Academics tailored for you
UMD’s Science and Engineering programs value student-focused experiences and active learning across all curricula. This means you’ll spend classroom time collaboratively working on problems that reinforce key concepts and allow you to apply the knowledge you gain. Additionally, you can work with faculty from day one on research projects—including summer programs that allow you to do full-time research—and enter the workforce having developed the skills needed to succeed in a professional setting. 

Science and Engineering students can also take advantage of a number of state-of-the-art technologies and spaces, including the Heikkila Chemistry & Advanced Materials Science Building, which contains many cutting-edge laboratory spaces and sustainability features like a solar array; the modern Swenson Science Building and Swenson Civil Engineering Building, which provide spaces for every research interest, including environmental and water resources; the Large Lake Observatory and Blue Heron research vessel, which offer exciting opportunities for lake and water research on Lake Superior; and the “The Farm,” UMD’s Research & Field Studies Center, an outdoor lab where students and faculty can take advantage of acreage set aside for research purposes. UMD also has a number of other specialized labs for active learning, including a solar simulator lab, a chocolate lab for learning chemical engineering concepts, and a Motion + Media Across Disciplines lab for 3D motion capture and video production.

Right fit, right location
UMD’s main campus is located on 244 acres, and the majority of campus—consisting of over 50 buildings—is interconnected by a vast series of hallway systems, skyways, and concourses. The campus is based in the safe community environment of Duluth, Minnesota—Outside magazine’s 2014 winner of “Best Outdoor Town in America.” It offers easy access to the Minneapolis–St. Paul region, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and Chicago. Not to mention, it’s located next to beautiful Lake Superior and the boundless adventure of the North Shore.

“I’m the president and a founder of Engineers Without Borders UMD, and we’re working on designing a water supply and distribution system for the Nyansakia community in Kenya. The people of Nyansakia don’t have enough water to drink or use for cooking, cleaning, bathing, and agriculture. Our goal is to source water, purify it, and distribute it to the members of the community.” — Emily Schabert, Chemical Engineering & Environmental Science double major; Environmental Engineering minor

“I was recently nominated and chosen for one of the Duluth News Tribune’s “20 Under 40” awards, which recognizes local leaders in the community. With the crises our world faces today—like the climate emergency—it’s important to have people that are well versed in the sciences who can translate their knowledge directly into working for the common good, whether that be through patient interactions or environmental justice.” — Bella Maki, Biochemistry major; Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies minor