Founded in 1970, the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology (HST) is one of the oldest and largest biomedical engineering and physician-scientist training programs in the United States and the longest-standing collaboration between Harvard and MIT.
HST's unique interdisciplinary educational program brings engineering as well as the physical and biological sciences from the scientist's bench to the patient's bedside. Conversely, it brings clinical insight from the patient's bedside to the laboratory bench. In this way, HST students are trained to have deep understanding of engineering, physical sciences, and the biological sciences, complemented with hands-on experience in the clinic or in industry; and they become conversant with the underlying quantitative and molecular aspects of medicine and biomedical science. Within HST, approximately 350 graduate students work with eminent faculty and affiliated faculty members from throughout the MIT and Harvard communities.
In addition to its outstanding record of accomplishment for research in human health care, HST educational programs are distinguished by three key elements:
HST currently offers degrees in four multidisciplinary areas of graduate study:
The Master of Engineering (MEng) in Biomedical Engineering aims to educate students at the interface between engineering and biology or medicine, preparing them for leadership positions in the medical products, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries. The five-year program leads to a bachelor's degree in a science or engineering discipline and a Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering. The program emphasizes engineering applications in systems physiology and clinical medicine; it is of particular value to students interested in applying biomedical engineering to the basic understanding of disease processes in the post-genomic era, and is designed for individuals desiring a medical and clinical focus in their careers.
Students take subjects that enable them to apply engineering expertise to problems in the medical and clinical sciences. Admission to HST's MEng program is open only to current MIT undergraduate students and requires candidates to demonstrate adequate quantitative and engineering credentials through coursework as part of their undergraduate degree program. Students interested in applying should submit a standard MIT graduate application by the end of their junior year.
In addition to satisfying the undergraduate requirements of their departmental program, candidates also are expected to complete subjects in differential equations (18.03); organic chemistry (5.12); biochemistry (7.05 or 5.07); and one engineering transport or systems subject (e.g., 2.005, 3.185, 6.002, 10.310).
More detailed program objectives and the requirements can be found on the HST website, http://hst.mit.edu/.
HST's Medical Sciences Program leads to the MD degree from Harvard Medical School. It is oriented toward students with a strong interest and background in quantitative science, especially in the biological, physical, engineering, and chemical sciences. The subjects in human biology developed for this curriculum represent the joint efforts of life scientists, physicians, physical scientists, and engineers from the faculties of Harvard and MIT.
The programs of study are designed to meet the interests and needs of the individual student. The student is encouraged to pursue advanced study in areas of interest that may complement the subjects offered in HST. Such study may be undertaken as part of the MD degree requirements or may be pursued in a program that combines the MD with a master's or doctoral degree. HST students join the students of the regular Harvard Medical School curriculum in the clinical clerkships.
Because HST is committed to educating physicians who have a deep understanding of the scientific basis of medicine and who are well equipped for an interdisciplinary research career, HST encourages students in the MD curriculum to devote time to research and requires a thesis for completion of the degree. Many MD students desire even more research training than is possible during the standard four-year MD curriculum. For such students, one option is to pursue a formal PhD program in addition to an MD program. Another option expands the MD program to five or more years in order to include a major research training component.
Further details on the Medical Sciences Program and application forms may be obtained from the Office of Admissions, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115. Applications must be submitted by October 15 of the year before desired matriculation. For further information, candidates can contact HST's medical sciences admissions coordinator at hst-md-admissions@mit.edu.
The Medical Engineering and Medical Physics (MEMP) Program is a five-to-seven–year program that leads to the PhD in Medical Engineering and Medical Physics awarded by MIT or by the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences. The program trains students as engineers or physical scientists who also have extensive knowledge of the medical sciences. By understanding engineering and physical science applications, as well as their clinical implications, graduates of this program are well positioned to define new questions and formulate novel approaches in biomedical research.
