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PhD Programs
Our uniquely multidisciplinary programs cultivate engineering leaders
At Duke Engineering, we have created a thriving, rigorous, supportive and interdisciplinary environment in which we cultivate engineering leaders.
More than two dozen Duke alumni and faculty have been elected into the National Academy of Engineering »
Our renowned faculty are leaders in globally-leading areas of engineering research.
Mentorship From Day One
Our PhD students receive exceptional technical training and mentorship from our world-class faculty.
In our laboratories, PhD students become true collaborators, where they co-invent new solutions, develop entrepreneurial skills and even become company founders.
Browse our resources for aspiring founders »
Outstanding Student Support
On our campus, you'll have the advantage of programs designed and dedicated to building your social, writing, business and leadership skills. We will prepare you for career success no matter your path.
Visit our professional development program, PhD Plus »
Prepared for a Great Career
About half our PhD graduates join industry—often with leading global tech companies. Nearly 40 percent start academic careers—many at the world's leading research institutions.
Across the United States and around the globe, you'll find a strong network of Duke Engineering alumni in leading roles.
Areas of Study
Biomedical Engineering
Fall 2019 application deadline: Dec. 15, 2018
Research Areas
- Bioelectric Engineering
- Biomaterials
- Biomechanics and Mechanobiology
- Biomedical Imaging and Biophotonics
- Biomedical and Health Data Sciences
- Biosensors and Bioinstrumentation
- Computational Modeling of Biological Systems
- Drug and Gene Delivery
- Immune Engineering
- Neural Engineering
- Synthetic and Systems Biology
- Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Fall 2019 application deadline: Dec. 15, 2018
Research Areas
- Computational Mechanics & Scientific Computing
- Environmental Health Engineering
- Geomechanics & Geophysics for Energy and the Environment
- Hydrology & Fluid Dynamics
- Risk & Resilient Systems
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Fall 2019 application deadline: Dec. 1, 2018*
Research Areas
- Signal and Information Processing and Robotics
- Computer Engineering
- Engineering Physics
- Microelectronics, Photonics, and Nanotechnology
*Applications submitted by Jan. 1, 2019 are guaranteed review. Applications submitted after the Jan. 1, 2019 deadline but before the closing date of Feb. 28, 2019 will be reviewed based upon availability of space.
Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
Fall 2019 application deadline: Dec. 31, 2018
Research Areas
- Acoustics
- Aerodynamics & Fluid Dynamics
- Computational Materials Science
- Computational Mechanics & Scientific Computing
- Dynamics, Controls and Human Machine Interaction
- Energy Technology and Heat Transfer
- Mechanics and Materials Science
Duke University Program in Materials Science and Engineering
Research Areas
- Biomaterials
- Computational Materials Discovery
- Electronic & Photonic Materials
- Energy Materials
- Metamaterials
- Soft Materials
A Multidisciplinary Program That Builds on Duke's Strengths
This university-wide degree program is uniquely multidisciplinary—and built upon Duke's strengths in materials science and engineering.
PhD students are admitted through Duke academic departments in engineering and the natural sciences. Applications must be submitted by the departmental deadline.