ENGINEER at WashU.
2025–26
Graduate Programs
WE ARE McKelvey
Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) is among the world’s leaders in teaching, research and patient care, with 4,500 faculty and more than 15,000 full-time students. WashU’s graduate programs in medicine, engineering, social work, business, art, architecture and sciences are consistently highly ranked, with more than 30 programs ranked in the top 25 by U.S. News & World Report. In addition, WashU has educated more than 160,000 alumni throughout the world and has produced 26 Nobel laureates.
The McKelvey School of Engineering champions top-ranked research programs across disciplines, advancing innovations in aerosol engineering, imaging science, neural engineering, artificial intelligence/machine learning, applied physics, synthetic biology and biproduct engineering, engineered aquatic processes, biomechanics and biomaterials.
What makes McKelvey Engineering unique?
The McKelvey School of Engineering is a leading engineering school in the life sciences with the goal to contribute to a healthy planet and population through biomanufacturing, biomedical engineering and innovations in the bioeconomy.
From improving human health to building safer and more efficient artificial intelligence, our close-knit community of scholars and experts work to solve humanity’s most pressing problems. Our faculty lead the way in developing technologies in imaging, aerosols and medicine and health care.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
+ PhD programs: Dec. 15
+ Full-time Master’s: March 1 (fall); Oct. 1 (spring)
+ Part-time Master’s: July 15 (fall); Dec. 1 (spring)
Master’s Programs
+ Aerospace Engineering*
+ Biomedical Engineering*
+ Computer Engineering*
+ Computer Science*
+ Construction Management*
+ Cybersecurity Engineering
+ Cybersecurity Management*
+ Data Analytics & Statistics*
+ Electrical Engineering*
+ Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering*
+ Engineering Management*
+ Imaging Science*
+ Information Systems Management
+ Materials Science & Engineering*
+ Mechanical Engineering*
+ Systems Science & Mathematics*
* Offered part time
PhD Programs
+ Biomedical Engineering
+ Computer Engineering
+ Computer Science
+ Electrical Engineering
+ Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering
+ Imaging Science*
+ Materials Science & Engineering*
+ Mechanical Engineering
+ Systems Science & Mathematics
* Interdisciplinary
Research with renowned faculty
As you begin your mentored experience with faculty, you will be directly involved in conducting research and finding new solutions to the world’s greatest challenges.
+ Improve imaging technology for early cancer detection
+ Develop algorithms to improve transportation
+ Use synthetic biology to build protein nanostructures
+ Create nontoxic semiconductors for solar cells using quantummechanical calculations
+ Use artificial intelligence to design new materials
+ Find less expensive ways to convert carbon dioxide into useful fuels and materials
+ Create bomb-sniffing cyborg locusts
+ Develop a privacy-protection framework giving users control over their data
+ Study how aerosol particles affect clouds and climate change
$70.1M FUNDING FOR RESEARCH IN FY24
156%
INCREASE IN RESEARCH FUNDING SINCE FY15
Areas of Research
BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
+ Biomedical & Biological Imaging
+ Cardiovascular Engineering
+ Cellular & Molecular Bioengineering
+ Neural Engineering
+ Orthopedic Engineering
+ Regenerative Engineering in Medicine
+ Women’s Health Technologies
COMPUTER SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
+ Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
• Algorithms/Methods
• Applications
• Theory
+ Computational Biology & Bioinformatics
+ Computer Engineering
+ Computer Vision and Imaging
+ Cybersecurity and Privacy
+ Graphics
+ Human-Computer Interaction
+ Natural Language Processing
+ Networking and Parallel Computing
+ Real-Time and Cyber-Physical Systems
+ Theoretical Computer Science
+ Visualization
ELECTRICAL & SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
+ Applied Physics
• Integrated Photonics, Optoelectronics & Metasurfaces
• Nonlinear Light-matter Interaction
• Optics and Photonics in Sensing & Imaging
• Quantum Optics & Electronics
+ Devices & Circuits
• AI & Neuromorphic Accelerators
• Analog & Digital Integrated Circuits
• Biomedical & Implantable Devices
• Nanoelectronics & Emerging Devices
• Sensors & Sensing Systems
+ Systems Science
• Complex Networks
• Computational Neuroscience
• Control, Optimization & Game Theory
• Data Science & Machine Learning
• Robotics & Autonomous Cyber-Physical Systems
+ Signals & Imaging
• Estimation & Decision Theory
• Low Light-level Optical Imaging
• Model-based & Data-driven High-dimensional Image Processing
• Tomographic Imaging
ENERGY, ENVIRONMENTAL & CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
+ Chemical Engineering
• Advanced Materials & Nanotechnology
• Aerosol Engineering
• Novel Chemical Processes & Technologies
• Synthetic Biology & Bioproduct Engineering
+ Energy
• Energy Conversion & Storage
• Interface of Energy with Environmental & Chemical Engineering
• Sustainable Energy Systems
+ Environmental Engineering
• Aerosol Engineering
• Air Quality & Climate
• Environmental Chemistry & Microbiology
• Water Quality & Resource Recovery
IMAGING SCIENCE
+ Applications of Imaging in Science & Engineering
+ Cancer Imaging
+ Computer Vision
+ Image Formation & Reconstruction
+ Imaging Physics
+ Imaging in Radiology & Radiation Therapy
+ Imaging Science in Medicine
+ Machine Learning in Image Science
+ Neuroimaging
+ Quantitative Imaging
+ Theoretical Image Science
MATERIALS SCIENCE
& ENGINEERING
+ Design of Materials & Manufacturing Processes
+ Imaging & Mechanical Characterization
+ Micro-nano-Fabrication & Micro-nano-Technologies
+ Multiscale & Multiphysics Computational Modeling
+ Soft Materials & Biomaterials, Bioelectronics & Biosensors
+ Structural & Functional Materials
+ Quantum & Solid State Devices
MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING & MATERIALS SCIENCE
+ Advanced Materials
+ Biomechanics & Mechanobiology
+ Thermal-Fluids in Energy, Manufacturing & Biomedicine
What alumni and students say about McKelvey
Rebecca Losli
President of Illinois American Water
DEGREES: Bachelor’s in civil engineering, 2002; master’s in environmental engineering and business administration in 2005 and 2010, respectively, from WashU, and a bachelor’s degree in physics and mathematics from Samford University in 2002.
