Bioengineering lies at the intersection of the physical and life sciences, incorporating principles from physics and chemistry to understand the operation of living systems. As in other engineering fields, the approach is highly quantitative: mathematical analysis and modeling are used to capture the function of systems from subcellular to organism scales. An education in Bio/Biomedical Engineering enables students to translate abstract hypotheses and scientific knowledge into working systems such as in prosthetic devices, imaging systems, and biopharmaceuticals. The concentration provides students a solid foundation in engineering and its application to the life sciences, within the setting of a liberal arts education. Students interested in Bioengineering may also pursue the Engineering Sciences SB concentration with a specialization in bioengineering through the Bioengineering Track. Students are also eligible to apply for an A.B./S.M. degree program.
Bioengineering lies at the intersection of the physical and life sciences, incorporating principles from physics and chemistry to understand the operation of living systems. We integrate fundamental engineering disciplines such as thermodynamics and fluid mechanics with the physical and life sciences while drawing on mathematics and computational sciences. This convergence allows students to understand the operation of living systems and to design novel solutions to critical problems in medicine and biology, from bioinspired robotics and computing to biomechanics and motor control to cell and tissue engineering, biomaterials and therapeutics. The concentration enables diverse educational and professional objectives.
Harvard School of Engineering offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree in Engineering Sciences: Bioengineering, conferred through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Within the bioengineering program, students focus on bioinspired robotics and computing; biomechanics and motor control; cell and tissue engineering, biomaterials and therapeutics. Graduate education is focused on individualized programs tailored to the interests, needs, and background of the student. Students are integral to the interdisciplinary and integrated approach to design, discovery and innovation.