About Engineering Rome

Engineering Rome is a UW Exploration Seminar that covers Roman and Italian engineering over a range of 3,000 years from Ancient Rome to the present day. It consists of one 5-credit course, CEE 409 Engineering Rome, which takes place in Rome, Italy at the UW Rome Center for three+ weeks during the Summer-Fall quarter break. There is also a once-per-week orientation session that meets in the preceeding spring quarter to provide background information, and program orientation.

Program Content

This program explores over 3,000 years of the world’s best engineering in the heart of Rome. It provides engineering students and those interested in engineering a unique international and historical perspective on engineering practice and its contributions to society. Rome is one of the richest sites in the world for exploring engineering through the ages from ancient Roman aqueducts, to Baroque basilicas, to sustainable life in a massive modern city. Students will interact with local experts and develop skills that allow them to analyze and evaluate civil infrastructure of all ages. Skills will be put to practice with classroom engineering analysis, expert lectures, and site visits guided by Roman experts in the engineering aspects of these sites (both modern and ancient).

Who Can Take the Class

Anyone enrolled at the University of Washington. The class is open to all undergraduate and graduate students. You do not need to be a Civil and Environmental Engineering major, or even an Engineering major. You just need an interest in the subject. The course requires a math background up to, but not including, calculus. Also, we will be rather heavily nerding out on ENGINEERING in Rome, so you really have to like that focus to like this class.

UW Catalog Description

Engineering Rome is officially listed in the UW course catalog as CEE 409 (if you are a graduate student you will end up being in CEE 509). You can read the full course description right here:

“Engineering-focused Exploration Seminar that covers Roman civil engineering over 3,000 years from Ancient Rome to the present day. Introduction to civil engineering topics reinforced by practical engineering calculations, local experts and site visits. Provides international and historical perspective on engineering and the contributions of engineers to infrastructure and society.”

Program Director

Steve Muench, a professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering, is the program director. He has been leading Engineering Rome classes since 2013.