As the first technological research university in the nation, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has been at the forefront of scientific and technological advances since 1824. Our alumni have been behind many key innovations that have changed the world, including the discovery of baking powder, the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, the development of sunscreen, and the invention of the digital camera, to name a few.
With a focus on five signature areas of research, Rensselaer researchers work to solve the most pressing issues of our time. The Institute is made up of over 30 research centers and key research platforms, such as the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, dedicated to interdisciplinary biotechnology research; the Curtis R. Priem Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center, dedicated to the convergence of the arts, science, and technology; and the Institute for Energy, the Built Environment, and Smart Systems (EBESS), dedicated to tackling climate change by decarbonizing urban environments at the systems level. Rensselaer is also home to AiMOS, the most powerful supercomputer at a private university, which facilitates artificial intelligence research.
The university offers more than 140 programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels across five schools, including the School of Architecture; the School of Engineering; the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences; the Lally School of Management; and the School of Science. The newly launched accelerated degree program, ACCEL, gives highly motivated students the option to obtain a bachelor’s in just three years or a bachelor’s and master’s degree in just four years, while still maintaining their financial aid and the key aspects of the college experience.
At Rensselaer, students learn by doing. The Arch ensures students graduate having pursued a personal or professional development experience to prepare them for global leadership. Students also have the opportunity to participate in over 200 different clubs and lead makerspaces such as the Forge.
Thanks to student demand, Rensselaer students have ample dining options, including four dining halls and 12 retail locations. The campus is home to a full-service Panera, the first Moe’s on a university campus, Argo Tea, Ben & Jerry’s, and more. Students with allergies are also able to dine safely on campus with “My Zone,” a secured, gluten-free, peanut- and tree-nut-free “kitchen pantry” in the dining halls that offers food free of the most common allergens.
Rensselaer is a university for talented and passionate individuals who want to be part of a community of leaders who work every day to change lives and advance society. Join us as we continue to change the world!