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Engineering is about building bridges, but in ways that you may not expect. Breakthrough technologies create bridges to every area in the sciences.

Two different Engineering Sciences degrees are offered at Harvard, the bachelor of arts (A.B.) and the bachelor of science (S.B.) in five distinct areas:

• Biomedical Sciences and Engineering

• Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

• Engineering Physics (A.B. only)

• Environmental Sciences and Engineering

• Mechanical and Materials Sciences and Engineering

The concentration is flexibly structured and suitable for students planning to work as practicing engineers or researchers and for those preparing for careers in business, education, government, law, or medicine, and for those whose career objectives may be less specific.

The American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) offers excellent general information on all aspects of engineering.

What's the difference between the A.B. and S.B. degrees?

The A.B. degree is based on the minimum of fourteen through sixteen half-courses required for its completion. This degree can provide adequate preparation for the practice of engineering and for graduate study in engineering, and it is an excellent preparation for careers in other professions (business, law, medicine, etc.). Because it requires fewer concentration courses than the S.B. degree, the A.B. program is appropriate for students who wish to take advantage of the great breadth of Harvard College course offerings.

The S.B. degree program requires a minimum of 20 half-courses, and the level of technical concentration is comparable to engineering programs at other major universities and technical institutions. The S.B. program is recognized by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET), the national accreditation agency for engineering programs in the United States. Accredited as preparation for the immediate practice of engineering, this program is also good preparation for graduate study in engineering, the sciences, and other professions.

Each area within Engineering Sciences offers both common and distinct opportunities for learning and exploration. Each area also provides an opportunity to "dig deeper" into a given research topic. For example, many students interested in biology or medicine study biomedical sciences and engineering (and so forth). Whatever area you choose, all are suitable preparation for graduate school and carrers in industry.

Because Harvard students in engineering and applied sciences are part of a liberal arts environment, they are able to combine their strong technical skills with broader-based knowledge in areas ranging from art to zoology. As a result, they have a variety of career possibilities from which to choose and may specialize in research, investment banking, consulting, computer design or programming, entrepreneurship, planning, design, manufacturing, construction, management, teaching, writing, or sales. Engineering graduates have excellent prospects for finding employment in private industry, government, military service, or academia.