Department of Integrated Biomedical and Life Sciences aims to cultivate the ability to acquire and apply specialized knowledge and research skills in basic and applied biomedical sciences and bio-food science, with the goal of promoting health closely related to improving quality of life. The department consists of faculty members from diverse fields related to basic and applied biomedical sciences and bio-food science. It participates in the Brain Korea 21 Plus program and operates a Bio New Materials Research Institute.

The department aims to foster highly capable research professionals with strong growth potential who can lead the global research environment by developing core research competencies to address social changes such as population aging. Our department pursues the education of creative talents who can lead the growth of advanced bio-food and biomedical industries by teaching fundamental life sciences, medical sciences, and applied fields such as bio-food and nutrition science.

• Major in Biofood and Medical Science
• Major in Biomedical Science

Our department pursues the education of creative talents who can lead the growth of advanced bio-food and biomedical industries by teaching fundamental life sciences, medical sciences, and applied fields such as bio-food and nutrition science. With faculty from diverse academic backgrounds, the department provides an excellent environment for interdisciplinary research, supported by outstanding professors and highly motivated graduate students.

Factors threatening human health are becoming increasingly diverse. Globalization has led to the worldwide spread of region-specific pathogens, while complex social changes contribute to mental stress and nutritional imbalances, all of which are factors in disease development. In response to these changes and the growing emphasis on disease prevention as well as treatment, our faculty are dedicated to guiding students so they can grow into global leaders who play a central role in improving human health.

Head of the Department of Integrated Biomedical and Life Sciences, Graduate School, Korea University

Graduation is granted upon completion of required credits, foreign language requirement, comprehensive exam, human rights & gender equality, research ethics, and thesis/dissertation

1. Required Credits * Course credits and research credits are counted separately

• Master's : 24 credits (15 credits for major + 8 credits for research)
• PhD : 30 credits (20 credits for major + 8 credits for research)
• Integrated : 48 credits (27 credits for major + 16 [12] credits for research)
  *Early completion possible with reduced research credits (12–14 credits)
  *Up to 1-year reduction possible for qualified integrated program students (Requirement: GPA of 4.0 or higher)

2. Foreign Language Requirement

• Foreign language exemption and alternative courses available : https://graduate2.korea.ac.kr/community/notice_view.html?no=352&page=1

Biomedical Engineering is a field that combines natural sciences and engineering technologies to develop technologies required for medical practice in real clinical settings. Due to the diversity of the medical field, research areas are extremely broad, encompassing not only medicine but also basic sciences such as physics, chemistry, and biology, as well as engineering fields including mechanical, electrical, materials, and computer science. It is characterized by creative interdisciplinary research that integrates these areas.

As the importance of interdisciplinary research has grown, this graduate school conducts leading-edge research in biomedical (bio-convergence) engineering through integrated studies that connect basic science, applied science, and medicine. It also aims to discover creative talents dedicated to developing foundational technologies for future medical science and to cultivate professional leaders who will drive the globalization of the national healthcare industry.

To achieve these goals, the graduate school offers foundational core courses that integrate engineering and clinical medicine, and operates specialized curricula focused on three key areas: medical imaging & medical physics, medical devices, and biomaterials.

• HBL501 EXPERIMENTATION [3]
• This course covers common techniques used in engineering experiments, such as software like MATLAB and LabVIEW, various numerical analysis methods, and 3D imaging implementation methods.
• HBL502 CLINICAL ROTATION [3]
• Through the observation of actual surgeries by clinicians and lectures, students learn about technologies that can be used in actual clinical settings.
• HBL601 ADVANCED OPTICS THEORY [3]
• HBL553 MICRON-SCALE OPTICAL APPLICATIONS IN BIOLOGY [3]
• HBL712 PLASMONICS [3]
• HBL713 RADIATION DETECTION AND MEASUREMENT I [3]
• HBL571 MEDICAL IMAGING SYSTEM [3]
• HBL556 PATTERN RECOGNITION AND MACHINE LEARNING [3]
• HBL568 ADVANCED RADIOLOGICAL PHYSICS [3]
• HBL559 MEDICAL IMAGING DEVICES [3]
• HBL551 NUMERICAL ANALYSIS [3]
• HBL697 TISSUE ENGINEERING AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE [3]
• HBL707 BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS AND BIOCOMPATIBILITY [3]
• HBL705 INTRODUCTION TO NANOMEDICINE [3]
• HBL710 BIOCHIP [3]
• HBL708 AMPLIFIER DESIGN FOR MEDICAL INSTRUMENTATION [3]
• HBL691 MICROFABRICATION TECHNOLOGY [3]
• HBL510 BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING COLLOQUIUM I [3]
• HBL511 BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING COLLOQUIUM II [3]
• HBL512 BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING COLLOQUIUM III [3]
• HBL513 BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING COLLOQUIUM IV [3]
• HBL720 MEDICAL IMPLANT [3]
• HBL721 BIOMEDICAL SCAFFOLD [3]

