The Grand Challenges Scholars Program fits perfectly into our strategic approach to educate the "engineer ... and something more,” Alec Scranton, dean of the College of Engineering, says. “We want to provide exceptional access for our students to make a difference in the world as they tackle global problems that require innovative engineering solutions. The program enables students to expand their minds and imaginations to meet some of the toughest challenges we face as a human race.”

The College of Engineering is one of 12 colleges that comprise The University of Iowa. With educational courses dating back over 100 years, the College today has an enrollment of about 2,400 students – over 2000 of who are undergraduates. The College teaches undergraduate and graduate coursework in biomedical, chemical and biochemical, civil and environmental, electrical and computer, industrial, and mechanical engineering. The Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) has accredited all University of Iowa undergraduate engineering programs. The college stands out among many other engineering schools, in part, because all six programs have major teaching and research linkages to the University’s Health Sciences colleges (Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Nursing and Public Health) – including shared courses, collaborative research, and joint faculty appointments.

Engineering at Iowa is especially recognized for its personalized student-oriented mission—coupled with the resources of a large research university. By design, it is the smallest engineering college in the Big Ten, providing a rigorous, success-driven educational environment. The College is ranked among the top 20% of graduate and undergraduate colleges of engineering in the nation.

Our Grand Challenges Scholars Program is the 7th in the US and the first Big Ten engineering school to be approved by the national committee.