The biomedical engineering community at Northwestern University is centered in the Biomedical Engineering Department but includes faculty appointed in 12 departments (at last count) within the Schools of Engineering, Medicine, Arts and Sciences, and Speech. The breadth of our faculty members' research interests affords students a wide variety of research opportunities. The primary research pursued by faculty and students in our program falls into seven interrelated areas
Biomedical Engineering research takes place on the main campus in Evanston and on the medical school campus in downtown Chicago.
We offer two graduate tracks:
- Those who plan to become independent investigators in academic, industry, or government laboratories should select the MS/PhD track, which involves research projects at both the MS and PhD levels. 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. This can usually be completed in one academic year.
Graduate students spend their first quarter taking courses and selecting a thesis advisor. During this time, students have an opportunity to learn about work in different labs via seminars and individual discussions with faculty and research groups. 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.
One point of confusion is that graduate students are admitted to The Graduate School, not the Engineering School. At Northwestern, almost all advanced degrees are conferred via The Graduate School. Thus, students must meet degree requirements as stipulated in The Graduate School Bulletin as well as departmental requirements.
Applicants are expected to have a bachelor's degree in engineering, or to have a bachelor's degree in science that has included math through ordinary differential equations and at least some basic engineering courses (for example, engineering mechanics, fluid mechanics, circuit theory, thermodynamics, properties of materials). Basic knowledge of biology is also expected. (Under exceptional circumstances, a student may be admitted without these, but is expected to take them before enrolling.) MS/PhD and PhD students are generally accepted only if financial aid can be provided with fellowships, teaching and research assistantships, and training grants.
In addition to providing a wide variety of course offerings and research opportunities, we offer a unique opportunity to become involved in educational materials development activities. The BME Department and the School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University are participating with several other universities in an NSF-sponsored Engineering Research Center in Bioengineering Educational Technologies. Many opportunities for students stem from this initiative, and more information can be found at the national VaNTH ERC web site.
Undoubtedly, career path and career opportunities are also on your mind as you select a graduate school. Northwestern graduates are placed throughout biomedical industry and academia. The department is a co-sponsor of BioOpportunities - a career information resource for students in the biomedical sciences. The goal of the BioOpportunities program is to inform students about the wide variety of career paths available, from traditional to alternative. To accomplish this objective, we hold workshops and seminars, host an annual career fair specific to graduate students in the biomedical sciences, and provide access to a database of networking contacts.
For further information, please contact Professor Guillermo Ameer, Graduate Admission Officer or our Graduate Student Coordinator, Nicky Lockman .
While research opportunities, course opportunities, and career path guidance are the most important factors in selection of a graduate school, the surrounding environment and opportunities for community involvement are factors to consider as well. Northwestern's location on the shores of Lake Michigan and it proximity to downtown Chicago offer a beautiful view and remarkable year-round recreational and cultural opportunities.
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