Students in the Grand Challenges Scholars Program develop and pursue a path to achieve the five competencies required for the program.
Research Project or Experience
Plan a research project or experience that addresses one of the National Academy of Engineering’s 14 Grand Challenges:
- Advancing Personalized Medicine
- Making Solar Energy Economical
- Enhancing Virtual Reality
- Reverse-Engineering the Brain
- Engineering Better Medicines
- Restoring and Improving Urban Infrastructure
- Securing Cyberspace
- Providing Access to Clean Water
- Providing Energy from Fusion
- Preventing Nuclear Terror
- Managing the Nitrogen Cycle
- Developing Carbon Sequestration Methods
- Engineering the Tools of Scientific Discovery
Interdisciplinary Coursework
- Take University Core Curriculum (Fine Arts, Social Science, Theology, Philosophy, Science, Mathematics, History, Moreau First Year Course)
- Take two courses that address your Grand Challenge from a different perspective (public policy, business, law, ethics, human behavior, risk, or medicine).
Business/Entrepreneurship Experience
- Engage with one of the following: Notre Dame Idea Center; Notre Dame ESTEEM; Notre Dame California Initiative; or related summer internship OR
- Take two of the following classes: Entrepreneurial Insights (BAUG 20500); Boardroom Insights (BAUG 30209); Integrated Engineering and Business Fundamentals I (EG 40421); Integrated Engineering and Business Fundamentals II (EG 40422); Case Studies in Computing-based Entrepreneurship (CSE 40923).
Multicultural/Global Experience
Participate in one of the following: Engineering Summer International Study; Notre Dame International Study Abroad; Notre Dame International Undergraduate Research project; ND Center for Social Concerns Overseas Learning Opportunity; overseas internship experience; NDSEED International Experience; ND Engineers without Borders; Bowman Creek Project.
Social Consciousness/Community Engagement
Use your engineering skills for the betterment of the community in a way that that enhances understanding of your Grand Challenge. You can select opportunities available through engagement.nd.edu, or create a new one.