Explore UW Engineering Departments

As part of a tier-one public research university with a global footprint, the College of Engineering produces world-class research that supports economic development in Washington state and improves lives and communities around the world. With ten distinct but interrelated departments, we share a commitment to excellence in engineering education, discovery, community connections and local and global partnerships.

Students in the William E. Boeing Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics excel in things that move. They develop marine, ground, air and space vehicles, satellites, UAVs and turbines through the lenses of controls, materials and structures, fluid dynamics, propulsion, and systems integration. Our aerospace program provides a well-rounded, interdisciplinary education that produces flexible engineers who understand whole systems involving advanced structures, data science, energy and environment, flight performance and safety, robotics and autonomous systems and space exploration.

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Bioengineers at UW drive advances in healthcare technology and delivery that improve lives, from regenerative medicine to neuroengineering. Our inclusive and collaborative culture empowers our students and faculty to make a real-world impact through innovative research. We prepare students for leadership in diverse careers. Students may choose to study a range of areas, including tissue and protein engineering, biomaterials, implantable and wearable prosthetics, drug and gene delivery, therapeutic ultrasound, nano- and molecular engineering, microfluidics, computational modeling, synthetic biology, point-of-care diagnostic devices and global health.

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Chemical engineers at UW design the molecules, materials, and devices that enable us to better treat disease, produce clean energy, and live more sustainably. Our students work with internationally-recognized faculty and receive specialized training in molecular engineering, nanotechnology, data science, and other critical skills for today’s workforce. With an emphasis on project-based learning, entrepreneurship, and a culture of inclusion, we prepare students for leadership in diverse careers.

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UW Civil & Environmental Engineering prepares students to address pressing issues that affect the daily lives of people, from earthquakes to water quality to transportation. To ensure sustainable cities and healthy environments, students learn to address the challenges presented by aging national infrastructure and the needs of urban systems and communities around the globe. Specific areas of study include structures, transportation, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, construction, and water resources, hydrology and hydraulic systems.

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The Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) educates students to become leaders in the design and implementation of the computing systems that touch every aspect of modern society. Our courses cover everything from the mathematical foundations of what computers can and cannot do; to hands-on experiences building software and hardware artifacts with a range of programming languages and tools; to advanced courses in software engineering, human-computer interaction, computer graphics and animation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, large-scale data management, natural language processing, computer networking, computational biology, robotics, computer security and privacy, and much more.

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Students design and build hardware and software for a variety of electronic devices with a wide range of applications. Areas of study include computer architecture, computing, control systems, machine learning, embedded systems, microelectronics and nanotechnology, neurotechnology, photonics, sensing and communication, VLSI and sustainable energy systems.

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Putting people first, HCDE students and faculty research, design, and engineer interactions between humans and technology. HCDE faculty and students are advancing design knowledge by using innovative techniques to study human activity and then translating that knowledge into meaningful information and system designs.

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UW ISE students learn to use mathematical tools to extract meaning from a sea of data and find the keys to unlocking a system's true potential. Industrial and systems engineers integrate people, materials, information, equipment, and energy to design, implement, and improve systems. ISE's focus on the big picture makes industrial engineering one of the most people-oriented engineering disciplines. ISE students study system productivity improvement, experiment design, linear and stochastic optimization, modeling, statistical quality control, reliability, simulation, human factors, scheduling and inventory control, and supply chain systems.

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UW MSE students develop new materials, process methods, equipment, and material uses. Subjects include biomimetics and biomaterials; ceramic properties; composite materials; electronic, optical and magnetic materials; materials characterization, chemistry, modelling; metals & alloys; and polymers.

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UW ME students explore fundamental principles of mechanical engineering and their application to modern technological problems. Students collaborate on interdisciplinary work where they research, design, prototype and manufacture devices and systems that provide creative solutions to these problems. ME is a broad discipline, and the curriculum focuses on the study of dynamics, controls and robotics; manufacturing processes and advanced materials; energy and environmentally-friendly, "green" engineering; and engineering for health with biotechnologies and biomechanics.

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Bioresource scientists and engineers use chemical science and engineering to manufacture, using low impact conversion processes, sustainable products, fuels, and chemicals from biomass resources such as wood, agricultural residuals, and organic waste from industry and households. This multidisciplinary program applies chemistry, mathematics, and engineering to bioresources-based industries to optimally produce value-added products from sustainable natural resources.

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