Biomedical Engineering, Ph.D.

In the biomedical engineering Ph.D., engineering and life sciences converge to address complex medical challenges through advanced coursework, doctoral seminars and in-depth research.

Students work closely with distinguished faculty whose research spans optical tomography, blast-related injuries, speech production, AI, orthopedics and medical trauma prevention. Faculty draw on expertise across mechanical, chemical, electrical and computer engineering, as well as computer science, creating a highly interdisciplinary research environment.

Guided by experienced mentors, doctoral students develop the technical depth, research skills and professional perspective needed to make a lasting impact in biomedical engineering.

As a doctoral student in biomedical engineering, you work in a highly interdisciplinary research environment focused on developing advanced technologies and computational approaches to diagnose, monitor and treat human disease.

Students contribute to research in areas such as biomaterials for targeted drug delivery, biocompatible medical devices, computational modeling of treatment effectiveness and noninvasive diagnostics for conditions including cancer, stroke and Parkinson’s disease.

Through dissertation research, students explore a chosen specialization in depth and make original contributions that advance biomedical engineering.

Florida Tech’s location on the Space Coast places biomedical engineering doctoral students near a concentration of high-tech, aerospace and medical research organizations. Proximity to NASA-Kennedy Space Center and regional health systems supports collaborative research, clinical translation and professional engagement.

Students may engage with nearby hospitals, health centers, laboratories and research institutes, including Health First Hospitals, the Cancer Care Center of Brevard, the Back Center and Lake Nona Medical City in Orlando.

Florida Tech’s biomedical engineering research labs, housed in the 61,000‑square-foot Bioengineering and Sciences Building, support interdisciplinary work across biomaterials, biomechanics, neuroengineering, bioinstrumentation and tissue engineering.

Students have access to high-resolution microscopes, imaging systems, cell and tissue culture labs, mechanical testing and biomaterials characterization tools, 3D bioprinters and advanced computational and diagnostic equipment.

This infrastructure enables doctoral students to conduct advanced research, translate engineering principles into medical innovations and contribute to technologies shaping the future of healthcare.

Academic units at Florida Tech may offer graduate student assistantships to full-time, degree-seeking graduate students on a competitive basis.

Teaching Assistants (TAs) support faculty in teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, including tasks such as grading, tutoring and conducting office hours. First-time TAs attend a teaching assistant seminar to prepare for their responsibilities.

Research Assistants (RAs) collaborate with faculty on projects funded by government agencies, private sponsors and university research funds.

For current information about assistantships, please contact the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Science.

Florida Tech offers a safe and welcoming campus environment that supports advanced research alongside personal well-being. The campus includes extensive green spaces, such as the Joy and Gordon Patterson Botanical Garden, along with facilities like the Holzer Health Center and Clemente Center for health, fitness and stress management.

Located minutes from the Indian River Lagoon and 72 miles of Atlantic beaches, the university combines access to outdoor recreation with proximity to industry and government organizations that contribute to research collaboration and career development.

Graduate students from around the world come together at Florida Tech in a campus community that fosters international collaboration and innovation. This environment encourages students to work across cultures and perspectives, preparing them for research and professional settings around the globe.

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) supports international students throughout their academic journey, providing guidance on immigration matters, serving as a liaison with sponsoring agencies and foreign governments, and sharing information about campus and community resources.

Applicants typically hold a bachelor's or master’s degree in biomedical engineering or a closely related field and are expected to have performed very well academically. Those with backgrounds in other areas of engineering, science or mathematics may need to complete preparatory undergraduate coursework before beginning the program.

For more admission information, please see our graduate admission requirements.