Faculty & Research
At the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), we work within and beyond the disciplines of engineering and foundational science to address the most pressing issues of our time. SEAS has no departments; departments imply boundaries, even walls. Our approach to teaching and research is, by design, highly interdisciplinary. We collaborate across academic areas at SEAS and the larger university, and with colleagues in academia, industry, government and public service organizations beyond Harvard. This commitment to collaboration, and our community’s manageable scale, enable our undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and researchers to advance knowledge, make groundbreaking discoveries, and develop technologies, products, and ideas that have the potential to improve lives the world over.
Use the filters below find faculty, explore our areas of research, see a list of research centers and initiatives, or visit our Academics pages.
Careers
What can you do with a degree in Computer Science?
Some of our computer science graduates have moved into industry (as programmers) or entered graduate programs (from applied sciences to medicine to law).
Still others have pursued entrepreneurial/business routes, found a home in the evolving world of digital media, or used their computational skills to move into finance, banking, or health care.
Put simply, computer science serves as an entryway into just about every scientific and business-related field, and increasingly acts as an accelerator for success in academia and industry.
Please consult the Office of Student Career Development for opportunities.
Careers By Area
Some examples of areas you can explore are
-
Artificial Intelligence: Develop computers that simulate human learning and reasoning ability.
-
Computer Architecture: Design new components and systems for everything from high-performance, networked parallel machines to low-cost and lowpower iPods.
-
Computer Design and Engineering: Design new computer circuits, microchips, and other electronic components.
-
Theoretical Computer Science: Investigate the fundamental theories of how computers solve problems, and apply the results to other areas of computer science.
-
Information Technology: Develop and manage information systems that support a business or organization.
-
Operating Systems and Networks: Develop the basic software that computers use to supervise themselves or to communicate with other computers.
-
Software Applications: Apply computing and technology to solving problems outside the computer field - in education or medicine, for example.
-
Software Engineering: Develop methods for the production of software systems on time, within budget
Research Opportunities
Undergraduate Research in Computer Science
For specific information on undergraduate research opportunities in Computer Science visit https://csadvising.seas.harvard.edu/research/.
General Information about Undergraduate Research
Opportunities for undergraduates to conduct research in engineering, the applied sciences, and in related fields abound at Harvard. As part of your coursework, or perhaps as part of individual research opportunities working with professors, you will have the chance to take part in or participate in some extraordinary projects covering topics ranging from bioengineering to cryptography to environmental engineering.
Our dedicated undergraduate research facilities and Active Learning Labs also provide opportunities for students to engage in hands-on learning. We encourage undergraduates from all relevant concentrations to tackle projects during the academic year and/or over the summer.
Keep in mind, many students also pursue summer research at private companies and labs as well as at government institutions like the National Institutes of Health.
If you have any questions, please contact or stop by the Office of Academic Programs, located in the Science and Engineering Complex, Room 1.101, in Allston.
Research FAQs
The SEAS website has a wealth of information on the variety of cross-disciplinary research taking place at SEAS. You can view the concentrations available at SEAS here, as well as the research areas that faculty in these concentrations participate in. Note that many research areas span multiple disciplines; participating in undergraduate research is an excellent way to expand what you learn beyond the content of the courses in your concentration!
To view which specific faculty conduct research in each area, check out the All Research Areas section of the website. You can also find a helpful visualization tool to show you the research interests of all the faculty at SEAS, or you can filter the faculty directory by specific research interests. Many faculty’s directory entry will have a link to their lab’s website, where you can explore the various research projects going on in their lab.
The Centers & Initiatives page shows the many Harvard research centers that SEAS faculty are members of (some based at SEAS, some based in other departments at Harvard).
Beyond the website, there are plenty of research seminars and colloquia happening all year long that you can attend to help you figure out what exactly you are interested in. Keep an eye on the calendar at https://events.seas.harvard.edu!
There are several events that are designed specifically for helping undergraduate students get involved with research at SEAS, such as the Undergraduate Research Open House and Research Lightning Talks. This event runs every fall in early November and is a great opportunity to talk to representatives from research labs all over SEAS. You can find recordings from last year’s Open House on the SEAS Undergraduate Research Canvas site.
Most of our faculty have indicated that curiosity, professionalism, commitment and an open mind are paramount. Good communication skills, in particular those that align with being professional are critical. These skills include communicating early with your mentor if you are going to be late to or miss a meeting, or reaching out for help if you are struggling to figure something out. Good writing skills and math (calculus in particular) are usually helpful, and if you have programming experience that may be a plus for many groups. So try to take your math and programming courses early (first year) including at least one introductory concentration class, as those would also add to your repertoire of useful skills.
Adapted from the Life Sciences Research FAQs
Start by introducing yourself and the purpose of your inquiry (e.g. you’d like to speak about summer research opportunities in their lab). Next, mention specific aspects of their research and state why they interest you (this requires some background research on your part). Your introduction will be stronger if you convey not only some knowledge of the lab’s scientific goals, but also a genuine interest in their research area and technical approaches.
In the next paragraph tell them about yourself, what your goals are and why you want to do research with their group. Describe previous research experience (if you have any). Previous experience is, of course, not required for joining many research groups, but it can be helpful. Many undergraduates have not had much if any previous experience; professors are looking for students who are highly motivated to learn, curious and dependable.
Finally, give a timeline of your expected start date, how many hours per week you can devote during the academic term, as well as your summer plans.
Most faculty will respond to your email if it is clear that you are genuinely interested in their research and have not simply sent out a generic email. If you don’t receive a response within 7-10 days, don’t be afraid to follow up with another email. Faculty are often busy and receive a lot of emails, so be patient.
There are several ways that undergraduate research can be funded at SEAS. The Program for Research in Science and Engineering (PRISE) is a 10-week summer program that provides housing in addition to a stipend for summer research. The Harvard College Research Program (HCRP) is available during the academic year as well as the summer. The Harvard University Center for the Environment (HUCE) has a summer undergraduate research program. The Harvard College Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (URAF) has more information on these, as well as many other programs.
Students that were granted Federal Work Study as part of their financial aid package can use their Work Study award to conduct undergraduate research as well (research positions should note that they are work-study eligible to utilize this funding source).
