Wayne State is a nationally recognized urban center of excellence in research and one of only 10 U.S. public universities in major cities holding the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching's designation as "doctoral university: highest research activity" by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, as well as the foundation's most comprehensive classification for community engagement. WSU is among the nation's top public universities for total research expenditures ($227.7 million) according to the National Science Foundation.
The College of Engineering's hands-on learning environment stems from studying and working under the direction of recognized world leaders who conduct pioneering research and development in interdisciplinary fields and disciplines such as:
- Automotive safety
- Big data and business analytics
- Biomedical and health care engineering
- Cyber-Physical Systems, Mobility and Autonomous Driving
- Green technologies
- Manufacturing
- Transportation
- Water
Spotlight

A leading expert on water, energy and emissions interface, sustainable energy technologies, hydraulic modeling and water supply. Director of Healthy Urban Waters. Co-director of the Urban Watershed Environmental Research Group (UWERG). Wayne State University civil and environmental engineering professor.
News
- Wayne State research team developing AI model to aid in early detection of SARS-CoV2 in children
- Wayne State researchers receive National Science Foundation funds to study potential of AI-powered microtransit systems in at-risk communities
- Wayne State pharmacy, engineering researchers team up to examine barriers to birth control
- Civil engineering researchers receive ASCE Best Paper for study of labyrinth weirs