Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge

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Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge
Department of Engineering, Fen Causeway Cambridge - geograph.org.uk - 5275909.jpg
Established1875 (1875)
Head of DepartmentProfessor Colm Durkan
Location
Trumpington Street, Cambridge
,
United Kingdom

52°11′54″N0°07′18″E / 52.19827°N 0.121579°E / 52.19827; 0.121579 (Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge)
Website www.eng.cam.ac.uk

The University of Cambridge Department of Engineering is the largest department at the University of Cambridge. The Department is known for collaborating with other disciplines, institutions, companies, and entrepreneurs and for adopting an integrated approach to research and teaching. [1]

Contents

The main site is situated at Trumpington Street, to the south of the city center of Cambridge. The Department is Cambridge's primary center for engineering teaching and research activities. The department is currently headed by Professor Colm Durkan.

History

In 1782, the Reverend Richard Jackson of Torrington, a former fellow of Trinity College, died, leaving a substantial portion of his estate to endow a Professorship of Natural Experimental Philosophy. This became the forerunner to the Professorship of Mechanism and Applied Mechanics, first held in 1875 by James Stuart. [2]

The first engineering workshop at Cambridge was constructed in 1878 in a wooden hut measuring fifty by twenty feet. The department now has several sites around Cambridge:

Cambridge University Engineering Department, Trumpington Street site, looking southeast from the Inglis A Building in November 2004. The Baker Building is in the left background, and the Leys School is in the right background (behind the chimney). The Inglis Building is in the middle and foreground. Cmglee Cambridge University Engineering Department Trumpington St.jpg
Cambridge University Engineering Department, Trumpington Street site, looking southeast from the Inglis A Building in November 2004. The Baker Building is in the left background, and the Leys School is in the right background (behind the chimney). The Inglis Building is in the middle and foreground.

Notable companies and projects founded by students and alumni

Undergraduate education

There are approximately 1,200 undergraduate students in the Department at any time, with around 320 undergraduate students admitted each year.

All students are enrolled in general coursework during their first two years, which consists of a broad overview covering mechanical and structural engineering, as well as materials, electrical, and information engineering. In their final two years of undergraduate work, students can choose to specialize in one of two concentrations (Engineering Tripos or Manufacturing Engineering Tripos), or choose to receive a degree in General Engineering. [7]

In the Engineering Tripos, students may further specialise in one or more of nine engineering disciplines:

The Manufacturing Engineering Tripos provides an integrated course in industrial engineering, including both operations and management. [8]

Graduate education

The Department of Engineering currently has about 190 faculty and PI-status researchers, 300 postdoctoral researchers, and 850 graduate students. Post-graduate education consists of both taught courses and research degrees (PhD, MPhil, and MRes). The majority of research students are enrolled in PhD programs while around 10 percent follow the one-year MPhil (research) program.

The Department has a number of Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs), which follow a 1-plus-3 year model where a one-year MRes course is followed by a three-year PhD. Full funding for four years is provided through these centres. In addition to the CDTs, the Department has a limited number of EPSRC PhD studentships available for both British and EU students. [9]

Research Evaluation

The Department was ranked 2nd in 2021 among UK engineering departments by the Research Excellence Framework (REF). The Department of Engineering was also ranked 2nd in 2014 by REF.

REF Score
Assessment YearGPANational Ranking
2021 [10] 3.692
2014 [10] 3.492

Notable alumni and researchers

Fellows of the Royal Society
Members of the Order of Merit
Timoshenko Medal Recipients
Notable people for their contributions

See also

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