Courses

Course Listing

For a snapshot of courses being offered by Harvard School of Engineering over the next four years, visit our Multi-Year Course Planning tool.

Physiological Systems Analysis

BE 110
2024 Fall

Maurice Smith
Monday, Wednesday
11:15am to 12:30pm

A survey of systems theory with applications from bioengineering and physiology. Analysis: differential equations, linear and nonlinear systems, stability, the complementary nature of time and frequency domain methods, feedback, and biological oscillations. Applications: nerve function, muscle dynamics, cardiovascular regulation. Laboratory: neural models, feedback control systems, properties of muscle, cardiovascular function.

Course Website

Cellular Engineering

BE 121
2025 Spring

Kit Parker
Tuesday, Thursday
11:15am to 12:30pm

This is a combined introductory graduate/upper-level undergraduate course that focuses on examining modern techniques for manipulating cellular behavior and the application of these techniques to problems in the biomedical and biotechnological arenas. Applications in drug discovery, regenerative medicine, and cellular agriculture will be discussed. Topics will include controlling behavior of cells through cell-matrix interactions, cytoskeletal architecture, and cell behavior in processes such as angiogenesis and wound healing. Lectures will review fundamental concepts in cell biology before delving into topical examples from current literature. Students will work weekly in the lab learning cell culture techniques, soft lithography, microscopy, and classical in vitro assays measuring cell behavior.

Course Website

Biomechanics of Movement and Assistive Robotics

BE 124
2025 Spring

Patrick Slade
Tuesday, Thursday
9:45am to 11:00am

This course will study the fundamentals of human movement, emphasizing applications in rehabilitation, athletics, and assistive devices. Topics will focus on the biomechanical principles of movement (muscle and tendon properties), experimental data collection techniques (motion capture, wearable sensing, and imaging), simulation with musculoskeletal modeling, and cutting-edge topics in assistive robotics (human-centered design, human-in-the-loop optimization, exoskeletons, etc). A semester-long project will allow students to apply the topics to solve a problem of interest relating to human movement or assisted mobility.

Course Website

Tissue Engineering

BE 125
2024 Fall

David Mooney
Monday, Wednesday
9:45am to 11:00am

Fundamental engineering and biological principles underlying field of tissue engineering, along with examples and strategies to engineer specific tissues for clinical use. Students will prepare a paper in the field of tissue engineering, and participate in a weekly laboratory in which they will learn and use methods to fabricate materials and perform 3-D cell culture.

Course Website

Tissue Engineering

BE 125
2024 Spring

David Mooney
Monday, Wednesday
3:45pm to 5:00pm

Fundamental engineering and biological principles underlying field of tissue engineering, along with examples and strategies to engineer specific tissues for clinical use. Students will prepare a paper in the field of tissue engineering, and participate in a weekly laboratory in which they will learn and use methods to fabricate materials and perform 3-D cell culture.

Course Website

Introduction to Biomedical Imaging and Systems

BE 128
2024 Spring

Linsey Moyer
Tuesday, Thursday
2:15pm to 3:30pm

The course is designed as an introduction for students who want to gain both hands on training as well as an introduction to the physics and image reconstruction techniques involved in generating medical and scientific images. The course will introduce the fundamentals of the major imaging modalities including, but not limited to: electron microscopy, optical microscopy, x-ray, computed tomography, ultrasound, MRI, and nuclear imaging, as well as an overview of in vivo imaging and molecular imaging.

Course Website

Introduction to Bioelectronics

BE 129
2024 Spring

Jia Liu
Monday, Wednesday
11:15am to 12:30pm

This course introduces bioelectronics and its applications in neuroscience, neuroengineering, cardiology, wearable technology, and so on. The focus is on the basic principles of bioelectricity, biochemistry, and physiological behaviors of biological systems and how to design electronic tools to precisely measure and control them. Key themes throughout the course will include bioelectricity, biochemistry, cellular and tissue physiological behavior, optogenetics, sensors, stimulators, circuits, signal processing, electronics-biology interface, and applications. This includes both the practical and theoretical aspects of the topic. Three experimental demonstrations will be included as part of the normal class meeting time. Given its broad coverage, students who enroll in this course are expected to have a substantial background in chemistry, biology, and electrical engineering (see recommended prep and course requirements).

