Bioengineering

Doctoral Curriculum

Doctoral Program Requirements

It is also required that all Ph.D. students spend at least one year of the program in full-time residency at the University.

Requirements for all Ph.D. students at the University can be found in the University of Pennsylvania Doctoral Dissertation Manual.

Explore a list of graduate courses broken down by focus area. For more in-depth information about the Ph.D. degree program and its associated requirements, please view the Doctoral Resource Guide.

Curriculum Requirements and Sample Curriculum Plan

Please take note of matriculation year.

Required Courses

Bioengineering Fundamentals 4
Select 4 courses with Attribute EPBF or BE 5000/6000-level courses. 1, 4
Biomedical Science 1
Select 1 course with Attribute EPBS. 2, 4
Statistics and Domain Math Courses 1
Select 1 course with Attribute EPBM. 3, 4
Bioengineering Seminars 1
Select a minimum of two seminars each in:
BE 6990
 Bioengineering Graduate Seminar
BE 5730
 Soft Skills for Bioengineering PhDs
Responsible Conduct of Research Requirement 0
EAS 9000
 Responsible Conduct for Research (RCR), Engineering
Bioengineering Research 12
BE 9950
 Dissertation 5
BE 9999
 Independent Study Research
Total Course Units 19

A teaching practicum requirement is in place for the 2026 cohort as the enter their third and fourth semesters.

1. BE or Engineering courses devoted to analytical methods, modeling, experimental methods and data analysis which focus on the student concentration. Courses will be chosen in consultation with the advisor. A list of courses students have taken recently to fulfill this requirement can be found in the catalog.

 

2. Select 2 courses in biomedical sciences such as cell biology and/or systems physiology. Courses are chosen in consultation with advisor. A list of courses that students have taken recently to fulfill this requirement can be found in the catalog.

 

3. Suggested courses include:

  • ENM 5020 Numerical Methods and Modeling
  • ENM 5100 Foundations of Engineering Mathematics – I
  • ENM 5110 Foundations of Engineering Mathematics – II
  • BE 5100 Biomechanics and Biotransport

Additional math course recommendations can be found in the catalog.

4. BE 9999 Independent Study Research

may be taken as a 1:1 substitute for up to two credits of didactic classes (BE Fundamentals, Biological Science, or Statistics and Domain Math).

5. Doctoral students are expected to maintain full-time status and to enroll in BE 9999 Independent Study Research while conducting research, in year one and two in consultation with their advisor. A student should enroll in BE 9950 in year three and beyond once they advance to candidacy. A student must be enrolled in BE 9950 in their final semester.

Please be sure to discuss course selection with your thesis advisor, the Bioengineering Graduate Group Chair or the Associate Director of Graduate Programs. All courses must be graduate level and meet the requirements of the program. Courses should be chosen in consultation with the advisor.

  • 4 x Bioengineering Electives
  • 2 x Biomedical
  • 2 x Math
  • 2 x Seminars (BE6990/BE5730)
  • 1 x RCR (EAS 9000)

Please be sure to discuss course selection with your thesis advisor, the Bioengineering Graduate Group Chair or the Associate Director of Graduate Programs. All courses must be graduate level and meet the requirements of the program. Courses should be chosen in consultation with the advisor.

  • 3 course units in Bioengineering Fundamentals
    • Bioengineering and Engineering courses devoted to analytical methods, modeling as well as experimental methods and data analysis or any grad level Bioengineering course. These courses should be chosen in consultation with the advisor, focusing on the concentration.
  • 2 course units in Mathematics
    • Suggested courses include: ENM 5100, 5110, ENM 5020, BE 5100
  • 2 course units in Biological Science 
    • Many students take one course in cell biology and one course in systems physiology to broaden the student’s biological background and emphasize the quantitative aspects of living systems.
  • 2 Research Discipline Specific Electives
  • Bioengineering Seminar
    • A minimum of 2 semesters is required (BE 6990) (0cu each), usually in the first year.
  • 2 semesters of Bioengineering Soft Skills
    • course for new students (BE 5730) (0.5 CU each)
  • BE PHD Independent Study, Balance of University Requirements BE 9999

TOTAL: 9 courses, EAS 9000- RCR, 2 seminars BE 6990 and 2 semesters of BE Soft Skills Course BE 5730

The following table indicates a general sample plan of study. Students should discuss specific course selection with their advisor.