The MEMP program is founded on a philosophy of openness and collaboration, characteristics that encourage innovative and independent thinking and creativity. This philosophy is fostered by the unique environment in which MEMP students study. While each MEMP student has depth in one classical discipline of engineering or physical science, the collective community has students in all disciplines. MEMP students also have peers with diverse career paths in medicine, science, engineering, business, and government. This community promotes an open exchange of ideas and exposes students to different perspectives on the health sciences. Moreover, MEMP students have access to research opportunities in labs at Harvard, MIT, and the Harvard teaching hospitals. Students can do research with faculty at any of these institutions and have many opportunities through classes, events, and projects to interact with faculty from all of these institutions.
The program's academic curriculum includes three phases that prepare students to be medical innovators who will advance human health. First, HST provides MEMP students with a thorough graduate education in a classical discipline of engineering or physical science. Each student selects a concentration area, such as mechanical engineering, chemistry and chemical engineering, materials science, electrical engineering, computer science, physics, aeronautics and astronautics, or nuclear engineering, and completes substantial coursework in this discipline.
Students then become conversant in the biological sciences through preclinical coursework followed by a series of clinical experiences. They acquire a hands-on understanding of clinical care, medical decision making, and the role of technology in medical practice both in the classroom and in patient care. Because the interface of technology and clinical medicine represents a continuum that extends from the molecular to the whole-organism levels, MEMP offers two distinct but related curricular sequences in the biomedical sciences: the cellular and molecular medicine sequence and the systems physiology and medicine sequence.
Finally, MEMP students investigate important problems at the interfaces of science, technology, and clinical medicine through individualized research projects that prepare them to undertake independent research. MEMP students have the opportunity to perform thesis research in laboratories at MIT, Harvard, and the Harvard affiliated teaching hospitals.
Bioinformatics and integrative genomics (BIG), neuroimaging and bioastronautics are areas of specialization within MEMP for which HST offers specially designed training programs. MEMP candidates may choose to apply through MIT, Harvard, or both. Those applying to MEMP through MIT should submit a single application. Those applying to MEMP through Harvard must also apply to the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences or the Biophysics Program. Additional information about applying to MEMP is available at http://hst.mit.edu/public/admissions/.
HST's doctoral program in Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology (SHBT), formerly Speech and Hearing Sciences, prepares students with an undergraduate background in science or engineering to have a broad acquaintance with the field of speech and hearing, and to develop specialized knowledge that focuses on a particular approach in research. The only program of its type in the country—and the only doctoral training program funded in this area by the National Institutes of Health—SHBT is designed to develop research scientists who can apply the concepts and methods of the physical and biological sciences to basic and clinical problems in speech and hearing using innovative research. No other research training program provides the multidisciplinary depth and breadth offered by SHBT. The five-to-seven–year program leads to a PhD in speech and hearing bioscience and technology from MIT. SHBT's more than 50 participating faculty members represent 10 academic departments from Harvard and MIT, with research facilities at MIT, Harvard University, Harvard Medical School and affiliated teaching hospitals, and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI). The small class size of this unique program ensures personalized and high-quality training by a diverse and dedicated faculty from the two institutions.
SHBT's curriculum provides an effective method of training researchers by introducing the physical and biological bases of speech and hearing mechanisms involved in the communications process. While SHBT seeks to develop research scientists rather than clinical practitioners, there is a strong emphasis on providing students with exposure to clinical problems, approaches, and techniques. Graduates are thoroughly prepared for successful careers in basic and applied research in industry, universities, or government laboratories involved with biological and synthetic communication systems.
