Catalonia

Research lines

• The PhD in Bioengineering programme is structured into seven research lines grouped into four large thematic areas
• Biological Chemistry and Glycobiology Area
• Biomaterials Area
• Tissue Engineering Area
• Microbiology Area

Educational activities

• The PhD in Bioengineering programme includes a series of activities that aim to advance the educational activities for students in the programme
• Attending the Department of Bioengineering Conference Cycle
• Participating in teaching activities
• Participating in conferences and courses
• Teaching a seminar within the department
• Conducting research at another university

Procedure for the elaboration and defense of the research plan

• Before the end of the first year, the doctoral student will prepare a detailed Research Plan
• The research plan will be evaluated by the CAPD during the evaluation of the first year of the doctorate

Academic standards

• The General Standards of Organisation for Doctorates at Ramon Llull University establish the framework for the PhD in Bioengineering programme
• The specific adaptation of these standards for doctoral programs at IQS is set out in the Standards for Doctoral Studies at IQS

Duration of the PhD programme and maintaining good standing

• Doctoral studies last for a maximum duration of three full-time years
• Part-time doctoral studies may be carried out solely if authorised by the CAPD in advance

Academic calendar

• Candidates for the doctoral programme can apply and be admitted at any time during the academic year
• Initial enrolment in the doctoral programme can be done at any time during the academic year

Mobility grants

• Doctoral students have access to financial aid to take part in mobility programmes
• The International Relations Office provides support to IQS students who wish to conduct research abroad

Doctoral Theses defended in the last academic years

• Since the start of the programme in 2008, 41 doctoral theses have been successfully defended in the PhD Programme in Bioengineering

General regulations and framework

• Doctoral education at Spanish universities has been governed by Royal Decree 99/2011 of 28 January, and subsequent amendments thereof
• Ramon Llull University has drafted internal General Standards for the Structure of Doctorates

Internal quality assurance system

• The Doctoral Programme in Bioengineering has strategic quality policies and internal quality assurance systems
• The URL’s Academic and Teaching Quality and Innovation Unit promotes, coordinates and reviews the evaluation processes of the academic and teaching environment

Quantitative indicators

• Quality of the Training Programme
• Adequacy of teaching staff
• Effectiveness of Learning Support Systems
• Quality of results
• Quality of Outcomes. Labour market insertion

Memory and Reports VSMA

• Programme Report (modification 2019)
• Self-report Accreditation 2021
• Degree review reports produced by AQU Catalunya