高能物理学的领域越来越小，天体物理学的领域越来越大。应用物理学中，对凝聚态物质的研究占很大一部分，它具有自己的前沿领域，而且越来越复杂，涵盖了物理，化学，生物学和工程学的接口。SEAS具有开放的跨学科结构，非常适合应用物理学的创新研究。最近完成的综合科学与工程实验室（LISE）提供了世界上最先进的研究设施之一，以促进纳米级和中尺度科学领域的合作。实验室位于地面上LISE的三分之一中，三层地下室中有一个共享的洁净室，用于材料合成的设施和一个显微镜套件。
Applied Physics at Harvard School of Engineering is at the intersection of physics and engineering. Applied physicists explore the phenomena that become the foundation of quantum and photonic devices and novel materials. They also study the fundamentals of complex systems, including living organisms. Applied physicists are problem solvers by nature, and our PhDs find employment not only in academia but also in non-profits and industry, including startups. Applied Physics research at Harvard is facilitated by a number of world-class facilities and centers, including the Center for Integrated Quantum Materials, the Center for Nanoscale Systems, one of the world's most advanced research facilities housing a shared cleanroom, facilities for materials synthesis, and a microscopy suite, the Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, the Kavli Institute for Bionanoscience and Technology, the Quantitative Biology Initiative, the Center for Integrated Mesoscale Architectures for Sustainable Catalysis, and the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering