Doctoral Committee and Thesis

Each student is expected to submit a research proposal and present it to a thesis committee that consists of at least three faculty members.

The committee considers the scope of the proposed research, its suitability for doctoral research and the appropriateness of the research plan. The committee may approve the proposal without reservation or may recommend modifications.

In general, the student is expected to submit his/her research proposal within 2 years after passing the qualifying exam. In accord with regulations of the School, each student is expected to submit a thesis and defend it before a committee of five faculty, at least one of whom hold primary appointments in another department.

Every doctoral candidate is expected to have had at least one full-length paper accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal prior to recommendation for award of the degree.

Proposal Defense

  • Expected within 2 years after passing the qualifying exam.
  • 3 committee members (BME core faculty preferred); at least 2 Biomedical Engineering core faculty should be listed as proposal committee members.


Thesis Defense

  • Committee of at least five faculty members, at least one of whom hold primary appointments outside BME