Course Website

Introduction to Bioelectronics

BE 129
2025 Spring

Jia Liu
Monday, Wednesday
11:15am to 12:30pm

This course introduces bioelectronics and its applications in neuroscience, neuroengineering, cardiology, wearable technology, and so on. The focus is on the basic principles of bioelectricity, biochemistry, and physiological behaviors of biological systems and how to design electronic tools to precisely measure and control them. Key themes throughout the course will include bioelectricity, biochemistry, cellular and tissue physiological behavior, optogenetics, sensors, stimulators, circuits, signal processing, electronics-biology interface, and applications. This includes both the practical and theoretical aspects of the topic. Three experimental demonstrations will be included as part of the normal class meeting time. Given its broad coverage, students who enroll in this course are expected to have a substantial background in chemistry, biology, and electrical engineering (see recommended prep and course requirements).

Course Website

Neural Control of Movement

BE 130
2024 Spring

Maurice Smith
Tuesday, Thursday
12:45pm to 2:00pm

Approaches from robotics, control theory, and neuroscience for understanding biological motor systems. Analytical and computational modeling of muscles, reflex arcs, and neural systems that contribute to motor control in the brain. Focus on understanding how the central nervous system plans and controls voluntary movement of the eyes and limbs. Learning and memory; effects of variability and noise on optimal motor planning and control in biological systems.

Course Website

Neuroengineering

BE 131
2024 Fall

Jia Liu
Tuesday, Thursday
12:45pm to 2:00pm

This course provides an introduction to biological neural systems, and current engineering efforts to understand, control, and enhance the function of neural systems. The focus is on the basic knowledge of molecular basis, anatomic structures, and electrical functions of central and peripheral nervous systems, and the most state-of-the-art genetic/genomic, optical, electrical, magnetic, and computational tools for nervous systems. Key themes throughout the course will include structures of central and peripheral nervous systems, genetic engineering, RNA sequencing, optogenetics, microscope, bioelectronics, MRI, and computational neuroscience. This includes both the practical and theoretical aspects of the topic.

Course Website

Physics of Sports

ENG-SCI 20R
2024 Fall

Kelly Miller
Tuesday, Thursday
11:15am to 12:30pm

This project-based course will introduce the physical concepts that can be applied to various human athletic endeavors. Students will focus on analyzing the dynamics of a specific sport/ physical activity through a project that they develop. This will allow students to construct physical models with an increasing level of realism that can used to analyze sporting events. Mathematics is the language of physics, and its use will be ever-present throughout the semester. However, we will focus more on the application of the laws of physics to understand the world of athletics. Students will learn the use of motion trackers and sensors to analyze motion in its dynamical and kinematic aspects.

Course Website

Flavor Molecules of Food Fermentation: Exploration and Inquiry

ENG-SCI 24
2024 Spring

Pia Sorensen
Monday, Wednesday
1:30pm to 2:45pm

Microorganisms produce a diverse array of specialized small molecules as part of their metabolic processes. In this course we will study the production, properties, and characterization of these molecules through the lens of food fermentation. In particular, we will focus on the small molecules that contribute taste and aroma in fermented foods. Students will experience the scientific inquiry process in a creative way by designing and implementing their own research project based on a fermented food of their choosing. Still a field with much potential for discovery, interested students are invited to continue their research project in the summer.

Course Website

Flavor Molecules of Food Fermentation: Exploration and Inquiry

ENG-SCI 24
2025 Spring

Pia Sorensen
Monday, Wednesday
1:30pm to 2:45pm

Microorganisms produce a diverse array of specialized small molecules as part of their metabolic processes. In this course we will study the production, properties, and characterization of these molecules through the lens of food fermentation. In particular, we will focus on the small molecules that contribute taste and aroma in fermented foods. Students will experience the scientific inquiry process in a creative way by designing and implementing their own research project based on a fermented food of their choosing. Still a field with much potential for discovery, interested students are invited to continue their research project in the summer.

Course Website

Quantitative Physiology as a Basis for Bioengineering

ENG-SCI 53
2024 Fall

Linsey Moyer
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
11:15am to 12:30pm

This course is designed as an introduction to thinking as a bio/biomedical engineer and is recommended for first years and sophomores but open to all students. Simple mathematical models are used to represent key aspects of organ systems function. Core engineering concepts are explored through mechanical and electrical examples within the human body. The primary focus is on quantitative descriptions of organ systems function and control in terms of physical principles and physiologic mechanisms. It includes a foundation in human organ systems physiology, including cardiovascular, pulmonary, and renal systems. Emphasis will be given to understanding the ways in which dysfunction in these systems gives rise to common human disease processes.

