Explore Engineering
Engineers are fascinated by questions of how and why things work. They use their training in mathematics, physics, and chemistry to understand the physical world and develop creative solutions to society's complex needs. Engineering is highly collaborative and demands strong communication skills.
High school students: Try to attend the High School Information Sessions. Autumn sessions cover engineering admissions, plus majors, research and employment in engineering. Spring sessions prepare prospective engineering students who have been accepted to the UW.
Learn More about UW Engineering
Engineering advisors, degrees and majors offered, planning your course schedule, and succeeding as an engineering student.
Admission requirements and statistics, engineering application, writing your personal statement.
How and when to apply for engineering scholarships.
Opportunities for undergraduates to participate in research at the College of Engineering.
Internships and the Engineering Co-op, which links students to employers for paid positions and tremendous learning experiences.
Programs and associations to promote and support a diverse student population within the College of Engineering.
Discover Engineering: Introductory Seminars
Several courses and seminars are available each year that allow students to find out more about engineering and about specific majors within the College of Engineering. Many of these options are one or two credits and are seminars which do not require homework or exams, so they can easily be taken in addition to a regular full-time course load.
| Course ID | Credits | Course/Seminar name | Quarter |
| CSE 190 A | 1 | Women in Computing Seminar | aut win spr |
| BIOEN 299 | 1 | Intro to Bioengineering | aut spr |
| BSE 201 | 3 | Intro to Pulp, Paper, and Bioproducts | aut |
| AA 496 | 1 | Undergraduate Seminar | win |
| CEE 100 | 1 | Twenty-first Century Civil and Environmental Engineering | win |
| MSE 298 | 1 | Intro to Modern Materials | spr |
| MSE 297 | 2 | Molecular Engineering of Interfaces and Surfaces | win |
| BSE 150 | 1 | Bioresource Science & Engineering Seminar | aut |
| GENST 197F | 1 | Freshman Seminar | aut win spr |
Autumn 2011 Science & Engineering Seminars
| Course ID | Credits | Course/Seminar name | Time | SLN |
| GENST 197 E/F | 1 | Engineering for Society | W 2:30-3:20 | 14228; 14229 |
| GENST 197 I/J | 1 | Exploring Technology Design Majors | Th 3:30-4:20 | 14232; 14233 |
| CSE 190 A | 1 | Women in Computing Seminar | T 2:30-3:20 | 12370 |
| MSE 298 A | 1 | Intro to Modern Materials | TTh 1:30-2:20 | 16648 |
| BSE 150 | 1 | Intro to Pulp, Paper, and Bioproducts | T 2:30-3:20 | 11557 |
| BIO E 215 A | 3 | BioE Problem Solving | TTh 8:30-9:20 | 11105 |
| OCEAN 100 A | 1 | Exploring Oceanography at UW | T 3:30-4:50 | 17402 |
| GENST 197 G/H | 1 | Exploring Environmental Majors at UW | F 10:30-11:20 | 14230; 14231 |
| ASTR 192 A | 3 | Pre-Major Astronomy Research Seminar | MW 11:00-12:20 | 10571 |
| BIOEN 299 A | 1 | Intro to Bioengineering | T 12:30-1:20 | 11112 |
See also
These department pages explain more about engineering disciplines and careers:
Careers in Aeronautics & Astronautics
Civil & Environmental Employer list
Why Choose Computer Science Engineering (Pathways in Computer Science and A Day in the Life videos)
Human Computer Design & Engineering Alumni Profiles
What Do Engineers Do?
"Scientists discover the world that exists; engineers create the world that never was."
—Theodore Von Karman, Aerospace Engineer
Engineering starts with a real problem, an actual need. A design direction is identified, and ideas for solutions generated. A design is selected, and the team moves forward with implementation. Build a working prototype, test it in the real world, gather feedback, and refine the design. Then the “final” product. But of course, any engineer acknowledges there is always room for improvement.
Engineers Making a Difference
UW Engineering students, faculty and researchers tackle new problems and innovation every day. See how on the Engineers Making a Difference video gallery.
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