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Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering

Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering

A world-class Colorado engineering school that provides hands-on learning and personalized instruction for a growing engineering industry.

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The Western CU-Boulder Engineering partnership program combines academic rigor with practical application in our new, cutting-edge facilities, classrooms, and labs. Enjoy studying mechanical or biomedical engineering with the University of Colorado Boulder with all the perks of our small engineering school and the spectacular surroundings of Western Colorado University.

Areas of Study

A group of students examine a computer interface with their professor.

Biomedical Engineering

Major

Biomedical Engineering
NEW
Woman wearing glasses writing math equations on glass

Mechanical Engineering – University of Colorado Partnership

Major

Mechanical Engineering – University of Colorado Partnership

School Overview

Two students observe an adaptive bike during Industry Night

Cultivating Leaders through a one-of-a-kind partnership program.

The Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science and Engineering represents the innovative Western-CU Boulder Engineering partnership where students can earn a biomedical or mechanical engineering degree recognized by the University of Colorado Boulder College of Engineering and Applied Science on Western’s campus. From the mountains of Colorado to the rainforests of Colombia, there’s no shortage of opportunities for students to make the world a better place during their time at Western. Together, we’re helping build the state’s newest workforce of engineers.

Hands-on Learning

Our brand-new, sustainably engineered building features top-tier facilities where students put their learning into practice.

Western - CU Boulder Partnership

Western - CU Partnership students engineer and fabricate a rail for skiing

Earn a University of Colorado Engineering degree at Western Colorado University.

Take advantage of the innovative Western-CU Boulder Engineering partnership. Graduate with a degree from the University of Colorado Boulder—raked in the top 20 nationally among public universities—while enjoying small class sizes, mentorship programs, hands-on learning, and an expansive backyard to explore in the Rocky Mountains.

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Cutting-edge facilities

This ultra-modern building includes indoor and outdoor spaces designed for a collaborative learning environment.

Scholarships

Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ school-specific and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.

Access to apply for scholarships through the portal is open through April 1.

Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.

Find your scholarships!

Eligibility

  • Accepted to Western by April 15
  • Declared major in the Computer Science or Mechanical Engineering partnership programs by April 15

Award Amount Tiers based on High School GPA

  • 3.50-3.749
    • $3,500 In-State
    • $9,000 Out-of-State
  • 3.75-3.999
    • $5,000 In State
    • $10,500 Out-of-State
  • 4.0
    • $6,500 In-State
    • $12,000 Out-of-State

Renewal Criteria

  • Remain in the partnership program
  • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
  • Complete MATH 151 Calculus 1 with grade of C or better prior to the start of second fall semester (to be evaluated at the end of first spring semester).

Description

The Rady Merit Scholarship is awarded for 4 semesters (maximum of 6 semesters upon successful appeal), while the student is considered a full-time Western student (enrolled in 12 credits or more) and Western is processing the student’s financial aid. The number of scholarships awarded is based on fund availability.

Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.

Access to apply for scholarships through the portal is open through April 1.

Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.

Find your scholarships!

Alumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship

The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.

Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.

  • This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
  • Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
  • GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).

Due date has been extended to April 30 for 2024. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.

Apply

Alumni Legacy Scholarship

The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).

Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:

  • This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
  • Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
  • The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
  • GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).

The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.

Apply

Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship

The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.

Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).

  • Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
  • The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
  • The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.

The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.

For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.

For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.

Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.

For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.

Note: Students enrolled in a Western-CU Boulder Partnership Program (i.e. major) do not qualify for Western Merit Scholarship programs. See the Rady Merit Scholarship section above for scholarship opportunities.

News & Research

A photo of the northeast side of the Rady Building with the lettering that reads "Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science and Engineering", with the W in the background.

Aerospace, Biomedical Engineering Coming to Western-CU Partnership Program

Read More about Aerospace, Biomedical Engineering Coming to Western-CU Partnership Program
Two students collaborate on an engineering project together in a makerspace.

Western’s Outdoor Industry Lab wins $100,000 Grant

Read More about Western’s Outdoor Industry Lab wins $100,000 Grant
Students build mobile enclosures that could be used to keep chickens and rabbits safe

Mountaineers Without Borders: From Concept to Colombia

Read More about Mountaineers Without Borders: From Concept to Colombia
Francisco Rivaldo

A Bright Future Through Grit, Scholarship, and Ambition

Read More about A Bright Future Through Grit, Scholarship, and Ambition
A digital map of Gunnison, Colorado with a GPS walking route traced.

Western Students Team Up to Create Digital Walking Tour

Read More about Western Students Team Up to Create Digital Walking Tour
Colorful geothermal pipes working as a building's heating system.

Geothermal System Results in Big Savings

Read More about Geothermal System Results in Big Savings
Grant Korgan in the North Pole

The Push: Grant Korgan’s Story

Read More about The Push: Grant Korgan’s Story
computer science students working in lab

Learning the Internet of Things at Western

Read More about Learning the Internet of Things at Western
Instructor working with campers outside

Western’s Summer Camp Full of STEAM

Read More about Western’s Summer Camp Full of STEAM
students performing test

Western ‘TAPPed’ for New Projects

Read More about Western ‘TAPPed’ for New Projects

Spotlight

Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering

Ryan Ivis

Alumni

“Western did a fantastic job of preparing me for my career."

Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering

Lindsey Possehl

Alumni

"A 2015 graduate, Lindsey Possehl double majored in Mathematics and Computer Science, which led to her current role as a data scientist for Ruffalo Noel Levitz."

Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering

Kendric Evans

Alumni

"At Western, you really have the opportunity to work closely with the faculty, which helped me gain a very real depth and breadth of knowledge in my field."

Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering

Kate Robinson

Alumni

“A liberal arts degree is so valuable....but really the most important thing Western did for me was give me an environment where I was able to succeed.”

Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering

Jermaine Rodney

Alumni

Additional Resources

Mechanical Engineering Accreditation Information

The Western-CU Partnership program in Mechanical Engineering will seek accreditation by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

Learn More

Lambda Learning Center

The Lambda Learning Center is a space for students, professors, and tutors to study, collaborate, and explore new ideas in STEM.

Learn More About Lambda Learning Center

Mountaineers Without Borders

The Mountaineers Without Borders club allows students to apply their engineering knowledge to humanitarian projects around the globe.

Learn More About MWB

Society of Automotive Engineers - BAJA

Join other engineering students in designing and building a single-seat, all-terrain sporting vehicle and compete against other institutions.

Learn More About BAJA SAE

Department Information

Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering

Interim Director

Kevin Terry, Ph.D.

Interim Director of the Western-CU Boulder Partnership Program

Assistant Director

Laurel Fisher

Assistant Director of the Western-CU Boulder Partnership Program

Rady Building Administrative Assistant

Kelley Jones

Administrative Assistant III

Contact Information

970.943.2400

radyschool@western.edu

Campus Location

1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231

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We keep the Mountaineer spirit going strong within our alumni community. Whether getting together with friends at an annual event, making a donation or mentoring a student, graduates continue to play an important role in the Western community.

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