Research labs may have funding available to pay students directly, though we encourage you to seek out one of the many funding options available above first.
Yes! Some students choose to do research for course credit instead of for a stipend. To do so for a SEAS concentrations, students must enroll in one of the courses below and submit the relevant Project Application Form on the Course’s Canvas Page:
- Applied Mathematics 91r (Supervised Reading and Research)
- Computer Science 91r (Supervised Reading and Research)
- Engineering Sciences 91r (Supervised Reading and Research)
Adapted from the Life Sciences Research FAQs
In general, you should expect to spend a minimum of one semester or one summer working on a project. There are many benefits to spending a longer period of time dedicated to a project. It’s important to have a conversation early with your research PI (“Principal Investigator”, the faculty who runs your research lab or program) to discuss the intended timeline of the first phase of your project, and there will be many additional opportunities to discuss how it could be extended beyond that.
For students who are satisfied with their research experience, remaining in one lab for the duration of their undergraduate careers can have significant benefits. Students who spend two or three years in the same lab often find that they have become fully integrated members of the research group. In addition, the continuity of spending several years in one lab group often allows students to develop a high level of technical expertise that permits them to work on more sophisticated projects and perhaps produce more significant results, which can also lead to a very successful senior thesis or capstone design project.
However, there is not an obligation to commit to a single lab over your time at Harvard, and there are many reasons you may consider a change:
- your academic interests or concentration may have changed and thus the lab project is no longer appropriate
- you would like to study abroad (note that there is no additional cost in tuition for the term-time study abroad and Harvard has many fellowships for summer study abroad programs)
- your mentor may have moved on and there is no one in the lab to direct your project (it is not unusual for a postdoctoral fellow who is co-mentoring student to move as they secure a faculty position elsewhere)
- the project may not be working and the lab hasn’t offered an alternative
- or there may be personal reasons for leaving. It is acceptable to move on
If you do encounter difficulties, but you strongly prefer to remain in the lab, get help. Talk to your PI or research mentor, your faculty advisor or concentration advisor, or reach out to [email protected] for advice. The PI may not be aware of the problem and bringing it to their attention may be all that is necessary to resolve it.
Adapted from the Life Sciences Research FAQs
Accepting an undergraduate into a research group and providing training for them is a very resource-intensive proposition for a lab, both in terms of the time commitment required from the lab mentors as well as the cost of laboratory supplies, reagents, computational time, etc. It is incumbent upon students to recognize and respect this investment.
- One way for you to acknowledge the lab’s investment is to show that you appreciate the time that your mentors set aside from their own experiments to teach you. For example, try to be meticulous about letting your mentor know well in advance when you are unable to come to the lab as scheduled, or if you are having a hard time making progress.
- On the other hand, showing up in the lab at a time that is not on your regular schedule and expecting that your mentor will be available to work with you is unrealistic because they may be in the middle of an experiment that cannot be interrupted for several hours.
- In addition to adhering to your lab schedule, show you respect the time that your mentor is devoting to you by putting forth a sincere effort when you are in the lab. This includes turning off your phone, ignoring text messages, avoiding surfing the web and chatting with your friends in the lab etc. You will derive more benefit from a good relationship with your lab both in terms of your achievements in research and future interactions with the PI if you demonstrate a sincere commitment to them.
- There will be “crunch” times, maybe even whole weeks, when you will be unable to work in the lab as many hours as you normally would because of midterms, finals, paper deadlines, illness or school vacations. This is fine and not unusual for students, but remember to let your mentor know in advance when you anticipate absences. Disappearing from the lab for days without communicating with your mentor is not acceptable. Your lab mentor and PI are much more likely to be understanding about schedule changes if you keep the lines of communication open but they may be less charitable if you simply disappear for days or weeks at a time. From our conversations with students, we have learned that maintaining good communication and a strong relationship with the lab mentor and/or PI correlates well with an undergraduate’s satisfaction and success in the laboratory.
- Perhaps the best way for you to demonstrate your appreciation of the lab’s commitment is to approach your project with genuine interest and intellectual curiosity. Regardless of how limited your time in the lab may be, especially for first-years and sophomores, it is crucial to convey a sincere sense of engagement with your project and the lab’s research goals. You want to avoid giving the impression that you are there merely to fulfill a degree requirement or as a prerequisite for a post-graduate program.
There are lots of ways to open a conversation around how to get involved with research.
- For pre-concentrators: Talk to a student who has done research. The Peer Concentration Advisor (PCA) teams for Applied Math, Computer Science and Engineering mention research in their bios and would love to talk about their experience. Each PCA team has a link to Find My PCA which allows you to be matched with a PCA based on an interest area such as research.
- For SEAS concentrators: Start a conversation with your ADUS, DUS, or faculty advisor about faculty that you are interested in working with. If you don’t have a list already, start with faculty whose courses you have taken or faculty in your concentration area. You may also find it helpful to talk with graduate student TFs in your courses about the work they are doing, as well as folks in the Active Learning Labs, as they have supported many students working on research and final thesis projects.
- For all students: Attend a SEAS Research Open House event to be connected with lab representatives that are either graduate students, postdocs, researchers or the PI for the labs. If you can’t attend the event, contact information is also listed on the Undergraduate Research Canvas page for follow-up in the month after the event is hosted.
For any student who feels like they need more support to start the process, please reach out to [email protected] so someone from the SEAS Taskforce for Undergraduate Research can help you explore existing resources on the Undergraduate Research Canvas page. We especially encourage first-generation and students from underrepresented backgrounds to reach out if you have any questions.
Corning, Inc.
You may know Corning as the company that makes the Gorilla Glass in your cell phone ... or the optical fibers that connect you to the internet. They are, but they are much more, producing materials for wide-ranging businesses including life sciences, environmental technologies, and advanced optics. If you are an engineer or applied scientist at any level, this is a place where you can help develop and produce the materials of the future. Corning has 107 locations in 24 countries. Check out their website at www.corning.edu
Another company
Phasellus faucibus tempor ornare. Praesent tempus risus eu libero tempus imperdiet id sed odio. Morbi aliquam semper commodo. Aliquam at nulla pharetra, maximus ipsum dictum, dapibus elit. Maecenas eu tincidunt ipsum, id maximus nunc. Etiam tempor nunc nunc, quis dignissim arcu pharetra sit amet. Quisque tempus quis libero vitae interdum. Cras id ipsum luctus, semper mauris at, venenatis nisi. Curabitur quis enim sagittis, pellentesque leo non, pulvinar metus. Praesent aliquet ac elit ut ultrices.
