Engineering and Computer Science with a purpose
The School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) at Gonzaga University produces broadly educated and capable engineers and computer scientists ready to contribute innovative solutions for a better world.
Student Professional Organizations and Clubs
The SEAS proudly supports a wide variety of student clubs and professional
organizations, including:
• ASCE (Civil Engineering)
• ASEM (Engineering Management)
• ASME (Mechanical Engineering)
• GWB (Gonzaga Without Borders)
• IEEE (Electrical Engineering)
• Material Advantage
• Robotics
• SAE (Automotive Engineering)
• SWE (Women Engineers)
• Tau Beta Pi (honor society)
Through the clubs, students participate in national competitions (e.g., the Baja Car competition), serve the local community through volunteer opportunities, and develop close relationships with career professionals (e.g., the IEEE expert panel event). Students can also participate actively through the Manufacturing Technology Center with its advanced machining capabilities and through 3D printing capabilities.
2016–2017 Senior Project
Hybrid Still
The aim of this student-proposed project team is to design a water purification system for off-grid health centers in developing countries, providing an adequate quantity of water for use in sterilization of medical tools, cleaning wounds, and other medical needs. The team chose an active distillery system. The proposed system harnesses solar energy via solar panels and utilizes energy to heat water to a point of evaporation as well as to cool a surface for the vapor to condense on. The team constructed a 1/5 scale-working prototype, which was tested for use in any specific environment, desired production rate, or energy demand.
Gonzaga At A Glance
Founded: 1887
Location: Spokane, Washington; population 213,000 (711,000 metropolitan area)
Affiliation: Independent; Jesuit, Catholic
Academic Information: 100% of classes taught by faculty; 12:1 student-faculty ratio; average class size of 24; 92% retention rate; 75% average 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: 7,572 total
enrollment; 5,160 undergraduates; 53% women, 47% men
Academic Programs: More than 75 majors and areas of study; 23 master’s, three doctoral degrees, and a JD degree
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
2017–2018 Annual Expenses:
Tuition: $40,540; room and board: $11,560
Financial Aid: 99% of
Gonzaga’s students earn merit scholarships and/or grants.
Student Life: The Gonzaga Student Body Association sponsors more than 140 clubs, 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. 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
Awards and Rankings:
• GU’s School of Engineering and Applied Science has consistently ranked among the top 30 schools in the nation amongst engineering programs not offering a PhD (U.S. News & World Report, 2017).
• SEAS graduates have been very successful in nationally competitive postgraduate fellowships, including both a Marshall Fellowship and a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship within the past four years.
• GU ranks fourth in terms of regional universities in the western region of the United States.
• Programs accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (EAC/ABET) include Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. Engineering Management is currently under review for initial accreditation.
• Computer Science is accredited through the Computing Accreditation Commission (ABET).
• State-of-the-art laboratories within the 29,000-sq. ft. LEED gold-certified PACCAR Center for Applied Science include power-engineering and Smart Antenna Research Laboratories.
• Gonzaga offers an engineering-specific study abroad program at its campus in Florence in addition to programs in 40 different countries; more information is available at studyabroad.gonzaga.edu.
Highly competent and motivated graduates
Gonzaga instills four attributes in its SEAS graduates. First, SEAS graduates are capable and well educated in the engineering and computer science fundamentals, as well as in the application of these fundamentals. Second, GU graduates are innovative. They harness creative and powerful skill sets to bring ideas through to application, matching solutions to identified need. Third, they’re driven by a desire to create value. They strive to understand a customer’s needs and design to meet those needs. Finally, through reflection on the Jesuit tradition, they are compelled to seek ways to improve the quality of life throughout the natural and built environments. Ultimately, SEAS graduates are dedicated to contributing to the human condition, moving society forward through a healthier, more sustainable, and prosperous world.
Hands-on, integrated experiences
The SEAS programs at Gonzaga are dedicated to introducing innovation throughout the curriculum. Starting with a project-based first-year course, students are introduced to the integration of design, technical fundamentals, and creation of value as represented in solutions to complex problems. These concepts are presented through course work, laboratory experiences, and team projects as well as student participation in competitions and professional clubs/societies.
Senior design projects
The integrated undergraduate experience culminates in the SEAS senior design projects that are organized by the Center for Engineering Design and Entrepreneurship. Each project involves three to six students, a faculty advisor, and a project liaison (commonly from industry)—the Center focuses the senior design experience on nine-month-long projects that are identified by external partners or through the efforts of our students and faculty. Some of the 2016–2017 projects included a portable Doppler radar weather station, 3D printing suitable in manufacturing an ankle foot orthosis (AFO) for children, and an accessible and price-appropriate Android mobile app for GED preparation targeted at students who have a more tactile learning style.
Developing lifelong learners
Completed by all students at Gonzaga and revised as of fall 2016 to reflect a broader educational experience, the University core curriculum provides broad intellectual perspectives to all students through the exposure to subjects outside their chosen fields of study. The newly revised core curriculum culminates in an upper-division, interdisciplinary course focused on multidisciplinary, critical analysis of a global challenge such as climate change, water resources, or sustainable food production. Ultimately, the core challenges students to integrate their studies and actions into a philosophy of living that promotes a lifetime of learning and self-reflection.
In the heart of the Inland Northwest
The Spokane/Coeur d’Alene area provides numerous internships as well as outlets for cultural and artistic expression. A scenic 15-minute walk along a section of the 37-mile Centennial Trail on the shore of the Spokane River ushers students into the vibrant downtown, offering a variety of dining, entertainment, and shopping opportunities.
Students can also explore the snow-capped mountains, dozens of lakes, and scenic hiking trails all within a 50-mile radius of campus. The Inland Northwest is a recreational paradise for skiers, hikers, campers, mountain bikers, golfers, and other outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and abilities.
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