Academic Departments

Acoustics

Founded in 1965, Penn State's Graduate Program in Acoustics has become the leading resource for graduate education in acoustics in the United States. The interdisciplinary program leads to the degrees: master of engineering in acoustics, master of science in acoustics, and doctor of philosophy in acoustics.

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Aerospace Engineering

The Penn State Department of Aerospace Engineering, established in 1961 and the only aerospace engineering department in Pennsylvania, is consistently recognized as one of the top aerospace engineering departments in the nation and is also an international leader in aerospace education, research, and engagement. 

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Agricultural and Biological Engineering

The Penn State Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering is uniquely positioned in its joint relationship between the College of Engineering and the College of Agricultural Sciences, with the College of Agricultural Sciences serving as the administrative as well as the budgetary home. The Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering offers the biological engineering undergraduate major, administered by the College of Engineering, which includes three options—agricultural engineering, food and biological process engineering, and natural resource engineering. Agricultural and biological engineers apply engineering principles to biological and non-biological systems to address challenges related to natural resource protection, including water quality engineering; water resources engineering and management, natural resource sustainability; biobased/renewable energy production; biproducts and biofuel; bioprocess engineering; agricultural safety and health; power and machinery systems, including robotics, sensing, control systems, machine vision; agricultural productivity; and interrelations between these factors. One of the roles is to apply engineering fundamentals to develop climate-smart agricultural and natural resources sustainability solutions, which are critical challenges for Pennsylvania and the world. Agricultural and biological engineers harness engineering principles to make or grow food, fiber, and bio-based products more efficient and sustainable while reducing the negative impacts on environmental services.

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Architectural Engineering

Globally recognized as a leading architectural engineering department, the mission of the Department of Architectural Engineering at Penn State is to advance the built environment through the development of world-class architectural engineers and research. Our program emphasizes the scientific and engineering aspects of planning, designing, and constructing buildings, providing our architectural engineering graduates with outstanding education and research opportunities. 

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Biomedical Engineering

The Department of Biomedical Engineering administers the undergraduate major in biomedical engineering, and is a part of the university-wide Intercollege Graduate Degree Program, offering both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Bioengineering. Our work combines traditional engineering principles with medicine and technology for the betterment of human health and society. 

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Chemical Engineering

The Penn State Department of Chemical Engineering, established in 1948, is recognized as one of the largest and most influential chemical engineering departments in the nation. The department is built upon the fundamentals of academic integrity, innovation in research, and commitment to the advancement of industry.

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Civil and Environmental Engineering

The Penn State Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, established in 1881, is internationally recognized for excellence in the preparation of undergraduate and graduate engineers through the integration of education, research, and leadership.

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Engineering Science and Mechanics

The Penn State Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics is an internationally distinguished department that is recognized for its globally competitive excellence in engineering and scientific accomplishments, research, and educational leadership.

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Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Home of the first established industrial engineering program in the world, the Harold and Inge Marcus Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering at Penn State has made a name for itself in the engineering industry through its storied tradition of unparalleled excellence and innovation in research, education, and outreach.

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Mechanical Engineering

With more than 60 faculty members, 330 graduate students, and 800 undergraduate students, the Penn State Department of Mechanical Engineering embraces a culture that welcomes individuals with a diversity of backgrounds and expertise. Our faculty and students are innovating today what will impact tomorrow’s solutions to meeting our energy needs, homeland security, biomedical devices, and transportation systems. We offer bachelor of science degrees in mechanical engineering as well as resident and online graduate degrees in mechanical engineering.

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Nuclear Engineering

The Ken and Mary Alice Lindquist Department of Nuclear Engineering at Penn State is one of the top-ranked nuclear engineering programs in the United States. The department distinguishes itself with a strong focus on experimental research. The actively growing department leads four educational programs for students pursuing a bachelor of science, a master of science, a master of engineering, or a doctoral degree. The Radiation Science and Engineering Center (RSEC) facilities, including the Breazeale Reactor, are available to nuclear engineering faculty and students at Penn State for research and instruction. RSEC houses the Breazeale Nuclear Reactor, the country’s first and longest-operating licensed nuclear research reactor. Having access to an operating research reactor is a key strength for the department and enables Penn State to harness research and educational opportunities that are unique in the United States. 

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School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

The School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) was created in the spring of 2015 to allow greater access to courses offered by both departments for undergraduate and graduate students in exciting collaborative research fields. We offer B.S. degrees in electrical engineering, computer science, computer engineering, and data science and graduate degrees in electrical engineering and computer science and engineering. EECS focuses on the convergence of technologies and disciplines to meet today’s industrial demands.

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School of Engineering Design and Innovation

The School of Engineering Design and Innovation delivers effective engineering education and unrivaled research opportunities through active, collaborative, project-based, and professionally oriented classroom experiences. The school offers a variety of programs that partner faculty, students, and industry in the study of real-life engineering problems. Our programs teach students to solve real-life problems with innovative solutions. 

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