PhD in Bioengineering
- Overview
- Program Requirements
- Progression through Program
- Applying to the Graduate Program
- PhD Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
Overview
The doctoral degree is the most advanced degree that can be awarded and demonstrates high achievement in bioengineering, including excellent intellectual leadership and independence as a scientific researcher. It requires that the student take rigorous core courses, courses outside the department, and an original, independent research project. Three milestones punctuate that work: the Qualifying Examination, the General Examination, and the Final Examination (dissertation defense).Research Themes
Program Requirements
Who we’re looking for
UW Bioengineering is a multidisciplinary biomedical research and engineering program. We know from experience that creative sparks fly quickest when talented people from across the fields of science, engineering, and medicine work together.
If you have a broad education and a degree in engineering, mathematics, the physical or life sciences, you may find a home here.
We actively seek individuals with degrees in bioengineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, physics, biology, computer science, electrical engineering and related disciplines.
We pick the best applicants from a wide array of backgrounds.
General Requirements
Go to: UW Graduate School Degree Application Requirements Quick Reference Checklist
Requirements for completion of PHD (once admitted)
All courses must be taken for a numerical grade.
Starting Autumn 2012:
- BIOEN 5XX: Literature Analysis (2 credits, cr/nc)
- BIOEN 5XX: Proposal Writing (2 credits)
- BIOEN 5XX: Professional Skills Development (1 credit cr/nc)
- STAT or BIOSTAT Requirement (1 course of the following, 2.5-4 credits): BIOSTAT 517, 524 or STAT 502, 504, 512 or UCONJ 510
- 25 credits of research-related electives.
- 18 Credits within 4 of 5 BIOE Themes
- 9 CR in "Focus Theme/Advanced CR"
- 9 CR in 3 of 4 remaining themes (3 CR/theme)
- 7 Additional Electives (not required to be research related)
- 3 can be CR/NC
- 18 Credits within 4 of 5 BIOE Themes
Additionally, students will complete 1-2 laboratory rotations and 1 Teaching Assistantship.
From 2006 - 2011:
- BIOEN 501: Molecular Bioengineering (4 credits)
- BIOEN 502: Cellular Bioengineering (4 credits)
- BIOEN 503: Systems Bioengineering (4 credits)
- BIOEN 510: Introduction to Bioengineering (1 credit)
- STAT or BIOSTAT Requirement (1 course of the following, 2.5-4 credits): BIOSTAT 517, 524 or STAT 502, 504, 512 or UCONJ 510
- 16 credits of research-related electives selected in consultation with faculty advisor. At least one course must be at the graduate level.
Additionally, students will complete 1-2 laboratory rotations and 1 Teaching Assistantship.
Progression through Program
Ordinarily, a student progressing well and on schedule will:- First Year
- Complete several lab rotations
- Select a thesis advisor no later than the end of Spring Quarter.
- Second Year
- Pass the Qualifying Exam
- form a Supervisory Committee by the end of the second year
- Third Year
- Pass the General Exam
- Fourth Year +
- Make an annual progress report to the Supervisory Committee.
- Receive feedback from committee
- Fifth Year
- Defend the dissertation.
Advising in the First Year
You will be assigned a preliminary faculty advisor from the appropriate research theme and you will prepare a preliminary plan of study.
To ensure that adequate progress is made, you will be expected to meet with your advisor as needed. If you are still involved in substantial course work, you should meet quarterly to select an appropriate study plan.
Research Advisor
Once you decide to work in a specific laboratory, you select a particular faculty member as your research advisor. The advisor assumes primary responsibility for your future direction and will direct your dissertation. Notify the academic counselor and inform the preliminary advisor as soon as you have selected a research advisor.
- This is the first test, after admission, of your potential for a successful career in original bioengineering research at the doctoral level. You must take the exam in the second year. The exam determines whether you should continue in the doctoral program. You have two opportunities to pass the qualifying examination to remain in the program.
During the exam a subset of the faculty assesses the student's:
- knowledge
- ability to do focused work
- oral and written communication skills
- common sense
- potential as a researcher
- capacity to propose innovative ideas
For students matriculating Autumn 2011 and later
The written portion will be two parts. One part of the written exam will assess the student's research progress. The second part of the written portion uses the format of an NIH R21 proposal.
For students matriculating prior to Autumn 2011
The written portion uses the format of a research plan included in a formal RO1 proposal to the National Institutes of Health without the usual limitations imposed by budgets, personnel, precise timing, space, etc.
Oral portion: A test of oral communication skills, depth of knowledge in a chosen topic, innovation and breadth of knowledge of bioengineering as a discipline.
Supervisory Committee
The student, in consultation with the research advisor, assembles a Supervisory Committee, which the research advisor will chair. The Committee reviews academic performance and oversees your progress according to Graduate School and Student Affairs Committee guidelines. It should meet at least yearly to monitor progress. The Committee also administers and assesses the General and Final Examinations.
The committee should consist of at least four members, including the research advisor as committee chair and a Graduate School faculty representative. At least two members must be part of the Bioengineering core faculty.
