Professors Douglas A. Lauffenburger and Steven R. Tannenbaum, Co-Directors. Study and research focused on the interface between engineering and biology, combining quantitative, physical, integrative, and design-oriented principles with molecular and cellular biology and physiology. Professor R. C. Armstrong, Head. The School of Chemical Engineering Practice offers training in process engineering using an engineering internship in lieu of a master's thesis. Professor R. L. Bras, Head.
Research is carried out in two interdisciplinary laboratories.
Research is carried out in the general areas of environmental chemistry and biology, environmental fluid dynamics and hydrodynamics, geoenvironment and geotechnology, surface and groundwater hydrology, materials and structures, transportation systems, information technology, and construction engineering and management. Interdisciplinary research is also promoted with the Technology Planning and Policy Program, the Center of Environmental Health Sciences, the Center for Global Change Science, the Center of Transportation Studies, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, and the Center for Technology Policy and Industrial Development. Joint research is also ongoing with the Department of Architecture, the Media Laboratory, Lincoln Laboratory, Sloan School of Management, the Technology Development Program, and the Leaders for Manufacturing Program, among others. Professor J. V. Guttag, Head. Most thesis research is conducted in laboratories sponsored by or affiliated with the department.