Engineering and computer science student clubs

The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) is a mentoring organization for minority students majoring in engineering, math and science. AISES fosters academic success, professional growth and community through mentorship, networking and connections. 

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is a multi-disciplinary group of students interested in expanding their knowledge in the fields of aerospace science and technology. Members can participate in a wide range of design competitions, research projects and other engineering activities throughout the academic year. Their projects include rebuilding and testing a turbocharger and designing an AUV for a future competition. AIAA is open to undergraduate and graduate students with disciplines involving mathematics, science and engineering.

The American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) empowers members to be the best they can be, through professional and personal development, knowledge sharing and networks that strengthen career paths. AIChE students have opportunities to compete in AIChE regional and national competitions such as the zero emission chemical car and WERC. 

Steel Bridge Club is a team that participates yearly in the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Student Steel Bridge Competition. Each year we receive a set of rules which we use to guide our bridge design, fabricate the bridge, and then travel to competition where we compete in categories including timed construction and load testing. 

American Nuclear Society (ANS) is a student section of the national American Nuclear Society, which is a national organization that promotes nuclear energy and research. ANS works to improve understanding of nuclear science, promote the use of nuclear technology, and bring awareness to the benefits that nuclear provides to Idaho and beyond. As a section of ANS, students connect with nuclear professionals in Idaho and throughout the country. The University of Idaho section is one of the smallest student sections in the country, with around 15 active members. Those members are split across two campuses that are over 500 miles apart and span two time zones. There is no nuclear engineering undergraduate program at the University of Idaho, so undergraduate members mostly study related disciplines. Despite these challenges, students continue to step up and show passion for nuclear science, the University of Idaho, the American Nuclear Society, and the local community.

American Society of Agricultural & Biological Engineers (ASABE) is an educational and scientific organization dedicated to the advancement of engineering applicable to agricultural, food, and biological systems. Founded in 1907 and headquartered in St. Joseph, Michigan, ASABE comprises members in more than 100 countries.

Agricultural, food, and biological engineers develop efficient and environmentally sensitive methods of producing food, fiber, timber, and renewable energy sources for an ever-increasing world population. 

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) participates yearly in several exciting competitions including National Steel Bridge Competition, National Concrete Canoe Competition, surveying, technical paper competitions, and much more. 

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) members participate in many activities including department BBQs, meet & greets with professors and industry professionals, tours of major engineering companies around the northwest, conferences and competitions like the ASME MicroBaja Competition.

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) is the oldest organization supporting the activities of computing professionals. It has active student participation and regular meetings open to all who are interested. Recent projects have included the Tower Lights and lighting up the marching band. 

Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) promotes biomedical engineering research and innovation at the University of Idaho and supports students with an interest in biomedical engineering. BMES's goal is to send a design team to the annual BMES national conference. BMES also offers opportunities to learn about research on campus, socialize with students from different departments, meet students conducting biomedical engineering research on campus, attend scientific conferences, discuss internship and job opportunities, and tour research facilities. 

Cyber Defense Club (CDC@UI) is looking for students who enjoy solving challenging problems or taking things apart to figure out how they work. CDC@UI is interested in learning about computers and cyber security – topics range from solving cryptographic puzzles to securely configuring a system to lockpicking. Ethics are emphasized, and the intent of their projects is to gain a thorough understanding. 

CDC@UI travels to cyber defense competitions, such as PRCCDC (Pacific Regional Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition). Other activities include sharing knowledge and Capture The Flag (CTF) competitions that involve hacking-based challenges. 

Developer Student Club (DSC) and is supported by Google Developers. DSC's purpose is to train developers and make a lasting impact on the Moscow community. 

Engineering Networking Guidance and Resources (ENGR) Club is designed to strengthen community within the College of Engineering through fun and informative events.

The Humanitarian Engineering Corps (HEC) is a student-run design organization that connects UI students of all majors and technical backgrounds through local and international service opportunities. Students in HEC develop valuable skills such as cultural competence, interdisciplinary teamwork, sustainable design, communication and project management. As we utilize our engineering abilities for the good of humanity, HEC strives to make meaningful and long-term changes in the communities we partner with.

HEC’s current international focus is helping rural communities in South America meet their basic water needs. Locally, we partner with other service organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the University of Idaho Sustainability Center, and the Latah Trail Foundation to give back to our community here on the Palouse.

