Quick Program Facts
Degree Programs: PhD
Application Deadlines: December 1 for the following academic year
Application Requirements: a personal statement, official transcripts from each college or university attended, and at least three letters of recommendation
GRE Required: Optional
The biomedical engineering and physiology track within the biomedical science PhD program at Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is built on a foundation of world-renowned research programs and courses with real-world relevance. Collaboration with faculty and clinicians from a wide variety of disciplines provide students with the support and guidance needed to succeed.
Physiology at Mayo integrates basic, clinical and translational research that builds on a strong tradition of "bench-to-bedside" and "bedside-to-bench" investigation. Studies are conducted on cell, tissue and animal models, including humans in the lab setting and even in the course of living their daily lives using innovative remote physiological monitoring tools.
The biomedical engineering and physiology curriculum is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in your research and future career. The curriculum focuses on an integrative approach to learning by applying engineering concepts in the context of physiological systems.
Students complete a core curriculum and research projects in three different labs in the first two years, all designed to provide a firm foundation in biomedical engineering and physiology concepts. Advanced courses will directly relate to students’ chosen research project
Qualifying exams consisting of both a written and oral component are completed at the end of the first year and during the second year, respectively.
After completing the curriculum and passing the qualifying exam, students will focus on thesis research and are encouraged to attend and present at national and international scientific meetings
A thesis committee made up of experts from Mayo Clinic and other institutions will facilitate and guide students’ education and research in the third through fifth years of study.
Research areas of interest within the biomedical engineering and physiology track include:
- Biomechanics - the study of structure and function of biological systems and artificial tissue interactions using the principles of mechanics, material science and physiology.
- Biomedical Imaging - advancing the design and application of imaging techniques to improve disease diagnosis and staging, as well as treatment planning, delivery and assessment.
- Molecular biophysics and biosensing - applying principles of physics, chemistry and mathematics to study biomolecules that underlie function of cells, organs and organisms.
- Physiology- addressing complex biological systems from molecular and cellular to tissue and organismal principles that govern their function.
Program participants receive a guaranteed five-year internal fellowship that includes full tuition, annual stipend ($32,569 for PhD students) and student health plan.
Program Contact: Shirley Kingsley-Berg, BSM, CRC, (507) 255-8544.