Graduate Program

The Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering offers the graduate program in Medical Engineering leading to the following degree:

Degree in Medical Engineering

Please visit the Graduate Admissions website for important dates, and complete information about the graduate admissions process.

To apply for admission to the graduate program in the Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, you must submit an application, available through the Graduate Admissions Office. Students are not normally admitted to work towards the M.S. degree. However, the M.S. degree may be awarded to a student along the way toward a PhD degree, provided Institute and Option requirements are met.

The admission to the program is very competitive. Every year, we receive a very large number of applications for graduate studies at Caltech, and we can admit only a limited number of applicants, with an acceptance rate typically less than 10%. We look for students with strong preparation in traditional engineering disciplines (including but not limited to electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, material science and engineering, and engineering/applied physics) with strong interest in medical applications. An outstanding four-year undergraduate program in mathematics and sciences could also serve as a suitable background.

Admissions decisions are made by the MedE faculty, and are determined both by the research opportunities in the applicant's area of interest, and the competitiveness of the applicant's grades, class standing, previous research experiences, three letters of recommendation, and ability to pursue creative and independent research at the intersection of engineering and medical sciences. For students applying for the 2024-2025 academic year admissions, students are encouraged to submit the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores as part of the application package for the Ph.D. in Medical Engineering. Students who are unable to take the GRE in their home country will not be at a disadvantage due to the missing scores.

Application Deadline

The application deadline is December 15. Please visit the Caltech Graduate Studies website for important dates, and further information about the admissions process.

On the application form, please make sure to indicate your interest in bioengineering and also your research preference either in the Cherng Department of Medical Engineering (with more emphasis on medical device engineering) or the Biological Engineering Department (with more emphasis on biology). If an applicant is interested in both areas of bioengineering, he or she is welcome to list both departments in their applications.

Financial Support

We expect to provide annual financial support, tuition and stipend, to all admitted students. And, a number of fellowships will be awarded to selected entering students at the Department, the Division, and the Institute levels.

We also strongly encourage entering students to apply for external fellowships such as those awarded by the National Science Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Department of Defense, the Hertz Foundation, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

For further information about graduate study in the Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, please contact:

Christine C. Garske
Options Manager
Andrew and Peggy Cherng Dept of Medical Engineering
Office: 125 Moore Laboratory
MC 136-93
Pasadena CA 91125
Office Phone: 4820
[email protected]

The Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering offers a program of study that leads to the Ph.D. The medical engineering option at Caltech is designed for students with an engineering background who are interested in applications of micro-/nanoscale science and technology in medicine, which forms the core of Caltech's multidisciplinary medical engineering. The program's goal is to close the gap between engineering and medicine. Our medical engineering research and education leverage Caltech's strengths in engineering, applied science, and other fundamental fields, to apply emerging technological advances to medicine, and to create innovative diagnostic, monitoring, and therapeutic systems. Our major areas of research include micro/nano medical technologies and devices, medical nanoelectronics, biomedical materials and biomechanics, fluidics and bioinspired design, and medical imaging and sensing.

The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy offers two tracks: MedE only and Medical and Electrical Engineering (Med-EE). The Med-EE track is offered jointly by both departments of Medical Engineering and Electrical Engineering (see EE Section). The single degree to be shown on the diploma is "Ph.D. in Medical and Electrical Engineering".

The Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering at Caltech focuses on the applications of micro-/nanoscale engineering sciences and technologies to the design, analysis, and implementation of diagnostic, therapeutic, and monitoring devices for translational medicine.

