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Gonzaga University

Spokane, WA

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Gonzaga University, founded in 1887, is a church-affiliated university. Programs are offered through the College of Arts and Sciences and the Schools of Business Administration, Education, and Engineering. Its 131-acre campus is located in Spokane, WA.

School Profiles: Undergrad Science & Engineering Diversity Health & Medicine International Catholic Education

Gonzaga University

Spokane, WA

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Science & Engineering Profile


Engineering and Computer Science With a Purpose

AT A GLANCE

Founded: 1887

Location: Spokane, Washington; population 225,000 (722,000 metropolitan area)

Affiliation: Independent; Jesuit Catholic

Academic Information: Average class size of 22 students; 94% retention rate; 75% four-year graduation rate

Campus: 152 green acres along the beautiful Spokane River; less than a 15-minute walk to the upscale downtown district with shops, arts, entertainment, and fine dining

Student Body: 7,563 total enrollment; 5,304 undergraduates

Academic Programs: 56 majors, 61 minors, and 50 concentrations; 16 master’s and five doctoral degrees

Study Abroad: 40 countries (including Florence, Italy); 50% of students studying abroad; gonzaga.edu/studyabroad

Varsity Athletics (NCAA Division I): Men’s and women’s basketball, crew, cross-country/track, golf, soccer, and tennis; men’s baseball; women’s volleyball

2019–2020 Annual Expenses:
Tuition—$44,280
Room and board—$12,310

Financial Aid: 98% of Gonzaga’s students receive merit scholarships and/or grants. The average award for 2018–2019 was $30,882.

Student Life: The Gonzaga Student Body Association sponsors more than 140 clubs and numerous dances and events. The John J. Hemmingson Center houses a movie theater, multiple dining options, a reflection room, Gonzaga Outdoors, the Center for Global Engagement, and numerous spaces to meet and hang out. The Rudolf Fitness Center offers a two-story workout facility, including a pool.

School of Engineering and Applied Science At A Glance
Bachelor of Science Degrees:
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Engineering Management
• Mechanical Engineering

Master of Engineering Degree:
• Transmission and Distribution Engineering

Founded: 1934

Academic Information: All SEAS programs are accredited by the ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission or Computing Accreditation Commission.

Student Body: 887 undergraduate enrollment; 22% women, 78% men

Rankings: GU’s School of Engineering and Applied Science ranks 21st in the nation among Engineering programs not offering a PhD (U.S. News & World Report, 2020).

Six-Month Postgraduate Success Rate: 90%

Average salary: $65,000

SEAS graduates have been successful in nationally competitive postgraduate fellowships, including the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship.

Gonzaga University School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) graduates go beyond the fundamentals of engineering and computer science. SEAS offers many experiences for hands-on learning, applying real-world solutions both inside and outside the classroom. 

Team building 
Faculty encourage students to innovate. The project-based first-year coursework integrates teamwork, writing, public speaking, and other skills employers have come to expect from our graduates. More than a dozen SEAS clubs and student professional organizations present additional opportunities for first-year students to participate in team projects and network with others who share similar interests.

Connections with industry professionals
The undergrad experience culminates in a senior design project that involves small teams of students, a faculty advisor, and at least one industry liaison per project. Regional businesses and organizations partner with Gonzaga to provide SEAS seniors with real-world challenges and professional relationships.
A growing number of SEAS juniors successfully present their own ideas for their senior project, adding an innovative dimension to the Senior Design process. Senior design projects from 2018–2019 included:
• A “smart” helmet with sensors to trigger safety alerts to cyclists
• A filter that uses spent coffee grounds to clean water
• A “smart” traffic grid system to optimize the timing of a city’s traffic lights

Welcome to the Lilac City
Many nationally recognized businesses have expanded into the Inland Northwest to take advantage of its natural resources, outdoor recreation options, and entertainment opportunities. These businesses come to campus specifically to meet SEAS students through the Career Fair, speaker series, and other special events.

The Jesuit difference
Gonzaga University lives its mission of cura personalis—care for the whole person. It starts with respect for all individuals, building up a desire to improve the quality of life for others. From their first year to their final year, students think about challenges from local and global perspectives. Graduates continue learning throughout their lives.

A world of possibilities
Students may apply to study at theGonzaga campus in Florence, Italy, during their sophomore year, where Engineering courses are offered each spring. Additional study abroad opportunities include programs in England, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Spain. See gonzaga.edu/studyabroad for more information.

Senior Project
Pharmaceutical Blockchain
The Pharmaceutical Blockchain project verifies and manages sensitive data around prescription writing and pharmacy fulfillment. The team, which combined seniors from the Engineering and Computer Science programs, tested blockchain technology to prove that it could securely store a patient’s prescription data (meeting HIPPA technical safeguards). They also developed a user interface to work with the blockchain and access the data properly. The team believes their product is a significant step toward the US government mandate for an interoperable electronic pharmacy management system by 2023. 

Student Professional Organizations and Clubs
SEAS proudly supports a wide variety of student clubs and professional organizations, including:
• American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM)
• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
• Gonzaga Without Borders (GWB)
• GU Drone Club
• GU Robotics
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
• Makers and Developers (MAD)
• Material Advantage
• Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
• Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
• Steel Bridge Club
• Tau Beta Pi
• Women in Computing

“Everyone is there to support you to find your own journey of who you want to be as an engineer and grow on your strengths.”
— Mehak Bhargava ’19
Computer Engineering

“One of the major advantages that the school was able to provide me is hooking me up with a research opportunity with one of the professors. That has really helped me prepare for grad school by getting some hands-on research experience.”
— Matthew Lugo ’19
Mechanical Engineering

“Working around these people who have similar goals and [a similar] mindset as you, working toward something bigger—it’s a really amazing opportunity.”
— Claire Norman ’19
Computer Science