Cleveland State University is hard at work making the goals of over 14,000 students more accessible. The Washkewicz College of Engineering, a proud part of one of America’s best colleges and universities, shares this mission. It links Northeast Ohio with top-quality, accessible education in engineering disciplines.
The Applied Biomedical Engineering Doctoral Programme is exemplary of this. This 90-credit-hour or 60-credit-hour degree (depending on whether you have a bachelor’s or master’s) provides a foundation built on fundamentals in the life sciences, mathematics, and core biomedical engineering topics. In-depth knowledge in the specific field of interest is gained from advanced courses in engineering and sciences.
The programme requires you to pass the qualifying exam, candidacy exam, and doctoral dissertation. The qualifying exam covers four core topics, which include Cell and Tissue Biology, Foundations of Biomedical Physiology, Medical Devices, and Biomedical Signal Processing, and a chemical or biomedical engineering elective subject of your choice. The candidacy exam, on the other hand, takes the form of a written research proposal where you summarise and describe your project, which will eventually be your doctoral dissertation.
That’s the framework. But what elevates this programme is the world-class research opportunities, personalised academic pathways, and a strong sense of community. As an example – doctoral students in the Center for Human Machine Systems select dissertation committees that reflect their own interests and that bridge engineering, rehabilitation, computer science and any discipline that relates to the research question they are addressing. These students also have the option of selecting any clinic or industry partner in the USA for internship opportunities – all related to the student’s own personal career goals.
Source: Cleveland State University
Unmatched access to research and clinical collaboration
Your dissertation is the distinguishing feature of your doctoral study. It’s a concentrated, in-depth, and independent study of an appropriate engineering problem. As the pinnacle of academic study, it isn’t easy. Hence why the collaboration between Washkewicz College of Engineering of CSU and the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute is a huge advantage.
“When I decided to pursue a career in biomedical engineering, CSU not only welcomed me with open arms but also opened doors I never imagined possible as an international student,” says student Tassia Moura. “The Applied Biomedical Engineering programme continuously supports my academic and professional growth, and thanks to CSU’s commitment to student success, I now have the incredible opportunity to conduct research at the Cleveland Clinic, one of the top hospitals in the world, having direct access to world-renowned researchers and cutting-edge technology.”
The Cleveland Clinic houses the Lerner Research Institute, where basic, translational, and clinical research happens. Here, you have access to advanced systems and technologies and top-tier researchers at one of the world’s leading medical institutions. You will see how experts are investigating, innovating, and translating scientific discoveries to enhance patient care. These researchers focus on answering some of the most pressing questions related to the brain, cancer, metabolic, heart, musculoskeletal, urology and gynaecology, among others, by developing innovative technologies that can aid in the treatment process. An example of this is the industry-leading intravascular ultrasound imaging — where one of the leaders in this area also teaches three graduate classes at Cleveland State University. Another example is the development of connective tissue progenitors that will advance the field of tissue engineering. This will greatly improve the quality and reproducibility of human mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) manufacturing and their application in clinical therapies, drug development, and research.
Unique access to Quantum Computing Resources
Besides Biomedical Engineering, the Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland State are also collaborating in the area of quantum computing. Faculty and students have access to this unique facility at the Cleveland Clinic – for both courses and for conducting research that requires orders-of-magnitude faster computing than traditional approaches.
“For me, the most rewarding part has been working in clinical research and contributing to patients’ therapy journeys. Hearing their stories is incredibly motivating and reminds me why I chose this field,” student Visar Berki says. “I value CSU’s doctoral programme because it gives me the chance to pursue my professional goals while working alongside world-class researchers and accessing advanced systems through the Cleveland Clinic.”
Cleveland State University is home to an inclusive environment that fosters personal growth and global connections. Source: Cleveland State University
Where support meets ambition
As a PhD student, your work is not just to enhance your knowledge and skills in the field. It is also to strengthen your ability to shape the future of biomedical engineering. Graduates of the doctoral programme have landed roles in academia and assumed leadership positions in industry, government agencies, and educational institutions.
They carry with them core memories of being part of a community that cares about their success and well-being. Here, all international and domestic students are welcomed. This mix of backgrounds fosters connection. It’s easy to build long-lasting friendships, professional relationships, and peer collaborations with people from around the world – the kind who will be there for you during the tough times.
“It is a diverse community with people from all over the world, including other Albanians, and that sense of belonging is something I really appreciate,” Berki says. “The programme also creates many opportunities to connect with other students, which makes it easy to build friendships and feel part of a community.”
Being part of camera-ready Cleveland brings everyone even closer. Contributing new knowledge to any field is challenging, so it helps that you’re in a city where you and your colleagues have loads to do together on weekends. “The city has a mix of nature, arts, music, food, and culture, yet it still feels welcoming and not overwhelming in size,” says Berki.
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