The program encompasses two themes. One (with an emphasis on Bioengineering) seeks to discover and formulate design principles behind the structures and modes of operation of living matter at various length scales, ranging from biomolecules and cells to full organisms. The other(with an emphasis on Materials Science and Engineering) applies the tools of nanotechnology to create transformative nano materials with exciting new properties. Both themes include among their interests the implementation of nano-scale and/or bio-inspired devices for applications in human health, green energy, artificial intelligence, and environmental sensing. BEST students will be exposed to, and benefit from, a thoroughly multidisciplinary training that synergistically incorporates elements from engineering, physics, chemistry, and biology.