Nulla augue mi, tincidunt vel dapibus et, porttitor a tortor. Praesent dignissim, libero non porttitor rhoncus, nunc diam gravida eros, sit amet tincidunt justo augue at velit. In at velit pulvinar neque sagittis blandit et id justo. Duis ac eleifend tellus, eget dapibus sapien. Morbi mollis, massa nec finibus hendrerit, justo urna mollis tortor, a consequat lorem ex sed augue. Proin non euismod justo, gravida fermentum velit. Quisque erat dolor, porta sed blandit vel, tempor non tellus. Aenean luctus fringilla mattis.
How to apply
All prospective graduate students to our Ph.D., M.E., S.M., and A.B./S.M. programs apply to the School of Engineering through the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS).
Students interested in the Master in Design Engineering with the Harvard Graduate School of Design will find information about applying to that program here.
Students interested in the MS/MBA: Engineering Sciences program offered jointly with Harvard Business School will find information about applying to that program here.
Students with bachelor's degrees in the natural or quantitative sciences, mathematics, computer science, or engineering are invited to apply.
All students begin graduate study in the fall term only.
What does the application require?
- Completed application form submitted by the appropriate application deadline (Dec.1st for masters applicants; December 15th for Ph.D. applicants)
- Statement of Purpose: describe your future research interests, how they relate to your classroom and/or research experience, and which labs at SEAS you're most excited about. Your statement should be no longer than 1,000 words.
- Personal Statement:Please share how your experiences or activities will advance our mission and commitment to sustain a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment (full text of prompt can be found in the application). No longer than 500 words.
- Three letters of recommendation submitted electronically
- Transcripts; please upload copies of all transcripts to the Academic Background section of the online application; unofficial copies are acceptable.
- C.V. or Resume
- SEAS does not accept General GRE scores nor Subject Test GRE scores for applicants to our Ph.D. programs. Applicants to these programs should not submit official or unofficial GRE scores to us nor mention them anywhere in their application materials.
- SEAS does not accept General GRE scores nor Subject Test GRE scores for applicants to our masters degree programs in Computational Science & Engineering and Data Science. Applicants to these programs should not submit official or unofficial GRE scores to us nor mention them anywhere in their application materials.
- Either the GRE or GMAT is required for applicants applying to the Master of Design Engineering or the MS/MBA: Engineering Sciences programs. The applications for these programs are available via the Graduate School of Design or Harvard Business School, respectively.
- If required, an official TOEFL or IELTS score report. The school code to use to submit your TOEFL score is 3451. *TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for applicants whose native language is other than English and who do not hold a Bachelor degree or its equivalent from an institution at which English is the language of instruction. The score must be valid at the time of entry into the program. Note that a masters degree from an English-speaking institution does not meet this requirement.
- The application fee of $105.00. Should you want to request a fee waiver from Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, you may do so in the fee section of the application.
Please list only SEAS ladder faculty on the application. "Affiliate faculty" cannot admit PhD students. There are many SEAS ladder faculty with formal joint appointments in other Harvard Griffin GSAS departments, like Physics and Earth and Planetary Sciences. These faculty can serve as primary research advisors to SEAS students. A complete list of the SEAS ladder faculty can be found here- filter for "primary graduate advisors" once you're on this page.
We do not require an interview as part of the application process and we cannot offer applicants the opportunity for an in-person interview with the admissions staff. Attending a Ph.D. or Masters Programs admissions information session is the best way to have your questions answered. More information about our information sessions that will be held in the Fall can be found here.
We require electronic submission of the entire application, including letters of recommendation and transcripts. Please do not send us any hard copy materials.
Admissions Timeline for Ph.D., M.E., S.M., and A.B./S.M. Programs
(Note: The Master in Design Engineering and the MS/MBA: Engineering Sciences have different deadlines and timetables.)
Please note: The application deadline for applicants to our masters programs (S.M., M.E., and AB-SM) is earlier than the application deadline for applicants to our Ph.D. program. Applicants to our S.M., M.E., and AB-SM masters programs must apply by December 1, 2024. Applicants to our Ph.D. program must apply by December 15, 2024. We do not accept late applications to any of our programs.
| September |
Harvard Griffin GSAS Application becomes available |
|
December 1st December 15th |
Masters Program (S.M., M.E., and AB-SM) Application Deadline (by 5 p.m. ET) PhD Program Application Deadline (by 5 p.m. ET) |
| Mid-Late December | Review of applications begins |
| January | Review of applications continues |
| Early February | Review of applications continues |
| Mid February | Decision notifications are made by Harvard Griffin GSAS and SEAS |
| April 15 | Reply/Decision date for admitted students |
PhD Timeline
--> Also see the separate pages with on-boarding information for new PhD students <--
Information and Resources for New Graduate Students
Wiki site for incoming PhD students (behind Harvard Key)
First Year (G1)
Fall
- Early September:
- Notify your financial aid officers of any external funding.
Contact: Erin Bishop in SEAS Finance and Emily Fingerle in GSAS Financial Aid. - Make note of the course registration deadline.
(previously known as "Study Card Day"). See the GSAS Policies Academic Calendar.
- Notify your financial aid officers of any external funding.
- Mid-September:
- Register for courses before the deadline (previously known as "Study Card Day")
Spring
- Mid-January: Deadline for submitting materials to be reviewed at the January CHD meetings.
- Late-January: Course registration deadline (previously known as "Study Card Day").
- Mid-February: Deadline for submitting materials to be reviewed at the March CHD meetings
- G1s: Your Prospective Program Plan due to the Office of Academic Programs on this day.
- Transfer of up to 3 classes of coursework may be allowed. Include the Application for Credit for Work Done Elsewhere with your Prospective Program Plan.