This is the major examination in your doctoral career and is meant to assure your potential to become an independent investigator. To pass the examination you will need to demonstrate a high level of skill in obtaining funding for research and development in academia, government, and industry. The examination determines the soundness, significance, and originality of the student's research project, as well as the clarity and thoroughness of the student's understanding. It provides an opportunity for the student to justify his/her research vision, describe the initial experimental plan, and present preliminary data demonstrating feasibility of the project. The examination also affords an opportunity to correct deficiencies in the student's overall educational program that become evident during the course of the exam. As a public examination, it also reflects on the quality of research and academic advising in Bioengineering. Passing the examination advances the student to Ph.C., or doctoral candidacy, status.
You should complete the examination no less than three quarters before the Final Examination, but it is strongly advised that it be scheduled as early as possible, preferably about one year after passing the Qualifying Examination. You will be expected to have completed sufficient preliminary research work to allow the Supervisory Committee to assess your likelihood of successfully completing the PhD.
Dissertation & Final Examination
Your dissertation demonstrates your ability to complete an original and independent investigation of a significant problem. It provides evidence that you can recognize an important problem, acquire the data to answer the questions posted within that problem, and extend the results of the answered questions to other problems of significance. The dissertation is orally defended when the Supervisory Committee agrees that the research is complete.
Applying to the Graduate Program
Admission to the graduate program in bioengineering is competitive. The graduate admissions committee is impressed with the quality of our applicants and regrets that we can only admit a small number of students each year. We genuinely appreciate your interest in our program and welcome your application.
Our Location
Seattle is an ideal location to spend your graduate career — an outstanding combination of outdoor and urban living.
Application Policies
Candiates are asked to upload all sections of the online application prior to application submission (once an application is submitted, it is difficult for the department to enter changes and/or updates). Early applications are encouraged so we are able to notify you of any missing items. Late and/or incomplete applications will not be reviewed. We are unable to make any exceptions to this policy.
We accept applications for Autumn quarter only.
Financial Support
Our PhD students are supported by a research or teaching assistantship that provides tuition, health insurance, and a monthly stipend for living expenses. It is rare for a PhD student to be admitted without funding.
Departmental funding is not provided for Masters of Science and Combined Bachelor/Masters of Science students.
GRE/TOEFL
Since Educational Testing Service (ETS) can take up to six weeks to send us your scores, you should plan on taking the GRE/TOEFL well in advance of the application deadline to ensure they arrive by the appropriate deadline.
The GRE test must be taken within five years of the application deadline. The TOEFL (or other UW-approved english language proficiency exams) must be taken within two years of the application deadline.
In order for your application to be considered complete, the department requires official GRE and TOEFL (or other UW-approved english language proficiency exams) test score reports submitted to the Graduate School directly from ETS (code 4854) by the designated application deadline.
Note: English language proficiency exam scores will only be waived for United States citizens; citizens of the following countries: Austrailia, the Bahamas, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, or the United Kingdom; or for students who have earned their bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution in one of the countries listed above at the time of application.
Applicants who are:
- Non-US citizens and citizens from countires other than those listed above who have not yet earned their degree from an institution in one of the countries listed above at the time of application
- Applicants who are earning their degrees from a regionally accredited institution in a country other than those listed above
must submit an official TOEFL score (or other UW-approved English proficiency exam), less than 2 years old, in order for the application to be considered complete. Additional details about English proficiency exams and who qualifies to waive this requirement can be found here: Graduate School Memorandum No. 8
Institutional & Departmental Codes
For the GRE test:
- UW institutional code: 4854
Departmental codes are no longer required as all exam scores are sent directly to the University's Graduate School for sorting; however, applicants are welcome to use code 1603
For the TOEFL test:
- UW institutional code: 4854
- For initial application review, we accept unofficial transcripts. Within the online application, you will upload a copy of your transcripts. Paper copies of unofficial transcripts will not be accepted. Select applicants will be asked to forward official, unopened transcripts. Please do not forward official transcripts unless asked to do so.
International:
- For initial application review, we accept unofficial transcripts. The Graduate School will now only require additional application materials (official transcripts, financial ability form, copy of visa, etc.) from international applicants when they are recommended for admission by the graduate program. The Graduate School will contact the international applicant at the time the additional materials are required.
- A clear and succinct description of your motivations for entering bioengineering, your preparation for advanced research, and your reasons for applying to the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Washington
- Two pages or less
- Review our faculty and their research before writing your statement of purpose.
Letters of Recommendation
The application will ask you to designate 3 people who will write your letters of recommendation. Each writer will immediately receive an email directing them to a secure website where they are able to choose the online system or send the letter via postal mail. We strongly recommend use of the online system.
Letter of recommendation writers who submit letters online will complete an evaluation form as part of the process.
You will be able to track the status of your letters of recommendation through your online application.
If any of your writers prefer to use postal mail instead of using the online system, their letters and the paper evaluation form should be sent to:
Academic Services
Department of Bioengineering
University of Washington
Box 355061
Seattle, WA 98195-5061
Domestic Applicant Procedures (Application process for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and immigrants.) Deadline: Dec. 1, 2012 for Autumn 2013 admission.
International Applicant Procedures Deadline: Dec. 1, 2012 for Autumn 2013 admission.
Additional questions? E-mail or call (206) 616-2423.
