GCU’s College of Engineering and Technology Research Topics
Hands-On Research in Engineering and Technology
At Grand Canyon University's College of Engineering and Technology, research is a hands-on pursuit shared by faculty and students. From aerospace engineering and robotics to artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and biomedical innovation, GCU offers labs, programs and publications where curious minds tackle practical challenges. Whether you're designing propulsion systems, testing machine learning models or contributing to a peer-reviewed journal, you can find opportunities to sharpen your skills, learn from experienced mentors and help shape the next generation of engineering and technology solutions.
Explore Research Opportunities
The College of Engineering and Technology at GCU offers opportunities for research in engineering and technology fields. Engage in projects, labs and workshops that provide a stimulating environment to satisfy your intellectual curiosity and foster innovation in the following areas:
Our college encourages academic excellence by supporting publications, workshops, labs and more. We aim to provide opportunities for students to explore ideas, analyze information and enrich their overall learning experiences.
Research and Design Programs (RDPs)
The Research and Design Program (RDP) at GCU represents an exciting opportunity for you to engage in faculty research, design and development projects. By enrolling in this program, you can pursue experiences to help you find your purpose, explore your interests and unlock potential opportunities for graduate and medical school programs, internships and careers.
RDP Opportunities
When you participate in the RDPs, you may have the opportunity to work alongside faculty in a wide variety of ways, such as earning authorship on presentations and publications and attending professional conferences. You can use RDP opportunities to enhance your academic experience in the College of Engineering and Technology’s research program.
AI/ML Research and Robotics Lab
The AI, ML and Robotics Lab RDPs at GCU are designed to give you hands-on skills to discover microcomputers through reinforced learning. You will also have the opportunity to optimize AI models and detect threats from cybersecurity to diseases, program robotics, discuss theory and patterns, develop algorithms and so much more.
Hear From GCU’s Engineering and Technology Students
"The engineering shops are available to everyone and even non-engineering students are welcome. I could go in and get hands-on experience on my own. I talked to one of the professors on my Discover trip and definitely got a strong feeling that GCU wanted to foster my progress and see me succeed."
"The engineering shops are available to everyone and even non-engineering students are welcome. I could go in and get hands-on experience on my own. I talked to one of the professors on my Discover trip and definitely got a strong feeling that GCU wanted to foster my progress and see me succeed."
Canyon Emerging Scholars Program
Canyon Emerging Scholars (CES) is a program that empowers students in the College of Engineering and Technology to engage in forward-thinking research alongside faculty mentors. Rooted in the Boyer model of scholarship, CES encourages innovation through applied, integrative and discovery-based projects. You will have the opportunity to tackle practical challenges using advanced technologies, interdisciplinary thinking and hands-on experimentation.
Explore opportunities to contribute to high-impact research through these specialized labs and programs:
Aerospace Propulsion and Engineering Innovation Program
Design and test propulsion systems while exploring next-gen aerospace technologies
Applied Biomedical Engineering Lab
Develop medical devices and solutions that merge biology with engineering principles
Automotive Radar Research Lab
Build and analyze radar systems to advance autonomous vehicle safety and performance
Computational Science Exploratorium
Apply algorithms and simulations to solve complex engineering problems across domains
Cybersecurity for Artificial Intelligence
Investigate AI vulnerabilities and engineer secure systems for intelligent technologies
Electronics Additive Manufacturing Lab
Prototype electronic components using 3D printing and explore emerging fabrication methods
Hybrid Rocket Design
Construct and launch hybrid rockets while learning propulsion mechanics and safety protocols
Intelligent Systems Lab
Program and test smart systems, including robotics, automation and machine learning applications
Labellelabs Engineering
Collaborate on interdisciplinary engineering projects focused on innovation, design and prototyping
Scholars and Research Publications
GCU offers research on technology and engineering, including teaching publications that can facilitate excellence and foster growth among students, through faculty-driven initiatives and services that foster a community of learning and opportunity.
Research Pillars
Academic Journals
Institutional Review Board
Fuel your curiosity, build breakthrough solutions and lead innovation — get involved with research within the College of Engineering and Technology.