With the improvement in living standards, the concept of longevity has shifted from simply living longer to living a long and healthy life. As public interest in health has increased, the global healthcare industry reached approximately KRW 1,400 trillion in 2011, with an annual growth rate of 3–10%. In Korea, which is rapidly becoming an aging society, the demand for biomedical engineering technologies is growing exponentially to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare services.

In response to these demands, our graduate school has strengthened its research infrastructure and established an integrated graduate system to lead future biomedical technologies and discover new growth engines for the healthcare industry. In particular, we have built an integrated research framework that connects various engineering technologies with clinical medicine and are focusing our research capabilities on developing foundational technologies for the medical industry.

Accordingly, our graduate school strives to cultivate proactive and creative talents who can create new future value in biomedical (bio-convergence) engineering, while also fostering leadership that will guide and drive the development of the healthcare industry.

Head of the Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School, Korea University

Graduation is granted upon completion of required credits, foreign language requirement, comprehensive exam, human rights & gender equality, research ethics, and thesis/dissertation

1. Required Credits * Course credits and research supervision credits are counted separately

• Master's : 24 credits total (14 major credits including 1 core course + 8 research credits)
• PhD : 30 credits total (18 major credits including 2 core courses + 8 research credits)
• Integrated Program : 48 credits total (27 major credits including 2 core courses + 16 [12] research credits)
  *Early completion is possible with reduced research credits (12–14 credits)
  *Students in the integrated program may shorten the study period by up to one year if requirements are met (Condition: GPA of 4.0 or higher throughout the program)

2. Foreign Language Requirement

• Foreign language exemption and alternative courses available : https://graduate2.korea.ac.kr/community/notice_view.html?no=352&page=1

With growing interest in healthcare, medicine, and the environment, the demand for professionals in public safety and national well-being is increasing. This department aims to cultivate professionals who can identify risk factors in the relationship between human diseases and the environment and prevent disease in advance to build a healthier society.

The department offers three specialized tracks which are Major in Radiomedical Science, Clinical Laboratory Science, and Environmental Health and Safety.

• The Major in Radiomedical Science track is suitable for graduates of radiology, nuclear engineering, and physics, and typically leads to careers in national research institutes, government research positions, or academia.
• The Clinical Laboratory Science track provides graduates of clinical pathology, chemistry, and biology with advanced knowledge in diagnostic laboratory science, hospital microbiology, cell therapy, stem cell and hematology, and molecular pathology. Career paths include hospital laboratories, biotech and pharmaceutical research institutes, and academic positions.
• The Environmental Health and Safety track offers advanced training for graduates in environmental health, environmental engineering, industrial safety, chemistry, and life sciences. Graduates typically pursue careers as government environmental officials, corporate safety and environmental managers, or researchers in health and safety fields.

A key distinguishing feature of this department is its focus on training specialists in environmental radiation, a field with very few dedicated graduate programs. The department is an advanced interdisciplinary program dedicated to radiation safety, infectious disease safety, and environmental safety.

• Major in Radiomedical Science
• Clinical Laboratory Science
• Environmental Health and Safety
• Particulate Matter Management

Have you ever heard of the somewhat unfamiliar department name, “Health and Safety Convergence Science”? Our department name may sound like a combination of many positive terms, but it truly represents a field dedicated to meaningful and impactful research.

Public health is a broad academic field that encompasses all disciplines involved in predicting and detecting diseases in advance. Identifying risk factors is also an essential part of public health. Modern risk factors are often influenced by very small elements, including fine dust, water and air pollution, as well as infectious agents such as bacteria. In particular, contamination from medical radiation and nuclear materials has recently emerged as a significant hazard.

Our department is an interdisciplinary program that studies radiation safety, infectious disease safety, and environmental safety together. We encourage you to engage in dedicated research here and contribute to the noble goal of eliminating and preventing risks that threaten human health.

