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The A.B. in Biomedical Engineering at Harvard University brings together engineering, biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics to help students understand how living systems work and develop solutions to real healthcare challenges. It is a strong option for students interested in biomedical research, medicine, biotechnology or healthcare innovation, with opportunities to explore areas such as medical devices, imaging, biomaterials and biopharmaceuticals.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1: Students begin by building a strong foundation in mathematics and the natural sciences, which prepares them for more advanced biomedical engineering study. Courses in Mathematics, Life Sciences 1a – Chemistry, Molecular Biology, and Cell Biology, and Physics introduce the key scientific concepts needed to understand biological and engineering systems.
Year 2: Students continue developing their scientific knowledge while starting to connect it with engineering applications. Courses such as ENG-SCI 53 – Quantitative Physiology as a Basis for Engineering and BE 110 – Physiological Systems help students understand biological systems from an engineering and quantitative perspective.
Year 3: Students move into more specialised areas of biomedical engineering and can begin shaping their studies around their interests. Courses such as BE 121 – Cellular Engineering, BE 125 – Tissue Engineering and BE 128 – Intro to Biomedical Imaging allow students to explore how engineering can be used to understand cells, develop tissues and create technologies for medical diagnosis.
Year 4: The final year focuses on advanced biomedical engineering applications and gives students the opportunity to bring together the knowledge they have developed throughout the degree. Students can explore subjects such as BE 227 – Medical Device Design, ENG-SCI 221 – Drug Delivery and BE 131 – Intro to Neuroengineering, while also undertaking independent work within the concentration.
Focus Areas
Biomedical engineering, bioengineering, quantitative physiology, physiological systems, cellular engineering, tissue engineering, biomaterials, biomedical imaging, bioelectronics, drug delivery, neuroengineering, biomechanics, medical device design and biomedical research.
Learning Outcomes
Students learn to apply engineering and mathematical principles to biological systems, use scientific knowledge to solve biomedical problems, understand physiological processes, develop and evaluate biomedical technologies, work across biology and engineering disciplines, conduct research and translate scientific ideas into practical healthcare applications.
Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
The A.B. in Biomedical Engineering provides a strong foundation for students planning careers in biomedical research, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and healthcare technology. It can also be a good preparation for students who plan to continue to medical school or pursue further study in engineering, biological sciences or related fields.
Reputation (Employability Rankings)
Harvard University has a globally recognised reputation for education and research, and the Biomedical Engineering program is offered through the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Graduates can pursue a wide range of pathways, including medical school, biomedical research, medical-device companies, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and health technology.
The A.B. in Biomedical Engineering at Harvard gives students plenty of opportunities to turn classroom knowledge into practical skills through laboratory work, design projects and research. Students can work with biological materials, cell cultures, microscopy and imaging equipment, while project-based courses allow them to design, build and test solutions to real biomedical challenges. They can also gain research experience by working with Harvard faculty during the academic year or through summer research opportunities.
Students can gain practical experience through:
Biomedical Engineering Laboratory: Students can explore biomaterials, cellular and tissue engineering, quantitative physiology, microfluidics, drug delivery and biological imaging using dedicated laboratory facilities.
Cell culture and imaging: The Bioengineering Active Learning Lab includes cell-culture facilities, laminar-flow hoods, incubators, confocal live-cell imaging systems and fluorescence microscopes.
Tissue engineering laboratory: BE 125 – Tissue Engineering includes weekly laboratory sessions where students learn material fabrication techniques and 3-D cell culture.
Medical device design: Students work in teams and can collaborate with clinicians to identify healthcare needs and develop, prototype and test medical-device concepts.
REEF Makerspace: Students have access to engineering tools and facilities including desktop 3D printers, electronics workbenches, laser cutting, polymer casting and CNC machining equipment for developing prototypes.
Faculty research: Undergraduate students can work with Harvard professors on research projects during the academic year or summer, including projects related to bioengineering and biomedical applications.
Summer research opportunities: Harvard's Research Experience for Undergraduates program gives students the opportunity to work on in-depth research projects in university laboratories.
Senior research thesis: Students pursuing the A.B. can undertake a senior research thesis, which is strongly encouraged and is required for students seeking High or Highest Honors.
