Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, founded in 1824, is one of the nation s oldest technological universities. RPI is a private, coeducational, nonprofit entity that offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees in engineering, the sciences, information technology, architecture, management, humanities and social sciences. Institute programs serve undergraduates, graduate students and working professionals throughout the world. Rensselaer faculty are known for pre-eminence in research conducted in a wide range of fields, with particular emphasis in biotechnology, nanotechnology, information technology and the media arts and technology. Rensselaer s optional cooperative education program, which is open to both undergraduate and graduate students, provides a vehicle for students to gain work experience while still in college. Students have worked for employers such as General Electric Company, IBM, United Technologies, Pitney Bowes, Stryker, Boeing, Intel MetLife and Schick. RPI has campuses in Troy, N.Y., and Hartford, Conn.