Updated: October 2022

Engineering

Overview

Notre Dame began offering engineering classes in 1873, becoming the first Catholic university in the country with an engineering program. A century and a half later, Notre Dame Engineering is a vibrant community of innovators, scholars, teachers, and mentors, with 200 faculty, more than 1,800 undergraduates, and more than 640 Ph.D. and master's students. Guided by Notre Dame’s mission to be a powerful force for good, the College of Engineering plays a leading role in developing solutions for the challenges facing society and our world.

Our Mission

We strive to be a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community that educates the whole person, so that all students — undergraduate and graduate — reach their full potential. We work to form skilled, ethical engineers who act for the authentic good of all. We conduct research that transforms fundamental discoveries into technologies with broad impact.

Our Vision

We will engineer a better world for all through unsurpassed education and innovative research — discovering and integrating knowledge; advancing human health and well-being; supporting the sustainability of our built and natural environment; and promoting fair and equitable systems and technologies.

We strive to be a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community that educates the whole person, so that all students — undergraduate and graduate — reach their full potential.

Goals

The Strategic Plan for the College of Engineering outlines four primary goals, all of which build on the foundation of Notre Dame’s Catholic heritage.

1. Provide an unsurpassed undergraduate engineering education, offering the support and flexibility that enable all students to realize their full potential.

Objectives

Evaluate the undergraduate engineering curriculum, experience, and out comes in response to a continually changing world
Enhance experiential learning
Structure degree programs and advising to ensure students have the flexibility to thrive and reach their goals
Expand faculty and alumni mentoring of students in support of each student’s personal discernment and post-graduation aspirations
Strive for continued excellence by providing professional development to faculty and recognizing outstanding teachers

2. Enable our graduate students to excel in meaningful and fulfilling careers by deepening their knowledge and skills through interdisciplinary research opportunities, holistic mentoring, and training that incorporates the human perspective.

Objectives

Review all graduate student programs in the context of today’s needs and challenges
Develop new offerings of graduate education in engineering that set the program apart and help form a distinctive identity
Improve graduate student recruiting, mentoring, support, and placement

3. Advance our research by taking a leading role in addressing important challenges facing all of humanity, discovering new knowledge and pursuing its translation into engaged and ethical solutions.

Objectives

Analyze the College’s and University’s research portfolio to identify strategic connections and opportunities
Pursue opportunities and pathways to broaden the impact of research in the College of Engineering
Develop and prioritize key areas of focus within the College’s three research themes

4. Attract and support a diverse and inclusive engineering community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni — where all can thrive and where our actions reflect our commitment to the University’s values.

Objectives

Evaluate and improve the culture of the College to ensure it is welcoming and supportive for all
Review all College degree programs to understand how curricula affects the performance and retention of underrepresented students in engineering
Seek resources to support the identification, recruitment, and success of underrepresented students at both the undergraduate and graduate level
Identify, recruit, and support faculty and staff traditionally underrepresented in engineering

Learn more about the College of Engineering by visiting engineering.nd.edu.