Mission and Vision

A Unique Learning Environment

The Tufts University School of Engineering offers a rigorous engineering education in a unique environment that blends the intellectual and technological resources of a world-class research university with the strengths of a top-ranked liberal arts college. Our size and educational philosophy support a distinctive sense of community, a diversity of perspectives, and a student-centric learning environment. Engineering curricula across a wide spectrum of majors emphasize project-based learning, the nurturing of leadership skills, and cultivation of creativity through innovative design. Close partnerships with Tufts' cadre of excellent undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools, coupled with a long tradition of collaboration, provide a strong platform for interdisciplinary education and scholarship. Proximity to a thriving Boston metropolitan area facilitates close relationships with local industry and research labs, student internship and employment opportunities, and the committed engagement of seasoned practitioners in the school professoriate.

Mission

• To educate engineers committed to the innovative and ethical application of science and technology in addressing the most pressing societal needs
• To develop and nurture twenty-first century leadership qualities, perspectives, and skills in our students, faculty, and alumni
• To develop and disseminate transformational new knowledge and technologies that further the well-being and sustainability of society
• To provide national leadership in enhancing the role and visibility of the engineering profession in the education of our youth and the development and implementation of public policy

Strategic Areas

The Tufts University School of Engineering (SOE) focuses on building core strength and visibility in select cross-cutting strategic areas. The following criteria were considered in the selection of these areas: provide opportunity for significant societal impact; build on SOE faculty expertise and leadership; leverage opportunities for multi-disciplinary engagement across the SOE; link to faculty strengths in Arts and Sciences and the Tufts professional schools (medicine, dental medicine, law and diplomacy, nutrition, veterinary medicine); and resonate with university priorities. Based upon these considerations, the School strives for preeminence in its research and educational programs in three strategic areas:

Engineering for Human Health — faculty strengths and cross-school collaboration include biomedical imaging, regenerative medicine, bioinformatics, waterborne disease, and metabolic engineering

Engineering for Sustainability — faculty strengths and collaborations encompass water and diplomacy, water quality, climate change mitigation, environmental remediation, smart structures, alternative energy, and smart grids

Engineering the Human/Technology Interface — faculty strengths include development and dissemination of educational technologies, robotics and cognition, sensors, human factors engineering, visualization