Research Impact

Our engineering research has a far-reaching impact, from influencing policy decisions to driving innovation in industry. We collaborate with governmental agencies, non-profits, and private sector partners to ensure that our research findings translate into real-world applications. By bridging the gap between academia and practice, we are making a tangible difference in the world.

Research Areas

With multiple competitive areas of study, students choose a research area to focus on and that area's renown faculty to work with in their studies: Carbon Sequestration, Construction Engineering, Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), Environmental Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Structural Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Water Resources Engineering.

State-of-the-Art Research Labs

From our TRIGA Nuclear Reactor to our advanced Structures Lab housing actuators that can simulate seismic activity of up to a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, students in our department have access to state-of-the-art tools to perform internationally-competitive research.

Lifestyle On-Campus

The University of Utah, in general, offers many social, recreational, and cultural events on campus, and, as a member of PAC-12, we boast several very successful athletics programs. Campus life is packed with concerts, plays, festivals and sporting events. Utah’s museums of Fine Arts and Natural History are located on campus, as is the state’s arboretum and gardens. The University of Utah has recreational facilities for racquetball, handball, golf, basketball, tennis (indoor and outdoor), volleyball, gymnastics, squash, weight training and numerous other sports. Three indoor pools assure access to swimming year-round. The field house has an indoor track, courts for tennis and other racquet sports, as well as exercise areas, whirlpools and saunas. Campus Recreation offers organized programs and inexpensive rental equipment for popular off-campus outdoor activities.

The chemical engineering department, specifically, aims to graduate students who leave our program richer in culture and friends, as well as knowledge and skill. We see the diversity in our department as an important ingredient to our success and hope to offer a respectful and welcoming community to all students.

Lifestyle Off-Campus

The University of Utah offers students a unique environment. Located on the foothills of Salt Lake City, we are near a vibrant and economically healthy metropolis. Salt Lake City is the cultural and sports center of the vast intermountain region between the Sierras and the Rockies. It supports professional groups such as the Utah Symphony, Ballet West, two modern dance companies and the Utah Opera Company. Salt Lake is also home of the NBA’s Utah Jazz and the Bees Baseball Team. An international film festival, the Sundance Film Festival, takes place annually in Park City, and several major arts and entertainment festivals are annual local traditions.

However, we are also surrounded by some of the world’s most stunning natural landscapes and exciting recreational opportunities. As any experienced snow boarder or skier would know, our mountains are world renown and the U’s campus is just minutes from the slopes. Winter recreation facilities surrounding and within our campus are amongst the best in the world, due in part to the 2002 Olympics, which were hosted in Salt Lake City. Spring through fall, our nearby mountains offer scenic hiking trails, challenging rock climbing routes, and many opportunities for stream and lake fishing. A short drive south and you may find yourself in the gorgeous solitude of one of our many national parks, surrounded by landscapes that are without equal.

Whether you prefer to your recreation in the city or in the country, the University of Utah has much to offer.

Scholarships and Fellowships

Select scholarship and fellowship opportunities are described below. Students are also encouraged to explore scholarship and fellowship opportunities listed on the following web sites:

• University of Utah John and Marcia Price College of Engineering
• University of Utah Graduate School

Each year the University of Utah John and Marcia Price College of Engineering distributes several one-year scholarships or fellowships to the most highly qualified incoming PhD students in the college. Students do not apply for these scholarships themselves; rather, the chairs of the various engineering departments make recommendations to the college scholarship selection committee based on the quality of the student’s graduate school application. Recipients of these awards typically receive $15,000 during their first year, which is matched by $15,000 from the department. The cost of tuition is also waived for these individuals.

In addition, our students work with faculty to regularly procure scholarships from industry and government entities in their distinct research fields.