Areas of Research

Affordable Medical Devices and Technologies (Burdick, Gao, Gharib, Hajimiri, Ismagilov, Scherer, Yang) Chairs for children with cerebral palsy, bed-sore mitigation, toxic material filters, saliva-based diabetes tests, handheld diagnostic devices, and remote medical tracking systems. Devices that provide freedom from disability.
Artificial Intelligence (Anandkumar, Bouman, Yang) Generative AI, deep neural network, instrument-AI codesign.
Biomaterials (Gao, Greer, Ismagilov, Shapiro, Tai) Biocompatible medical materials, nanoscale-engineered smart materials, device-tissue interface, and cell-material interactions.
Biomechanics & Bio-Inspired Design (Burdick, Colonius, Gao, Greer, Gharib, Shapiro) Bio-inspired self-propulsion technologies, control systems, optimization techniques, shape morphing, cardiovascular mechanics, biomolecular nanomechanics, and muscle and membrane mechanics.
Biomolecular, Cellular and Gene Therapies (Shapiro, Gradinaru) Immunotherapy, viral vectors, probiotics, regenerative medicine, targeted molecular therapies, and therapeutic gene circuits.
Medical Diagnostic, Monitoring, and Therapeutic Implants (Emami, Gao, Scherer, Tai) Microscale implants with new functionalities to interface intact tissues and/or to replace defective functions: retinal implants, spinal cord implants, ECG implants, cardiovascular implants, implantable pressure sensors, glucose sensors, drug delivery pumps, and implantable bio-analyte sensors.
Medical Diagnostic and Monitoring On-Chip Devices (Emami, Hajimiri, Ismagilov, Scherer, Yang) Magnetic spectroscopy, bioassay, and drug-screening platforms, micro-PCR and sequencer, and on-chip bio-sensors.
Medical Imaging and Sensing (Bouman, Colonius, Emami, Faraon, Gao, Gharib, Hajimiri, Scherer, Shapiro, Wang, Yang) Medical photonics and sensors, advanced imaging technologies, micro flow-field imaging, computational image analysis, lensless microscopy-on-a-chip, diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound, and shock waves, single-molecule detection and diagnostics, machine-learning enabled automated pathology analysis, magnetic spectroscopy, tera-hertz imaging, Raman spectroscopy, photoacoustic tomography, thermoacoustic tomography, optical time reversal (wavefront shaping/engineering), compressed ultrafast photography, holographic microscopy, non-invasive label-free biomedical imaging and magnetic resonance imaging, wearable biosensors.
Medical Nanoelectronics (Emami, Hajimiri) Integrated nanoelectronics and circuits for medical applications, extremely low power medical electronics and sensors, high bandwidth wireless communication devices, self-healing circuits and systems, on-chip tera-hertz sources, and systems-on-a-chip.
Micro/Nano Medical Technologies and Devices (Burdick, Emami, Faraon, Gao, Gharib, Greer, Hajimiri, Ismagilov, Scherer, Shapiro, Tai, Wang, Yang) Biochips, bio-MEMS/NEMS, micro-/nano-fabrication, holographic microscopy, and photoacoustic microscopy for medical applications.
Molecular and Cellular Imaging and Theranostics (Shapiro, Wang) Contrast agents, reporter genes, biosensors, cell-based diagnostics, theranostics.
Nano & Micro Fluidics (Gao, Gharib, Ismagilov) Micro-/nano-fluidics, drug delivery, and physiological machines.
Prosthetics (Burdick, Emami, Tai) Neural prosthetics and direct brain-machine interfaces, human prosthetics for paralysis, pure-thought-based control of external electromechanical devices, computer-decoding algorithms for direct brain interface, and robotic fingers.
Quantum Imaging and Physics (Wang) Quantum entanglement, quantum (sub-shot noise and super-resolution) imaging, and atomic physics.
Wireless Medical Technologies (Emami, Hajimiri, Gharib, Scherer, Shapiro, Tai) Wireless communications through skins and tissues for medical electronic implants, electrograms, wireless power transfer, and biotic/abiotic interfaces.

Please check Caltech catalog for up-to-date information. https://catalog.caltech.edu/current/areas-of-study-and-research/medical-engineering/

To be recommended for candidacy for the Ph.D. program in medical engineering, each student must complete a total of 135 units (waived courses do not reduce this requirement) and complete all the following requirements:

Complete 27 units of advanced math courses (i.e., 100 level or above) or ACM 100ab, as arranged with their adviser.

