We're pleased that you are interested in pursuing graduate studies in biomedical engineering at Northwestern University. The aim of this page is to highlight some of the distinguishing features of Northwestern's biomedical engineering program to assist you in making a choice that suits your needs. The breadth of our faculty members' research interests affords students a wide variety of research opportunities. The department's general philosophy is that students should be trained to do both theoretical and experimental work, and most PhD theses include both components. Those who wish to pursue a variety of positions in industry may find it advantageous to enter the MS-only program, which can be completed with or without a research project.
Graduate students spend their first quarter taking courses and selecting a thesis advisor.
Weekly research overviews are presented by faculty members to graduate students in the first quarter of study. These provide students with an overview of the research landscape. Individual discussions with faculty and research groups are encouraged and help students in the selection process. We offer a wide variety of courses to provide a foundation within any area of specialization. Students are expected to take approximately equal parts of engineering, mathematics, and life sciences, tailored to their needs.