- April 1: Research Advisor Selection Form/Research Assistant appointment form due to Office of Academic Programs.
- Early-April: Deadline for submitting materials to be reviewed at the April CHD meetings.
- Note: The April CHD meeting is the last CHD meeting in all academic year. CHD does not meet over the summer. Remember to plan ahead.
Second year (G2)
Throughout year
- Teaching Fellows (TFing):
- G2’s are required to serve as a Teaching Fellow in either the Fall or Spring semester.
- Make sure you complete the TF form once you line up a TF position!
- Qualifying Exam:
- G2’s are required to take their qualifying exam in either the Fall or Spring terms.
- Email quals_defenses@seas to book a room. If you book your own room (e.g., external to SEAS) you must still email quals_defenses@seas well in advance in order for your required documentation to be ready, else your exam cannot take place.
- Upon completion of the exam, students are required to submit the Designation of Research Committee form to OAP.
- If you plan to request a delay of the qualifying exam, complete a Request to Delay Qual Exam form. Note that delays until September (i.e. start of G3 year) are typically approved as a matter of course
Fall
- Mid-September: Course Registration Deadline (previously known as "Study Card Day"). See the GSAS Policies Academic Calendar.
- Mid-October: Final Program Plan due to OAP; see the CHD page for dates.
Spring
- Late-January: Course Registration Deadline (previously known as "Study Card Day"). See the GSAS Policies Academic Calendar.
- May 1: Advising Agreement form due to OAP.
- May: Commencement and diploma options for Masters en Route / Continuing Master’s students - You can apply to receive your S.M. degree en route to your PhD after you have completed eight of your core courses (this requirement may depend on area). You will receive your S.M. diploma, and participate in the Commencement if you choose to. However since you will be considered a non-terminal degree recipient, you will not be able to join the ceremony in Sander's Theater.
Third year (G3+) and beyond
Throughout year
- Meet with your Research Committee at least annually, as indicated by your area's expectations.
- Send any changes to your Final Program Plan to the CHD for review. See the CHD page for submission dates. Note that the Committee on Higher Degrees expects students not to petition for a revised Program Plan less than a year prior to the final defense in case additional coursework is required, so it's important to keep your plan up to date with your courses as actually taken.
- Inform OAP of any changes to your research committee.
- PhD candidates can review their eligibility to receive an SM en route.
Fall
- Early-September: Course Registration Deadline (previously known as "Study Card Day"). See the GSAS Policies Academic Calendar.
Spring
- Late-January: Course Registration Deadline (previously known as "Study Card Day"). See the GSAS Policies Academic Calendar
- May 1: RA reappointment form due to OAP.
Completing your degree
Degree Application
- Check out FAS degree-completion information here (Registrar) and deadlines here (GSAS calendar)
- Complete the degree application via my.harvard by the Registrar's deadline.
Defense
- Book a room for your final defense by emailing quals_defenses@seas.
- If you schedule your own room (e.g., external to SEAS) you must still email quals_defenses@seas well in advance in order for your required documentation to be ready, else your defense cannot take place. You must also get agreement from your full committee to hold your defense in a non-SEAS room.
Dissertation Submission and Commencement
- Find out the rules for formatting and submitting your dissertation to FAS. GSAS has formatting guidance as well.
- The best way to share your dissertation with others is by linking to the DASH copy. DASH uses persistent URLs and provides you with download statistics, and the DASH copy of your PDF will not include the signed Dissertation Acceptance Certificate (DAC). If you choose to post or share your PDF in some other way, you should remove the DAC page so that readers do not have access to the scanned signatures.
- Get ready for commencement by updating your email and other contact information via my.harvard.edu.
Choosing an AB or SB degree
Committee on Higher Degrees (CHD)
Meeting Times
The Committee on Higher Degrees will meet to review program plans throughout the Fall and Spring terms. Please submit program plans or petitions that you would like considered by the deadline listed below. The Office of Academic Programs cannot guarantee that plans submitted after the deadline will be reviewed at the next meeting. Students should aim to submit for dates listed below, even if they are estimated.
PhD students: Note that the CHD expects students not to petition for a revised Program Plan less than a year prior to the final defense. If your coursework deviates from your previously-approved plan, be sure to submit a revised version promptly.
| Month of Meeting: | Main topics (although other student petitions are welcome): |
|---|---|
| August | SM/ME Program Plans; All Program Plan Updates including G2 MS/MBA Plans |
| September/October | G2: Final PhD Program Plan/ All Plan Revisions |
| December | Final PhD Program Plans/Updates; SM/ME Program Plan Updates |
| January | SM/ME Program Plans; All Program Plan Updates including G2 MS/MBA Plans |
| March | G1: Prospective Program Plans (excluding MS/MBA); Qualifying Exam Delay Requests |
| April | Newly Admitted AB/SM SM Program Plans; G1 MS/MBA Program Plans |
*The dates above are estimates and will be updated as meetings are scheduled. All students will receive notices via Graduate Programs outreach resources and email prior to meetings with more detailed information. Questions regarding the CHD can be directed to the Office of Academic Programs or an appropriate Director of Graduate Studies. Plans are welcome prior to the submission dates noted above, if students are prepared to do so.
Prospective Graduate Students
Among the many things that make graduate study at SEAS uniquely rewarding, two stand out: our world-class faculty; and the fact that SEAS is part of the larger Harvard community. Our students have limitless opportunities for fruitful collaboration with colleagues from preeminent programs in the sciences, and world-class schools of medicine, business, law, government, design, and public health.
We provide the raw materials to foster future leaders who connect ideas in unexpected ways, integrate technical innovations into everyday life, and apply knowledge and discoveries to improve society and further our understanding of the world.
Want to learn more? Check out our information sessions here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Graduate Programs
You asked and we'll answer! Check out these FAQ's for applicants to our Ph.D., M.E., S.M., and A.B./S.M. programs.
Visit the Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) FAQ's for even more information.
Applicants to the Master in Design Engineering should go here for more information.
Applicants to the MS/MBA:Engineering Sciences program should go here for more information.