Math courses that are recommended include, but are not limited to: ACM 100ab, ACM/IDS 101, ACM/IDS 104, ACM 105, ACM 106abc, ACM 201ab, ACM 210ab, ACM/EE/CMS 116, Ma 125, and Ma 112ab.

Complete the three-term seminar sequence, MedE 100abc (1 unit), with a pass grade.
Complete MedE 101 (9 units) with a pass grade.
Complete a 9-unit MedE Course.
- Biomechanics/fluidics: MedE/BE/Ae 243 (9 units), ChE/BE/MedE 112 (9 units) or ChE103b (9 units).
- Medical Imaging: MedE/EE 268 (9 units).
- Biomedical Optics: MedE/EE 168abc (9 units each).
- Biodevices: BE/EE/MedE 189ab (12 and 9 units), EE/ MedE 185 (9 units), EE/MedE 187 (9 units), MedE 201 (9 units), MedE 202 (9 units), or MedE/EE 204 (9 units).
Complete EE 111 (9 units).
Complete at least 27 units of MedE 291 individual research.
Complete minimally an additional 42 units of advanced courses (100 level or higher) in any of the following 8 topical areas as arranged with the student's adviser. Courses that are recommended but not limited to, include:
- Biology and Physiology: BE 150, BE 151, BE/Bi 152, BE 159, Bi/Ch 110, Bi/Ch 113, Bi 122, Bi 129, Bi 145, Bi/CNS/NB 150, Bi/CNS 162, CNS/Bi/Ph/CS/NB 187. Biomaterials, Biomechanics, and Bioinspired Design: Ae/BE 242, BE 141, BE 159, Ch/ChE 147, MS 115, MS/ME/MedE 116.
- Biosensing: APh/EE 130, APh/EE 131, APh/EE 132, ChE/BE/MedE 112, EE/MedE 114ab, EE/MedE 115, EE 151, EE 161, MedE/EE/BE 168abc, MedE 201, MedE 202.
- Fluid Mechanics: Ae/APh/CE/ME 101abc, Ae 160, Ae/BE 242, ChE/BE/MedE 112.
- Fundamental and Mathematically Oriented Engineering: APh/EE 130 (EM), CDS 101, CDS 110, CDS 140, ChE 103abc, ChE/BE/MedE 188, EE 112, EE/Ma 126 ab, EE 151, EE/CS/IDS 160, EE/CS 161, MS 115, ME 115 ab, ME 118, ME 119ab.
- Solid Mechanics: Ae/AM/CE/ME 102abc, Ae 160, AM/ CE 151ab, MS/ME/MedE 116.
- Medical Photonics and Imaging: APh/EE 130, APh/EE 131, APh/EE 132, Bi/BE 177, Bi/BE 227, ChE 114, EE/MedE 115, EE 151, EE/APh 180, MedE/EE/BE 168abc, MedE 205, MedE/EE 268.
- Medical Technologies and Devices: APh 109, APh 114abc, APh/EE 130, APh/EE 131, APh/EE 132, BE/EE/MedE 189 ab, ChE/BE/MedE 112, ChE 115, E/ME/MedE 106 ab, EE 112, EE/MedE 114 ab, EE/MedE 124, EE 151, EE/APh 180, EE/MedE 185, EE/MedE 187, MedE/EE/BE 168abc, MedE 201, MedE 202, MedE/EE 204, MedE 205, MedE/EE 268.
Required courses must be taken for grades and passed with a grade of at least a C, except for courses offered only on a pass/fail.
Pass an oral qualifying examination, arranged by the option, on three major subjects before the beginning of the second academic year. Any delay in taking the exam must be preapproved by the option representative. Each student should consult their adviser and/or the option representative to choose the three major subjects. The three subjects of the exam should include (1) Engineering math, Note: Students getting a B- or better for all 27 math units will be waived for "math subject" exam. (2) The major research topical area, and (3) Another related topical area. Students should take at least 27 units of advanced courses on each of the three exam subjects. Transferred credits can be counted toward the 27 units. If the student has a subject minor, examination on the minor subject may be included at the request of the discipline offering the minor and with the approval of the student's adviser. Note that the program is designed for the students to have a multidisciplinary background.
Pass an oral candidacy examination on the subject of the Ph.D. research before the end of the third academic year of residency. The Ph.D. oral candidacy exam is conducted by a committee of a minimum of four members that is set up by the student and approved by the option representative. Three members must be Caltech professorial faculty affiliated with Medical Engineering. The fourth member may be a Caltech faculty member or an outside professional of similar standing. The committee must include the adviser, but another member of the committee must be selected as chair. The committee chair must be a Caltech professorial faculty member. This examination will be a test of the candidate's preparation and knowledge to conduct research in their specialized doctoral research area.

