Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering is intrinsically linked to the physical world surrounding us, and Houghton’s historical collection most certainly caters to the applied study of physics, chemistry,  and mathematics, as well as to engineering advancements that still aid in making progress on the field. However, the library’s archives and supporting infrastructure can…

Engineering Sciences

At first sight, Houghton does not look promising to engineering students. A rare books and manuscripts library, it does not seem to support the concentration’s heavy emphasis on innovation and progress because of its focus on the past. However, Houghton has a large collection of materials related to the Engineering…

Electrical Engineering

Houghton might not be Harvard’s electrical engineers’ first choice for a research facility. The library’s focus on relatively old material is not conducive to work in a field that sees progress on a quasi-daily basis. However, as with most of the sciences, Houghton holds documents pivotal to the history of…

Computer Science

Computer Science, as the 49 Book itself explains, is about skills and ideas that might be useful “in ways we cannot even imagine today.” One of the most popular and innovative concentrations offered by Harvard College, it is a bastion of constant progress and often attracts minds craving change and…

Biomedical Engineering

Much like Chemical and Physical Biology, Biomedical Engineering is an amalgamation of sciences—an intellectual potpourri seeking to prepare students for graduate studies in medicine and bioengineering. As a result, it draws on material from various other concentrations, including physics, chemistry, mathematics, and the other life sciences. Much like other engineering…

Applied Math

“There comes a time in the life of a young Mathematician when he must put down his pencil and think about the future.” This is how John “Jack” R. Quine begins a letter to his “Dear Cousin Van,” better known as W. V. Quine, a renowned philosopher and Harvard professor…