Biomedical Engineering

Virginia Tech - Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences (SBES)

The Virginia Tech – Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences (SBES) is a unique multidisciplinary program that bridges the biomedical sciences, biomedical engineering, and real-world applications to enhance the quality of life.

Our world-class students and faculty members are innovating across a continuum of systems — from natural to engineered to medical.

The SBES program is a joint partnership between Virginia Tech and Wake Forest and offers master's, doctoral, and combination degrees at both campus locations.

You can visit the Wake Forest Department of Biomedical Engineering website here.

Combining Two Prestigious Programs

Formed in 2003, SBES is a joint graduate program that brings together two prestigious academic units:

• Virginia Tech College of Engineering
• Wake Forest School of Medicine

Other frequent teaching and research partners include the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, and the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Each of these separate entities contributes unique strengths to the combined enterprise so that students are offered a wide spectrum of first-class educational and research opportunities.

Two Campuses

The SBES program is available to students at two campus locations:

Blacksburg/Roanoke, Virginia, is home to the Virginia Tech College of Engineering and other frequent partners, all of which provide faculty members to the program.

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is the home of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, which consists of Wake Forest University Health Sciences and North Carolina Baptist Hospital. SBES contributors come from the clinical departments and the Department of Biomedical Engineering.

Degrees Offered

SBES is a graduate level only program offering the following degree programs:

• M.S. in biomedical engineering
• Ph.D. in biomedical engineering
• D.V.M./Ph.D. (Virginia Tech campus only)
  
• M.D./Ph.D. (Wake Forest University campus only)
• MBA/Ph.D. (Wake Forest University campus only)
  
• Accelerated undergraduate/graduate option (Virginia Tech students only)

Admissions

While all applications to SBES must come through the Virginia Tech Graduate School's online process, there are a few SBES-specific recommendations and requirements that applicants should note. Please refer to SBES admissions requirements listed on this page when preparing your application materials. Please also refer to the SBES admissions handbook.

Research Areas

The SBES curriculum currently consists of courses and research focused in the following broad areas of concentration:

• Automotive Safety
• Biomaterials
• Biomechanics
• Biomedical Imaging
• Cardiovascular Engineering
• Nanomedicine & Nanobioengineering
• Neuroengineering
• Tissue Engineering
• Translational Cancer Research

Courses

After SBES students successfully complete their required courses, they can select courses that advance their specific interests and research projects.

The Virginia Tech Graduate Catalog provides a program overview and includes information about courses offered.

Financial Support

For more information about funding opportunities within the department, see the 2020 School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Funding Opportunities. 

Virginia Tech Graduate School also has a number of awards and funding opportunities available to students. For more information about funding opportunities outside the department, visit Graduate School Funding Opportunities.

SBES Graduate Student Handbook (PDF)

For more details on admissions and degree requirements, as well as information on required courses, examinations, and grades, see the graduate student handbook.

Forms

Frequently used forms for SBES graduate students.