University of Utah College of Engineering

University of Utah College of Engineering is a public research institution and the engineering school of the University of Utah. Founded in the early 20th century, it has grown into a major center for technological innovation and education, consistently ranked among the top public engineering schools in the nation. The college is renowned for its pioneering research in areas like computer graphics, biomedical engineering, and materials science, contributing significantly to the economic and technological landscape of the Intermountain West.

History

The college's origins trace back to 1908 when the University of Utah first offered formal engineering courses, initially housed within the College of Mines and Engineering Sciences. A pivotal moment occurred in 1939 when the institution was formally organized as the College of Engineering, with Lorin F. Wheelwright serving as its first dean. Post-World War II expansion, fueled by federal research funding and the G.I. Bill, led to rapid growth in faculty and facilities. The latter half of the 20th century saw the college cement its reputation, particularly with the rise of its computer science department and its foundational role in the development of technologies like virtual reality and the graphical user interface.

Academics

The college offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate degrees through eight academic departments, including the Department of Chemical Engineering, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. It is particularly distinguished for its programs in biomedical engineering, developed in close collaboration with the University of Utah School of Medicine and Intermountain Healthcare. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning, with all undergraduates participating in a senior capstone design project, often sponsored by industry partners like Northrop Grumman or the National Science Foundation. Graduate education is robust, with strong doctoral programs frequently collaborating with nearby federal laboratories such as the Air Force Research Laboratory.

Research

Research expenditures consistently exceed $100 million annually, placing the college among the nation's top public institutions for engineering research volume. It is a world leader in computer graphics, historically anchored by the pioneering work of Ivan Sutherland and the University of Utah School of Computing. The Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute and the Entertainment Arts and Engineering program are internationally recognized. Other major research thrusts include biomedical innovations such as the Utah Artificial Heart, ARUP Laboratories' diagnostic technologies, and advanced work in genomics and neural engineering. Significant funding comes from agencies like the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Energy, and DARPA.

Facilities

The college's primary facilities are concentrated on the university's main campus in Salt Lake City, including the Warnock Engineering Building, the John and Marcia Price College of Engineering Building, and the Spencer Fox Eccles Business Building which houses the Pierpont Center for Technology Commercialization. Key specialized facilities include the Utah Nanofabrication Laboratory, a shared-use cleanroom for microelectronics research, and the Fluid Dynamics and Hydraulics Laboratory. The Lassonde Studios, an innovative hub for student entrepreneurship, provides live-work space for undergraduates developing startups. Proximity to the University of Utah Research Park fosters strong ties with tech transfer and industry tenants.

Notable faculty and alumni

The college's faculty includes members of the National Academy of Engineering such as biomedical engineer Patrick A. Tresco and computer scientist Thomas W. Parks. Distinguished alumni have made seminal contributions across industries; John Warnock co-founded Adobe Inc. and helped invent the PDF, while Nolan Bushnell founded Atari and pioneered the video game industry. Other notable graduates include Robert H. Dennard, inventor of DRAM; astronaut Mary L. Cleave; and Ray Noorda, former CEO of Novell. The college's entrepreneurial spirit is further exemplified by alumni who have launched successful companies in Silicon Slopes, Utah's growing technology corridor.