Drexel University College of Engineering

Drexel University College of Engineering
Name	Drexel University College of Engineering
Established	1891
Dean	Sharon L. Walker
Parent	Drexel University
Location	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Website	https://drexel.edu/engineering/

Drexel University College of Engineering is the engineering school of Drexel University in Philadelphia. Founded in 1891, it is one of the oldest and largest private engineering colleges in the United States. The college is known for its cooperative education program, integrating academic study with professional work experience. It offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across multiple engineering disciplines.

History

The origins of the college trace back to the founding of the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry in 1891 by financier Anthony J. Drexel. Engineering education was a cornerstone of the institute's mission from its inception. In 1919, the institution was renamed the Drexel Institute of Technology, and the engineering programs were formally organized into a distinct school. Following the institute's elevation to university status in 1970, it became known as Drexel University, with the engineering school taking its current name. A significant milestone was the introduction of the cooperative education model in 1919, pioneered by Dean Kenneth G. Matheson, which became a defining feature of its curriculum.

Academics

The college offers Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees through its numerous academic departments. These include the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Other key departments are Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Materials Science and Engineering, and the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems. The hallmark cooperative education program places students in professional roles with partners like Lockheed Martin, GlaxoSmithKline, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The college also maintains strong ties with research institutions such as the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania.

Research

Research is organized around interdisciplinary centers and institutes addressing global challenges. Major areas of focus include biomedical engineering, nanotechnology, sustainable energy, and advanced materials. The A.J. Drexel Nanomaterials Institute, led by renowned scientist Yury Gogotsi, is a world leader in carbon nanotube and MXene research. The College of Engineering collaborates extensively with the Drexel University College of Medicine and the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems on projects ranging from tissue engineering to neural engineering. Significant funding is secured from agencies like the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the Department of Defense.

Facilities

Engineering education and research are supported by state-of-the-art facilities primarily located on Drexel's University City campus. The Bossone Research Enterprise Center is a dedicated interdisciplinary research hub. The Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building houses advanced laboratories for bioengineering and chemical engineering. The College of Engineering also utilizes the Drexel University ExCITe Center for experiential learning and innovation. Specialized labs include the Drexel Plasma Institute and the Sustainable Water Resource Engineering Laboratory, providing resources for cutting-edge experimentation in fields like plasma physics and environmental engineering.

Student life

Students participate in over thirty engineering-focused student organizations, including chapters of national honor societies like Tau Beta Pi and Alpha Sigma Mu. Competitive design teams, such as the Drexel Racing Formula SAE team and the Drexel University Dragonfly NASA University Nanosatellite Program team, are highly active. The annual Drexel University Engineering Week features design competitions, networking events with industry leaders from companies like Boeing and Siemens, and technical seminars. Many students also engage in community outreach through programs like the Society of Women Engineers and the National Society of Black Engineers.

Notable alumni and faculty

Prominent alumni include John A. Swanson, founder of ANSYS, Inc.; Nina Tandon, CEO of EpiBone and a TED Fellow; and Michael S. Lehman, former CFO of Sun Microsystems. Distinguished faculty have included Yury Gogotsi, a pioneer in nanomaterials; Banu Onaral, a leader in biomedical signal processing; and the late James G. Quintiere, an authority on fire protection engineering. The college's legacy is also marked by the contributions of former dean Richard Woodring, who expanded its research enterprise, and alumnus Harold S. Black, inventor of the negative-feedback amplifier.

Category:Drexel University Category:Engineering universities and colleges in Pennsylvania Category:Educational institutions established in 1891