Case Western Reserve University

Case Western Reserve University students are serious about success, and every facet of their college experience is geared toward equipping them with the knowledge and skills that will allow them to become 21^st-century leaders in their fields. From rigorous course work and hands-on learning experiences to vibrant city living, a Case Western Reserve education prepares Science and Engineering students to become distinguished academics, savvy leaders, and productive global citizens.  

Academic lessons
Case Western Reserve offers 22 undergraduate academic programs in natural sciences and mathematics and 14 Engineering majors—including a Biomedical Engineering program ranked eighth in the country. Each of these programs weaves intense classroom theory with hands-on application in a host of real-world settings. 

Throughout the curriculum, scientific theory is infused with practical experience. Engineering students design working prototypes that make the hypothetical real; students in the natural sciences, likewise, put their textbook knowledge to work creating and testing hypotheses alongside faculty members, in groups, and on their own.

All undergrads benefit from Case Western Reserve’s common curriculum, SAGES (Seminar Approach to General Education and Scholarship). SAGES courses feature small, interdisciplinary seminars that connect students to faculty and world-class institutions in our University Circle neighborhood. The course work focuses on sharpening the written and oral communication skills that ensure the success of students’ ideas—critical lessons that will help budding scientists and engineers develop theories of their own and articulate their discoveries to the world. 

Case Western Reserve’s single-door admission policy allows students the freedom to dedicate themselves to all of their intellectual pursuits, giving them maximum flexibility to build their capacities in additional areas of academic interest. 

Experiential learning
A CWRU education is founded on the belief that learning is best accomplished through a blending of theory and practice, and 98% of Case Western Reserve students participate in at least one form of experiential learning during their undergraduate careers. Among science and engineering majors, learning outside the classroom commonly takes place in internships, co-ops, research endeavors, and service learning.

On-the-job training
Internships and co-ops allow Case Western Reserve Science and Engineering students to test-drive their skills in real-world positions.

More than half of CWRU Engineering majors complete a summer internship or semester-long co-op placement during their undergraduate years, allowing them to hone their skills while tackling real-life engineering challenges. Case Western Reserve students average more than $20,000 for a seven-month co-op position. 

Case Western Reserve offers plentiful opportunities to match students with on-the-job training during their college years, as well as full-time employment upon graduation. Twice a year the CWRU Career Fair brings top employers from around the country to campus, offering opportunities for internships, co-ops, practica, and full-time employment. The Career Center also maintains a database of job and internship postings available exclusively to Case Western Reserve students and alumni. 

Undergraduate research
The research opportunities available to undergraduates at Case Western Reserve—in terms of both lab equipment and brainpower—is unparalleled. Undergraduates perfect prototypes using 3-D printers, laser cutters, and other advanced machinery in the Sears think[box] makerspace, soon to be one of the largest university invention centers in the world; toil in research centers dedicated to biorobotics, video game design, and fuel cells; and conduct experiments on campus, at the medical school, and at neighboring facilities, including Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals Case Medical Center. Often their hard work is rewarded when, as undergraduates, they become published scientists—their results reported in some of the country’s most prized scientific journals.

Community service
CWRU Science and Engineering students find ample opportunity to help society and better their education. Through the Humanitarian Design Corps, students design and build solutions for rural communities worldwide. Recently they’ve tackled power solutions in Botswana and safe water supplies in Cameroon, Thailand, and the Dominican Republic.

Volunteer opportunities abound for Case Western Reserve students interested in the sciences, including at Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, and the Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland—each within one mile of campus.

Rich educational culture
Case Western Reserve is the centerpiece of Cleveland’s University Circle—one of the most culturally robust communities in the nation. The area is home to more than 40 prominent artistic, cultural, educational, health, and human service institutions. Partnerships with these neighbors, including the Cleveland Botanical Garden, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland Institute of Music, and Cleveland Institute of Art, offer students unparalleled access to invaluable educational resources. 

Less than five miles away and easily accessible by public transportation, downtown Cleveland is the headquarters of KeyBank, Eaton, Sherwin-Williams, and more and is celebrated for its world-renowned health care institutions, burgeoning culinary scene, and four professional sports teams: the Cleveland Indians, Browns, Cavaliers, and Monsters.

The attractions of Cleveland and University Circle are just a short walk or ride away, and students can easily access all of the area’s cultural and recreational attractions via public transportation, to which undergraduates are granted unlimited access. 

Student life
Case Western Reserve students enjoy nearly 200 student organizations and activities to choose from. They play out their potential with a Spartan athletic team, make their voices heard in a student government body, and soak up the spotlight in performing arts groups. There are also academic, religious, and multicultural groups, as well as social fraternities and sororities. 

Beyond CWRU
Case Western Reserve students graduate ready to tackle the next phase of their lives, whether that means landing a spot in a top-ranked graduate or professional program or securing employment in their field upon graduation. Within three months of graduation, 92% of the Class of 2015 were accepted to graduate or professional school, employed full time, or pursuing personal or educational interests such as community service or travel.