“It was the exposure to people and experiences that you might not find elsewhere. The opportunities were just bigger and better at WashU. I had no idea when leaving WashU that I’d be the leader of Illinois American Water someday. I’ve said ‘yes’ to a lot of opportunities along the way, and each one of those yeses compounded to lead me where I am today.”
Nia Hodges PhD candidate, Electrical & Systems Engineering
“Among all the schools I applied to, WashU stood out for its personalized support, welcoming environment and strong academic resources. I’ve since discovered a passion for research and have found so much freedom and purpose in the work I do here. Being surrounded by faculty who genuinely care and peers who inspire me has made all the difference.”
Jaime Payton
Dean of the Ying Wu College of Computing at the New Jersey Institute of Technology
DEGREES: Master’s in 2004 and PhD in 2006, both in computer science from WashU.
“One of my favorite parts about collaborative research has been connecting people across disciplines with complementary skills and expertise who can come together to solve an even bigger problem. A large part of what I do as a dean is exactly that — bringing people together, connecting people with different problems to the resources they need to solve them.”
PhD candidate, Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering
“The unique integration between the schools of Engineering and Medicine creates an exceptional environment for studying the intersection of environmental exposures and human health. The opportunity to work with experts across disciplines and access state-of-the-art research facilities makes WashU an ideal place to pursue impactful, translational research that bridges environmental engineering and medicine.”
Shubham Sunil Sharma
DEVELOPING LEADERS
We’re dedicated to educating future leaders who can adapt to — and shape — a changing world. Our students gain the knowledge and real world experience necessary to pursue careers with purpose.
Matt Bitner-Glindzicz
Co-founder of nCase Technologies
DEGREES: Bachelor’s in mechanical engineering and a master’s in dynamics and mechanical design in 2021, followed by a master’s in materials engineering in 2022, all from WashU.
“Across the board, we wouldn’t have gotten this (nCase) off the ground without the support we’ve received from WashU and the St. Louis innovation ecosystem. We’re at the point where we are asking how we can make this even better. That’s where those connections to WashU are so important.”
Deyuan Yang
Master’s student, Computer Science & Engineering
“WashU provides a supportive and resource-rich environment for graduate students. The access to state-of-the-art facilities, funding opportunities and professional development programs ensures that I have the tools and support needed to succeed in my studies and research. The university’s focus on student wellbeing and a balanced lifestyle also resonated with me, as it reflects a holistic approach to education.”
Student Support & Resources
McKelvey stands by students every step of the way with a support network that addresses personal and professional needs.
Graduate Student Services (GSS) connects students with resources to help them achieve their academic goals, address personal concerns and ensure they get the most out of their experience.
The Engineering Communications Center offers one-on-one assistance with publications, grant proposals and presentations.
The Mentor Collective is an international online mentoring community that matches WashU students with a trained alumni mentor.
The Graduate Center is a central hub for programming, resources, university-wide graduate student groups and community.
The Center for Career Engagement provides career coaching and planning, career assessment and skills training, and access to a global community of leaders, recruiters, influencer networks and alumni.
Sumers Rec Center is outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment that provides an individualized experience and encourages a healthy lifestyle.
Make St. Louis your home
Gateway Arch
Brookings Hall
Forest Park
The Gateway to the West
Known for its eclectic culture, blues music, loyal sports fans and delicious food, St. Louis is a hub of activity for the WashU community.
1. St. Louis was ranked as the No. 6 most beautiful and affordable place to live in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure
3. Forest Park, located between WashU’s Danforth and Medical campuses, is a 1,293-acre gem that has something for everyone year-round.
2. WashU’s Metro U-Pass program provides full-time students free, unlimited rides on the St. Louis metropolitan region’s public transit system.
4. Full-time WashU students are eligible to live in Quadrangle properties, located in neighborhoods that surround campus.
Graduate Admissions
MSC 1220-122-203 • One Brookings Drive St. Louis, MO 63130-4899
314-935-5830
engineeringgradadmissions @ wustl.edu
Financial support
All full-time PhD students receive full financial support, which includes tuition and health fee remission, and monthly living expense support. Most offers of financial support are guaranteed as long as the student is making progress toward completion of the degree. Each engineering department may offer specific fellowships.
Current master’s students may have the opportunity to pursue a limited number of Master’s Fellowships and Research Assistantships offered directly by the academic departments.
Washington University encourages and gives full consideration to all applicants for admission, financial aid, and employment. The University does not discriminate in access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, veteran status, disability, or genetic information. Applicants with a prior criminal history will not be automatically disqualified from consideration for admission. Inquiries about compliance should be addressed to the University’s Vice Chancellor for Human Resources, Washington University, Campus Box 1184, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130.