The University of Chicago Summer
Pathways in Molecular Engineering

Pathways in Molecular Engineering


Course Status: Pre-College Application: Jan 2026

Applications for Pre-College courses will open in early January. We encourage you to review the courses offered below. Remember: you can select up to 3 in your application. We look forward to seeing you!

Course Description

The emerging field of Molecular Engineering brings together concepts from chemical and mechanical engineering, materials science, physics, and nanotechnology to innovate across a wide range of areas, such as energy storage and harvesting, water purification, and manufacturing electronic, biomedical, and mechanical devices. Molecular engineers may build new materials or objects from the molecule up, or even create new molecules that do not exist in nature. This course will provide an overview of the basic components of engineering -- design principles, modeling, and optimization -- as they can be applied at the molecular level in order to address real-world problems. In addition to lectures, discussions, and labs, students will have the opportunity to use super computers to create models which will inform their optimization efforts. Overall, the program will lead participants beyond the boundaries of traditional scientific disciplines into the intersection of physical, chemical, computational, and engineering sciences – the forefront of technological problem-solving – so that they are able to engage in the lateral, multi-disciplinary thinking that is required to solve some of the most fundamental problems facing society today.

Course Criteria

Enrollment is limited to 30

Academic Interest

Physical Sciences (e.g., astronomy, physics), Technology (e.g., Computer Science, Molecular Engineering)

Application Materials

A complete application includes a transcript, two short essays, a letter of recommendation, writing sample, application fee, and a submitted parent confirmation. If you are seeking need-based financial aid, you must indicate that in your application before it is submitted. Please refer to the Application Instructions for complete details.

Instructor(s)

Xiaoying Liu, Aaron Esser-Khan, Shrayesh Patel

Cost

$9,300

Need-based financial aid is available. Students should refer the Costs & Aid page and apply for aid when they submit their application to Summer Session.

Course Duration

3 Week Immersion

Session

Session 2

Arrival & Departure Dates

July 5th - July 24th

Course Dates

July 7th - July 23rd

Class Days

Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri

Class Time

9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Eligibility

9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade

Course Code

MENG 10100 30

Modality

Residential

Syllabus

Preview Sample Syllabus

Other Courses to Consider

These courses might also be of interest.

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    • In the morning, UChicago professors, lecturers, and researchers will introduce you to key concepts and practices in molecular engineering, computer science, and the physical sciences through lectures, discussions, readings, and hands-on activities designed to reveal a range of possible pursuits.

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