Apply to the university, begin undeclared
MIT says you apply to the entire university and all first-year students begin undeclared, free to choose any course of study without further admission procedures.
Undergraduate · MIT
MIT Biological Engineering (Course 20): entered after arriving
MIT does not admit students to a major: every first-year student begins undeclared and may choose any course of study without further admission procedures. Biological Engineering is Course 20, and the Course Catalog's degree chart builds in a laboratory subject (20.109), programming and computational thinking (6.100A and 6.100B), genetics, cell biology, differential equations and a design subject (20.380). For an A-level or IB applicant, the questions are what the chart asks, how the major is reached and what MIT requires, including the SAT or ACT. This guide claims no direct admission to Course 20.
Official information · read 31 October 2026, no entry-year label
What MIT says about MIT Course 20
Taken from MIT Admissions' Majors & Minors, Tests & Scores and International pages and the MIT Course Catalog's Course 20 degree chart, read on 31 October 2026. The pages carry no entry-year label, so for a 2028-entry application every statement below is evidence for the previous cycle and may change; check MIT's pages for the 2028-entry details.
A laboratory in the programme
The 12-unit Laboratory Requirement can be satisfied by 20.109, Laboratory Fundamentals in Biological Engineering.
Programming and computation
6.100A (Python) and 6.100B (Computational Thinking and Data Science) appear in the departmental programme.
Biology, chemistry and mathematics
The chart names Genetics, Cell Biology, Differential Equations and Thermodynamics of Biomolecular Systems, and REST can be met by 5.12 and 18.03.
SAT or ACT required; A Levels and IB named
MIT requires the SAT or the ACT and asks for the transcript to include external exams such as the IB or A Levels.
Official sources
- MIT Admissions: Majors & Minorsmitadmissions.org
- MIT Course Catalog: Biological Engineering (SB, Course 20)catalog.mit.edu
- MIT Admissions: Tests & Scoresmitadmissions.org
Read on 31 October 2026 on MIT Admissions' Majors & Minors, Tests & Scores and International pages and the MIT Course Catalog's Course 20 degree chart, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. MIT's Biological Engineering department pages, the full restricted-elective lists, the subject descriptions behind the chart, deadlines and financial aid were not read and are not stated.
The major
What the Catalog chart combines
The Course Catalog lists Biological Engineering (SB, Course 20). Within the General Institute Requirements, the REST requirement can be met by 5.12 (Organic Chemistry I) and 18.03 (Differential Equations), and the laboratory requirement by 20.109. The departmental programme includes 6.100A and 6.100B, Genetics, Cell Biology, Thermodynamics of Biomolecular Systems, instrumentation and measurement, analysis of biomolecular and cellular systems, and Biological Engineering Design. This guide did not read the restricted-elective lists or subject descriptions.
Is it the right major?
Course 20, Course 6-7 or Chemistry and Biology
MIT describes each as a separate course of study, so the choice is made after arriving. Avandy's comparison is general.
Course 20 fits if
you want engineering methods applied to biological systems, with a design subject.
Course 6-7 fits if
you want computing and molecular biology combined. Avandy's MIT Course 6-7 guide covers it.
Another route fits if
your interest is chemistry or pure biology; this guide did not read those pages.
Admission and testing
SAT or ACT, with A Levels and the IB named
MIT says it requires the SAT or the ACT for first-year and transfer applicants. For international applicants, the transcript should include results of external examinations such as the IB or A Levels, with predicted grades sent if available. This guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not MIT's.
Do you want engineering applied to biology?
The chart blends biology, chemistry, mathematics and design.
Are you comfortable choosing a course later?
MIT applicants begin undeclared.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT with your A levels or IB?
MIT requires one of them.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
MIT's pages carry no entry-year label, so nothing on them is confirmed for 2028 entry. Use them to understand the structure of the application, then check MIT's own pages for the 2028-entry details.
The requirements and descriptions on the pages read on 31 October 2026, which carry no entry-year label
These are the best guide to what to prepare. MIT has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Deadlines, fees, financial aid and any department prerequisites not quoted here: not stated
This guide has not read them. Check MIT for the values that apply to your application year.
What to do now
Read the Course 20 degree chart and plan the SAT or ACT.
Support
Independent support with planning your own application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here is limited to understanding the requirements and planning the applicant's own work; Avandy does not write or edit essays, does not submit any materials and has no partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Can I apply directly to MIT Biological Engineering?
No. MIT says you apply to the entire university, not to a specific major or school, and all first-year students begin undeclared.
Which laboratory does the chart name?
The 12-unit Laboratory Requirement can be satisfied by 20.109, Laboratory Fundamentals in Biological Engineering.
Does the programme include programming?
The departmental programme includes 6.100A (Python) and 6.100B (Computational Thinking and Data Science).
Does MIT consider A Levels and the IB?
Yes. The transcript should include results of external exams such as the IB or A Levels, with predicted grades sent if available.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
MIT says it requires the SAT or the ACT for first-year and transfer applicants.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are MIT's wording with no entry-year label. Check MIT's pages again when MIT publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about MIT Course 20
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their biology, chemistry and mathematics, their interest in engineering design and their SAT or ACT plan, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.