Doctorate in Philosophy Biomedical Engineering at University of Ottawa - Program overview

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes

Last updated on 2026-10-05

Program overview

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Program overview

The Doctorate in Philosophy (PhD) in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Ottawa is a multidisciplinary program offered through the Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Biomedical Engineering (OCIBME). Established in 2006, this program combines the strengths of various academic units from both the University of Ottawa and Carleton University. Students will engage in advanced research and education in biomedical engineering, focusing on areas such as medical instrumentation, biomedical image processing, biomechanics, and telemedicine. The program is designed for full-time students and is conducted in English, providing a comprehensive educational experience that prepares graduates for impactful careers in the field.

Program structure

The Doctorate in Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering is structured to be completed within four years. The program is designed to provide students with a robust foundation in both theoretical and practical aspects of biomedical engineering. Key features of the program structure include:

Full-time registration status option.
Access to shared research facilities between the University of Ottawa and Carleton University.
Enrollment at the "home university" of the thesis supervisor.
Opportunities for multidisciplinary research across various departments.

Students will also have the option to engage in research projects, internships, or co-op placements, enhancing their practical experience in the field. The program emphasizes collaboration and innovation, preparing students for a variety of career paths in biomedical engineering.

Featured Experiences

The Doctorate in Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering offers several unique experiences that enhance the educational journey of students:

Joint program collaboration between the University of Ottawa and Carleton University, allowing access to a wider range of resources and expertise.
Research opportunities in prominent medical research units, such as the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and the University of Ottawa Eye Institute.
Engagement in five main research fields: medical instrumentation, biomedical image processing, biomechanics and biomaterials, medical informatics, and telemedicine.
Access to a diverse faculty with expertise in various aspects of biomedical engineering.
Participation in seminars and workshops that foster professional development and networking.

Career Options

Graduates of the Doctorate in Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering can pursue a variety of career paths in Canada, including:

Biomedical Engineer: Design and develop medical devices and equipment, ensuring they meet regulatory standards and function effectively in clinical settings.
Research Scientist: Conduct advanced research in biomedical engineering, focusing on innovative solutions to medical challenges and contributing to scientific knowledge.
Clinical Engineer: Work within healthcare facilities to manage and maintain medical equipment, ensuring safety and compliance with health regulations.
Medical Imaging Specialist: Specialize in the development and application of imaging technologies, such as MRI and CT scans, to improve diagnostic capabilities.
Regulatory Affairs Specialist: Navigate the regulatory landscape for medical devices, ensuring that products meet all necessary guidelines before reaching the market.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

Visit University of Ottawa official website

Last updated on 2026-10-05

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Biomedical Engineering, PhD

Degree Offered: PhD

Available Options for Program

Student status

Full-Time:	Yes
Part-Time:	No

Language

English:	Yes
French:	No

Minimum Requirements

B+ (75%) master’s degree with thesis in engineering, science, computer science, or a related discipline.

Average time to completion

12 terms

Your complete admission package must include

Application Fee:	CA$125.00 (non-refundable)
Recommendation letter(s):	2 It is highly recommended that you contact your referee prior to submitting your application to confirm their email address and their availability to complete your letter of recommendation.
Transcript(s):	1 You must upload copies of all transcripts from universities you have attended by using the uoDoc application. Transcripts must cover all courses and programs at any university you have attended, including regular programs (whether completed or not), exchanges, letters of permission, online or correspondence courses, courses taken as a non-degree student or visiting students, etc. If your transcript and degree certificate are not in English or French, you must submit a copy of a certified translation. Once you've received your offer of admission, if the offer contains any conditions for submitting official documents, you will need to upload them to uoDoc. Some exceptions apply. Previous or current Ottawa students do not need to submit a transcript of their studies at the University of Ottawa. Professional programs in rehabilitation require all transcripts, including those from uOttawa.
Language requirements (if applicable) Language proficiency test scores equivalencies:	TOEFL 92-93/New TOEFL 4.5 / IELTS 6.5 overall – Individual 6.0 (Internet-based)
Required document(s):	Letter of Intent outlining your career goals and proposed research area. Resume. Preference form to be completed and submitted with your application. Masters thesis (If the thesis is not in English or French, a translation of the Abstract and the Table of Contents must be submitted) Please note that non required admission documents will not be consulted, conserved or returned to the student. These documents will be destroyed according to our administrative procedures.

Language Requirements

Program-Specific English Requirements

TOEFL 92-93/New TOEFL 4.5 / IELTS 6.5 overall – Individual 6.0 (Internet-based)

General Graduate English Requirements

English proficiency test chart

Test	Minimum Required Score
TOEFL iBT Internet-based/Home Edition/Paper (for tests taken before January 21, 2026)*	84 (overall); 24 (writing); no partial score below 20
TOEFL iBT Internet-based / Home Edition/ Paper (for tests taken after January 21, 2026)*	4.5 or 86 (overall); 4.5 or 21 (writing); 4.5 or 22 (reading); 4.5 or 20 (listening); 4 or 20 (speaking)
IELTS Academic/ IELTS Academic One Skill Retake	6.5 (overall); 6.5 (writing); no partial score below 6
Cambridge English Proficiency Tests (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency)	170 (overall); no partial score below 160
PTE (Pearson Test of English)	60 (overall); no partial score below 59
CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Test)	70 (overall); no partial score below 60

* Effective January 21, 2026, TOEFL is changing its grading system to a 1-6 band scale instead of a 1-120 band scale. Score reports will include results on both scales for the next two years.

The University of Ottawa accepts TOEFL MyBest^®scores for the TOEFL iBT test.

French proficiency test chart

Test	Minimum Required Score
DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française)	C1/C2
TCF (Test de connaissance du français)	B2 (overall); no partial score below B2
TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français)	B2 (overall); no partial score below B2

Where the program-specific and general graduate requirements above differ, whichever score is higher (stricter) applies.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.

Not meeting the minimum language requirements?

You may still be able to apply!