Head of the Department of Health and Safety Convergence Science, Graduate School, Korea University

Graduation is granted upon completion of required credits, foreign language requirement, comprehensive exam, human rights & gender equality, research ethics, and thesis/dissertation

1. Required Credits * Course credits and research supervision credits are counted separately

• Master's : 24 credits total (15 major credits + 8 research credits)
• PhD : 30 credits total (15 major credits + 8 research credits)
• Integrated Program : 48 credits total (24 major credits + 16 [12] research credits)
  *Early completion is possible with reduced research credits (12–14)
  *Students in the integrated program may shorten the study period by up to one year if requirements are met (Condition: GPA of 4.0 or higher throughout the program)

2. Foreign Language Requirement

• Foreign language exemption and alternative courses available : https://graduate2.korea.ac.kr/community/notice_view.html?no=352&page=1

The Department of Healthcare Sciences aims to cultivate competitive global leaders who possess the ability to plan, implement, manage, and evaluate health policies and health promotion programs both domestically and internationally, based on an integrated understanding of individual, social, and environmental determinants of health, as well as the changing trends represented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

To achieve this, the department provides comprehensive education in both theory and practice across various related disciplines, enabling students to integrate this knowledge to develop strategic solutions to current health issues and to advance new theoretical frameworks.

• Major in Health Law, Economics, and Policy
• Major in Healthcare Industry
• Major in Digital Health Statistics

A society where everyone is healthy and happy is a shared dream for all of us. While appropriate medical services and healthy behaviors are essential to maintaining individual health, social determinants of health also have a significant impact on overall health status. However, factors such as education level, income, policy, and residential environment contribute to making certain populations more vulnerable to chronic diseases and other health issues.

The inequality in our society, often described as polarization, leads to health disparities and places a significant burden on society as a whole.Even in the 21st century, global outbreaks such as COVID-19 have demonstrated that unless we address health blind spots affecting vulnerable populations, no one can truly be safe.

In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, traditional boundaries of the healthcare industry are rapidly dissolving, and there is a growing need for health promotion systems that connect knowledge with practice using rapidly expanding data and provide real-time, personalized health services. To improve national health, reduce inequalities among vulnerable populations, enhance the quality of disease prevention and treatment, and lower healthcare costs, a paradigm shift in healthcare science is required.

The Department of Healthcare Sciences aims to reduce health disparities and effectively promote public health through a problem-solving, social science–based approach aligned with rapidly changing societal conditions. To achieve this, the department offers specializations in “Health Law, Economics, and Policy”, “Healthcare Industry” and “Digital Health Statistics”, and is committed to fostering global leaders who will open new frontiers in healthcare through world-class interdisciplinary research and education.

Head of the Department of Healthcare Sciences, Graduate School, Korea University

Students in the Department of Healthcare Sciences

• PhD :
• Master's : 1 student
• Integrated Master’s–PhD :

Faculty Members in the Department of Healthcare Sciences

• Full-time Faculty : 7
• Adjunct Faculty :
• Emeritus Professors :

Curriculum and Completion Structure

Completion Requirements - Refer to Internal Regulations

• Master's : Major – 15 credits / Research – 8 credits / Total – 24 credits (including major)
• PhD : Major – 20 credits / Research – 8 credits / Total – 30 credits (including major)
• Integrated Program : Major – 27 credits / Research – 16 (12) credits / Total – 48 credits

Comprehensive Examination

• (1). Subjects are designated by the advisor and approved by the department chair:
  • - Master's : 2 major subjects
  • - PhD : 4 major subjects
• (2). Students who fail must retake failed subjects in the following semester
• (3). Exam subjects must be courses offered by full-time faculty (Note: This regulation takes effect from September 1, 2025)

Thesis Submission Requirements

• Master's Program : Master’s: Publish at least 1 paper in an accredited journal OR present once as first author at a conference
• PhD & Integrated Program
  • - Natural Sciences : 2 SCI papers OR 1 top 10% journal paper (first author)
  • - Social Sciences : 2 accredited papers OR 1 SSCI paper + proposal defense (Accepted papers are also recognized)

Graduation Requirements

• Completion of credits, foreign language, human rights & gender equality, research ethics, and comprehensive exam

Foreign Language Requirement Waiver & Alternative Courses

Korea University Graduate School

Graduation possible upon completion of credits, foreign language, comprehensive exam, human rights & gender equality, research ethics, and thesis

1. Required Credits * Course credits and research supervision credits are counted separately

• Master's : 24 credits total (15 major credits + 8 research credits)
• PhD : 30 credits total (20 major credits + 8 research credits)
• Integrated : 48 credits total (27 major credits + 16 (12) research credits)
  *Early completion is possible with reduced research credits (12–14 credits)
  *Students in the integrated program may shorten the study period by up to one year if requirements are met (Condition: GPA of 4.0 or higher throughout the program)

2. Foreign Language Requirement

• Foreign language exemption and alternative courses available : https://graduate2.korea.ac.kr/community/notice_view.html?no=352&page=1

Addressing the societal challenges faced by Health Science requires a comprehensive understanding of education and research, along with innovative solutions. Recently advancing personalized medical technologies are largely limited to omics data, including genetics, and individual-centered diagnosis and treatment, which restricts their ability to address population-level health issues.