Application Questions
We offer admission into the Ph.D. in the following four areas: Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, Computer Science, and Engineering Sciences. Engineering Sciences includes Bioengineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Science and Engineering, and Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering.
Note: we do not offer admission into terminal masters degrees in any of these areas.
We offer admission into the Master of Science (S.M.) in the following two areas: Computational Science and Engineering and Data Science.
We offer admission into the Master of Engineering (M.E.) only in Computational Science and Engineering.
SEAS offers the following collaborative options:
- Health Sciences and Technology graduate program, with Harvard Medical School and MIT (for Ph.D. students only)
- Master in Design Engineering (M.D.E.) with the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) (masters degree only; application via GSD)
- MS/MBA:Engineering Sciences jointly offered with Harvard Business School (HBS) (masters degree only; application via HBS)
While there is no perfect set of criteria for admission, we especially look for candidates who:
- Have a strong interest in and great potential for undertaking research
- Have excellent grades, e.g., in the range of A to A- in their undergraduate, and if applicable, graduate programs
- Have solid preparation in coursework and research experience (e.g., a strong plan of study at a respected university)
- Obtain recommendation letters from distinguished people who (a) know your work and (b) know what is expected at a major research university. The strongest letters speak in specific terms about your preparation and aptitude to conduct research at a major university
As of the Fall 2023 admissions cycle, applicants may submit two applications to SEAS only if one is for a PhD degree and one is for a master’s (SM or ME) degree. Each application must be unique, containing a separate statement of purpose, transcripts, recommendations, and TOEFL or IELTS test scores. Multiple applications to the SEAS masters or PhD programs will result in the additional applications being withdrawn. Students may also apply to a SEAS program and a non-SEAS program in the Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in the same admissions season. It is Harvard Griffin Graduate School policy that an individual may submit no more than three applications to GSAS during the course of his or her academic career.
Applicants to the School of Engineering are responsible for fulfilling the requirements listed here and also on the Harvard Griffin GSAS website.
We have two application deadlines; one for students applying to our PhD program and one for students applying to any of our terminal masters programs. We cannot accept late applications, so be sure you apply on time!
December 1, 2024 is the application deadline for students submitting an application to one of our S.M., M.E., or AB-SM programs.
December 15, 2024 is the application deadline for students submitting an application to one of our PhD programs.
Note these deadlines do not apply to our MS/MBA: Engineering Sciences nor Master in Design Engineering programs.
-Students interested in the Master in Design Engineering with the Harvard Graduate School of Design will find information about applying to that program here.
-Students interested in the MS/MBA: Engineering Sciences program offered jointly with Harvard Business School will find information about applying to that program here.
The application fee is required to process the application. If you would like to request a fee waiver, you may do so in the Application Fee section of the application. More about the fee waiver process is here.
We encourage serious-minded candidates (i.e. those who have a clear sense of what they would like to do and with whom they would like to work) to get in touch with relevant faculty to discuss their research plans. Generally speaking, email is the best way to reach out to faculty. Bear in mind that our faculty receive numerous emails from prospective students and they may not be able to personally respond to all inquiries they receive.
The Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) does not accept the General GRE scores nor Subject Test GRE scores for applicants to our Ph.D. programs or masters degree programs in Computational Science & Engineering and Data Science. Applicants to these programs should not submit official or unofficial GRE scores to us nor mention them anywhere in their application materials.
Either the GRE or GMAT is required for applicants applying to the Master of Design Engineering or the MS/MBA: Engineering Sciences programs. The applications for these programs are available via the Graduate School of Design or Harvard Business School, respectively.
Note: this policy was officially changed in August 2020 and is in effect for the Fall 2025 admissions cycle.
When requesting official score reports from ETS for the TOEFL, indicate the receiving institution as Harvard University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Code 3451. There is no department code; you may leave it blank.
To check the status of your application, you may log on to your online application account and see what materials have been received and what materials are still missing. The School of Engineering cannot provide information regarding the status of your application or supporting materials, as all materials are submitted to the Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). The contact information for Harvard Griffin GSAS is:
- PHONE: Please call the GSAS by phone between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST), Monday through Friday, at 617.496.6100.
- EMAIL: Please email GSAS at [email protected] with the SUBJECT LINE and information for the message as noted below. Please allow 24 to 48 hours for a response.
- SUBJECT LINE: Enter “ADMISSIONS QUESTION: CHECKING APPLICATION STATUS” in the subject line exactly as is and in all caps.
- MESSAGE (BODY OF EMAIL): Include your Name, Date of Birth, Program of Interest, and a note that you are checking the status of your application
We do not offer rolling admissions. New students are admitted once a year, to begin studying in the fall.
Decisions on deferral requests to our PhD programs are made on a case-by-case basis and only after an admitted student has accepted our offer of admission. We do not grant deferrals for our terminal masters programs except in cases with extenuating circumstances. We do not grant deferrals for our masters programs for reasons related to employment or financing the cost of the program.
Applicants are required to upload copies of all transcripts into the online application system; these are usually in PDF format. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; applicants may upload unofficial transcripts for the purposes of the application.
SEAS does not have a formal transfer application process and we do not admit "transfer students." All admitted students begin our program as first year graduate students. All students complete the standard Harvard Griffin GSAS graduate application. After entering the program, Ph.D. students may submit a petition to transfer in coursework as explained below.
If you have any additional questions about admissions to graduate programs at SEAS, please contact the SEAS Graduate Admissions Office via email at [email protected].
Questions about the Master in Design Engineering should be directed to [email protected].
Questions about the MS/MBA with Harvard Business School should be directed to [email protected].
You may apply to a SEAS master’s program if you already have a master’s degree from another institution.
Program/Requirements Questions
- The Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science (A.B./S.M.) is a joint degree program offered to currently enrolled Harvard College students only.
- The Master of Science (S.M.) degree is a coursework (non-research) based degree and no thesis, foreign language, or general examination is required. We offer the S.M. in two areas: Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) and Data Science. The S.M. in CSE is a one year (two terms) degree. The S.M. in Data Science is a one and a half year (three terms) degree
- The Master of Engineering (M.E.) degree program is a research based degree and no foreign language or general examination is required. Students are expected to successfully complete one year of course work and one year of research, including a final oral presentation and thesis, for a total of sixteen letter-graded courses/research courses. This is a two year degree. We offer the M.E. in Computational Science and Engineering only.
