Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineering is one of the most broadly based engineering disciplines. Its field of practice covers the development, design, and control of processes and products that involve molecular change, both chemical and biological, and the operation of such processes. Because many of the products that sustain and improve life are produced by carefully designed and controlled molecular changes, the chemical engineer serves in a wide variety of industries. These industries range from chemical and energy companies to producers of all types of consumer and specialty products, pharmaceuticals, textiles, polymers, advanced materials, and solid-state and biomedical devices.
Careers are available in industry, government, consulting, and education. Areas of professional work include research and development, operations, technical service, product development, process and plant design, market analysis and development, process control, and pollution abatement.
The objective of the chemical engineering degree program is to prepare students for professional practice in chemically related careers after the bachelor’s degree or an advanced degree. Chemical engineering graduates are expected to apply fundamentals of science and engineering to solve problems of analysis and design of components, systems, and processes important in chemical engineering practice and research; demonstrate interpersonal skills required to lead and/or participate effectively in interdisciplinary projects; recognize the importance of lifelong learning in meeting professional and personal goals so they can be successful in their chosen profession, including graduate school; exhibit effectiveness in communication skills; and articulate and practice professional, ethical, environmental, and societal responsibilities, and value different global and cultural perspectives. To meet the program objective, the faculty has designed a rigorous, demanding, and state-of-the-art curriculum that integrates lectures and laboratory experience in basic science, mathematics, engineering science, engineering design, and the liberal arts.
Portable Computing Devices
Students entering chemical engineering are required to have a laptop computer at their disposal. Laptops do not need to be brought to campus on a daily basis, but individual courses may require that a laptop be brought to certain lectures, labs, and/or exams. Minimum requirements for the laptop are listed on the department’s website.
Curriculum
Course requirements are divided into three categories: basic sequence courses, major sequence courses, and other required courses. In addition each student must complete the University’s core curriculum. In some cases a course required for the Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering may also be counted toward the core curriculum; these courses are identified below. To ensure that courses used to fulfill the social and behavioral sciences and visual and performing arts requirements of the core curriculum also meet ABET criteria, students should follow the guidance given in Degrees.
In the process of fulfilling engineering degree requirements, students must also complete coursework to satisfy the following flag requirements: one independent inquiry flag, one course with a quantitative reasoning flag, one ethics and leadership flag, one global cultures flag, one cultural diversity in the US flag, and two writing flags. The independent inquiry flag, the quantitative reasoning flag, the ethics and leadership flag, and one writing flag are carried by courses specifically required for the degree; these courses are identified below. Students are advised to fulfill the second writing flag requirement with a course that meets another requirement of the core curriculum, such as the first-year signature course. Courses that may be used to fulfill flag requirements are identified in the Course Schedule.
Enrollment in major sequence courses is restricted to students who have received credit for all of the basic sequence courses and have been admitted to the major sequence. Requirements for admission to a major sequence are given in Admission and Registration. Enrollment in other required courses is not restricted by completion of the basic sequence.
| Courses | Sem Hrs |
| Basic Sequence Courses | |
| 8 | |
|
12 |
|
12 |
|
8 |
|
3 |
| Total 43 | |
| Major Sequence Courses | |
|
34 |
|
6 |
|
6 |
| Total 46 | |
| Other Required Courses | |
| 3 | |
|
5 |
|
4 |
|
3 |
| Total 15 | |
| Remaining Core Curriculum Courses | |
| 3 | |
|
6 |
|
6 |
|
3 |
|
3 |
|
3 |
| Total 24 | |
| Minimum Required 128 | |
Honors Program
Chemical engineering students who maintain a grade point average of at least 3.50 may take the honors research course, Chemical Engineering 679H. In this course the student performs research over two consecutive semesters under the supervision of a faculty member, makes two oral presentations, and writes a thesis. Chemical Engineering 679H may be used to fulfill either the approved area electives requirement or the approved area electives in chemical engineering requirement.
Technical Focus Areas
Because of the broad training in natural sciences and engineering received by the chemical engineer, opportunities are provided for students also to develop particular talents and interests in one or two areas of emphasis. Each student must complete twelve semester hours in one of the following areas or six semester hours in each of two areas, including at least two chemical engineering courses. The technical focus area courses should be selected in consultation with a faculty adviser and must be approved by the department chair. The courses listed in each area do not constitute a complete list of technical focus area courses but illustrate the types of courses that are generally suitable for a given area. A list of suggested complementary biology, physics, mathematics, and chemistry electives for each of the technical focus areas is available from the Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Office and published on the departmental Web page.
