Bucking its distaste for pre-professionalism, the University will soon grant its first degree in engineering. The pioneering class of molecular engineering Ph.D. candidates will matriculate in fall 2014 through a program run by the Institute of Molecular Engineering.
In a May 8 press release, the Institute’s founding director Matthew Tirrell emphasized the interdisciplinary nature envisioned for the program. At its eventual target size, the program is expected to comprise 25 faculty members and accommodate between 180 and 240 doctoral students, Tirrell said. The molecular engineering courses will be open to all students in other UChicago Ph.D. programs.
The Council of the University Senate approved the proposal for the program earlier this month. Applications will be accepted beginning this fall.