Course Website

Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Practical and Academic Insights

ENG-SCI 94
2024 Spring

Josh Lerner, George Clay
Monday, Wednesday
11:15am to 12:30pm

Entrepreneurship is increasingly transforming our society and economy. This course aims to provide for undergraduates an introduction to entrepreneurship and its implications for innovation. The class will primarily consist of case study discussions, but will include some traditional lecture sessions that build on academic papers to provide more frameworks. As such, it draws primarily on materials from the introductory MBA course at Harvard Business School, “The Entrepreneurial Manager” (TEM). Students will be expected to come to class prepared to discuss the cases.

Course Website

Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Practical and Academic Insights

ENG-SCI 94
2024 Spring

Richard Bennett, Spencer Rascoff
Monday, Wednesday
12:45pm to 2:00pm

Entrepreneurship is increasingly transforming our society and economy. This course aims to provide for undergraduates an introduction to entrepreneurship and its implications for innovation. The class will primarily consist of case study discussions, but will include some traditional lecture sessions that build on academic papers to provide more frameworks. As such, it draws primarily on materials from the introductory MBA course at Harvard Business School, “The Entrepreneurial Manager” (TEM). Students will be expected to come to class prepared to discuss the cases.

Course Website

Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Practical and Academic Insights

ENG-SCI 94
2025 Spring

Josh Lerner
Monday, Wednesday
11:15am to 12:30pm

Entrepreneurship is increasingly transforming our society and economy. This course aims to provide for undergraduates an introduction to entrepreneurship and its implications for innovation. The class will primarily consist of case study discussions, but will include some traditional lecture sessions that build on academic papers to provide more frameworks. As such, it draws primarily on materials from the introductory MBA course at Harvard Business School, “The Entrepreneurial Manager” (TEM). Students will be expected to come to class prepared to discuss the cases.

Course Website

Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Practical and Academic Insights

ENG-SCI 94
2025 Spring

Josh Lerner
Monday, Wednesday
12:45pm to 2:00pm

Entrepreneurship is increasingly transforming our society and economy. This course aims to provide for undergraduates an introduction to entrepreneurship and its implications for innovation. The class will primarily consist of case study discussions, but will include some traditional lecture sessions that build on academic papers to provide more frameworks. As such, it draws primarily on materials from the introductory MBA course at Harvard Business School, “The Entrepreneurial Manager” (TEM). Students will be expected to come to class prepared to discuss the cases.

Course Website

Startup R & D

ENG-SCI 95R
2024 Fall

Paul Bottino
Monday
3:45pm to 6:30pm

Students do field-based work in entrepreneurship to develop their existing startup and explore new ideas and opportunities for startup creation. The course is for student-founders seeking to advance their innovation experience in a supportive community of peer founders. Students may work individually; teams with a working history are preferred. Requires self-directed, independent work and active outreach to mentors, customers, and partners for guidance and feedback in addition to that provided by the instructor and teaching staff.  Students share their work regularly and engage in a peer-to-peer feedback forum. Coursework is customized to the needs of each student and their startup role and includes development of product, technology, market, business, organization and leadership. See: https://tech.seas.harvard.edu/rad to apply for instructor permission to enroll.

Course Website

Startup R & D

ENG-SCI 95R
2024 Spring

Paul Bottino
Wednesday
3:45pm to 6:30pm

Students do field-based work in entrepreneurship to develop their existing startup and explore new ideas and opportunities for startup creation. The course is for student-founders seeking to advance their innovation experience in a supportive community of peer founders. Students may work individually; teams with a working history are preferred. Requires self-directed, independent work and active outreach to mentors, customers, and partners for guidance and feedback in addition to that provided by the instructor and teaching staff.  Students share their work regularly and engage in a peer-to-peer feedback forum. Coursework is customized to the needs of each student and their startup role and includes development of product, technology, market, business, organization and leadership. See: https://tech.seas.harvard.edu/rad to apply for instructor permission to enroll.