Collaborative projects: Active Learning Labs use hands-on and project-based approaches, allowing students to work collaboratively while developing practical solutions to engineering and biomedical problems.
Science and Engineering Complex: Students benefit from teaching and research laboratories, active learning spaces, makerspaces, a library and dedicated student areas within Harvard's engineering facilities.
The A.B. in Biomedical Engineering at Harvard prepares students for a wide range of careers across medicine, biotechnology, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, consulting and research. Harvard reports that around 30% of biomedical engineering graduates go on to medical school, 30% enter industry, and 25% move into analytical careers such as health-tech and life-sciences consulting, while others continue into graduate study, government or nonprofit work.
Typical career roles include Biomedical Engineer, Medical Device Specialist, Biotechnology Professional, Health-Tech Consultant. Students can prepare for these opportunities through:
Career and academic guidance: Students can receive support from Harvard concentration and faculty advisors with academic planning, research opportunities and career direction.
Research opportunities: Students can gain valuable research experience during the academic year or through summer opportunities, including work with Harvard SEAS faculty and researchers.
Industry and research connections: Students can benefit from Harvard's wider biomedical research network, including connections with the Wyss Institute, Broad Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Stem Cell Institute.
Internship and summer opportunities: Students can pursue research and internship experiences through university programs, private companies, laboratories and government research organisations.
Strong graduate outcomes: Graduates move into medical school, medical-device companies, biotechnology, pharmaceutical organisations, consulting, government, nonprofit organisations and graduate education.
Research thesis: Students interested in advanced research can complete a senior research thesis. The thesis is particularly valuable preparation for graduate-level engineering or biomedical research and is required for students seeking High or Highest Honors.
Employment and salary information: Harvard's official Biomedical Engineering program information does not provide a specific graduate salary figure, so no unsupported salary estimate is included.
Further Academic Progression:
After completing the A.B. in Biomedical Engineering, students can continue into medical school, graduate engineering or science programs, MD-PhD programs and research-focused doctoral programs. Students planning a research career can strengthen their preparation through the senior thesis and other undergraduate research opportunities.
SAT or ACT is required for first-year applicants.
In exceptional circumstances where SAT/ACT cannot be accessed, Harvard may accept IB, A-Level/GCSE, AP, or national leaving examination results/predictions instead.
Harvard does not publish a minimum IB score, A-Level grades, CBSE percentage, or GPA requirement. It evaluates academic performance in the context of the applicant's educational background.
For reference only, Harvard's historical enrolled-student testing ranges were SAT 1350–1590 when reported as section ranges and ACT 31–36 (10th–90th percentile), but these are not admission requirements or cutoffs. US universities use a holistic admissions review. Beyond grades and standardized test scores, they weigh the strength of your overall profile to understand who you are as a student and a person.
Profile Assessment: Engineering applicants are generally assessed on the strength of their preparation in advanced Mathematics and laboratory sciences, particularly Physics and Chemistry. Calculus, technical projects, robotics, engineering competitions, research and evidence of practical problem-solving can strengthen the application. Universities may also look for creativity, teamwork and the ability to apply scientific concepts to real-world challenges.Advanced Placement(AP) Guidance: AP availability depends on the student's school. Relevant APs can strengthen an application and may earn university credit, but are not compulsory unless the university or programme explicitly requires them.Extracurricular activities: Estimated extracurricular contribution: 20–30%. Harvard values quality over quantity. It considers leadership, community contribution, sustained commitment, exceptional talent and personal responsibilities. Applicants may be well-rounded or demonstrate exceptional achievement in one particular area. Harvard does not expect students to fill every activity slot.Essays & recommendations: Personal essays and teacher/counselor recommendations give context to your achievements and help demonstrate fit with the program.Biomedical EngineerMedical Device SpecialistProsthetics EngineerBiomedical ResearcherBiotechnology ProfessionalPharmaceutical ProfessionalHealth Technology ConsultantLife Sciences ConsultantMedical ResearcherPharmaceutical ResearcherClinical ResearcherBiomedical Product DeveloperBiopharmaceutical Professional
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