McCormick School of Engineering
and Applied Science
www.mccormick.northwestern.edu
Engineers are creative problem solvers, and students at the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science
learn to be the best — confident communicators, technical experts, and leaders. McCormick’s hands-on approach to
engineering gives students a first-rate education enriched by the opportunity to choose from a broad range of classes
such as international studies, communication, economics, and the performing arts. McCormick is an ideal size, with
350 undergraduates entering each year, giving students many opportunities to work closely with our 180 professors.
Academic Degree Programs
Applied mathematics
Computer engineering
Biomedical engineering Computer science
Chemical engineering
Electrical engineering Civil engineering
Environmental engineering
Industrial engineering Manufacturing and design engineering
Materials science and engineering
Mechanical engineering
Curriculum
Earning one of McCormick’s Bachelor of Science degrees requires students to complete the following distribution
of courses: four in engineering analysis; three in engineering design and communications; four in mathematics; four
in basic science; five in basic engineering; seven in the social sciences and humanities (chosen with some thematic
relationship); 16 in a chosen major; and five in unrestricted electives.
Combined Degrees
BS/BMus or BAMus in engineering and music
This is a five-year program in which students can earn a bachelor of science in their chosen field of engineering from
McCormick and one of two degrees from Bienen School of Music: the bachelor of arts in music or the bachelor of
music. Admission to this double-degree program requires concurrent approval of McCormick and Bienen.
Combined BS/MS Program
Students with significant advanced standing can complete both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in four years by working
simultaneously on their undergraduate and graduate requirements. Students apply to the Graduate School in their junior
year of undergraduate study and submit an outline of the course work they intend to take for the BS and MS.
Design at McCormick
Engineering First®
The Engineering First® curriculum has made McCormick a national leader in engineering design education.
The curriculum transforms the first year of engineering education from a traditional set of disconnected science,
mathematics, and computer courses into an integrated sequence of creative design experiences and practical
engineering courses. First-year students work in small teams to tackle design problems — brought to them by
individuals, not-for-profit organizations, entrepreneurs, and industry — and devise interdisciplinary, broad-based
solutions. In the two-course Engineering Design and Communications sequence, they discover effective ways to
communicate their project processes, final designs, and project goals to clients. In the Engineering Analysis sequence,
students learn how to apply theory to real engineering problems through a unique integration of mathematics,
science, and engineering applications.
Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
The Farley Center takes engineering beyond the applications of the sciences to the creation of businesses that
capitalize on innovations, providing students and faculty with the skills to become successful entrepreneurs and
intrapreneurs. The center focuses on interdisciplinary curriculum development; empowerment of students, faculty and
alumni to think and work innovatively; corporate and community outreach; and research.
Segal Design Institute
The Segal Design Institute integrates a set of realistic and increasingly sophisticated design experiences throughout
the entire engineering curriculum. Design fundamentally impacts the culture of McCormick and leads to a new
breed of engineering students. Our students not only have a deep understanding of the physical and mathematical
underpinnings of their fields, but are also able to identify and solve real problems.
Walter P. Murphy Cooperative Engineering Education Program
Approximately one third of McCormick students participate in this program, which allows them to alternate quarters
in school with periods of work in industry. Co-op students gain a year and a half of practical, paid work experience,
getting a competitive edge on jobs after graduation. The Co-op program maintains a diverse employer base that
includes Fortune 500, mid-size, and small companies, as well as federal, state, and local agencies; some job assignments
may allow students to work abroad.
Student Body
There are 1,526 full-time undergraduate students; about 12 percent of whom are minorities and approximately 30
percent are women.
Outside the Classroom
Over 20 student groups ranging from Engineers for a Sustainable World to the Society of Hispanic Professional
Engineers are represented at McCormick. The Society of Women Engineers sponsors Industry Day, the largest
Northwestern student-run career fair. McCormick’s design-related extracurricular activities — such as the solar car
race, Design for America, and the robot Design Competition — promote learning, teamwork, and creativity. In
addition, Northwestern sponsors a broad range of extracurricular activities open to all undergraduates throughout the
University: sports, clubs, theater, debate, music, charitable organizations, and social events.
Research and Special Projects
McCormick undergraduates can conduct cutting-edge research with prestigious researchers beginning their first year.
Our faculty welcomes collaborations with students through class assignments, independent study classes, summer
research internships, or work-study placements. It is not unusual for our students to be part of a team that publishes
notable research results. This research often focuses on real, practical issues and allows students to positively affect
people’s lives and work.
Honors Programs and Special Concentrations
Architectural Engineering and Design Certificate Business Enterprise Certificate Kellogg Certificate Program in Financial Economics Undergraduate Department Honors
Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering Certificate
Engineering Design Certificate Kellogg Certificate Program in Managerial Analytics
Facilities
The Technological Institute (Tech) is one of the largest academic buildings in the nation and houses McCormick’s
classrooms, computer labs, and research facilities. Adjacent to Tech is the Ford Motor Company Engineering Design
Center. This state-of-the art engineering education facility includes classrooms, prototyping laboratories, machine
shops, design studios, and work rooms especially designed for team learning, collaborative projects, and computerassisted engineering. McCormick also has a presence among the complex of science buildings at Northwestern,
including Cook Hall and Silverman Hall, which opened in 2009.
Faculty
McCormick’s 180 full-time faculty are leaders in their fields, working directly with students on research and
sharing their expertise. They hold numerous patents and have received major awards for their research, including a
significant number who have earned membership in the national academies of engineering, science, and medicine.
They collaborate actively with industry and engage frequently in interdisciplinary research. In addition, McCormick
faculty are actively involved in interdisciplinary research with other schools and Northwestern; many hold joint
appointments in other areas of the University.
After Northwestern
Some McCormick graduates find success in traditional fields such as industry or research, while others choose to
explore less traditional paths such as the Peace Corps, Teach for America, NIH fellowships, medical school, law
school, and other fields. McCormick’s Personal and Professional Development Programs have been developed to
assist students in determining their goals and the steps they can take to achieve them. An unusually large percentage
of graduating seniors pursue post-baccalaureate degrees, including MD, JD, PhD, MBA, and DDS degrees. In recent
years, several McCormick students have been awarded Fulbright Scholarships, Marshall Scholarships, and other
prestigious fellowships after graduation.
Contact
Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science (847) 491-7379 ugrad-engineering-admission@northwestern.edu