There are lots of ways for students to be involved, including:

• Attending general meetings (weekly)
• Participating in project design (weekly working meetings) - At the project meetings, students evaluate solution alternatives, analyze data (collected by HEC students) and assess our Bolivian partner communities needs to create a sustainable design to be implemented in the summer.
• Fundraising (a couple of events each year)
• Volunteering for local service projects (monthly)

Local businesses and service organizations can also get involved by supporting HEC’s fundraisers throughout the year, or by partnering with HEC on a local service project. To learn more, contact Club Advisor Fritz Fiedler at fritz@uidaho.edu. 

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is a great way to keep current with the latest technological resources and to network with local and regional professionals.

Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) focuses on integrating engineering students with the transportation engineering profession. 

International Microelectronics & Packaging Society (IMAPS) members participate in many activities including the IMAPS Lecture Series, local high school outreach, national student booth competitions, industry tours and monthly meetings.

National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) is committed to supporting individuals typically underrepresented in the engineering and science community by implementing programs that promote academic excellence, personal growth, career development and positive community impacts through outreach and volunteering. NSBE-U of I hosts the annual Dynamic Engineer Lecture Series (DELS) in the spring.

The Polymorphic Games Studio is made up of undergraduate students from departments including Computer Science, Art, English, Music, Business, and Biology who are building evolutionary video games. Instead of pre-programming, scripted enemy behaviors to escalate difficulty, these games use populations of creatures that evolve - and specifically evolve to beat your strategy. 

The Polymorphic Games Studio functions similarly to a co-op program or research lab where undergraduate students are hired for summer positions to assist in game development. 

View the Polymorphic Games Studio Website

Power and Energy Society (PES) is an IEEE technical society that provides resources to learn about the power and energy sector and find careers. 

Python for Data Science Club seeks to unite passionate mathematicians, statisticians, and computer scientists in our goal to promote the field of data science using the Python programming language. Python Club will provide a community to meet and socialize with those interested in topics such as data analytics, machine learning, predictive modeling, artificial intelligence, data visualization, and more. 

The University of Idaho vandal Motorsports team competes annually in the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Baja competition.

Formerly the Idaho Clean Snowmobile Competition Team, this team competed in the SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge since 2001, winning the competition in 2002, 2003 and 2007 and accumulating more than 50 awards. We are the only team in SAE history to win the coveted Founder's Trophy award back-to-back in 2015 and 2016.

The team's main purpose is shaping students of any discipline into engineers who are ready for industry, giving opportunities for hands-on experience on student-led projects. 

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Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) is a resource and mentoring organization for minority students majoring in engineering, math and science. SHPE meets weekly on campus, attends a national conference and participates in high school outreach activities. 

The Society of Manufacturing Engineering (SME) narrows the gap between engineering and business. Students experience industry and factory settings first-hand by attending monthly tours in the Moscow/Spokane region in cooperation with the SME 248 Spokane Chapter. Club members enrich their college and professional experience with guest lectures and networking opportunities. 

The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) empowers women to succeed, advance, and be recognized for their life-changing contributions and achievements as engineers and leaders. 

Incoming and current University of Idaho students of all majors and gender identities are encouraged to join. 

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Tau Beta Pi is a national engineering honor society for top junior and senior students and is by invitation only based on GPA. 

Vandal Atmospheric Science Team (VAST) is the NASA Idaho Space Grant Consortium student high-altitude scientific balloon program at the University of Idaho. VAST is a multidisciplinary program involving students from all departments in the College of Engineering, as well as Physics, Chemistry, Life Sciences, Education and many other departments. Students in ENGR 205 will participate in the design, development, testing, flight and flight operations, recovery and data analysis of balloon-borne science and engineering instrumentation flown to altitudes of 100,000 feet and higher. To date, VAST has launched over 15 science payloads, reaching altitudes in excess of 100,000 feet (where the distance to the horizon given a clear day is 390 miles). 

Vandal Clean Energy Club (VCEC) educates, promotes, and implements clean energy and sustainable practices in and around the University of Idaho. This is done through outreach, policy, hands on engineering projects, and many others. VCEC is committed to clean energy in every form. Members will become further educated in the energy industry and the trends shaping it, as well as participate in projects endorsing clean energy and renewable resources and contribute to the production and use of clean energy. 

The Vandal Robotics Club at the University of Idaho is a group of multi-discipline, diverse, and driven students who want to apply their skills and experience in programming, design, fabrication, and critical thinking outside of the classroom. The club welcomes students of all skill levels to learn about robotics topics including programming, kinematics, controls, electronics, design, artificial intelligence, 3D printing, and 3D modeling. The club is also dedicated to the Vandal Spirit: having fun with fellow Vandals while learning and collaborating!