What Makes the College of Engineering Unique?

The College attracts students who want to become engineers — and something more, through studies in such areas as music, art, foreign languages, theater, health sciences, and business. In addition to rigorous core engineering courses, the College also concentrates on developing teamwork, leadership, communication, entrepreneurship, and global awareness among its students.
All six engineering programs have close teaching and research ties with the five health sciences colleges on one campus.
In Fall 2008, the College experienced the third straight year of undergraduate student growth and a record year of freshman enrollment, counter to the national declining trend in enrollment. Total College enrollment (undergraduate and graduate) now exceeds 1,700.
Entering the College is competitive: From more than 1,000 applications received every year, only about 300 first-year students are enrolled by the College. Undergraduates enter directly into the College their first year.
Engineering students (6% of total University enrollment) are awarded more than 15% of the top first-year student merit scholarships.
In the past 28 years, 22 Engineering students have earned the prestigious University of Iowa Hancher-Finkbine Medallion for leadership, learning, and loyalty upon graduation.
The College's undergraduate biomedical engineering program is one of only 49 accredited biomedical and bioengineering undergraduate programs in the U.S.
The College is the first in the U.S. to offer a Technological Entrepreneurship Certificate with an engineering degree.
The College ranks among the top 20% engineering graduate and undergraduate programs nationally by US News & World Report.
The College has more than 12,600 alumni worldwide. Nine alumni are members of the National Academy of Engineering.
The College excels internationally in several specialty and interdisciplinary research areas, including computer-aided design and simulation, human factors, environmental health solutions, biotechnology, medical imaging, hydraulics and water/air resources, photopolymerization, and nanoscience and nanotechnology, among other areas.
20% of undergraduate students are women — above the 17% national average for engineering.
Students entering the College have ACT scores that are in the top 10% nationally (27.5 average on a 36 scale, with both high math and verbal scores).
On average, each faculty member teaches 16 undergraduate students, mentors 4 graduate students, and generates about $494,000 in College and interdisciplinary research funding.
Among the College faculty, 20% are Fellows of societies, 15% hold special professorships, and 11% have received National Science Foundation PECASE and CAREER awards.
University of Iowa has two of only about 50 National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers (I/UCRC) in the U.S. The Photopolymerizations Center and the Center for Virtual Proving Ground Simulation: Mechanical and Electromechanical Systems are directed by College of Engineering faculty. The I/UCRCs have led the way to a new era of partnership between universities and industry, featuring high-quality, industrially relevant fundamental research, strong industrial support of and collaboration in research and education, and direct transfer of university developed ideas, research results, and technology to U.S. industry to improve its competitive posture in world markets.
The College is 12th nationally in percentage of doctoral degrees and 17th nationally in percentage of B.S. degrees awarded to women.
The College is 8th nationally in the number of biomedical engineering B.S. degrees awarded.
85% of undergraduate courses are taught by tenured and tenure-track faculty.