Iowa's College of Engineering offers an undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) degree in eight majors.
Engineering students have the opportunity to make a difference in the world in many ways. In the working world, an engineering degree provides a competitive advantage.
Engineering Majors
Iowa's College of Engineering offers an undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) degree in eight majors:
- Biomedical
- Chemical
- Civil
- Computer Science and Engineering
- Electrical
- Environmental
- Industrial and Systems Engineering
- Mechanical
Five-Year BSE/MS Degree
Every engineering major at Iowa offers a "fast-track" program that allows students to earn a bachelor's and a master's degree in engineering in five years. Students apply in the second semester of their junior year and, if accepted, enter the program in the first semester of their senior year.
Undeclared Major in Engineering
First-year students who aren't sure which engineering major to choose can apply to the College of Engineering as "undeclared" majors and spend up to three semesters exploring the options.
Students choose to study engineering at Iowa because of the college’s academic excellence, individual attention, small-college environment, camaraderie, and a wealth of research opportunities.
U.S. News & World Report ranks Iowa’s undergraduate engineering program in the top 20 percent of engineering programs nationwide.
About 525 first-year students and 100 transfer students enroll each year. Women account for over 29 percent of Iowa’s engineering students; the national average is 20 percent.
Academic Support and Tutoring
Iowa admits students who have math and science talent and great potential to become engineers, then immerses them in an environment focused on student success and teamwork. Academic resources within the College of Engineering include the Hanson Center for Technical Communication, the Lichtenberger Engineering Library, Peer Advisors, and Engineering Tutoring, all of which provide free support to engineering students. On-campus resources include private tutoring and course-specific Supplemental Instruction, as well as subject-based help labs.
The College of Engineering's Student Services will provide you with comprehensive admissions, scholarship, advising, mentoring and tutoring, student records, professional development, and career placement services. It also will help you with co-op and internship placement and study abroad.
Information
Iowa graduates have a 95 percent job/grad school placement rate within six months of graduation. Our Pomerantz Career Center offers multiple resources to help students find internships and jobs.
Engineering is a well-respected profession that is used as a foundation for a variety of careers in industry, medicine, law, government, and consulting. Engineering majors hold eight of the top ten spots on the list of top-paid majors for bachelor's degree graduates, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
Engineering Career Services
Engineering Career Services develops and promotes experiential education and professional opportunities for students in the College of Engineering.
Professional staff coordinate the college's co-op and internship program, engage in employer outreach, and provide opportunities for students to network with employers, including an engineering career fair each semester and other programming related to career development.
Engineering Career Services also offers individual advising and class presentations on resume and cover letter preparation, job and internship search strategies, interviewing skills, and job offer evaluation.
In addition to more than 500 student organizations, Iowa students choose from more than 100 study abroad programs and multiple Undergraduate Research Opportunities.
The college will encourage you to get involved in activities outside academics. Iowa engineering students include varsity athletes, musicians, student leaders, and Homecoming royalty. Outside activities will help you stay well-rounded, a quality that potential employers look for.
Engineering student organizations, fraternities and sororities, and national honorary societies will offer you many opportunities to network and develop your leadership abilities.
The University of Iowa provides a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students through the Iowa Scholarship Portal. Scholarships are available to first-year, transfer, and currently enrolled students. For additional details on scholarships for your program of study, check directly with the department or college.
Apply early for scholarships. The College of Engineering offers Engineering First-Year scholarships as well as many other scholarship opportunities for sophomore, junior, and senior students. Learn more at College of Engineering Scholarships.
The Office of Admissions and the Office of Student Financial Aid are great resources for students seeking scholarships.
Course work for each of the engineering BSE degree programs is organized into four stems: mathematics and basic sciences, engineering topics, general education (humanities and social sciences), and an elective focus area suited to your interests.
Students work with an adviser to plan the elective focus area, which could be a specialty area in your major (pre-medicine is a popular choice in the biomedical and chemical engineering majors); a minor in business or a liberal arts and sciences discipline; or an interdisciplinary certificate.
You may be involved in significant research projects with your professors or do individual honors research. You'll also pursue additional learning opportunities in your major field, such as co-ops, internships, study abroad, and group leadership. You may decide to earn a second degree or a minor as more than 75 percent of Iowa’s engineering students do.
Undergraduate Certificates
The Certificate in Naval Science and Technology provides a solid technical and leadership background that will help graduates thrive in civilian careers in Navy science and technology positions and in supporting industry.
The Certificate in Technological Entrepreneurship is available only to engineering majors. It is designed for students who plan to start and operate their own business after graduation or for students interested in business and innovation.