Course Website

Startup R & D

ENG-SCI 95R
2025 Spring

Paul Bottino
Wednesday
3:45pm to 6:30pm

Students do field-based work in entrepreneurship to develop their existing startup and explore new ideas and opportunities for startup creation. The course is for student-founders seeking to advance their innovation experience in a supportive community of peer founders. Students may work individually; teams with a working history are preferred. Requires self-directed, independent work and active outreach to mentors, customers, and partners for guidance and feedback in addition to that provided by the instructor and teaching staff.  Students share their work regularly and engage in a peer-to-peer feedback forum. Coursework is customized to the needs of each student and their startup role and includes development of product, technology, market, business, organization and leadership. See: https://tech.seas.harvard.edu/rad to apply for instructor permission to enroll.

Course Website

Engineering Problem Solving and Design Project

ENG-SCI 96
2024 Fall

Gu-Yeon Wei, Chris Lombardo
Tuesday, Thursday
12:45pm to 3:30pm

Semester-long team-based project providing experience working with clients on complex multi-stakeholders real problems. Course provides exposure to problem definition, problem framing, qualitative and quantitative research methods, modeling, generation and co-design of creative solutions, engineering design trade-offs, and documentation/communication skills. Ordinarily taken in the junior year.

Course Website

Engineering Problem Solving and Design Project

ENG-SCI 96
2024 Spring

Chris Lombardo, Gu-Yeon Wei
Monday, Wednesday
12:45pm to 3:30pm

Semester-long team-based project providing experience working with clients on complex multi-stakeholders real problems. Course provides exposure to problem definition, problem framing, qualitative and quantitative research methods, modeling, generation and co-design of creative solutions, engineering design trade-offs, and documentation/communication skills. Ordinarily taken in the junior year.

Course Website

Engineering Problem Solving and Design Project

ENG-SCI 96
2024 Spring

Samir Mitragotri, Fawwaz Habbal
Monday, Wednesday
12:45pm to 3:30pm

Semester-long team-based project providing experience working with clients on complex multi-stakeholders real problems. Course provides exposure to problem definition, problem framing, qualitative and quantitative research methods, modeling, generation and co-design of creative solutions, engineering design trade-offs, and documentation/communication skills. Ordinarily taken in the junior year.

Course Website

Engineering Problem Solving and Design Project

ENG-SCI 96
2025 Spring

Samir Mitragotri, Robert D. Howe
Monday, Wednesday
12:45pm to 3:30pm

Semester-long team-based project providing experience working with clients on complex multi-stakeholders real problems. Course provides exposure to problem definition, problem framing, qualitative and quantitative research methods, modeling, generation and co-design of creative solutions, engineering design trade-offs, and documentation/communication skills. Ordinarily taken in the junior year.

Course Website

Engineering Design Projects

ENG-SCI 100HFA
2024 Fall

Katia Bertoldi
Tuesday
2:15pm to 3:30pm

Individual engineering design projects which demonstrate mastery of engineering knowledge and techniques. Each student will pursue an appropriate capstone project which involves both engineering design and quantitative analysis. This culminates in a final oral presentation and final report/thesis. Students must complete both parts of this course, fall and spring, in order to receive credit.

Course Website

Engineering Design Projects

ENG-SCI 100HFB
2024 Spring

Katia Bertoldi

Individual engineering design projects which demonstrate mastery of engineering knowledge and techniques. Each student will pursue an appropriate capstone project which involves both engineering design and quantitative analysis. This culminates in a final oral presentation and final report/thesis. Students must complete both parts of this course, fall and spring, in order to receive credit.

Course Website

Engineering Design Projects

ENG-SCI 100HFB
2025 Spring

Katia Bertoldi

Individual engineering design projects which demonstrate mastery of engineering knowledge and techniques. Each student will pursue an appropriate capstone project which involves both engineering design and quantitative analysis. This culminates in a final oral presentation and final report/thesis. Students must complete both parts of this course, fall and spring, in order to receive credit.

Course Website

Humanitarian Design Projects

ENG-SCI 105HFR
2024 Fall

Chris Lombardo
Tuesday
6:00pm to 7:15pm

Multi-year long team projects that provide an engineering experience working with partner communities on real-world problems. Projects provide exposure to problem definition, quantitative analysis, modeling, generation of creative solutions utilizing appropriate technology, engineering design trade-offs, and documentation/communication skills. These projects will be implemented with our project partners after the appropriate design and approvals have been obtained.

