Biological Engineering [BE] was founded in 1998 as a new MIT departmental academic unit, with the mission of defining and establishing a new discipline fusing molecular life sciences with engineering. The goal of our biological engineering discipline, Course 20, is to advance fundamental understanding of how biological systems operate and to develop effective biology-based technologies for applications across a wide spectrum of societal needs including breakthroughs in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, in design of novel materials, devices, and processes, and in enhancing environmental health. The innovative educational programs created by BE reflect this emphasis on integrating molecular and cellular biosciences with a quantitative, systems-oriented engineering analysis and synthesis approach, offering opportunities at the undergraduate level for the SB degree in Biological Engineering, and at the graduate level for the Ph.D. in Biological Engineering (with emphasis in either Applied Biosciences or Bioengineering).

For more information, go to the Biological Engineering department site .

Recent Submissions

  • 3.051J / 20.340J Materials for Biomedical Applications, Spring 2004 

    Mayes, Anne M. (2004-06)
    Introduction to the interactions between cells and surfaces of biomaterials. Surface chemistry and physics of selected metals, polymers, and ceramics. Surface characterization methodology. Modification of biomaterials ...
  • 20.201 Mechanisms of Drug Actions, Fall 2005 

    Dedon, Peter; Tannenbaum, Steven (2005-12)
    This course covers the chemical and biological analysis of the metabolism and distribution of drugs, toxins and chemicals in animals and humans, and the mechanism by which they cause therapeutic and toxic responses. ...
  • 20.320 Biomolecular Kinetics and Cell Dynamics, Spring 2006 

    Lauffenburger, Douglas; White, Forest (2006-06)
    This class covers analysis of kinetics and dynamics of molecular and cellular processes across a hierarchy of scales, including intracellular, extracellular, and cell population levels; a spectrum of biotechnology applications ...

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