Graduate students are expected to be full time. Students may petition to change their status to part-time study only in cases with extenuating circumstances, such as health concerns or a serious family emergency.
All degree programs at the School of Engineering require that coursework be completed in residence. (Note: due to COVID-19, courses may be moved to a remote delivery platform for the Fall 2020 term. This is an exception given the pandemic.)
For non-credit online SEAS courses, please visit Harvard’s initiative, edX at https://www.edx.org/, for information on free online courses offered by MIT and Harvard University.
The Harvard Extension School offers Master’s degree programs in various fields in science and technology areas, as well as professional certificate programs in Nanotechnology, Software Engineering and Web technologies. Some of these courses may be taken online. The Harvard Extension School and School of Engineering are wholly separate schools within Harvard University. Note that SEAS does not allow coursework taken at the Extension School it count toward our graduate degrees.
All SEAS Ph.D. students must take 10 courses toward the doctoral degree. Each area has "Area Course Requirements, Guidelines, and Model Programs", which provide a good idea of the kinds of courses taken by students in Applied Physics versus the kinds of courses taken by students in Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering (for example.) Visit each area's page to see information specific to their area requirements.
Students must decide, based on their own interests and future plans, whether an Applied Physics degree or an Engineering Sciences degree is a better fit.
Note: admitted students can petition to change their degree program after they arrive, providing they have appropriate support from their faculty adviser, an approved program plan in the new area, and the approval of the Committee on Higher Degrees.
SEAS requires that SEAS PhD students have a primary research advisor who is a member of the School's ladder faculty (which includes professors, associate professors, assistant professors, or professors in residence).. Exceptions to this policy are rare and must be approved in advance by the Director of Graduate Studies in the student’s area of study and the Academic Dean for Education.
Yes, but it requires a new, complete application. Students admitted to SEAS cannot simply transfer to another department within the Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). Students are welcome to apply to another Harvard Griffin GSAS department should they decide it’s a better fit, but that requires submitting a complete application to that department during the admissions cycle. There is not a separate process for students who wish to “transfer” from one Harvard Griffin GSAS department to another. More information can be found here.
For Ph.D. students, transfers from one SEAS area to another SEAS area are handled internally. SEAS Ph.D. degrees areas include Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, Computer Science, and Engineering Sciences, which encompasses Bioengineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Science & Engineering, and Materials Science & Mechanical Engineering.
Masters students cannot change degree areas within SEAS.
“Maybe” for Ph.D. students and “no” for masters students. Ph.D. students can petition for up to three classes taken elsewhere while enrolled in a graduate program to count toward the Ph.D. degree. All "transfer" courses must be approved by the student's faculty advisor and the Committee on Higher Degrees after the student begins graduate study.
Courses taken while in an undergraduate program, even if they are graduate level, cannot be used for this purpose. Any coursework you wish to petition to transfer must have been taken while enrolled in a graduate program.
Our master’s degree programs do not allow for any transfer courses.
International Student Questions
Please visit GSAS Oral English Language Requirement for information about our proficiency requirements.
80 is the minimum score on the TOEFL's Internet-based Test (iBT).
Applicants may opt to take the IELTS test instead of the TOEFL. A minimum score of 6.5 is required.
TOEFL/IELTS scores are valid for no longer than two years. If you are applying for admission for Fall 2025, you may submit scores from tests taken no earlier than January 5, 2023. Applicants must order scores and have them sent to GSAS before the scores expire.
GSAS welcomes applications for admission from individuals holding a BA, BS, or equivalent undergraduate degree (for prospective international students, a three- or four-year undergraduate degree from an institution of recognized standing) and actively seeks applicants from groups historically underrepresented in graduate schools. All degree candidates are admitted for full-time study beginning in the fall term.
Students who are unsure of the US equivalency of their degree(s) should consult a reputable credential evaluation service.
Please contact the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences if you have any additional questions.
Please visit GSAS Oral English Language Requirement for information about our proficiency requirements.
80 is the minimum score on the TOEFL's Internet-based Test (iBT). GSAS policy is that the TOEFL score must be valid at the time of entry into the program. TOEFL scores expire after two years.
Applicants may opt to take the IELTS test instead of the TOEFL. A minimum score of 6.5 is required. GSAS policy is that the IELTS score must be valid at the time of entry into the program. IELTS scores expire after two years. Results should be sent to Harvard University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences by the IELTS test center via IELTS E-Delivery service.
Prospective Undergraduate Students
All prospective undergraduate students, including those intending to study engineering and applied sciences, must apply directly to Harvard College. Students do not need to declare their intended concentration until their sophomore year.
Undergraduate Application Process Dates:
- November 1 - Early Action Deadline
- January 1 - Regular Decision Deadline
- Late March - Decision letters mailed
- May 1 - Reply date for admitted students
Harvard College Application Requirements
To Apply:
For more information about financial aid, campus visits, and to apply:
Harvard College Admissions Office and Griffin Financial Aid Office
86 Brattle Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Admissions Events
Find information about degree programs and specific requirements on the Academics page.
Graduate Admissions Information Sessions and Events
PhD Admissions
| Title | Date | Register or view recording |
|---|---|---|
|
Virtual Information Session
|
September 16, 2024 @10:00am (eastern time) |
Recording |
| Virtual Q&A with current PhD students Current SEAS PhD students answer questions about being a grad student @ SEAS. This session will be recorded and posted to the SEAS website. |
October 28, 2024 @10:00am (eastern time) |
Recording |
| Virtual Information Session SEAS Graduate Admissions office staff will present information about the PhD program and application process, as well as take questions. This session will be recorded and posted to the SEAS website. |
November 18, 2024 @10:00am (eastern time) | Recording |
|
Virtual Office Hours with Graduate Admissions Office Staff Join us to get any last minute questions answered before submitting your PhD application. |
December 2, 2024 @10:00am (eastern time) |
View last year's sessions!
Virtual SEAS PHD Q&A with current graduate students: View recording here.
Virtual SEAS PhD info session: View recording here.
