To receive a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses, from one or more disciplines, ranging from at least 60 - 109 units of graduate-level courses. Most plans require research, a dissertation, and comprehensive exams. All plans have residency requirements regarding time spent on the Flagstaff campus engaged in full-time study.
The full policy can be viewed here.
In addition to University Requirements:
| Minimum Units for Completion | 60 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Required |
| Dissertation | Dissertation is required. |
| Comprehensive Exam | Comprehensive Exam is required. |
| Oral Defense | Oral Defense is required. |
| Research | Individualized research is required. |
Students will build skills and knowledge through formal course work and an original dissertation project. The goal is to foster students’ abilities to identify and synthesize fundamental principles of bioengineering and apply them to complex problems. NAU graduates with a Ph.D. in Bioengineering will have achieved the following learning outcomes:
LO1. Critical Thinking: Demonstrate the ability to apply graduate level critical thinking skills to formulate and solve advanced bioengineering problems in the emphasis area (Biomaterials, Biomechanics, Biophysics, Informatics & Computing).
LO2. Interdisciplinarity: Demonstrate the ability to integrate information, data, techniques, tools, perspectives, concepts, and/or theories from two or more disciplines to advance fundamental understanding or to solve problems whose solutions are beyond the scope of a single discipline or area of research practice.
LO3. Research Design and Execution: Demonstrate the ability to independently and creatively design and conduct research studies, including synthesis of the scientific literature in the field of study, design of dissertation research, and interpretation of complex quantitative analyses.
LO4. Oral Communication: Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively the results of a comprehensive research project through oral presentations.
LO5. Written Communication: Compose and engage in highly effective written communication in bioengineering; demonstrate clear argumentation and logic in a variety of written communications, including published papers and grant proposals.
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
Admission requirements include the following:
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
Ready to apply? Begin your application now.
International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
For the doctoral program in bioengineering, you must complete at least 60 of coursework, including required foundation and elective courses. Given the breadth of Bioengineering as a discipline, to best prepare you for yours dissertation research, your Advisory Committee will approve our individualized Plan of Study at the end of your first year. You must obtain an overall grade point average of at least a 3.0 gpa to remain in the program in good standing.
Interdisciplinary Emphases (minimum of 12 units)
Other Electives
As a doctoral student in the Bioengineering porgram, you are encouraged to pursue coursework related to business foundations and entrepreneurship in the Franke College of Business. You will also be encouraged to obtain an internship with a local or regional industrial partner as part of your graduate training.
Prospectus (beginning of 3rd semester): You will be expected to complete a dissertation prospectus by the beginning of your third semester. Writing of the prospectus will commence in the first semester in BIO 698 Scientific Writing, a required course for all incoming students. The prospectus will include a literature review of your proposed topic area, motivation and rationale for your proposed studies, detailed methods including hypotheses to be tested, expected results and interpretation, and expected impact on the field.
Advancement to Candidacy (end of 4th semester): After completion of your prospectus, you will form an Advisory Committee in consultation with your major advisor. Advancement to candidacy will be conferred based on evaluation of your written prospectus and an oral presentation to your Advisory Committee, based on the prospectus, which must be completed before the end of your second year.
Dissertation Defense (end of final year): You will submit a written doctoral dissertation to your Advisory Committee, and present a public seminar based on your research. An oral examination will be administered by your advisory committee after completion of your public seminar.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.