Division of Engineering and Applied Science

Division of Engineering and Applied Science
Name	Division of Engineering and Applied Science
Established	1891
Type	Academic division
Parent	California Institute of Technology
City	Pasadena, California
Country	United States

Division of Engineering and Applied Science. It is one of the six academic divisions of the California Institute of Technology, a world-renowned institution for science and engineering. The division is dedicated to advancing fundamental knowledge and creating transformative technologies through interdisciplinary research and education. Its work spans from theoretical foundations to practical applications that address global challenges.

Introduction

The division operates at the forefront of engineering and applied science, fostering a culture of intense collaboration and intellectual risk-taking. It is intrinsically linked to the broader mission of Caltech, emphasizing a deep integration of research and undergraduate and graduate education. Faculty and students frequently collaborate with other divisions, including the Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy and the Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, as well as with external partners like the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. This environment has produced groundbreaking advances in fields from quantum information to aerospace engineering.

History

The origins of engineering at Caltech trace back to the founding of Throop University in 1891, which later became the California Institute of Technology. Under the leadership of early influential figures like Robert A. Millikan and Theodore von Kármán, engineering was established as a core discipline. The formal creation of the division followed the reorganization of the institute's academic structure. Key historical milestones include the establishment of the Guggenheim Aeronautical Laboratory and pioneering work in solid-state physics and fluid dynamics. The division's growth has been consistently supported by major benefactors, including the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

Departments and Programs

The division is organized into several academic departments and interdisciplinary programs. Core departments include Mechanical and Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Computing and Mathematical Sciences. It also houses the renowned Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science. Interdisciplinary graduate options are offered through programs like Medical Engineering and Space Engineering, often in collaboration with the Keck School of Medicine of USC and NASA. The division oversees the undergraduate major in Engineering and Applied Science, providing a flexible curriculum for students.

Research Areas

Research within the division is characterized by its depth and interdisciplinary nature. Major thrusts include microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), pioneered at the Kavli Nanoscience Institute, and control and dynamical systems theory. Significant work is conducted in bioengineering, environmental science and engineering, and quantum science and technology. Researchers are also leaders in astronautical engineering, with deep ties to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for missions like the Mars Rover programs. Other active areas include information theory, robotics, and renewable energy systems.

Notable Alumni and Faculty

The division has been associated with numerous luminaries. Distinguished faculty have included Richard Feynman, a Nobel laureate in Physics, and Carver Mead, a pioneer of very-large-scale integration (VLSI). Former professor Frank E. Marble made seminal contributions to combustion theory. Notable alumni span industry and academia, such as Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel Corporation and namesake of Moore's law, and Charles Elachi, former director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Other prominent graduates include Ardemis Boghossian in bioengineering and Apoorva Patel in computer science.

Campus and Facilities

The division's activities are centered on the main Caltech campus in Pasadena, California. It utilizes state-of-the-art facilities, including the Gates Annex for computational research and the Linde + Robinson Laboratory for environmental science. The Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics also houses related engineering groups. Critical research infrastructure includes the Molecular Materials Research Center and cleanrooms within the Kavli Nanoscience Institute. These facilities support advanced work in microfabrication, materials characterization, and high-performance computing.

Category:California Institute of Technology Category:Engineering colleges and universities in California