Precision Public Health, based on Health Science, biomedical engineering, and data science, aims to reduce disease burden at the population level through technological development and improved accessibility, promote lifelong preventive healthcare, extend healthy life expectancy, and reduce health disparities.

To achieve this, Korea University’s Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health presents the “world’s first educational model for training talent in precision public health,” fostering creativity, convergence, and problem-solving skills to address population health issues.

Due to increasing life expectancy and declining birth rates, the global community is experiencing unprecedented population aging. In 2017, Korea became an aged society with over 14% of its population aged 65 or older, and Statistics Korea projects that this will reach 46.5% by 2067 which is the highest in the world. Considering the growing importance of social issues accompanying population aging, new educational and research strategies are required to address the critical challenge of “successful aging” or “healthy aging.”

In response, Korea University’s Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health was established to provide education and conduct interdisciplinary research in precision public health integrating engineering, natural sciences, and data science applicable not only to individual-level healthy aging but also to population-level health.

Together with Korea University's Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Health Science, we hope you will grow into innovative and daring leaders who will proactively addressing the challenges of an aging society and emerging health disparities and contribute to both the nation and the world.

Head of the Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health, Graduate School, Korea University

A Learning Health System is a health system that continuously evolves by embedding the process of knowledge generation into daily clinical practice. This paradigm aims to provide patients with the most appropriate care based on the best available evidence, emphasizing prevention and health promotion. By delivering maximum value and learning from every healthcare encounter, it ultimately strives to improve the overall health of a nation.

This interdisciplinary program expands the concept of the Learning Health System by emphasizing health equity and aims to equip students with the capacity to design, organize, operate, and evaluate health systems grounded in the social determinants of health at national and global levels, beyond healthcare institutions.

Through this approach, the program integrates the outcomes of the data revolution, often described as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, with public health to identify the structures and patterns of health inequity. It aims to cultivate globally competitive professionals capable of delivering tailored healthcare solutions to vulnerable communities and building adaptive, evolving healthcare systems for all.

• Department of Public Health Science
• Department of Health & Safety Convergence Science
• Department of Biomedical Convergence Science
• Department of Healthcare Sciences

Since the first half of 2020, we have navigated life alongside COVID-19. Korean society successfully contained the spread of the virus and has since exported its quarantine systems, including drive-thru testing stations and diagnostic kits. Throughout this period, we witnessed the birth and constant evolution of healthcare services and systems designed specifically to counter COVID-19. This process of converting response results into data, analyzing them, and continuously refining our actions is precisely how a high-functioning Learning Health System operates.

A Learning Health System is an evidence-based framework where the process of knowledge generation is embedded in daily operations, allowing the system to evolve spontaneously and continuously. As defined by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), the paradigm of the Learning Health System aims to ensure that "healthcare systems provide patients with the most appropriate care and the highest value based on the best evidence, emphasize prevention and health promotion, and improve national health levels through continuous learning from healthcare encounters."

Beyond the system itself, we focus on the social environment where human health is shaped. A successful response to a virus does not always equate to success from a public health perspective. The impoverishment of small business owners due to restrictions, infections among workers in crowded call centers and logistics hubs, surging youth unemployment, and the rising suicide rate among young women are unforeseen social risks. Health inequality is largely dictated by the social determinants of health, with impacts that reach as far as altering the human genome.

A truly successful response in both a public health and social sense is not merely about the end of the pandemic. It lies in understanding the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on diverse populations and caring for them until they can return to their original lives.

To achieve this, the Interdisciplinary Program in Learning Health Systems conducts convergent research and education across the fields of public health, nursing, and medicine. Furthermore, as a hub for public-interest RD&D (Research, Development & Demonstration) in collaboration with local residents, we focus on Living Labs for integrated health care. By creating a virtuous cycle of research, education, and industry-academic cooperation, we strive to become a beacon of hope for a sustainable community for all (L-HOPE: Learning-Healthcare Of the Public for Equity).

Head of the Learning Health System, Graduate School, Korea University