Typically, a student's first two years in the program are devoted to coursework, which is supplemented by significant exposure to various research projects. Courses in the first year assume familiarity with calculus and differential equations, college-level physics, probability and statistics, and biology. The core curriculum covers the anatomical, acoustical, physiological, perceptual, and cognitive basics, as well as the clinical approaches to speech and hearing problems. The early introduction of important concepts in acoustics, anatomy, and physiology provides a solid base from which to pursue individual research interests. Early in the curriculum, students are introduced to various research laboratories that use different approaches to solving speech and hearing problems. This involvement in research provides an immediate application of classroom subjects. Students work with research advisors to develop a thorough understanding of basic concepts and tools in their fields of concentration. Later, students participate in subjects that require them to apply basic concepts to clinical problems and scientific research. Throughout the curriculum, special attention is devoted to developing personal integrity, scientific values, and scholarly practice. With faculty guidance, each student plans a concentration tailored to the student's particular interest.
By the end of their second year, students identify an area of professional interest and choose a research project that forms the basis for their doctoral thesis. SHBT research in the speech and hearing sciences focuses on the biological and physical mechanisms underlying human communication by spoken language. The processes addressed by these sciences include the physical acoustics of sound and the perceptual neurophysiological bases of hearing, as well as the linguistic, cognitive, and motor levels of processing by talkers and listeners.
The SHBT training program is offered through HST to students who enrolled in fall 2011 and earlier.
The program is formally transitioning and will be administered through Harvard Medical School's Division of Medical Sciences (DMS) effective fall 2012. Interested candidates should apply via DMS, not through HST. Please see http://www.hms.harvard.edu/dms/shbt/ for more information.
Additional information on degree programs, admissions, and financial aid can be obtained from HST's Academic Office, Room E25-518, 617-253-7470.
The Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology is transitioning into the Institute for Medical Engineering and Science within the School of Engineering. Any changes to the catalog published in August 2012 that affect academic year 2012-2013 will be noted here.
David E. Cohen, MD, PhD
Ebert Professor of Medicine and Health Sciences and Technology,
HMS Physician and Director of Hepatology, BWH, HMS Director
Master of the Irving London Society of Health Sciences and Technology
Sangeeta N. Bhatia, MD, PhD
John and Dorothy Wilson Professor of Health Sciences and Technology and of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Howard Hughes Medical Investigator
Associate Member, Broad Institute
Louis D. Braida, PhD
Henry Ellis Warren Professor of Electrical Engineering and Health Sciences and Technology
Emery N. Brown, MD, PhD
Professor of Health Sciences and Technology and of Computational Neuroscience, MIT
Warren M. Zapol Professor of Anaesthesia, MGH
Richard J. Cohen, MD, PhD
Whitaker Professor in Biomedical Engineering
Elazer R. Edelman, MD, PhD
Thomas D. and Virginia W. Cabot Professor of Health Sciences and Technology, MIT
Professor of Medicine, BWH
Dennis M. Freeman, PhD
Professor of Electrical Engineering
John D. E. Gabrieli, PhD
Grover Hermann Professor of Health Sciences and Technology and Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Lee Gehrke, PhD
Hermann von Helmholtz Professor of Health Sciences and Technology, MIT
Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, HMS
Martha L. Gray, PhD
J. W. Kieckhefer Professor of Medical and Electrical Engineering
David E. Housman, PhD
Ludwig Professor of Biology
Robert S. Langer Jr., ScD
Kenneth J. Germeshausen Professor of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences and Technology
Institute Professor
Irving M. London, MD