Students with a grade point average of at least 3.50 who are interested in seeking an advanced degree in chemical engineering are encouraged to discuss their plans with the graduate adviser or another faculty member. These students are encouraged to take at least one advanced mathematics course among their electives. They should also inquire about undergraduate research positions in the department.
For all areas, Chemical Engineering 325L and 377K may be counted as chemical engineering electives only with the approval of the student’s undergraduate faculty adviser. Chemical Engineering 377K may be counted only once toward the degree.
Area 1, Process Systems and Product Engineering
The chemical process industry is one of the most advanced in the applications of modern design and control techniques and computer technology. Competence in design, economics, fault detection, optimization, control, and simulation is essential in this industry. Chemical engineers are also frequently involved in the development of new consumer and specialty products, an assignment that requires not only technical skills but also an understanding of the principles of successful marketing and quality control. Chemical engineering courses in this technical focus area cover topics such as optimization and statistical quality control, while courses in mechanical engineering and electrical engineering deal with both theory and applications in statistics, computer control, economic analysis, and operations research.
Chemical Engineering 341, Design for Environment
Chemical Engineering 342, Chemical Engineering Economics and Business Analysis
Chemical Engineering 356, Optimization: Theory and Practice
Chemical Engineering 376K, Process Evaluation and Quality Control
Electrical Engineering 370K, Computer Control Systems
Electrical Engineering 379K, Topic: Statistical Quality Control
Architectural Engineering 323K, Project Management and Economics
Mechanical Engineering 335, Engineering Statistics
Mechanical Engineering 348D, Introduction to Mechatronics II
Mechanical Engineering 353, Engineering Finance
Mechanical Engineering 366L, Operations Research Models
Marketing 320F, Foundations of Marketing
International Business 378, International Business Operations
Marketing 460, Information and Analysis (carries a quantitative reasoning flag)
Upper-division mathematics course
Area 2, Materials Engineering
Advances in technology and improvements in our quality of life are linked to the development, processing, and manufacture of engineering materials. Materials span the spectrum from “hard” to “soft” materials and include metals, ceramics, semiconductors, and polymers; all are prepared in carefully controlled chemical processes. These materials are used technologically in objects such as catalysts, fuel cells, microelectronic devices, membranes, solar cells, and high-performance plastics. With advancements in analytical probes and modeling, our understanding of materials has become increasingly more molecular and the traditional boundaries between disciplines have faded to the extent that this is a truly interdisciplinary area. Chemical engineers can assume a creative role in this area when provided with the appropriate fundamentals and applications background.
Chemistry 341, Special Topics in Laboratory Chemistry
Chemistry 354, Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy
Chemistry 354L, Physical Chemistry II
Chemistry 367L, Macromolecular Chemistry
Chemistry 376K, Advanced Analytical Chemistry
Chemical Engineering 322M, Molecular Thermodynamics
Chemical Engineering 323, Chemical Engineering for Micro- and Nanofabrication
Chemical Engineering 355, Introduction to Polymers
Chemical Engineering 379, Topic: Computation Methods with Applications to Materials
Chemical Engineering 379, Topic: Polymerization Kinetics and Reaction Engineering
Electrical Engineering 339, Solid-State Electronic Devices
Mechanical Engineering 349, Corrosion Engineering
Mechanical Engineering 359, Materials Selection
Mechanical Engineering 374S, Solar Energy Systems Design
Mechanical Engineering 378C, Electroceramics
Mechanical Engineering 378S, Structural Ceramics
Physics 338K, Electronic Techniques
Physics 355, Modern Physics and Thermodynamics
Physics 375S, Introductory Solid-State Physics
Area 3, Environmental Engineering
Chemical engineers are uniquely qualified to contribute to the solution of environmental problems and to design processes and products that minimize environmental hazards. From pollution prevention by process optimization, to new understanding of chemical processes that occur in the environment, to new materials for advanced catalysts and carbon-free energy sources, chemical engineers are creating the “green” technologies needed to sustain the planet.
