Program Overview

Biomedical Engineering, PhD through the School of Medicine

The Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) is uniquely positioned within the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the Whiting School of Engineering, giving students access to top clinicians, researchers, and engineers. Biomedical engineers apply modern approaches from the experimental life sciences in conjunction with theoretical and computational methods from the disciplines of engineering, mathematics, and computer science to solve biomedical problems of fundamental importance.

Overview

The Johns Hopkins University Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program is designed to train engineers to become leaders at the cutting edge of this field. Students are passionate about discovery and innovation that occurs across disciplinary boundaries. The cornerstone of the Program is the belief in the importance of in-depth training of students in both life sciences and modern engineering.

Program Objectives

Upon completion of the Program, BME PhD graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate a deep understanding of core concepts in three key areas: Biology, Medicine, and Engineering (BME).
• Conduct independent and original research.
• Develop high standards for ethical and responsible conduct, scientific rigor, and reproducibility.
• Develop advanced skills for communication and teamwork.
• Participate in career awareness and career exploration opportunities.
• Utilize high standards for leadership and citizenship to contribute to scientific discovery.
• Advance the field of biomedical engineering.

In-Depth Training

In-depth training in life sciences is achieved in one of two ways. Many incoming Ph.D. students enroll in classes that are part of the first-year basic sciences curriculum of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Alternatively, students may take graduate-level biology and life sciences courses from the many exceptional biosciences departments at Johns Hopkins.

Research Opportunities

All students are fully supported during their time in the Ph.D. program. This covers tuition and provides a stipend for the duration of their Ph.D. As a result of the interdisciplinary nature of Biomedical Engineering, students can choose to perform their dissertation research in almost any laboratory in the university (subject to the approval of the program directors).

Program Directors

• Program Director: Julia Massimelli Sewall, Ph.D.
• Academic Program Co-Directors: Patrick Kanold, Ph.D. and Wojciech Zbijewski, Ph.D.

Financial Aid

All BME Ph.D. students (regardless of citizenship or national origin) are supported (tuition, stipend, health and dental insurance) for the duration of their Ph.D.

Admission

Application Requirements

• A complete and submitted online application
• Transcripts from each college or university attended
• Three letters of recommendation
• Faculty of Interest
• Personal Statement
• C.V.
• TOEFL scores (required for international students only)
• Application fee
• GRE scores are optional

Admission Process

The admission process is led by committees organized by the focus areas. Applicants specify one or more areas in which they are most interested and describe their future research goals. Applications are reviewed holistically by faculty members within the specified focus areas.

Interview Process

The admissions committee will review completed applications and invite selected applicants to interview with our faculty by phone, Zoom, or similar virtual platforms.

Program Requirements

• Complete 30 credits of coursework in life sciences, medicine, engineering, mathematics, applied math, computer science, and/or other quantitative sciences.
• Complete at least 8 hours of face-to-face research ethics training
• Successfully pass the Doctoral Board Oral Examination within 2 years of matriculation
• At least one year as a resident student at JHU
• Annual thesis committee meetings
• Dissertation must be approved by at least two readers who must certify the results to be a significant contribution to knowledge in the field and worthy of publication
• Public dissertation presentation and defense
• Certification by the Program Directors that all requirements have been fulfilled
• Submission of the dissertation to the JHU library that adheres to the Doctor of Philosophy Board Dissertation Guidelines

Integrated M.D./Ph.D. Program

Candidates for the Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering who wish to apply jointly for the M.D. degree must apply directly to the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) program through the School of Medicine.