Many people with doctorate degrees teach college and/or conduct research. A Doctor of Philosophy can also offer a variety of research and development-oriented opportunities in the public or private sector.
Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy
The Texas A&M University Department of Biomedical Engineering offers a Doctor of Philosophy in which students complete a minimum of 64 or 96 hours on their degree plans.
The total number of hours on the degree plan as well as the required number of hours of formal coursework is dependent upon the student’s previous degree(s). As part of this research-intensive degree, students will write and defend a dissertation. A Doctor of Philosophy requires a committee of four or more graduate level faculty members, including one faculty to act as the primary advisor for each candidate.
Students may enter this program with a master’s or bachelor’s degree in engineering or an equivalent field. (If the degree is not in engineering, leveling courses may be required.) Students entering with only a bachelor’s degree will be required to complete a 96-hour degree plan, and students who have earned a master’s degree will only be required to complete a 64-hour degree plan.