Supervisors
Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.
Please note: additional supervisors may be available. Contact the program for more information.
Program overview
The Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program doctoral degree offers an in-depth focus on cutting-edge research that prepares graduates for work in industry, academia or government. Areas of application range from prevention and healthy aging to improved diagnostics, as well as technologies for better therapeutics. The degree is part of an interdisciplinary program aimed at students with backgrounds in areas such as engineering, kinesiology, physical sciences, medicine, or life sciences. Students gain hands-on experience at various active university and hospital-based research centres. Areas of study include biomechanics, medical imaging, cell and tissue engineering, as well as biomedical instrumentation.
Completing this program
- BME Foundations Course: Students will study core concepts in biomedical engineering, selecting between a biology or engineering focus.
- Additional Courses: May be chosen from across a wide range of faculties, in areas related to the student’s research topic, which may include medical imaging, biomechanics, cellular and molecular engineering, statistics, bioelectrical engineering, among others.
- Research Project and Candidacy Requirements: Students prepare a written research proposal and must complete an oral Thesis Proposal Evaluation and an oral Field of Study Exam.
- BME Core I and II Courses: Topics may include biomedical engineering research, ethics, careers paths, research skills, methodology or other areas.
- Medical Imaging Specialization: Requires three courses in Medical Imaging in addition to core program requirements.
- Thesis: Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.
Specializations
Outcomes
Academia; research and development and leadership positions in industries such as medical devices and pharmaceuticals; patent law; governmental regulatory and healthcare agencies.
A PhD in biomedical engineering is usually considered a final degree.
Thesis-based program
Students are required to prepare a thesis and successfully defend in an open oral defense.
Courses
Two courses, and more for students without biomedical engineering MSc
Learn more about program requirements in the Academic Calendar
Classroom delivery
Time commitment
Four years full-time; six years maximum
Supervisor
A supervisor is required, and must agree to oversee the student's research and fund the student before the student will be granted admission
Fees and funding
See the Graduate Calendar for information on fees and fee regulations, and for information on awards and financial assistance.
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Seeking StudentsStroke, Dementia, Cognition, MRI, CT, biomarkers -
Accepting InquiriesDynamics of locomotion
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Accepting InquiriesBiomedical engineering – bone and joint injuries -
Accepting Inquiries -
UnavailableElectrokinetic Microsystems, Microneedles, Brain-machine interfaces -
Accepting Inquiries
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Accepting Inquiries
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Accepting InquiriesBiomechanics of aneurysms, Image-based analysis of soft tissues, Computational simulation of cardiovascular mechanics, Novel grafts for skin repair, Mechanical tests and constitutive models of soft biological tissues -
UnavailableProteomics, proteases, systems biology, inflammation, immunity -
Accepting InquiriesOrthopaedic Bioengineering and Tissue Engineering
Admission requirements
GPA
A minimum of 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.
Minimum education
A four-year baccalaureate degree and a Master of Science (thesis) degree or equivalent in engineering, science, kinesiology or equivalent, from a recognized institution.
Work samples
None
Documents
- None
Reference letters
Two
Test scores
None
Supervision and Funding
Students can only be accepted upon identification of one or more approved Biomedical Graduate Engineering Program supervisors who are willing to supervise and fund the applicant.
English language proficiency (ELP)
An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ibt) score of 86 with no section less than 20 (Internet-based).
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 with no section less than 6.0 (Academic version).
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 59, or higher (academic version).
- Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL) score of 70 with no section less than 60.
- Academic Communication Certificate (ACC) score of B+ in each course.
Deadlines
For admission on September 1:
- Canadian and permanent resident (students with Canadian or U.S. transcripts)- apply by June 1
- International (students with international transcripts)- apply by March 1
For admission on January 1:
- Canadian and permanent resident (students with Canadian or U.S. transcripts)- apply by Oct. 1
- International (students with international transcripts)- apply by July. 1
For admission on May 1:
- Canadian and permanent resident (students with Canadian or U.S. transcripts)- apply by Feb. 1
- International (students with international transcripts)- apply by Nov. 1
If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements
Learn more about this program
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Schulich School of Engineering, Calgary Centre for Innovative Technology (CCIT) building, Office CCIT 012
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, ABT2N 1N4
403.220.3835
Schulich School of Engineering
University of Calgary
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4
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