S.B. in Engineering Sciences - Bioengineering Track

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Harvard University

Program Overview

The S.B. in Engineering Sciences – Bioengineering Track at Harvard University brings together engineering, mathematics, biology, and the physical sciences to help students understand living systems and develop solutions to real-world healthcare and biomedical challenges. It is a great fit for students interested in areas such as medical devices, biotechnology, biomedical research, and graduate study, with opportunities to explore fields including biomechanics, bioelectronics, tissue engineering, biomedical imaging, and biomaterials.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students start by building a solid foundation in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and life sciences. Courses such as Math 1a – Introduction to Calculus I, PS 12a – Mechanics and Statistical Physics, and LS 1a – Intro to the Life Sciences help students develop the scientific and quantitative skills needed for engineering study.

Second Year: Students continue developing their mathematical and scientific knowledge while beginning to move toward engineering and bioengineering. Courses such as Math 21a – Multivariable Calculus, PS 12b – Electromagnetism and Quantum Physics, and CS 50 – Introduction to Computer Science I strengthen analytical, computational, and problem-solving abilities.

Third Year: Students begin exploring bioengineering in greater depth and can focus on areas that match their interests. Courses such as ES 53 – Quantitative Physiology as a Basis for Bioengineering, BE 110 – Physiological Systems Analysis, and BE 121 – Cellular Engineering help students apply engineering principles to physiology, cells, and biomedical challenges.

Fourth Year: Students bring their knowledge together through advanced study and a major design experience. The year-long ES 100hf capstone allows students to design and prototype a solution to an engineering problem, giving them the chance to apply their technical knowledge, creativity, and practical design skills.

Focus Areas

Bioengineering, Quantitative Physiology, Physiological Systems Analysis, Cellular Engineering, Tissue Engineering, Biomechanics, Biomedical Imaging, Bioelectronics, Neuroengineering, Biomaterials, Drug Delivery, Medical Device Design, Biological Signal Processing, Engineering Design, Computational Methods

Learning Outcomes

Quantitative engineering analysis, mathematical modelling, engineering design, biological systems analysis, physiological systems analysis, computational problem solving, experimental skills, biomedical device development, prototyping, technical communication, interdisciplinary problem solving, engineering research, data analysis, innovation

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The S.B. in Engineering Sciences – Bioengineering Track is ABET-accredited, providing formal recognition that the engineering curriculum meets established professional engineering education standards. The program is particularly suitable for students interested in engineering careers, medical device development, graduate study in science or engineering, and other biomedical engineering-related fields.

Reputation (Employability and Academic Strength)

Harvard's John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences provides students with an interdisciplinary environment where engineering is combined with a broad liberal arts education. Students are encouraged to apply engineering knowledge to real-world problems while developing the design, analytical, and technical skills needed to create innovative solutions.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The S.B. in Engineering Sciences – Bioengineering Track at Harvard gives students many opportunities to turn what they learn in class into practical experience. Through laboratory work, research, engineering design, and prototyping, students can work on real biomedical challenges while using specialised equipment and learning from Harvard's research community. Students can build these hands-on skills through:

Senior Design Project: Students complete the year-long ES 100hf senior capstone, where they design and prototype a solution to an engineering problem. This gives students the opportunity to combine technical knowledge, creativity, design thinking, and practical engineering skills.
Bioengineering Laboratory: Harvard's Active Learning Labs Bioengineering Lab supports hands-on learning in areas such as biomaterials, quantitative physiology, biological signalling, cellular and tissue engineering, microfluidics, drug delivery, and biological imaging.
Cell Culture and Imaging Equipment: The Bioengineering Lab includes a dedicated cell-culture suite with six laminar-flow hoods and six cell incubators, as well as an imaging suite with two digital confocal live-cell imaging systems, three fluorescence microscopes, and an image-processing station.
Undergraduate Research: Students can work with Harvard SEAS faculty on research projects during the academic year and can receive course credit through ES 91r research.
Summer Research: Students can gain additional research experience through programs such as PRISE, HCRP, and HUCE, as well as National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates opportunities at other universities.
Research and Industry Internships: Students can explore research internships through Harvard and national laboratories and pursue industry internships through SEAS career events and related opportunities.
Medical Device Projects: The Biodesign Lab provides opportunities for students working on ES 100 projects related to medical devices, including mentorship, prototyping, fabrication, proof-of-concept development, and testing.
Project-Based Learning: Harvard's Active Learning Labs support hands-on, project-based engineering education, allowing students to design, build, test, and improve their solutions.
Research Centres and Institutes: Students can connect with Harvard's wider bioengineering research environment, including the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Broad Institute, Center for Nanoscale Science, Center for Brain Science, Harvard Move Lab, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, and Martinos Center.
Collaborative Engineering Projects: Students can work collaboratively on capstone projects, research activities, and extracurricular engineering projects using the facilities available through the Bioengineering Lab and wider SEAS community.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The S.B. in Engineering Sciences – Bioengineering Track at Harvard prepares students for careers in engineering, medical technology, biomedical research, and related fields. It also provides a strong foundation for students who want to continue into graduate study, medical school, or an MD-PhD program.

Typical career roles include: Bioengineer, Biomedical Engineer, Medical Device Engineer, Engineering Researcher

Students can build their professional future through:

Career and academic guidance: Harvard SEAS provides academic and engineering-focused support to help students plan their studies and explore suitable career and further-study pathways.
Research experience: Students can work with SEAS faculty on research projects and receive course credit through ES 91R, helping them gain valuable research experience for employment or postgraduate study.
Medical device opportunities: Harvard identifies the Bioengineering S.B. as a strong option for students interested in the medical device industry and other engineering careers.
Industry and professional destinations: Recent bioengineering and biomedical engineering graduates have progressed to organisations such as Boston Scientific, Boston Children's Hospital, Medtronic, Merck, Moderna, and Raytheon, as well as universities including MIT, Stanford, Yale, Oxford, and Cambridge.
Graduate outcomes: Harvard's Spring 2025 statistics for the broader BE/BME undergraduate group show that 42% entered full-time employment, 28% continued to graduate school, and 30% pursued service, travel, or other activities. These figures apply to the wider BE/BME undergraduate group and are not specific to this Bioengineering S.B. track.
Salary information: Harvard's official sources reviewed do not provide a specific salary figure for graduates of the Bioengineering S.B. track.
ABET accreditation: The Engineering Sciences S.B., including the Bioengineering Track, is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. This provides valuable external recognition that the program meets established engineering education standards.
Long-term professional value: The ABET-accredited engineering education develops technical knowledge, design and problem-solving abilities, teamwork, leadership, ethical decision-making, and lifelong learning skills that can support long-term engineering careers.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the S.B., students can continue into graduate programs in engineering, bioengineering, biomedical sciences, and related scientific fields. The degree can also provide a strong foundation for medical school and MD-PhD programs, with Harvard highlighting graduate study in science and engineering as an important pathway for Bioengineering S.B. graduates.