Course Website

Humanitarian Design Projects

ENG-SCI 105HFR
2024 Spring

Chris Lombardo
Tuesday
6:00pm to 7:15pm

Multi-year long team projects that provide an engineering experience working with partner communities on real-world problems. Projects provide exposure to problem definition, quantitative analysis, modeling, generation of creative solutions utilizing appropriate technology, engineering design trade-offs, and documentation/communication skills. These projects will be implemented with our project partners after the appropriate design and approvals have been obtained.

Course Website

Humanitarian Design Projects

ENG-SCI 105HFR
2025 Spring

Chris Lombardo
Tuesday
6:00pm to 7:15pm

Multi-year long team projects that provide an engineering experience working with partner communities on real-world problems. Projects provide exposure to problem definition, quantitative analysis, modeling, generation of creative solutions utilizing appropriate technology, engineering design trade-offs, and documentation/communication skills. These projects will be implemented with our project partners after the appropriate design and approvals have been obtained.

Course Website

Innovation in Science and Engineering: Conference Course

ENG-SCI 139
2024 Fall

David Weitz
Tuesday, Thursday
1:30pm to 2:45pm

This class integrates perspectives from leading innovators with collaborative practice and theory of innovation to teach and inspire you to be more innovative in your life and career. Our approach is to engage with leaders and learn their perspectives and align this with innovation sprints where you learn the best tools, processes, and methods to innovate. You can see a course overview here https://youtu.be/CqfvXf33TCE.  Find out more information on Instagram @engsci139 or https://www.instagram.com/engsci139/

 

Course Website

Foundations of Quantum Mechanics

ENG-SCI 200
2023 Fall

Federico Capasso
Monday, Wednesday
3:00pm to 4:15pm

This course is an introduction to the foundations of quantum mechanics, with specific focus on the basic principles involved in the control of quantum systems. Experimental foundations of quantum mechanics. Superposition principle, Schrödinger’s equation, eigenvalue and time dependent problems, wave packets, coherent states; uncertainty principle. One dimensional problems: double well potentials, tunneling and resonant tunneling; WKB approximation. Hermitian operators and expectation values; time evolution and Hamiltonian, commutation rules, transfer matrix methods. Crystals, Bloch theorem, superlattices. Angular momentum, spin, Pauli matrices. Coherent interaction of light with two-level systems. Quantization of the EM field, spontaneous and stimulated emission; qubits, entanglement, teleportation.

Course Website

Drug Delivery

ENG-SCI 221
2024 Fall

Samir Mitragotri
Tuesday, Thursday
9:45am to 11:00am

Methods to deliver molecules to the human body. Physiological obstacles and engineering solutions. Characterization techniques for drug delivery synthesis and in vitro analysis. Case studies of current pharmaceutical products.

Course Website

Advanced Cellular Engineering

ENG-SCI 222
2025 Spring

Kit Parker
Tuesday, Thursday
11:15am to 12:30pm

This is a combined introductory graduate/upper-level undergraduate course that focuses on examining modern techniques for manipulating cellular behavior and the application of these techniques to problems in the biomedical and biotechnological arenas. Applications in drug discovery, regenerative medicine, and cellular agriculture will be discussed. Topics will include controlling behavior of cells through cell-matrix interactions, cytoskeletal architecture, and cell behavior in processes such as angiogenesis and wound healing. Lectures will review fundamental concepts in cell biology before delving into topical examples from current literature. Students will work weekly in the lab learning cell culture techniques, soft lithography, microscopy, and classical in vitro assays measuring cell behavior.

 

Course Website

Neurophysiology and Neural Interfaces

ENG-SCI 223
2024 Fall

Shriya Srinivasan
Tuesday, Thursday
11:15am to 12:30pm

This course covers fundamental neuroanatomy, physiology, and the principles that guide the development and implementation of peripheral neurotechnology. This course will provide an overview of the state of art in neuroprosthetics, functional electrical stimulation, and other relevant devices. Clinical case studies will be used to frame the lectures.

Course Website

Biomechanics of Movement and Assistive Robotics

ENG-SCI 224
2025 Spring

Patrick Slade
Tuesday, Thursday
9:45am to 11:00am

This course will study the fundamentals of human movement, emphasizing applications in rehabilitation, athletics, and assistive devices. Topics will focus on the biomechanical principles of movement (muscle and tendon properties), experimental data collection techniques (motion capture, wearable sensing, and imaging), simulation with musculoskeletal modeling, and cutting-edge topics in assistive robotics (human-centered design, human-in-the-loop optimization, exoskeletons, etc). A semester-long project will allow students to apply the topics to solve a problem of interest relating to human movement or assisted mobility.

