<p>The latest US News ranked Northwestern at #9. The department is improving with vibrant research activities, esp when it coleads the nanotech research with the material science department (top-3 program). Undergrads have plenty of opportunities for research and two seniors just received Gates Scholarships. <a href="http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2006/02/gates.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2006/02/gates.html</a></p>