The Ph.D. final thesis defense exam is conducted by a committee that is set up by the student and approved by the option representative. The committee should be made up of a minimum of 4 members and at least three of the committee members must be Caltech faculty. The committee must include the adviser, but another member of the committee must be selected as chair. The committee chair must be a Caltech Professorial faculty member. This final examination will be given no less than two weeks after the doctoral thesis has been presented in final form, and before its approval. This examination must be taken at least four weeks before the commencement at which the degree is to be granted. This thesis examination will be a defense of the doctoral thesis and a test of the candidate's knowledge in their specialized doctoral research area.

The track was established by Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering and the Department of Electrical Engineering at Caltech in the Fall 2022. The single degree to be shown on the diploma is "Ph.D. in Medical and Electrical Engineering".

Admission to candidacy.

To be recommended for candidacy for the Med-EE Ph.D. program, each student must do the following.

Complete a minimum of 156 units of courses. The MedE requirement of 21 units of MedE courses plus the EE requirement of 135 units must be met. Cross-listed MedE/EE courses can be double counted.
- MedE course requirements
  - Complete the three-term seminar sequence, MedE 100abc (1 unit), with a passing grade.
  - Complete MedE 101 (9 units) with a passing grade.
  - Complete a 9-unit MedE course.
    - Biodevices: BE/EE/MedE 189ab (12 and 9 units), MedE 201 (9 units), MedE 202 (9 units), or MedE/EE 204 (9 units).
    - Biomechanics/Fluidics: MedE/BE/Ae 243 (9 units), ChE/BE/MedE 112 (9 units), or ChE 103b (9 units).
    - Biomedical Optics: MedE/EE 168abc (9 units each).
    - Medical Imaging: MedE/EE 268 (9 units).
  - All required courses must be taken for grades and passed with a grade no lower than C, except for those courses offered only for pass/fail.
- EE course requirements
  - Complete 135 units total with no more than 30 units of pass/fail.
  - Complete 54 units of letter-graded EE courses numbered 100 or above towards the 135-unit requirement.
  - Complete 27 units of mathematics courses, with letter grade no lower than C. Many math-related courses can count towards the requirement after confirming with your advisor.
  - Complete 18 units of research in your field of interest directed by your advisor.
Pass the oral qualifying and oral candidacy exams of the MedE department for students having chosen MedE as the home department. Please refer to the EE Section for the reciprocal requirement.

The Med-EE Ph.D. thesis must be related to both options. The final thesis defense exam is conducted by a committee that is set up by the student and approved by the option representative of the home department. The committee must be composed of 2 members from each option. The committee must include the advisor, but another member of the committee must be selected as chair. The committee chair must be a Caltech Professorial faculty member. This final examination will be given no less than two weeks after the doctoral thesis has been presented in final form, and before approval. This examination must be taken at least four weeks before the commencement at which the degree is to be granted. This thesis examination will be a defense of the doctoral thesis and a test of the candidate's knowledge in their specialized doctoral research area.

A subject minor is not required, but recommended, for the Ph.D. degree in medical engineering. However, credits from the subject minor cannot be double-counted for the core program. Students may choose their original engineering disciplines as their minor subjects. Students are not allowed to choose medical engineering as a subject minor.

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