About the College

Globally competitive, locally engaged. We offer an education that can take you anywhere and programs that serve the state of Nevada. 

Making a world of difference

There's never been a better time to be an engineer in Nevada. Our state is taking bold steps to reinvent itself as a high-tech hub, and the College of Engineering plays a critical role in educating the students and supporting the research that will make that vision a reality. 

Cutting-edge research

Student in lab coat working at 3D printerUndergraduate chemical engineering student Jerren Bailey gains research experience in the lab of Dr. Rashed Khan. (Photo by Isaac Hoops)

Hands-on experience

students in reflective vests working in the field on a sunny day.Working with City of Sparks, environmental engineering students in the lab of Dr. Krishna Pagilla gained hands-on experience while fighting the spread of COVID-19.

World-class facilities

Researcher in hard hat working on curved bridge test that featured several trucksThe earthquake engineering research facilities in the College of Engineering enable our students and faculty to design safer, more sustainable buildings and bridges, like the curved bridge being tested here.

Exciting careers

People celebrating in control room of Lockheed MartinFrom a Lockheed Martin control room in Colorado, mechanical engineering alumna Sierra Gonzales celebrates after landing a spacecraft on an asteroid, part of a mission designed to help us understand the origins of the universe. (Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin)

Meaningful work

ALERTWildfire detection camera overlooking Lake TahoeResearchers in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering are helping with the networking capabilities of ALERTWildfire cameras, which are designed to provide early wildfire detection around Lake Tahoe and portions of the Great Basin. (Photo by Scotty Strachan)

Launch your future

student and professor flying a droneWould you like to take a tour of the College or learn more about how you can launch your future in engineering? Contact Recruitment and Outreach Coordinator Meg Fitzgerald at megfitz@unr.edu or (775) 682-7755.

The William N. Pennington Engineering Building

Our new 100,000-square-foot engineering building will facilitate innovation in all five College of Engineering departments.

William N. Pennington Engineering Building Facts

100,000 SQUARE FEET

40 LABORATORIES

LARGE-SCALE COMPUTER LABORATORY

200-SEAT CLASSROOM

150 GRAD WORKSTATIONS

ISO-5 (CLASS 100) CLEANROOM

What is an ISO-5 (Class 100) Cleanroom?

One of the key features of the building, the ISO-5 (Class 100) Cleanroom reduces air contaminants from up to 1,00,000 parts per cubic foot down to 100 and allows for research in biosensing and nanotechnology that is not otherwise possible in the state of Nevada. It facilitates research in materials science and engineering, chemical, biomedical, and mechanical engineering.

line drawing of William N. Pennington Engineering Building

TAKE A TOUR

The 100,000-square-foot William N. Pennington Engineering Building includes 40 laboratories, a Class 100 cleanroom, a large computer lab, a 200-student classroom, and 150 graduate workstations.

the William N Pennington Engineering Building viewed from the West

the William N Pennington Engineering Building viewed from the east

Our vision is to be nationally recognized as a leading institution in our class. We seek to be known for the quality of our education programs, our cutting-edge discoveries, our ability to transfer these innovative technologies, and the collegiality and inclusiveness of our faculty, students and staff.

Download our strategic plan

What we offer

Globally competitive education

Engineering is a global field, and we offer an education that allows our graduates to collaborate and compete around the world. We offer ABET-accredited degree programs, international exchange programs and high-quality research opportunities to prepare our graduates for a constantly evolving world of opportunities. 

Innovative research

We aim to become a catalyst for Nevada's economic diversification through our high-impact research programs. Our faculty are pioneering thinkers, pushing the boundaries of science and technology and developing innovative solutions to the most pressing issues of our time.

High-quality outreach

Educating engineers doesn't start in college. Our efforts to educate Nevada's technologically advanced workforce begins in elementary schools, with our K-12 outreach program.  Our vision for economic diversification and development is very much related to a well-planned, systematic outreach effort that prepares students to arrive at college academically prepared for -- and excited about -- studying engineering.

Exterior of Scrugham Engineering and Mines

Nationally ranked programs in the College of Engineering

  • College of Engineering #131
  • Biomedical Engineering #124
  • Chemical Engineering #121
  • Civil Engineering #64
  • Computer Science & Engineering #121
  • Electrical / Electronic / Communications Engineering #151
  • Environmental Engineering #55
  • Materials Engineering #98
  • Mechanical Engineering #132

*Source: U.S. News and World Report Best Engineering Schools 2023 Edition

At a Glance

2,641 Undergraduate Students
Students in the Knowledge Center
320 Graduate Students
Dhanesh Chandra and a graduate student
17 Faculty Career Award Winners
Monical Nicolescu and a graduate student
$22 million Research grants in AY 2020
Shamik Sengupta

Are you ready to make a world of difference?

Join the College of Engineering students, faculty and alumni who are developing the ideas, techniques and technologies that change the world.

Apply today