Master's Programs Admissions
Note: Our terminal masters programs in Computational Science and Engineering (CSE), Data Science, the MS/MBA: Engineering Sciences, and the Master in Design Engineering are housed in SEAS' Office of Master's and Professional Programs.
| Title | Date | Register or view recording |
|---|---|---|
|
MS/MBA Virtual Information Session Are you an innovator who aspires to launch and lead technology ventures? Join us for a virtual event with program faculty and Admissions staff to learn more about Harvard's MS/MBA: Engineering Sciences program. |
Friday, June 7, 2024 @ 12:00pm (eastern time) | |
|
MS/MBA Virtual Chat with Alumni Hear directly from current MS/MBA Engineering Sciences and MS/MBA Biotechnology alumni and students regarding their experience. Students and alumni will share their backgrounds and paths to the HBS MS/MBA, their experience in the joint degree program so far, and their plans for post-graduation. They will be prepared to answer all of your questions over video, including those about the application, so come ready with questions! |
Tuesday, June 25, 2024 @ 12:00pm (eastern time) | |
|
MS/MBA Virtual Chat with Alumni Hear directly from current MS/MBA Engineering Sciences and MS/MBA Biotechnology alumni and students regarding their experience. Students and alumni will share their backgrounds and paths to the HBS MS/MBA, their experience in the joint degree program so far, and their plans for post-graduation. They will be prepared to answer all of your questions over video, including those about the application, so come ready with questions! |
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 @ 7:00pm (eastern time) | |
|
Applying to HBS: Navigating Joint Degree Applications Discover the unique aspects of applying to HBS as a joint degree applicant in this informative session. A member of the Admissions Board will provide insights into the application process, share tips on highlighting your interdisciplinary strengths, and guide you through the specifics of applying for a joint degree. Join us to gain a clearer understanding of how to successfully present your dual ambitions to HBS. |
Wednesday, August 14th, 2024 @ 5:00pm (eastern time) | |
|
The ROI of Harvard Joint Degrees HBS is the perfect place for you to tackle complex societal challenges. If you aspire to have impact and address big important issues, you can equip yourself with a multi-faceted education with one of our many joint degree programs in engineering, biotech life sciences, public policy, law, medicine, and more. Join us to hear from alumni of our joint degree programs sharing the ROI of their two degrees. |
Tuesday, August 20, 2024 @ 12:00pm (eastern time) | |
|
MS/MBA Virtual Chat Hear directly from current MS/MBA Engineering Sciences and MS/MBA Biotechnology alumni and students regarding their experience. Students and alumni will share their backgrounds and paths to the HBS MS/MBA, their experience in the joint degree program so far, and their plans for post-graduation. They will be prepared to answer all of your questions over video, including those about the application, so come ready with questions! |
Friday, August 23, 2024 @ 12:00pm (eastern time) | |
| Virtual MDE Information Session Program staff from our MDE program will present information about our terminal masters program and application process, as well as take questions. |
Monday, September 16, 2024 @ 10:00am (eastern time) | |
| Virtual MS/MBA + MDE Information Session Program staff from our MS/MBA and MDE programs will present information about our terminal masters programs and application process, as well as take questions. |
Monday, October 7, 2024 @ 10:00am (eastern time) | |
|
Virtual CSE + Data Science Information Session |
Wednesday, October 9, 2024 @ 10:00am (eastern time) | View Recording |
|
Applying to HBS: Navigating Joint Degree Applications Discover the unique aspects of applying to HBS as a joint degree applicant in this informative session. A member of the Admissions Board will provide insights into the application process, share tips on highlighting your interdisciplinary strengths, and guide you through the specifics of applying for a joint degree. Join us to gain a clearer understanding of how to successfully present your dual ambitions to HBS. |
Wednesday, October 9, 2024 @ 10:00am (eastern time) | |
| Virtual CSE + Data Science Information Session, with current student panel Program staff from our CSE and Data Science programs will present information about our terminal masters programs and application process, as well as take questions. A panel of current students will also be on hand to give a first-hand perspective of the programs. |
Friday, October 25, 2024 @ 10:00am (eastern time) | View Recording |
| Virtual CSE + Data Science Information Session Program staff from our CSE and Data Science programs will present information about our terminal masters programs and application process, as well as take questions. |
Tuesday, November 12, 2024 @ 10:00am (eastern time) | |
| Virtual MS/MBA + MDE Information Session Program staff from our MS/MBA and MDE programs will present information about our terminal masters programs and application process, as well as take questions. |
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 @ 10:00am (eastern time) | |
|
MS/MBA Info Session and Q&A with Students Hear directly from current MS/MBA Engineering Sciences and MS/MBA Biotechnology alumni and students regarding their experience. Students and alumni will share their backgrounds and paths to the HBS MS/MBA, their experience in the joint degree program so far, and their plans for post-graduation. They will be prepared to answer all of your questions over video, including those about the application, so come ready with questions! |
Friday, November 15, 2024 @ 12:00pm (eastern time) |
Our Students
Graduate Student Data
Graduate Enrollment (Fall 2023)
- Terminal Masters: 286
- PhD: 514
BY DEGREE & DEGREE AREA
- Applied Mathematics: 38 Ph.D.s
- Applied Physics: 114 Ph.D.s
- Computational Science and Engineering: 61 Masters
- Computer Science: 155 Ph.D.s
- Data Science: 109 Masters
- Design Engineering: 58 Masters
- Engineering Sciences: 207 Ph.D.s
- MS/MBA: Engineering Sciences: 58 Masters
BY GENDER (ALL DEGREES)
- Women: 42%
- Men: 58%
Degree Completion
- Median years to complete degree: 6
- Percent of PhD graduates who graduate within 8 years: 96%
Graduate Admissions Data (Fall 2023)
For the class of graduate students entering in Fall 2023, SEAS received nearly 6,000 applications across all PhD and masters programs; over 200 graduate students enrolled in Fall 2023. For enrolled students across all PhD and masters programs, the average undergraduate GPA was ~3.8 (on a 4.0 scale). Due to the interdisciplinary nature of SEAS, students come with a variety of undergraduate majors. Common undergraduate majors include computer science, engineering (examples: mechanical, bio, electrical, and chemical), mathematics, physics, and chemistry.
