About Us

The University of Connecticut is the state's only publicly supported comprehensive research institution as well as the state's land grant institution; about 4,000 graduates enter the state workforce annually. Because of its distinctive role as a research and graduate institution, as well as an undergraduate school, the University recognizes the preeminence of scholarship in its quest for excellence. However, it also recognizes the interdependence of teaching, research and service. The University has campuses across the state, but the Storrs, Health Center at Farmington, and Avery Point (for marine issues) campuses house most of the technology-related programs.

To respond to the research and outreach mission, a significant component of the University's faculty, staff and infrastructure focus on issues that impact the state's economy, government and culture. Building on already strong liberal arts, engineering, science, professional, and agriculture programs, the University has invested substantial proportions of its resources in supporting strategic research. The Institute of Materials Science, established in 1966, maintains interdisciplinary research and training programs in materials science, metallurgy, and polymer science. The Environmental Research Institute and the Precision Manufacturing Advanced Technology Center focus directly on technology issues of particular importance to Connecticut. More recently, through the Critical Technologies program, the state and the University have increased investment in research and training related to biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, marine sciences and technology, and photonics. All of these research and training programs have cooperative research programs with industry, usually through consortia and associates programs.