The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public land-grant research university operating on a 939-acre campus between two lakes in Madison, Wisconsin. Established in 1848 when Wisconsin achieved statehood and funded initially through a federal land grant, the institution began classes in February 1849 with 20 students and has served for over 175 years as a research and education institution with statewide extension throughout Wisconsin and reach beyond.
The university operates across three core functions: degree programs providing undergraduate and graduate education, a research enterprise conducting academic and applied research, and extension and outreach services that extend knowledge throughout Wisconsin and beyond. The institution's technical domains span higher education, academic research, public service and extension, and innovation and discovery. As a land-grant university, it maintains a mission focused on research, student education, and extending knowledge to serve the state and broader constituencies.
UW–Madison's research infrastructure supports work across multiple technical domains with established programs in engineering, physical sciences, life sciences, and applied fields. The campus provides access to specialized facilities, collaborative research environments, and connections to industry partners across Wisconsin. The institution's scale and research focus create opportunities for engineers working on problems ranging from fundamental research to applied systems deployed in real-world contexts, supported by the university's long-standing emphasis on discovery, innovation, and practical problem-solving that improves lives through technical advancement.