College of Engineering - The University of Iowa - Overview
University of Iowa College of Engineering Overview
High quality research and graduate education are central to the mission of The University of Iowa College of Engineering. The college is proud of its production of a substantial volume of externally funded research and of its role in preparing engineering leaders equipped with master's and doctoral degrees.
National publications have consistently ranked the quality of graduate education at the college among the top 20 percent of institutions nationally.
University of Iowa's College of Engineering does not strive to be the biggest or most comprehensive among engineering colleges. Rather it seeks to focus its efforts and resources in areas of unique strength where true distinction is attainable.
Research focus areas include computer-aided design and simulation, human factors, environmental health solutions, biotechnology, medical imaging, hydraulics and water/air resources, photopolymerization, and nanoscience and nanotechnology.
These areas of focus are based on substantial faculty strengths in the college and are well positioned for addressing emerging national needs. To date, current and former faculty members hold more than 100 patents and are responsible for $51.5 million (2009-2010) in college and interdisciplinary research expenditures--approximately $591,000 per faculty member.
The University of Iowa College of Engineering Advantage
University of Iowa College of Engineering participates energetically in all 4 of Iowa's economic development initiatives: advanced manufacturing, information solutions, biosciences, and wind energy.
In biosciences, all six of the college's engineering disciplines (biomedical, chemical and biochemical, civil and environmental, electrical and computer, industrial, and mechanical) have close teaching and research ties with all five health sciences colleges (medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing, and public health) on the same campus--a unique advantage over many U.S. public research institutions.
University of Iowa College of Engineering excels nationally and internationally in several specialty and interdisciplinary research areas. The College has an established a global reputation for its four research units--Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Center for Computer-Aided Design, IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering, and Iowa Institute for Biomedical Imaging.
Four additional research centers are led by UI Engineering faculty as directors: Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing, Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination, and the new Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Institute.
The 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.
University of Iowa College of Engineering Faculty
College faculty members have strategic teaching and research ties with a multitude of interdisciplinary areas on the University of Iowa campus. Currently, 28 engineering faculty members (33 percent) hold secondary appointments in other engineering departments and UI colleges, including Liberal Arts and Sciences, Medicine, Nursing, Public Health, Public Policy Center, and Urban and Regional Planning.
Forty-nine University of Iowa faculty members from other UI colleges and departments hold secondary appoints in the College of Engineering. Sixty-two engineering faculty members (69 percent) have affiliations with 14 major university research centers and institutes.