Bioengineering, Ph.D.

Break boundaries at the intersection of biology, medicine and engineering.

Bioengineering, Ph.D.

Break boundaries at the intersection of biology, medicine and engineering.

Program Website

Combine advanced training in engineering with a focus on biological and medical sciences. The flexible curriculum allows students to select their own graduate coursework in order to focus on specific concentrations in biomedical sciences and bioengineering. Students can conduct cutting-edge basic, translational, and computational research with faculty whose labs are in Bioengineering, Penn Vet, Penn Dental, the School of Arts & Sciences, and Penn Medicine. At Penn, you’ll prepare for a distinguished career in biotech research and development, medical technologies, startup ventures, or academia.

Sample Undergraduate Majors*

  • Bio/Biomedical Engineering
  • Biological Sciences and related areas (e.g. Biology, Chemistry)
  • Mechanical or Chemical Engineering

*This is not an exhaustive list. If you have questions about whether your major will meet our requirements, please consult the program coordinator.

Student Wins Prestigious Fellowship

Hannah Zlotnick was one of just 29 early-career scientists from around the world to be named a Schmidt Science Fellow.

Meet Hannah

Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Ph.D.

Pioneer life-changing discoveries in energy, science and medicine.

Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Ph.D.

Pioneer life-changing discoveries in energy, science and medicine.

Program Website

From stochastic simulation for blood systems biology to degradable polymersomes that shrink tumors, Penn Engineers are breaking new ground and making the world a better place. The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering is at the cutting edge of research in fields such as energy and sustainability, soft matter and interfacial phenomena, molecular and cellular biology, data science and machine learning, transport phenomena and process design. In our interdisciplinary environment, you’ll make new discoveries and prepare for a career in academia, government or industry.

Sample Undergraduate Majors*

  • Chemical Engineering
  • Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
  • Chemistry

*This is not an exhaustive list. If you have questions about whether your major will meet our requirements, please consult the program coordinator.

Computer and Information Science, Ph.D.

Shape the future of the tech revolution.

Computer and Information Science, Ph.D.

Shape the future of the tech revolution.

Program Website

Join today’s most vibrant sector. Penn researchers make breakthroughs in fields ranging from data science to human-computer interactions, and they translate their innovative ideas into world-changing startups and products. Our work is influencing products at big tech companies, and we’re defining the research agenda in understanding natural language, uncovering security vulnerabilities, optimizing software systems and other fields. Research opportunities span a wide range of theoretical and application topics including algorithms, bioinformatics, databases, graphics, machine learning, programming languages, robotics, security, software engineering, systems, vision, as well as interdisciplinary collaborations with fields such as biology, electrical engineering, genetics, linguistics, and mathematics.

Sample Undergraduate Majors*

  • Computer Science
  • Computer Engineering
  • Strong quantitative major (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science)

*This is not an exhaustive list. If you have questions about whether your major will meet our requirements, please consult the program coordinator.

Electrical and Systems Engineering, Ph.D.

Apply electrical and systems theory to improve the human condition.

Electrical and Systems Engineering, Ph.D.

Apply electrical and systems theory to improve the human condition.

Program Website

Electrical engineers apply circuits and systems theory and physics to the design of physical, biological, and socio-technical artifacts. We create the interfaces between the physical/biological world and digital machines. We’re at the forefront of research and application in areas including quantum engineering, VLSI circuits and chips, robotics, SWARM, nanotechnologies, cyber-physical and embedded systems, microelectromechanical systems and sensors, electromagnetics, photonics, wireless devices and networks, prosthetic devices, and human-machine interfaces. Join us to keep pushing the boundaries so we can solve the problems of tomorrow.

Sample Undergraduate Majors*

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Physics
  • Communications / Transportation/ Telecommunications
  • Automation
  • Computer Science

*This is not an exhaustive list. If you have questions about whether your major will meet our requirements, please consult the program coordinator.

Materials Science and Engineering, Ph.D.

Transform the way materials are created and used.

Materials Science and Engineering, Ph.D.

Transform the way materials are created and used.

Program Website

Create innovative materials to shape the future. Penn researchers are using innovative building blocks to create real solutions for problems in energy, the health sciences, polymers and more. At Penn, you’ll prepare to have an impact on everything from electronics and communications to medicine, transportation, manufacturing and the environment.

Sample Undergraduate Majors*

  • Materials Science and Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
  • Polymer Science; Polymer Engineering
  • Chemistry
  • Applied Chemistry/Physics
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Bioengineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Energy Science and Engineering

*This is not an exhaustive list. If you have questions about whether your major will meet our requirements, please consult the program coordinator.

Research Areas

  • Computational Materials Science
  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Microscopies and Scattering
  • Materials for Energy
  • Materials for Health Science
  • Structural Materials
  • Sustainable Materials
  • Polymers and Soft Matter

Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, Ph.D.

Investigate the workings of the mechanical universe.

Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, Ph.D.

Investigate the workings of the mechanical universe.

Program Website

Combine science with math to design cutting-edge solutions to problems in biomechanics, fluid mechanics, nanomechanics and more. At Penn, you’ll explore everything from practical applications to fundamental mechanical questions and prepare for a career in industry, government or research

Sample Undergraduate Majors*

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Energy and Power Engineering
  • Automotive Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering

*This is not an exhaustive list. If you have questions about whether your major will meet our requirements, please consult the program coordinator.

Special Ph.D. Programs

Combined Ph.D. Programs

Combine your engineering degree with a degree in medicine or veterinary medicine. Open to bioengineering students, our dual-degree programs offer a deep dive into cross-disciplinary research and practice.

Explore Dual Ph.D. Programs

Master’s to Ph.D. Bridge Program

Work toward your master’s degree and your Ph.D. at the same time. Our Bridge program provides individualized mentorship and Ph.D.-level laboratory training.

Explore the Bridge Program

Timeline

  • 16SepApplication opens for Fall 2025

  • 17DecApplication deadline 11:59 p.m. ESTApplications are due Dec 17, but letters can come in after that. However, if letters are not all in, the application will not be marked complete for review.

Funding Your Education

Ph.D. students typically receive funding to cover tuition and fees, living expenses and health insurance. Additional financial resources may also be available.

Learn About Funding

Ready to Get Started?

The application process is straightforward, and we’re here to help. Review our Application Checklist before submitting.

Find Out How To Apply

Any Questions?

Interested in learning more about graduate admissions at Penn Engineering? Here are some of the questions we hear most often.

Frequently Asked Questions