PhD Program
Students in the biomedical engineering PhD program at Johns Hopkins will push the boundaries of scientific discovery alongside leading clinicians and researchers by developing and applying new technologies to understand, diagnose, and treat disease.All our students are exceptionally successful, so the message is clear: no matter your background or situation, donโt let anyone tell you that you canโt succeed here or that you shouldnโt apply here. You can and you should.Feilim Mac GabhannAssociate Professor
The BME PhD Program isHOME TO A WIDE DIVERSITY OF STUDENTS
- 42%Female (of the students who matriculated in the last four years)
- 27%Identify as having a disability or chronic condition
- 25%Identify as LGBTQ
PhD Courses
In-depth training in life sciences is achieved in one of two ways. First, incoming PhD students may enroll in the first year basic sciences curriculum of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. That is, you will learn human biology with the medical students. This is a unique and intensive curriculum covering a broad range of topics including molecules and cells, human anatomy, immunology, physiology, and neuroscience. Students choosing this option typically devote their entire first academic year to these courses. This curriculum is an excellent way to build a broad and solid foundation in the life sciences.
Students may also consider the alternative life sciences curricula. These curricula have been carefully designed to provide training in areas of the life sciences that are appropriate to each of the programโs research areas. This option is of particular value to students who enter the program having a strong background in the life sciences. In-depth training in engineering, mathematics, and computer science is achieved through elective courses, with choice of electives reflecting the research interests of each student. Detailed curricula have been developed in each of the programโs research areas to assist students in making these choices.
For a course to apply toward graduation, a grade of B- or higher is required. If a grade lower than B- is received, that course must be repeated. If it is not possible to repeat the course, then an alternate course may be taken but must be approved by the program director.
Faculty advisors may strongly advise that students choose specific electives and/or specific numbers of electives of particular importance to each of the research and training areas. In such cases, this additional course work is not a requirement of the BME PhD program.
All PhD candidates in the School of Medicine are required to take a course in the responsible conduct of research.
First Year Basic Sciences Curriculum of the School of Medicine
Fall: Scientific Foundations of Medicine (SFM)
- ME: 130.600 (SFM1): Anatomy, 35 days (12 credits)
- ME: 800.638 (SFM2): Macromolecules, Cell physiology, Metabolism, and Genetics, 30 days (12 credits)
- ME: 800.654 (SFM3): Histology and Pathobiology, 7 days (2 credits)
- ME: 330.602 (SFM4): Pharmacology, 7 days (1 credit)
Winter: Genes to Society (GTS)
- ME: 800.639 (GTS 1): Immunology, 13 days (5 credits)
- ME: Micro/Infectious Disease, 20 days (8 credits)
- ME: Dermatology, 3 days (1 credit)
- ME: Hematology/Oncology, 17 days (7 credits)
- ME: 800.610 (GTS 5): Nervous Systems and Special Senses, 33 days (13 credits)
- Part 1: Neuroanatomy
- Part 2: Function
- ME: 800.610 (GTS 6): Brain/Mind/Behavior, 12 days (5 credits)
- Physiology โ Organ Systems (recommended for cardiovascular focus) (7 credits) offered by Departments of Physiology and BME
Alternate Life Sciences Tracks
Alternate Track 1
Two of the following (each 4 credits):
- 580.421 Systems Bioengineering I (cardiovascular)
- 580.422 Systems Bioengineering II (neuroscience)
- 580.429 Systems Bioengineering III (systems biology)
- and 1-2 courses from Quantitative Biology Electives
OR Alternate Track 2
- ME: 440.811 Neuroscience Cognition I (5 credits)
- ME: 440.812 Neuroscience Cognition II (7 credits)
- and 1-2 courses from Quantitative Biology Electives
OR Alternate Track 3
Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology Core:
- 100.709 Macromolecular Structure and Analysis (1 credit)
- 100.710 Biochemical and Biophysical Principles (1.5 credits)
- 260.708 Genetics (1.5 credits)
- 260.709 Molecular Biology and Genomics (1.5 credits)
- 330.709 Organic Mechanisms in Biology (3 credits)
- 360.728 Pathways and Regulation (1 credit)
- 110.728 Cell Structure and Dynamics (1 credit)
- 800.707 Bioinformatics (1 credit)
- and 1-2 courses from Quantitative Biology Electives
Electives
Quantitative Biology Electives
- 520.610 Computational Functional Genomics (3 credits)
- 520.636 Feedback Control in Biological Signaling Pathways (3 credits)
- 540.409 Modeling Dynamics and Control for Chemical and Biological Systems (3 credits)
- 540.659 Bioengineering in Regenerative Medicine (3 credits)
- 580.420 Build-a-Genome (4 credits)
- 580.626 Structure and Function of the Auditory and Vestibular Brain (3 credits)
- 580.630 Theoretical Neuroscience (4 credits)
- 580.682 Computational Models of the Cardiac Myocyte (3 credits)
- 580.688 Foundations of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics II (3 credits)
- 580.690 Systems Biology of Cell Regulation (3 credits)
Mathematics/Applied Mathematics Electives
- 110.405 Analysis (4 credits)
- 580.691 Learning Theory (3 credits)
- 110.607 Complex Variables (3 credits)
- 550.426 Introduction to Stochastic Processes (4 credits)
- 550.430 Introduction to Statistics (4 credits)
- 550.437 Statistics Information and Vision (3 credits)
- 550.471 Combinatorial Analysis (4 credits)
- 550.620 Probability Theory I (4 credits)
- 550.621 Probability Theory II (4 credits)
- 550.626 Stochastic Processes II (3 credits)
- 550.636 Statistical Inference (2 credits)
- 550.632 Multivariate Statistical Inference
- 550.672 Graph Theory (4 credits)
- 550.692 Matrix Analysis and Linear Algebra (4 credits)
