Duquesne Announces Plan to Add Engineering

The School will combine engineering with the University’s current School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, biomedical engineering, math and computer science, and related programs currently in development.

“Duquesne is well positioned to train and educate the next generation of engineers,” said Duquesne University President Ken Gormley. “With our strengths in the sciences, physics, math and biomedical engineering, we already have the resources in place to create a top-flight engineering program. As we continue to reach for bigger goals, we are excited to bring this opportunity to our current and future students.”

A nationally ranked research institution, Duquesne’s array of offerings in the sciences, its curriculum of ethical considerations relevant to engineers, and its focused class sizes (which offer students easier access to faculty and resources) provide students with opportunities often more challenging to acquire at larger programs.

The new school will offer an early-access engineering program in fall 2023, where students will take general engineering first-year coursework while allowing them to choose an engineering field of study. In addition to offering biomedical engineering, the University plans to offer degrees in mechanical engineering, environmental/energy engineering, systems engineering and engineering physics in fall 2024. Those programs are currently in development.

The new school arrives at a time when the demand for engineers continues to rise in the U.S. Nearly 140,000 new engineering jobs are projected to be available by 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The University’s science reputation has grown in recent years. It has received significant research support from the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health, among other organizations, to explore a range of issues ranging from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to water quality and environmental issues. The school also regularly produces Goldwater Scholars—eight students in the past 10 years have been recognized by the prestigious organization.

Duquesne’s Biomedical Engineering Program was recently accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, the global accreditor of university programs in engineering and engineering technology. The program has been recognized twice by NASA in recent years, including when Duquesne’s biomedical engineering students created a zip-tie cutter that could be used in microgravity.

“One of the strengths of our science and engineering programs is that students will gain hands-on experience early in their academic careers,” said Duquesne Provost Dr. David Dausey. “We will open our maker spaces and labs to them as first-years and sophomores so they are better prepared to produce high-quality work that readies them for their next move, whether that’s taking a position in industry or going to graduate school. This will allow our students to gain a serious advantage in launching meaningful careers.”

Students admitted for the fall semester 2023 will be the first to have the option to declare an interest in engineering. There also is still time to apply for admission at Duquesne for those interested.

Duquesne University

Founded in 1878, Duquesne is consistently ranked among the nation's top Catholic universities for its award-winning faculty and horizon-expanding education. A campus of nearly 8,200 graduate and undergraduate students, Duquesne prepares students by having them work alongside faculty to discover and reach their goals. The University's academic programs, community service and commitment to equity and opportunity in the Pittsburgh region have earned national acclaim.

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