Fall Semester Spring Semester
Year 1
  • 1 Biomedical course
  • 1 Math course
  • 1 BE 6990 seminar
  • 1 BE 5730 seminar
  • 1 RCR course (EAS 9000)
  • 1 Biomedical course
  • 1 BE course
  • 1 BE 6990 seminar
  • 1 BE 5730 seminar
Year 2
  • 1 Math course
  • 1 BE course
  • Thesis research/independent study (BE 9999)
  • 1 BE course
  • 1 BE course
  • Thesis research/independent study (BE 9999)
Year 3 and beyond
  • 1 BE elective
  • Thesis research/independent study (BE 9999)
  • Dissertation proposal

 

 Year(s) following proposal….

  • After proposal enroll in BE 9950 (S/U grading for full time status)
  • Annual Progress Report due
  • Final Examination and Dissertation Defense

The following table indicates a general sample plan of study. Students should discuss specific course selection with their advisor.

Fall Semester Spring Semester
Year 1
  • BE 513 Cell Biology & Molecular Structure
  • Math or BE Fundamentals
  • 2 CUs of BE 9999
  • BE 6990 – Bioengineering Seminar (0.5 cu)
  • BE 5730 – Bioengineering Soft Skills for first year students
  • BE Fundamentals Course
  • Biomedical Science or BE Fundamentals
  • 2 CUs BE 9999
  • BE 6990 – Seminar (0.5 cu)
  • BE 5730 – Bioengineering Soft Skills for first year students
  • Qualifications Evaluation completed during the Summer 
Year 2
  • Math Elective
  • BE Fundamentals or Biomedical Science Elective
  • BE 9990
  • BE Fundamentals
  • Bioengineering Elective
  • BE 9990
  • BE 6990 – Seminar (0.5 cu)
Year 3 and beyond
  • BE 9999
  • Selected BE Fundamentals in consultation with the research advisor
  • Dissertation proposal by the end of the Fall semester of the 3rd year
  • Annual Progress Report due
  • Dissertation Research (BE 9950)
  • Final Examination and Dissertation Defense

Graduate Course Lists

Bioengineering Graduate Courses Math Courses for Bioengineering M.S. / Ph.D. Biological Science Courses for Bioengineering M.S. / Ph.D.

Details Regarding BE 5730 & 6990

Bioengineering Soft Skills and Seminar Courses

 

The BE Soft Skills Course has been established so that students get a first-year orientation and collective experience with the members of their cohort while attending seminars and acquiring useful skills for their predoctoral experience.

The course is offered Fall and Spring every year. The grading system is S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory) 0.5 cu per semester. All BE graduate students are required to register for BE 5730 during two semesters before graduation, preferably in the first year.

BE 6990 is the seminar course for Bioengineering first-year students which occur on first Thursdays of the month.

Questions? Email the Bioengineering doctoral advising team at bephd-admin@engineering.upenn.edu.

Fall Semester Structure for BE 5730:

  • BE Seminars (Usually First Thursdays of the Month)
  • NSF PROPOSAL workshop (OPTIONAL and date set by SEAS)
  • Goal setting in years 1-3
  • Individualized Development Plan (IDP)
  • How to write a Paper How to give a Talk
 Spring Semester Structure for BE 5730:

  • Participation in BE Grad Group Symposium
    BE Seminars (Usually First Thursdays of the Month)
  • How to Read Literature Critically
  • Proposal writing workshop for BE 1st year students
  • Mock Grant Review Panel
  • Goal setting in years 1-3
  • Individualized Development Plan (IDP)
Fall Semester Structure for BE 6990:

  • Participation in BE Grad Group Symposium
    BE Seminars
  • (Usually First Thursdays of the Month)
 Spring Semester Structure for BE 6990:

  • Participation in BE Grad Group Symposium
    BE Seminars (Usually First Thursdays of the Month)