Professor of Biology, Emeritus, MIT
Professor of Medicine, Emeritus, HMS
Roger G. Mark, MD, PhD
Distinguished Professor in Health Sciences and Technology and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Peter Szolovits, PhD
Professor of Computer Science and Engineering and Health Sciences and Technology
Laurence R. Young, ScD
Apollo Program Professor of Astronautics and Health Sciences and Technology
R. Rox Anderson, MD
Professor of Dermatology and Health Sciences and Technology, MGH
Joseph V. Bonventre, MD, PhD
Samuel A. Levine Professor of Medicine and Health Sciences and Technology, BWH
Thomas N. Byrne, MD
Clinical Professor of Neurology and Health Sciences and Technology, MGH
Bertrand Delgutte, PhD
Professor of Otology and Laryngology and Health Sciences and Technology, MEEI
Lee Gehrke, PhD
Hermann von Helmholtz Professor of Health Sciences and Technology, MIT
Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, HMS
John J. Guinan, Jr., PhD
Professor of Otology and Laryngology, MEEI
Robert D. Howe, PhD
Gordon McKay Professor of Engineering, Harvard University
Isaac S. Kohane, MD, PhD
Professor of Pediatrics and Health Sciences and Technology, CHB
M. Charles Liberman, PhD
Professor of Otology and Laryngology and Health Sciences and Technology, MEEI
Richard N. Mitchell, MD, PhD
Professor of Pathology and Health Sciences and Technology, BWH
Associate Master of the Irving London Society of Health Sciences and Technology
Bruce R. Rosen, MD, PhD
Professor of Radiology and Health Sciences and Technology, MGH
John J. Rosowski, PhD
Professor of Otology and Laryngology and Health Sciences and Technology, MEEI
Frederick J. Schoen, MD, PhD
Professor of Pathology and Health Sciences and Technology, BWH
Lee H. Schwamm, MD
Professor of Neurology, MGH
Brian Seed, PhD
Professor of Genetics and Health Sciences and Technology, MGH
Daniel C. Shannon, MD
Professor of Pediatrics and Health Sciences and Technology, MGH
A. G. Sorensen, MD
Professor of Radiology and Health Sciences and Technology, MGH
Mehmet Toner, PhD
Professor of Surgery and Health Sciences and Technology, MGH
Martin L. Yarmush, MD, PhD
Helen Andrus Benedict Professor of Surgery, Biological Chemistry, and Molecular Pharmacology, MGH
Elfar Adalsteinsson, PhD
Associate Professor of Health Sciences and Technology and of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Daniel Griffith Anderson, PhD
Associate Professor of Health Sciences and Technology and Chemical Engineering
Hugh M. Herr, PhD
Associate Professor in Media Arts and Sciences, and Health Sciences and Technology
Leonid A. Mirny, PhD
Associate Professor of Health Sciences and Technology and Physics
Collin M. Stultz, MD, PhD
W. M. Keck Career Development Associate Professor of Health Sciences and Technology and of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Kamran Badizadegan, MD
Associate Professor of Pathology and Health Sciences and Technology, MGH
Brett Bouma, PhD
Associate Professor of Dermatology and Health Sciences and Technology, MGH
M. Christian Brown, PhD
Associate Professor of Otology and Laryngology, MEEI
Martha Bulyk, PhD
Associate Professor of Medicine, Pathology, and Health Sciences and Technology, BWH
Deborah Burstein, PhD
Associate Professor of Radiology and Health Sciences and Technology, BIDMC
W. H. Churchill Jr., MD
Associate Professor of Medicine and Health Sciences and Technology, BWH
Donald K. Eddington, PhD
Associate Professor of Otology and Laryngology and Health Sciences and Technology, MEEI
Robert E. Hillman, PhD
Associate Professor of Surgery and Health Sciences and Technology, MGH
Alireza Khademhosseini, PhD
Associate Professor in Medicine and Health Sciences and Technology, BWH
Jennifer R. Melcher, PhD
Associate Professor of Otology and Laryngology and Health Sciences and Technology, MEEI
Christopher A. Shera, PhD
Associate Professor of Otology and Laryngology and Health Sciences and Technology, MEEI
Utkan Demirci, PhD
Assistant Professor of Medicine and Health Sciences and Technology, BWH
Jeffrey M. Karp, PhD
Assistant Professor of Medicine and Health Sciences and Technology, BWH
Shiladitya Sengupta, PhD
Assistant Professor of Medicine and Health Sciences and Technology, BWH
Jagesh V. Shah, PhD
Assistant Professor of Systems Biology, Medicine, and Health Sciences and Technology, BWH