Rice is a private, independent university dedicated to the "advancement of letters, science, and art."​ Rice attracts a diverse group of highly talented students with a range of academic studies that includes humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, architecture, music, and business management. The school offers students the advantage of forging close relationships with members of the faculty and the option of tailoring graduate and undergraduate studies to their specific interests. The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department provides high quality undergraduate and graduate degree programs, which emphasize fundamental principles that respond to and create technological change.