Research

Since our founding in 1962, the College of Engineering—in keeping with the UC Davis land-grant mission—has focused on some of our nation's most challenging problems.

Our researchers and educators find innovative answers to society's needs, focusing on the following key challenges:

Energy and Environment

Energy is one of the most complex and far-reaching issues confronting this nation and the world. It has become clear that we are on an unsustainable path and that a fundamentally new approach to energy supply and use is needed to prevent a crisis of global proportions.

Health and Well-being

The complexity of human well-being, environmental health and food safety has become increasingly obvious. Battles against disease, pollution, contamination and terrorism are now waged at the molecular level, requiring sophisticated imaging and sensing technologies.

Information Management in a Connected World

Revolutionary technical advancements have transformed business, government and personal communications, as well as information management. Along with the benefits of this complex interconnected environment, there exist equally profound security challenges, demands for greater capacity and speed, and the need for creative ways to mine and manage immense quantities of data.

The UC Davis College of Engineering research community includes scholars who are national and international leaders in their disciplines. More than 100 research facilities are sponsored by or affiliated with specific engineering departments.

Large, complex problems demand solutions that combine the best resources, expertise and experience.