So Many Opportunities
Teacher-scholars in the Swenson College of Science and Engineering are able to take advantage of research and teaching resources at UMD, within the University of Minnesota system, and throughout the Twin Ports. Check out some of the opportunities for collaboration that await you.
Research Hubs
At UMD, we solve complex challenges that affect our region and world. Swenson College is home to:
- Large Lakes Observatory studies large lakes around the world, including in our own backyard.
- Minnesota Sea Grant is a federal-university partnership that focuses on water science.
- University of Minnesota Institute on the Environment (IoE) is an interdisciplinary collaborative effort to solve the big environmental challenges that face us. IoE@UMD promotes interdisciplinary sustainability conversations and action on campus and in our community.
- Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) uses science and engineering approaches to develop tools and solutions that leverage Minnesota's natural resources.
- University MnDRIVE program connects researchers at the University with the State of Minnesota's key and emerging industries to address grand challenges.
- Duluth is also home to the Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division of the Environmental Protection Agency.
- The Advanced Materials Center is a partnership between researchers in Swenson College and the State of Minnesota to solve problems and provide support for the region, in addition to training the next generation of materials scientists and engineers.
- We co-manage the NOvA neutrino experiment’s Ash River Far Detector Laboratory, which is located two hours north of Duluth.
Research Resources
There are many centers and institutes at UMD and the University of Minnesota that are available to support our team.
Swenson College's Research Instrumentation Lab houses characterization instrumentation such as electron and confocal microscopes, and spectrometers that will advance your research projects.
In addition there are more than 300 research, education, and outreach centers and institutes that encourage collaboration among disciplines and partner with other institutions and community programs. To highlight just a few of these centers that can support and expand your research program: the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute, the Center for Metabolomics and Proteomics (CMSP) Facility, the Minnesota Nano Center, the UMN Genomics Center, the Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, Center for Transportation Studies, and the Minnesota Robotics Institute. You can also partner with U-Spatial for geospatial technologies and tools.
Teaching and Outreach
The Swenson College of Science and Engineering has led efforts at UMD in active learning and inclusive pedagogy. For the next 5 years, our faculty will be participating in the Swenson Mobile Summer Institute on Scientific Teaching that will be led by teaching and learning leaders in our College.
Our STEM Teaching and Learning Committee regularly leads book clubs and workshops to catalyze innovation in our classrooms and laboratories. We work closely with colleagues in the Center for Educational Innovation for feedback on our teaching and suggestions for new ideas to explore. Academic Technology Support Services provides new tools and technologies that we use to introduce our students to the latest advances in science and engineering.
Swenson College has a vibrant outreach program, leading events in the community and K-12 focused activities. We also host the Marshall W. Alworth planetarium for teaching and outreach activities.