BioE PhD FAQs
What is a Home School/ Home Department?
You apply to the BioE Program through a home school, which is also your administrative and financial home. The home school’s admissions committees will review your application and forward it to the BioE program for final decision.
Current participating home schools are:
- School of Aerospace Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering Department
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- School of Mechanical Engineering
- College of Computing
At Georgia Tech, "Schools" are what are thought of as "Departments" at many other universities. For example, the School of Mechanical Engineering is the academic unit that houses the Mechanical Engineering faculty and students, offers Mechanical Engineering classes, and confers Mechanical Engineering degrees. Georgia Tech does have one “department” and this is the Biomedical Engineering department. Although it functions as a school, because of its joint degree with Emory, it is called a department.
How do I make sure I choose Interdisciplinary BioEngineering Graduate Program when I apply online?
Great question! Because you apply through a home school please be sure that you select
Ph.D. Bioengineering (home school)
Such as:
- Ph.D. Bioengineering (Aerospace Engineering)
- Ph.D. Bioengineering (Biomedical Engineering)
- Ph.D. Bioengineering Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering)
- Ph.D. Bioengineering (Civil and Environmental Engineering)
- Ph.D. Bioengineering (Electrical and Computer Engineering)
- Ph.D. Bioengineering (Materials Science and Engineering)
- Ph.D. Bioengineering (Mechanical Engineering)
- Ph.D. Bioengineering (College of Computing)
Same for Master’s programs but M.S. ( different home schools, ECE, ChBE, ME)
What are the requirements for admission?
The general requirements for being considered for the Bioengineering Program are: · B.S. Degree in Engineering or Science · 2 years of calculus and differential equations · 1 year of calculus-based physics · 1 year of chemistry (preferably organic) preferred · 1 semester of biology preferred
- Minimum TOEFL – 90, with minimum section scores of 19 or higher on each skill area
- IELTS exam - Overall score minimum of 7; with minimum section scores for reading 6.5, listening 6.5, speaking 6.5 and writing 5.5
https://grad.gatech.edu/supporting-documents
Should I apply if I do not meet all requirements for admission?
Admission requirements provide necessary background we have to be most successful in our graduate program. Applicants are still encouraged to apply if they have not yet completed all requirements. Our Admissions Committees will conduct holistic reviews of each application submitted and will consider each applicant’s specific research interests.
When is the application deadline?
Home schools determine the application deadlines, so please check there. Generally, December 1st is a good time to have your application in for an on-time review.
Can my application be reviewed prior to submission?
All applications must be reviewed by the Admissions Committee and are only reviewed after complete applications have been submitted through Georgia Tech’s Office of Graduate Studies.
Does the BioE Program accept international students?
Yes, we are an inclusive program that is excited about all talent!
Do I need to have earned a master's degree for Ph.D. programs prior to applying?
No, the program does not require that applicants first earn a master's degree.
How do I choose an advisor?
Although mechanisms in each home school are somewhat different, students are given the opportunity to learn about research projects by meeting with potential thesis advisors. Through a selection process involving input from students and faculty, students are matched with research advisors. In some home schools students are expected to match up with a research advisor prior to arriving at Georgia Tech.
Does my research advisor have to be in my Home School / Home Department?
No. Any participating “BioEngineering Program Faculty Member” may advise a student in the BioEngineering Graduate program, independent of his or her school / department affiliations.
What is a BioEngineering Program Faculty Member?
Any faculty member, in any of the bio-disciplines, that has expressed interest or applied to be a member. By doing this, faculty can advise BioEngineering graduate students.
How are students funded?
Graduate Research and Teaching Assistantships and most fellowships are awarded by their home school, and funding may be available through the advisor. Students are encouraged to apply for fellowships sponsored by national organizations, corporations, and foundations. Information regarding fellowships is available at http://www.gradadmiss.gatech.edu/fs-fellowship-procedures
When will I be able to visit campus and meet with students, staff, and faculty?
After reviewing applications, we will extend invitations to strong candidates for an on-campus recruitment event (March 5-7, 2020). This event provides an excellent opportunity to visit with students, staff, and faculty and experience life in Atlanta. Please mark the date, as we host only one recruitment event each year.
Of course, students are welcome to visit campus at other times, but all faculty and resources rally around the recruitment weekend. We cannot guarantee the availability of students, staff, or faculty at other times. The Georgia Tech Graduate Studies Office offers information sessions and tours which are Institute-focused.
When will I receive notice of my admission decision?
Applications will be reviewed by home school Admissions Committees between December and March, and those accepted and/or invited for interviews will be notified in writing. Admission decisions will be communicated as they are made available, therefore inquiries about admission decisions will not receive responses. All applicants will be notified of a final decision.
Are application fee waivers available?
Application fee waiver requests should be submitted to the home school. Some participate in programs and some do not.
Other questions?
Many questions regarding admissions and applications may be answered via their FAQ site: Georgia Tech Admission FAQs. Please contact them directly if you have a question regarding the status of your application, submission of scores or other documents, or have general application questions.