Medical Engineering and Medical Physics (MEMP)

The Medical Engineering and Medical Physics 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, 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 MIT, Harvard, and affiliated 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 and completes substantial coursework in this discipline. Students then become conversant in the biomedical 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 by directly engaging in patient care. Finally, MEMP students investigate important problems at the interfaces between science, technology, and clinical medicine through individualized research projects that prepare them for doing such research independently. MEMP students have the opportunity to perform thesis research in laboratories at MIT, Harvard, and affiliated teaching hospitals.



Neuroimaging and Bioastronautics are areas of specialization within MEMP for which HST offers specially designed training programs. While funding for some of these programs is only available to US citizens and permanent residents, any MEMP student may elect to follow the curriculum for these specialized programs.