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The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) offers doctoral and master’s degree programs that lie at the interfaces of engineering, the applied sciences (from biology to physics), and technology. Particular areas of academic focus include applied mathematics, applied physics, bioengineering, computer science, electrical engineering, environmental sciences and engineering, mechanical engineering, and engineering and physical biology.

In keeping with the interdisciplinary nature of modern research, SEAS does not have traditional academic departments and does not award degrees by specific research area. Students may instead work towards a Master of Science, Master of Engineering, and Doctor of Philosophy degree in one of four subjects—Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, Computer Science, and Engineering Sciences—or graduate with a PhD in the Science, Technology and Management program (with Harvard Business School).

Students may also pursue collaborative options through the Ph.D. track in Engineering and Physical Biology (EPB), which is joint with Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences or the Medical Engineering and Medical Physics (MEMP) program, which is part of the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology.

The faculty members in the SEAS, nearly 30 percent of whom have joint appointments in other research areas, have close ties with the science departments (especially physics, biology, chemistry, and earth and planetary sciences) in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and increasing ties to Harvard’s professional schools (including business and medicine).

The majority of the course offerings, most of which span across disciplines, are listed in the Courses of Instruction under the following broad headings: applied mathematics, applied physics, computer science, and engineering sciences. In addition to lecture courses and seminars, students may take directed reading and research courses in connection with their dissertations and, on occasion, use them to explore topics not covered in regular courses. Up to half a graduate student’s courses may be taken outside the SEAS, and programs that include considerable work in one or more science departments are common. Students may supplement their studies by cross-registering in other Harvard graduate schools or at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. (Certain limitations apply.)

Students may work toward one or two of three graduate degrees (master of science, master of engineering, doctor of philosophy) in one of four subjects—applied mathematics, applied physics, computer science, and engineering sciences. The requirements for each degree are summarized below.

Master of Science (SM)

The SM degree is awarded for the successful completion at Harvard of eight half-courses (one half-course runs one term) comprising an integrated program of both depth and breadth of preparation. Students admitted to the PhD program can apply for and receive the SM on completion of the requirements for the master’s degree.

Master of Engineering (ME)

Students who wish to pursue more advanced formal training without undertaking the research required for the PhD degree may earn the ME degree by successfully completing one year of coursework beyond that required for the SM degree. The ME is considered a terminal degree. No dissertation, foreign language, or general examination is required.