Special Programs

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Grand Challenges Scholars Program

The Grand Challenges Scholar Program (GCSP) is inspired by 14 broad problems facing society in sustainability, health, security, and knowledge. Solutions to these problems will require interdisciplinary teams and years of sustained effort.

Students who complete the five components of the GCSP successfully will achieve the designation of Grand Challenges Scholar and will be uniquely prepared to collaborate and succeed in a transdisciplinary and global environment.

Scholars also receive formal designation as a Grand Challenges Scholar at graduation.

Visit the GCSP page
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STEM-Gems

The STEM-Gems program uses data-based retention strategies to help historically at-risk undergraduates on their way towards a degree from the Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

Students in the STEM-Gems program get help from both academic counselors and Hajim School graduate students who reach out to undergraduates even before they get to campus through the Early Connections Opportunity (ECO) program and through a targeted communications plan over the course of students’ undergraduate tenure.

Visit the STEM-Gems page
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Graduate Engineering at Rochester

Exceptionally promising undergraduates may be guaranteed admission to our master's programs in any department in the Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences through the Graduate Engineering at Rochester (GEAR) program. This program allows them to complete both their undergraduate and masters degrees in just five years.

GEAR students receive 50 percent tuition scholarship in the fifth year of study through a teaching or research assistantship.

GEAR (Graduate Engineering at Rochester)
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Industry Practicum Co-op Program

Designed for engineering and computer science majors, students in the Industry Practicum Co-Op participate in an eight month (a semester and summer) paid, full-time position with industry employers that allow students to get quality work experience directly related to their field of study. 

Visit the Industry Practicum Co-op Page
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Study Abroad

Hajim students can not only take cluster classes abroad but can also take science and engineering classes that will count towards their major. Interested students can review the study abroad course-equivalents list, which indicates which courses Hajim School students have previously taken that were credited as being equivalent to the Rochester courses listed.

Visit the Hajim Study Abroad Page