Funding & Scholarship: Graduate Programs
Financial support for Ph.D. students
-
All students admitted into our Ph.D. program receive full financial support.
-
This support includes tuition, fees, $1,004 in transportation and dental subsidies (as of AY24-25), and a cost-of-living stipend ($3655 per month in AY23-24 and $4083 per month before taxes in AY24-25).
Support is independent of need provided a student remains in good academic standing and is making satisfactory progress towards his/her Ph.D. degree. Students are expected to complete their Ph.D. requirements in four to six years.
Financial support takes several forms: fellowships, teaching fellowships, and research assistantships. Ordinarily, first-year Ph.D. students are supported with full fellowships so that they can devote their time to coursework.
For the classes entering in Fall 2024 and beyond: SEAS PhD students are expected to complete two sections of teaching in SEAS in their second year or spread across their second and third years. Both sections may be completed concurrently in a single course. Their research assistantship will be adjusted accordingly during the semester(s) in which they are teaching fellow (TF). The academic requirement for the PhD degree is one section of teaching in SEAS. The student and their research advisor may arrange to replace the second section of teaching with a research assistantship.
Beyond the first year, when students are in a better position to teach and assist in research, support is ordinarily provided through research assistantships, or a combination of a teaching fellowship and a research assistantship.
For more detailed information, please visit the following pages:
GSAS Tuition and Fees
GSAS Financial Support for PhD Students
External financial support for Ph.D. students
Applicants and current students are encouraged and expected to apply for all non-Harvard scholarships for which they are eligible, especially those offered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program and National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship (NDSEG).
Each year, many SEAS students secure fellowships from external agencies. Should an incoming student be awarded and accept any fellowship external to Harvard, it is the expectation that the student will utilize these funds in the first year of study in place of Harvard funding. In advanced (G2+) years in the graduate program, students with external fellowships are advised to have a discussion with their financial aid officers from Harvard Griffin GSAS and SEAS about how to best utilize the remaining years of funding based on their activities and academic requirements.
To ensure equitable treatment of all students, the coordination of external award benefits with a student’s existing funding package is determined by the Harvard Griffin GSAS financial aid officer in consultation with SEAS.
Currently, PhD students with external support are eligible for a SEAS-sponsored academic incentive. PhD students who bring in open, competitive external fellowships that are equal to 50% or more of total their support (tuition/fees + stipend) will receive a supplemental award of $3,000 in the first year of the external fellowship. PhD students who bring in open external competitive external fellowships that are not 50% or more of their total support and are at least $10,000 (tuition/fees + stipend or salary) will receive a supplemental award of $1,000. The full $3,000 bonus may also be awarded in certain cases of multi-year fellowships depending on the total amount of support provided.This policy is subject to review and change.
Financial support for terminal masters students (M.E. & S.M.)
While financial aid is not available for master’s students in our M.E. and S.M. programs, there are a variety of funding opportunities available. Prospective students are encouraged to apply for independent grants and fellowships to fund their studies.
Information about tuition and fees can be found here. Students in our Computational Science & Engineering or Data Science programs-should visit this page and also may contact the GSAS Financial Aid Office to learn more.
Students in the MS/MBA:Engineering Sciences program are eligible to apply for need-based HBS Fellowships and student loans in both years of the program.
Master in Design Engineering
Special Students & Visiting Fellows
Special Students
Students who wish to take graduate level courses in a non-degree capacity are invited to apply to Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) for Special Student status. Special Students are not degree candidates. Credit for a limited number of acceptable half-courses may be transferred into a degree program if the student is later admitted to graduate study, pending approval.
Special Student status ordinarily is limited to a maximum of two terms, with extension possible only by reapplication.
Visiting Fellows
Scholars intending to do research who hold a doctorate, or have equivalent professional experience, or are advanced doctoral candidates who have completed all required coursework, may apply for Visiting Fellow status within Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS).
Although Visiting Fellows are sometimes invited by departments or research centers to participate in seminars or other organized activities, they are expected for the most part to pursue their research independently.
Visiting Fellows are normally admitted under the auspices of an academic department within Harvard Griffin GSAS.
Visiting Fellows are registered as full-time research students in the Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and have access to most university facilities. They are also eligible to apply for membership in the Harvard Faculty Club.
To Apply
Those wishing to apply for non-degree status as a Special Student or Visiting Fellows status should click here for information and how to apply.
Restricted Courses
Some courses are not available to Special Students, including research courses. These include all 300-level courses in the School of Engineering, as well as 299r courses. Courses may require instructor approval before you can register. A complete list of restricted courses can be found here.
Contact Information
Admissions contacts for Ph.D., M.E., S.M., and A.B./S.M. programs
All prospective graduate students apply to our Ph.D., M.E., S.M., and A.B./S.M. programs through the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS).
Questions about the application or application requirements? Contact:
Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS)
617-496-6100
[email protected]
https://gsas.harvard.edu/about/contact
Questions about Financial Aid? Contact:
Harvard Griffin GSAS Office of Financial Aid
617-495-5396
[email protected]
Financial Aid FAQs
The Harvard Griffin GSAS Office of Admissions and Financial Aid is open Monday through Friday, 9 am-5 pm, EST. Applicants checking on the status of their application must call 617-496-6100 between 2 pm and 5 pm EST.
Specific questions about School of Engineering degree programs? Contact:
PhD and AB/SM admissions: [email protected]
Data Science and Computational Science and Engineering admissions: [email protected]
We often receive inquiries from students who want to know whether to apply to the program. We cannot predict outcomes without reviewing your completed application.
Questions about the Master in Design Engineering (MDE)? Contact:
Students apply to the Master in Design Engineering (MDE) through the Graduate School of Design.
[email protected]
Design Engineering admissions information
GSD Admissions
Questions about the MS/MBA: Engineering Sciences? Contact:
Students apply to the MS/MBA: Engineering Sciences through Harvard Business School (HBS).
[email protected]
Program information
Office for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Where to find us
Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Science and Engineering Complex, Room 2.129.09
150 Western Avenue
Allston, MA 02134