Bioengineering PhD
Bioengineering is an interdisciplinary program where students are free to collaborate and interact closely with other labs as well as with centers and schools across the Harvard engineering and medical campuses. You will learn how bioengineering integrates fundamental engineering disciplines such as thermodynamics and fluid mechanics with the physical and life sciences while drawing on mathematics and computational sciences. This convergence will enable you to understand the operation of living systems that leads to the design of novel solutions to address critical problems in medicine and biology.
Bioengineers at Harvard are making advances in bio-inspired robotics and computing, biometrics and motor control, cell and tissue engineering, biomaterials, and therapeutics. Examples of projects current and past students have worked on include embedding stretchable nanoelectronics into brain organoids to study brain development and developing injectable clotting agents to reduce blood loss.
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. As such, students from diverse technical backgrounds are encouraged and welcomed to join us. We seek to identify and attract the most promising students to form a dynamic and diverse community, and to shape them into visionary scholars, innovative educators, and creative leaders.
PhD in Bioengineering Degree
Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree in Engineering Sciences: Bioengineering, conferred through the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Doctoral students may earn the masters degree en route to the Ph.D. Prospective students apply through the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate of School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS). In the online application, select “Engineering and Applied Sciences” as your program choice and select “PhD Engineering Sciences: Bioengineering” in the area of study menu.
The Bioengineering program does not offer an independent Masters Degree.
Bioengineering PhD Career Paths
Graduates of the program have gone on to a range of careers in industry in companies like McKinsey & Company and Medtronic. Others have positions in academia at MIT, Vanderbilt, and Stanford.
Admissions & Academic Requirements
Please review the admissions requirements and other information before applying. Prospective students apply through the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate of School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS). In the online application, select “Engineering and Applied Sciences” as your program choice and select “PhD Engineering Sciences: Bioengineering” in the area of study menu. Our website also provides admissions guidance, program-specific requirements, and a PhD program academic timeline.
Academic Background
Applicants typically have bachelor’s degrees in the natural sciences, mathematics, computer science, or engineering.
Standardized Tests
GRE General: Not Accepted
Bioengineering Faculty & Research Areas
View a list of our Bioengineering faculty and Bioengineering affiliated research areas. Please note that faculty members listed as “Affiliates" or "Lecturers" cannot serve as the primary research advisor.
Centers & Initiatives
View a list of the research centers & initiatives at SEAS and the Bioengineering faculty engagement with these entities.
Graduate Student Clubs
Graduate student clubs and organizations bring students together to share topics of mutual interest. These clubs often serve as an important adjunct to course work by sponsoring social events and lectures. Graduate student clubs are supported by the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin School of Arts and Sciences. Explore the list of active clubs and organizations.
Funding and Scholarship
Learn more about financial support for PhD students.
How to Apply
Learn more about how to apply or review frequently asked questions for prospective graduate students.