The new biomedical engineering programs will offer a doctoral degree, thesis and non-thesis master’s degrees, and two graduate certificates.
Biomedical engineering graduate and certificate programs are coming to Auburn University.
Led by the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Biomedical Engineering Advisory Committee, the state‑approved programs will serve the College of Engineering and the broader Auburn University community. These offerings include a doctoral degree, thesis and non‑thesis master’s degrees, and two graduate certificates, all drawing on the university’s expertise in advanced biomedical technologies and systems.
“The biotechnology and biomanufacturing sectors within the state of Alabama are growing quickly, and they need engineers who are prepared to contribute on day one,” says Mario Eden, dean of engineering, in a press release. “These offerings position Auburn as a conduit for that workforce, producing graduates with the technical depth and hands‑on experience industry partners are asking for and enhancing the college’s capacity to support the state’s growing innovation economy.”
Biomedical engineering blends principles of engineering, biology, physics, and medicine to advance human health. It focuses on developing technologies and systems that improve how diseases and injuries are understood, diagnosed, monitored and treated. This highly interdisciplinary field includes:
- Biomechanics, biomaterials, and rehabilitation engineering
- Biomanufacturing, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine
- Drug delivery and pharmaceutical engineering
- Medical imaging, medical devices, wearable technologies, biosensors, and diagnostics
- Computational modeling, data science, and artificial intelligence
“At Auburn, we are training students to apply core engineering fundamentals to address complex challenges in healthcare,” says Elizabeth Lipke, the Uthlaut Endowed Professor of Chemical Engineering, chair of the Biomedical Engineering Advisory Committee, and lead developer of the college’s biomedical engineering graduate programs, in a release. “Building on our strong engineering foundation, we are application and translation-focused, establishing knowledge and technologies to improve human health. The curriculum reflects that philosophy—flexible enough to integrate work across all engineering disciplines and anchored by core courses in the skills industry leaders have identified as essential. It is designed to serve our faculty, our students, and Alabama’s expanding biotechnology and biomanufacturing workforce.”
Backed by more than 20 faculty members across the college with biomedical engineering experience, Auburn’s biomedical engineering lineup will include:
- PhD: A research-focused doctoral degree that combines advanced coursework and professional training with faculty-mentored independent research, culminating in a dissertation that demonstrates expertise in biomedical engineering and advances knowledge, technologies, and solutions at the interface of engineering and medicine. Graduates are prepared for leadership, research, and innovation-driven roles in industry, government, academia, and healthcare.
- Thesis‑based master’s degree: A research‑focused pathway that combines advanced coursework and professional preparation with faculty‑mentored research, culminating in a thesis that demonstrates technical expertise and the ability to apply engineering principles to address challenges in human health. Graduates are prepared for careers in industry, government, academia, and healthcare, as well as for continued doctoral or professional study.
- Non‑thesis master’s degree: A structured, coursework‑only pathway for students seeking advanced technical expertise and professional preparation at the interface of engineering and medicine without a research requirement. Graduates are prepared for technical careers in industry, government, healthcare, and related fields, as well as for continued professional study.
- Graduate certificates: Flexible options that provide targeted, graduate-level coursework for working professionals and students seeking to expand their skills and build specialized expertise in specific areas of biomedical engineering.
“This effort gives us a clear framework for graduate study in a field where our faculty have already built real momentum,” says Selen Cremaschi, chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering, in a release. “It brings that activity into a coordinated structure that supports rigorous graduate experiences and reflects our identity as a research-driven college. Building on our established strengths in high-impact research in biomedical engineering, the PhD program expands the college’s capacity to drive innovation in biomedical engineering. Online thesis and non-thesis pathways broaden access for working professionals, supporting continued career advancement alongside advanced training.”
The biomedical engineering certificate program is expected to launch in fall 2026, with a full program launch scheduled for fall 2027.
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