Graduate Program: The School of Engineering and Applied Science

Engineering at Princeton is steeped in history and tradition, and has been part of the University's academic offerings for more than 120 years. Just as the highest goal of the engineering profession is creative technology, so the highest goal of engineering education is the preparation of students for creative careers. At Princeton these purposes meet and complement each other in the context of a carefully selected and intensely pursued program of academic research. The School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) is one of the four divisions of Princeton University, with over 100 faculty members. The SEAS fosters a "think tank" environment where faculty members are readily accessible to graduate students for consultation and advice. The SEAS comprises six departments: Chemical Engineering; Civil and Environmental Engineering; Computer Science; Electrical Engineering; Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; and Operations Research and Financial Engineering. In addition, the SEAS is home to the interdisciplinary Princeton Institute for the Science and Technology of Materials (PRISM). In spring 2002, graduate enrollments across the six departments totaled 460 (24% of the University), while undergraduate enrollments totaled 812 (18% of the University). Engineering research expenditures for fiscal year 2002 were $42.5 million.

Physically, the core of the SEAS is the Engineering Quadrangle (E-Quad), built originally in 1962 and expanded through the addition of new wings during three successive construction phases. In addition to expanding the E-Quad, in recent years several buildings have been constructed nearby to provide complementary facilities. Computer Science occupies its own building (completed in 1989) across Olden Street from the E-Quad, while PMI occupies its own building, Bowen Hall (completed in 1993), on the other side of the E-Quad. Connected to Computer Science is the new Friend Center for Engineering Education, which opened in 2001. The Friend Center is home to classrooms with state-of-the art instructional tools, to a number of general-purpose and specialized computer clusters, and to the spectacular new Engineering Library. Princeton's Library is an exceptional scholarly resource, with holdings totaling over 5 million volumes, some 200,000 of which are housed in the Engineering Library. The Library also maintains extensive electronic journal collections, available instantly to students from anywhere on campus and even at remote locations away from Princeton.