Civil Engineering 341, Introduction to Environmental Engineering
Civil Engineering 342, Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
Civil Engineering 364, Design of Wastewater and Water Treatment Facilities
Civil Engineering 369L, Air Pollution Engineering
Civil Engineering 370K, Environmental Sampling and Analysis
Chemical Engineering 341, Design for Environment
Chemical Engineering 357, Technology and Its Impact on the Environment
Chemical Engineering 359, Energy Technology and Policy
Chemical Engineering 376K, Process Evaluation and Quality Control
Mechanical Engineering 374S, Solar Energy Systems Design
Mechanical Engineering 379M, Topics in Mechanical Engineering
Area 4, Biochemical, Biomolecular, and Biomedical Engineering
Track A: Cellular and Bioprocess Engineering
Chemical engineers are developing innovative solutions to practical problems in biotechnology and in the biochemical, pharmaceutical, and life science industries. This track is designed to prepare students for a career or research in the areas of applied cellular engineering and bioprocess engineering in the chemicals and pharmaceutical industry. Chemical engineering and elective courses are available that cover chemical engineering principles applied to biological systems and the fundamentals of biomolecular, cellular, and metabolic processes. This track is also suitable for students interested in biofuels.
Biology 311D, Introductory Biology II
Biology 325, Genetics
Biology 326R, General Microbiology
Chemical Engineering 339, Introduction to Biochemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering 339P, Introduction to Biological Physics
Chemistry 339K, Biochemistry I
Chemistry 339L, Biochemistry II
Chemistry 370, Physical Methods for Biochemistry (carries a writing flag)
Track B: Biomedical Engineering
This track is designed to prepare students for careers in the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries that deal with medical systems or improvement of health treatment alternatives. This is also a natural track to be followed by students who plan to attend medical school. Chemical engineering courses and electives are available that cover the application of chemical engineering principles to the design of new medical and therapeutic devices, as well as to the understanding of physiological processes.
Biology 311D, Introductory Biology II
Biology 320, Cell Biology
Biology 325, Genetics
Biology 326R, General Microbiology
Biology 365R, Vertebrate Neurobiology
Biology 365S, Systems Physiology
Biomedical Engineering 352, Engineering Biomaterials
Biomedical Engineering 353, Transport Phenomena in Living Systems
Biomedical Engineering 365R, Quantitative Engineering Physiology I
Chemical Engineering 339, Introduction to Biochemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering 339P, Introduction to Biological Physics
Chemical Engineering 339T, Cell and Tissue Engineering
Chemical Engineering 355, Introduction to Polymers
Chemistry 339K, Biochemistry I
Electrical Engineering 374K, Biomedical Electronic Instrument Design
Mechanical Engineering 354, Introduction to Biomechanical Engineering
Area 5, Energy Technologies
The need for energy sustainability and new energy technologies provides some of the most significant scientific and engineering challenges that face society. Chemical engineers are uniquely qualified to address these issues and contribute new solutions to the problem. Technologies include solar energy utilization in the form of photovoltaics, biofuels and solar fuels; new and more efficient ways to extract fossil fuels from existing reservoirs; alternative power sources like wind, geothermal, and nuclear. Policy is also an important and active area that involves chemical engineers. Chemical engineering and other elective courses are available that teach fundamentals of energy technology and policy.
Chemical Engineering 323, Chemical Engineering for Micro- and Nanofabrication
Chemical Engineering 339, Introduction to Biochemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering 341, Design for Environment
Chemical Engineering 355, Introduction to Polymers
Chemical Engineering 357, Technology and Its Impact on the Environment
Chemical Engineering 359, Energy Technology and Policy
Civil Engineering 341, Introduction to Environmental Engineering
Electrical Engineering 339, Solid-State Electronic Devices
Mechanical Engineering 374S, Solar Energy Systems Design
Mechanical Engineering 379M, Topics in Mechanical Engineering
Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering 305, Energy and the Environment
Area 6, Engineering Economics and Business Leadership
Chemical engineers who understand the economic and policy issues faced by modern chemical and materials companies are needed to solve the challenges of modern industry. Globalization, sustainability, safety and modern labor practices, intellectual property protection, and the process of innovation are all issues facing modern industry. This focus area is designed to prepare students for business leadership in a technical arena.
Chemical Engineering 342, Chemical Engineering Economics and Business Analysis
Chemical Engineering 356, Optimization: Theory and Practice
Architectural Engineering 323K, Project Management and Economics
Economics 304K, Introduction to Microeconomics
Economics 304L, Introduction to Macroeconomics
Economics 328, Industrial Organization
Economics 339K, International Trade and Investment
Economics 351K, Current Issues in Business Economics
Mechanical Engineering 353, Engineering Finance
Mechanical Engineering 366L, Operations Research Models
Marketing 320F, Foundations of Marketing
International Business 378, International Business Operations
Marketing 460, Information and Analysis (carries a quantitative reasoning flag)
Science, Technology and Society 332, The Nanotechnology and Science Revolution