BMEN- PhD

Biomedical Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thesis-based program

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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Supervisors

Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.
Please note: additional supervisors may be available. Contact the program for more information.


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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:

*Please contact your program of interest if you have any questions about ELP requirements.

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, ENB 202
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, ABT2N 1N4
403.220.3835

Contact the Graduate Program Administrator

Visit the departmental website

Schulich School of Engineering

University of Calgary
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4

Visit the Schulich School of Engineering's website

Learn more about UCalgary by taking a virtual tour