About Computer Science And Molecular Biology in Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

The Department of Biology and the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) offer a joint curriculum that focuses on the emerging field of computational and molecular biology. The curriculum provides strong foundations in both biology and computer science and features innovative, integrative, capstone, and elective subjects. The goal is to produce an entirely new cadre of graduates who are uniquely qualified to address the challenges and opportunities at the interface of computational and molecular biology. Students in the program are full members of both departments and of two schools, Science and Engineering, with one academic advisor from each department.

The Master of Engineering in Computer Science and Molecular Biology program builds on the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Molecular Biology program (Course 6-7), which prepares students for careers that leverage computational biology (e.g., pharmaceuticals, bioinformatics, medicine, etc.) as well as further graduate study in biology, in computer science, and in emerging programs at the interface of these fields. The master's program provides additional depth in computational and/or molecular biology through coursework and a substantial thesis. The student selects (with departmental review and approval) 42 units of advanced graduate subjects, which include two concentration subjects in biology and/or computational biology plus a third subject in electrical engineering and computer science and/or biology. A further 24 units of electives are chosen from a restricted departmental list of math electives.

The Master of Engineering degree also requires 24 units of thesis credit. While a student may register for more than this number of thesis units, only 24 units count toward the degree requirement.

Recipients of a Master of Engineering degree normally receive a Bachelor of Science degree simultaneously. No thesis is explicitly required for the Bachelor of Science degree. However, every program must include a major project experience at an advanced level, culminating in written and oral reports. Normally, the thesis for the Master of Engineering degree will provide this experience for students receiving both degrees simultaneously.

Programs leading to the five-year Master of Engineering degree or to the four-year Bachelor of Science degree can be arranged to be identical through the junior year. At the end of the junior year, students with a strong academic record will be offered the opportunity to continue through the five-year master's program. A student in the Master of Engineering program must be registered as a graduate student for at least one regular (non-summer) term. To remain in the program and to receive the Master of Engineering degree, students will be expected to maintain a strong academic record. Admission to the Master of Engineering program is open only to undergraduate students who have completed their junior year in the Course 6-7 Bachelor of Science program.

Academic qualification equivalents

• Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree 

English language requirements 

• IELTS :7.0
• TOEFL IBT: 100

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Highlights

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cost of Attendance

If you're a potential student at the institute, the projected budget for overseas students wishing to study in the United States listed below may be of assistance to you. Please keep in mind that the costs listed below are estimates for the future academic year and are subject to change.