Course Website

Neuroengineering

ENG-SCI 225
2024 Fall

Jia Liu
Tuesday, Thursday
12:45pm to 2:00pm

This course provides an introduction to biological neural systems, and current engineering efforts to understand, control, and enhance the function of neural systems. The focus is on the basic knowledge of molecular basis, anatomic structures, and electrical functions of central and peripheral nervous systems, and the most state-of-the-art genetic/genomic, optical, electrical, magnetic, and computational tools for nervous systems. Key themes throughout the course will include structures of central and peripheral nervous systems, genetic engineering, RNA sequencing, optogenetics, microscope, bioelectronics, MRI, and computational neuroscience. This includes both the practical and theoretical aspects of the topic.

Course Website

Medical Device Design

ENG-SCI 227
2024 Spring

Shriya Srinivasan, Conor Walsh
Monday, Wednesday
2:15pm to 3:30pm

Project-based course on the design of medical devices to address needs identified by hospital-based clinicians. Students work in teams with physicians to develop a novel device. The design process includes: needs finding; problem identification; prior art searches; strategy and concept generation; estimation; sketching; sketch modeling; machine elements, ergonomics and prototyping.

Course Website

Medical Device Design

ENG-SCI 227
2025 Spring

Linsey Moyer, Shriya Srinivasan
Monday, Wednesday
2:15pm to 3:30pm

Project-based course on the design of medical devices to address needs identified by hospital-based clinicians. Students work in teams with physicians to develop a novel device. The design process includes: needs finding; problem identification; prior art searches; strategy and concept generation; estimation; sketching; sketch modeling; machine elements, ergonomics and prototyping.

Course Website

Advanced Tissue Engineering

ENG-SCI 230
2024 Fall

David Mooney
Monday, Wednesday
9:45am to 11:00am

Fundamental engineering and biological principles underlying field of tissue engineering, along with examples and strategies to engineer specific tissues for clinical use. Student design teams prepare a research proposal and participate in a weekly laboratory.

Course Website

Advanced Tissue Engineering

ENG-SCI 230
2024 Spring

David Mooney
Monday, Wednesday
3:45pm to 5:00pm

Fundamental engineering and biological principles underlying field of tissue engineering, along with examples and strategies to engineer specific tissues for clinical use. Student design teams prepare a research proposal and participate in a weekly laboratory.

Course Website

Advanced Innovation in Science and Engineering: Conference Course

ENG-SCI 239
2024 Fall

David Weitz
Tuesday, Thursday
1:30pm to 2:45pm

This class integrates perspectives from leading innovators with collaborative practice and theory of innovation to teach and inspire you to be more innovative in your life and career. Our approach is to engage with leaders and learn their perspectives and align this with innovation sprints where you learn the best tools, processes, and methods to innovate. You can see a course overview here https://youtu.be/CqfvXf33TCE.  Find out more information on Instagram @engsci139 or https://www.instagram.com/engsci139/

Students are expected to meet all the requirements of Engineering Sciences 139 and in addition are required to prepare an individual term project with significant analytic emphasis in an area of scientific or technological innovation.

Course Website

Advanced Neural Control of Movement

ENG-SCI 249
2024 Spring

Maurice Smith
Tuesday, Thursday
12:45pm to 2:00pm

Students expected to meet all of the requirements of Biomedical Engineering 130 (formerly Engineering Sciences 149) and in addition to submit a term project with significant analytic content.

Course Website

Informal Robotics

ENG-SCI 256
2024 Spring

Chuck Hoberman
Tuesday
1:30pm to 4:15pm

This course teaches how to create original robotic devices made of light, compliant – informal – materials.

New fabrication techniques are transforming the field of robotics. Rather than rigid parts connected by mechanical connectors, robots can now be made of folded paper, carbon laminates or soft gels. They can be formed fully integrated from a 3D printer rather than assembled from individual components. Informal Robotics draws on cutting-edge research from leading labs, in particular, Harvard’s Micro Robotics Laboratory which has created unique designs for ambulatory and flying robots, end-effectors, medical instruments and other applications.

