Some of the engineering degree programs offer opportunities for students to further deepen their studies. Explore all of the detailed engineering major possibilities below.
Transcripted: If completed, appear on your official UW transcript. These are generally competitive and require an additional application after you are in the major.
Untranscripted: Do not appear on your official UW transcript. Serve as guidance for students who wish to deepen their knowledge in a specific subject.
A&A does not have formal concentrations or transcripted options. Although students have the opportunity to take a few courses in focus areas, we encourage students to have a broad knowledge of the different components of flight vehicles (e.g., controls, fluids, structures) and how those things work together in a systems approach.
Focus Areas (Untranscripted)
- Controls
- Fluids
- Plasma Science
- Structures
Most BioE students choose Bioengineering and Engineering electives in their topics of interest such as biomaterials, data analysis, global health, imaging and neural engineering. Some students prefer to specialize further by pursuing one of the two transcripted options (Data Science and Nanoscience & Molecular Engineering). These students are required to choose specific Bioengineering and Engineering electives for each option.
Options (Transcripted)
- Data Science
- Nanoscience & Molecular Engineering
BSE does not have formal concentrations and has a transcripted option in Business that can be added on by student request once they join the major. Students can pursue a wide variety of elective courses as part of the degree’s elective requirement, and we encourage students to develop a broad knowledge of skills that will apply to development of sustainable products, fuels, and chemicals from biomass resources.
Options (Transcripted)
- Business
ChemE has an array of options and focus areas meant to help students deepen their knowledge in strategic areas. However, the ChemE curriculum expands past these areas. We encourage you to explore further by using our career outcome pages to learn about where ChemE can take you after graduation.
Options (Transcripted)
- Nanoscience & Molecular Engineering
Focus Areas (Untranscripted)
- Energy Conversion (Energy & Environment) (Air & Space) (Transportation & Infrastructure)
- Environmental & Bioresource Engineering (Energy & Environment) (Transportation & Infrastructure)
- Advanced Materials Interfacial engineering (Air & Space) (Manufacturing)
- Biological Systems, with sub-focuses in nanomedicine and synthetic biology (Energy & Environment) (Manufacturing) (Health & Medicine)
- Data Science & Computing (Computing, Data and Digital Technologies)
The Civil Engineering major does not have formal concentrations or transcripted options. The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) degree covers six areas of research: Construction, Environmental, Hydrology, Geotechnical, Structural, and Transportation.
The 300-level CEE Core Curriculum provides a foundation in all areas. Technical Electives and Engineering & Science Electives, usually taken in the senior year, allow students to develop breadth in their preferred area(s) of interest. Seniors also complete a capstone design course in an area of their choice.
The Environmental Engineering major does not have formal concentrations or transcripted options. The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering (BSENVE) degree encompasses extensive coursework, labs, and project experiences centering on microbiology, chemistry, and sustainability. The degree includes a focus on water and air quality, water/wastewater treatment, hydrology, and hydrodynamics. BSENVE students gain a deep understanding of the interactions among natural and human systems to develop innovative solutions to address environmental challenges.
Research Areas in Environmental Engineering
Pathways (Untranscripted)
- Computer architecture
- Computing
- Control systems
- Machine learning
- Embedded systems
- Microelectronics and nanotechnology
- Neurotechnology
- Photonics
- Quantum Technologies
- Sensing and communication
- Sustainable Energy Systems
- VLSI Design / Digital Systems Design
The HCDE major does not have formal concentrations or transcripted options. Students in the HCDE Bachelor of Science program graduate with an engineering degree and a strong foundation in designing user experiences and interfaces, creating information visualizations, conducting user research, designing for the web, and building web technologies.
The department’s research and teaching focus on six interrelated areas of study: influencing behavior, thinking, and awareness; design for emergent collaborations and organizations; low resource and underserved populations; material and embedded technologies; data science and data visualization; and learning in professional and technical environments. HCDE electives, which are usually taken in senior year, allow students to individualize their educational plan and deepen their knowledge in these areas.
Options (Transcripted)
- Data Science
Concentrations (Untranscripted)
- Human Factors
- Applied Statistics & Production Systems
- Operations Research
Options (Transcripted)
- Biomechanics
- Mechatronics
Options (Transcripted)
- Nanoscience & Molecular Engineering
Concentrations (Untranscripted)
- Materials and Manufacturing
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Energy/Environmental Materials
- Materials in Medicine and Biomimetics
- Structural Materials
- Materials Computation and Data Science
You can also learn more about each Concentration Area on the MSE website.