- 550.723 Markov Chains (3 credits)
- 670.619 Fundamental Physics and Chemistry of Nanomaterials (3 credits)
- ME: 510.707 Statistics and Data Analysis Using R (1.5 credits)
Engineering Courses with Substantial Theory Content
- 520.447 Introduction to Information Theory and Coding (3 credits)
- 580.691 Learning Theory (3 credits)
- 520.601 Introduction to Linear Dynamical Systems (3 credits)
- 520.621 Nonlinear System Theory (3 credits)
- 520.651 Random Signals (4 credits)
- 530.659 Applied Analysis for Engineers and Scientists
- 530.730 Finite Element Methods (3 credits)
- 530.761 Mathematical Methods of Engineering I (3 credits)
- 530.762 Mathematical Methods of Engineering II (4 credits)
- 540.641 Micro- and Nanoscale Transport Phenomena (3 credits)
- 540.652 Advanced Transport Phenomena (3 credits)
- 550.630 Statistical Theory (4 credits)
- 550.661 Foundations of Optimization (3 credits)
- 580.639. Models of Neuron (3 credits)
- 580.677 Advanced Topics in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (3 credits)
Evaluation of Student Progress
The primary mechanism with which the program director can follow your progress in the program is via the onlineย progress reportย form. As you enroll in courses, embark on laboratory rotations, take your Doctoral Board Exam, hold a thesis committee, write a manuscript, give a talk, etc., you must update this form. You are required to check and update the form at least every three months. The form is an accurate record of all your academic activities during your PhD years. The data in this form is kept confidential, and is available to only you, the program director, and the program administrator. The data are used to monitor your progress in the program.
The Graduate Board Oral (GBO) Examination
Upon completion of a majority of studentโs course work, he/she must pass a Graduate Board Oral (GBO) examination.
Learn more about the details of the preliminary and final Graduate Board Examinations, as well as scheduling,ย here.
Teaching Requirement
Each student will assist in teaching one semester of a BME or BME-relevant course. Alternatively, students may teach their own courses.
Research Rotations
Depending on the type of admission offer received, some students may conduct research rotations in multiple laboratories. The purpose of these rotations is to gain experience with a range of research opportunities and to assist in settling on a thesis project. Before conducting a rotation with faculty outside of BME, students must obtain approval from the program director. Students must select a thesis research mentor by the end of the summer following program year one.
Write and Present a Thesis Proposal to the BME Committee
Within 12 months after passing the DBO examination, each student must submit a written proposal for dissertation research and present it orally to their thesis committee. The written proposal should follow the format of an NIH fellowship proposal. Particular attention should be paid to a clear exposition of the hypotheses to be tested, the methods to be used and their feasibility, and the interpretation of expected results.
Approval of the Dissertation by Two Readers
The completed dissertation must be read and approved by two faculty readers acceptable to the BME PhD program. Ordinarily, one of the readers will be the thesis preceptor. Upon approval of the dissertation, the readers will submit a letter to the Graduate Board stating that they have read and approved the thesis, and that it represents original work worthy of publication.
Pass a Final Oral Defense of the Dissertation
A final draft of the dissertation must be defended before a committee which will consist of the two principal readers and at least one additional faculty member.ย
PhD Degree Requirements
The requirements for a PhD from the university are:
- Dissertation (research thesis written, approved, and submitted to the library)
- Residence (at least two consecutive semesters of full-time study โ all students meet this requirement)
- Oral Exam (successfully passing the DBO)
The additional requirements for the school and/or program are:
- Attend two semesters of BME seminars (typically, during first year)*
- 30 credits of courses (min. 12cr life sciences/medicine; min. 12cr engineering/quantitative sciences; min. 3cr substantial theory content)
- Ethics/RCR course (Introduction to Research Ethics I & II) โ refreshed every four years
- Annual Individual Development Plans (IDPs)*
- One teaching or teaching assistant experience
- Annual thesis committee meetings after DBO
- Thesis proposal (written document and presentation)
- Research defense (permission to write meeting)
- Public defense (final presentation)
* Note that previously, IDPs were only required from third year; we are moving to a policy of an IDP every year including first year, and this does not apply retroactively. Similarly, the BME seminar requirement began in recent years and students do not have to retroactively satisfy this requirement.
Maximum Time to Degree
As of 2019, the maximum time to degree for a JHU PhD is 9 years; official leaves of absence (e.g. for internships or health reasons) are not included in the calculation.
The Doctoral Board Oral (DBO) examination should be completed once classes are complete โ typically 12-18 months into the program, and no later than 24 months from matriculation. Within six months after passing the DBO, the student and advisor are expected to form a thesis committee and hold the first thesis committee meeting.
It is expected that students will meet annually with their thesis committees. Student, advisor, and committee members must complete and sign a Thesis Committee Meeting form that contains written feedback on the studentโs progress.
If the student has not graduated by 72 months post-matriculation, meetings should be held semi-annually at which the program director or their designee must be present.
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