We will explore informal robotics from multiple perspectives, culminating with the design of original devices displaying animated intelligence in real-time. Going beyond traditional engineering approaches, we will also explore new opportunities for design at the product, architectural, and urban scales.

Techniques:
Hands-on:  Working with the GSD’s Fab Lab we are creating a kit of parts that will be available to all enrolled students. With the kit, you can create a wide range of folding mechanisms controlled by on-board miniature electronics.
Software / Simulation: Software workshops will be offered on Fusion 360 and Grasshopper to simulate robotic performance within a virtual environment.

Topics:
- Kinematics: design techniques for pop-ups, origami, and soft mechanisms.
- Fabrication: methods: for composite materials, laminated assembly, self-folding, and integrated flexures - the kit of parts will allow for hands-on exploration.
- Controls: how to actuate movement and program desired behavior. Topics include servos, linear actuators, and use of Arduino actuator control.
- Applications: takes us beyond purely technological concerns, contextualizing Informal Robotics within larger trends where materials, manufacturing and computation are starting to merge

Course Website

Informal Robotics

ENG-SCI 256
2025 Spring

Chuck Hoberman
Tuesday
12:00pm to 2:45pm

This course teaches how to create original robotic devices made of light, compliant – informal – materials.

New fabrication techniques are transforming the field of robotics. Rather than rigid parts connected by mechanical connectors, robots can now be made of folded paper, carbon laminates or soft gels. They can be formed fully integrated from a 3D printer rather than assembled from individual components. Informal Robotics draws on cutting-edge research from leading labs, in particular, Harvard’s Micro Robotics Laboratory which has created unique designs for ambulatory and flying robots, end-effectors, medical instruments and other applications.

We will explore informal robotics from multiple perspectives, culminating with the design of original devices displaying animated intelligence in real-time. Going beyond traditional engineering approaches, we will also explore new opportunities for design at the product, architectural, and urban scales.

Techniques:
Hands-on:  Working with the GSD’s Fab Lab we are creating a kit of parts that will be available to all enrolled students. With the kit, you can create a wide range of folding mechanisms controlled by on-board miniature electronics.
Software / Simulation: Software workshops will be offered on Fusion 360 and Grasshopper to simulate robotic performance within a virtual environment.

Topics:
- Kinematics: design techniques for pop-ups, origami, and soft mechanisms.
- Fabrication: methods: for composite materials, laminated assembly, self-folding, and integrated flexures - the kit of parts will allow for hands-on exploration.
- Controls: how to actuate movement and program desired behavior. Topics include servos, linear actuators, and use of Arduino actuator control.
- Applications: takes us beyond purely technological concerns, contextualizing Informal Robotics within larger trends where materials, manufacturing and computation are starting to merge

Course Website

Introduction to Bioelectronics

ENG-SCI 258
2024 Spring

Jia Liu
Monday, Wednesday
11:15am to 12:30pm

This course introduces bioelectronics and its applications in neuroscience, neuroengineering, cardiology, wearable technology, and so on. The focus is on the basic principles of bioelectricity, biochemistry, and physiological behaviors of biological systems and how to design electronic tools to precisely measure and control them. Key themes throughout the course will include bioelectricity, biochemistry, cellular and tissue physiological behavior, optogenetics, sensors, stimulators, circuits, signal processing, electronics-biology interface, and applications. This includes both the practical and theoretical aspects of the topic. Three experimental demonstrations will be included as part of the normal class meeting time. Given its broad coverage, students who enroll in this course are expected to have a substantial background in chemistry, biology, and electrical engineering (see recommended prep and course requirements). The contents and course requirements are similar to those of Biomedical Engineering 129 (BE 129), with the exception that students enrolled in Engineering Sciences 258 (ENG-SCI 258) are expected to undertake a substantial course project.

Course Website

Introduction to Bioelectronics

ENG-SCI 258
2025 Spring

Jia Liu
Monday, Wednesday
11:15am to 12:30pm

This course introduces bioelectronics and its applications in neuroscience, neuroengineering, cardiology, wearable technology, and so on. The focus is on the basic principles of bioelectricity, biochemistry, and physiological behaviors of biological systems and how to design electronic tools to precisely measure and control them. Key themes throughout the course will include bioelectricity, biochemistry, cellular and tissue physiological behavior, optogenetics, sensors, stimulators, circuits, signal processing, electronics-biology interface, and applications. This includes both the practical and theoretical aspects of the topic. Three experimental demonstrations will be included as part of the normal class meeting time. Given its broad coverage, students who enroll in this course are expected to have a substantial background in chemistry, biology, and electrical engineering (see recommended prep and course requirements). The contents and course requirements are similar to those of Biomedical Engineering 129 (BE 129), with the exception that students enrolled in Engineering Sciences 258 (ENG-SCI 258) are expected to undertake a substantial course project.

Course Website

Professional Writing for Scientists and Engineers

ENG-SCI 297
2024 Fall

Suzanne Smith, Daniel Needleman
Thursday
3:00pm to 5:00pm

This class leads students to develop their skills in the critical reading and writing of science and engineering. Genres will include research articles, grant proposals, school/fellowship/job applications, or lay abstracts & press releases for the non-scientific public. Crucially, students will be empowered not only to achieve their own writing goals, but also to break down these learned skills and impart them to others, as effective collaborators and mentors of younger students.

Course Website

Professional Writing for Scientists and Engineers

ENG-SCI 297
2024 Spring

Suzanne Smith
Thursday
3:00pm to 5:00pm

This class leads students to develop their skills in the critical reading and writing of science and engineering. Genres will include research articles, grant proposals, school/fellowship/job applications, or lay abstracts & press releases for the non-scientific public. Crucially, students will be empowered not only to achieve their own writing goals, but also to break down these learned skills and impart them to others, as effective collaborators and mentors of younger students.

Course Website

Professional Writing for Scientists and Engineers

ENG-SCI 297
2025 Spring

Suzanne Smith, Jenny Hoffman
Wednesday
3:00pm to 5:00pm

This class leads students to develop their skills in the critical reading and writing of science and engineering. Genres will include research articles, grant proposals, school/fellowship/job applications, or lay abstracts & press releases for the non-scientific public. Crucially, students will be empowered not only to achieve their own writing goals, but also to break down these learned skills and impart them to others, as effective collaborators and mentors of younger students.

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Methodologies in Design Engineering

ENG-SCI 298R
2024 Fall

Kit Parker, Fawwaz Habbal
Friday
9:45am to 12:30pm

This is a SAT/UNSAT seminar course focused on design thinking, analysis, planning, and executing the development of engineered systems. Weekly meetings will include discussions and assigned readings of case studies and examples of the systems surrounding the developing technical system. Organizing and executing research, innovation, and product design at the scales from academic group, to startup, to major industry will be discussed. The course is designed to allow the engineer and designer to integrate technical knowledge into an executable framework as an individual or leader of a design team.

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Political Economy of the Global Semiconductor Industry: Technology, Markets and Policy

ENG-SCI 298R
2024 Spring

Woodward Yang
Thursday
3:45pm to 5:45pm

This graduate seminar offers an in-depth exploration of the global semiconductor industry which is currently at the forefront of technological innovation and geopolitical dynamics.  Central to our study is the semiconductor industry's remarkable growth and evolution, driven by a complex and interdependent global network encompassing a diverse array of companies and research institutions. We will also engage in a multifaceted analysis of the semiconductor industry which will involve examining the technological limits and breakthroughs, assessing the economic factors underpinning the industry, and understanding the current geopolitical landscape, especially focusing on the recent tensions between China and the United States.

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Special Topics in Engineering Sciences

ENG-SCI 299R
2024 Fall

Todd Zickler

Supervision of experimental or theoretical research on acceptable problems in engineering and applied science and supervision of reading on topics not covered by regular courses of instruction.

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Special Topics in Engineering Sciences

ENG-SCI 299R
2024 Spring

Todd Zickler

Supervision of experimental or theoretical research on acceptable problems in engineering and applied science and supervision of reading on topics not covered by regular courses of instruction.

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Special Topics in Engineering Sciences

ENG-SCI 299R
2025 Spring

Todd Zickler

Supervision of experimental or theoretical research on acceptable problems in engineering and applied science and supervision of reading on topics not covered by regular courses of instruction.

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An Introduction to Maker Skills

MIT ES .100
2024 Spring

Introduction to making and use of MIT's maker spaces intended to build skills needed for designing, conducting, and completing experiments and design projects, such as may be encountered in undergraduate classwork and research activities. Includes maker space training (i.e., wood shop, digital fabrication, and electronics fabrication) and open-ended design projects, with work evenly divided between class, homework, and maker space activities.
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