Degree Requirements, Chemical Engineering

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Master of Science in Engineering

The student’s program of coursework is selected with the advice of the graduate advisor and must be approved by the Graduate Studies Committee.

Master of Science in Engineering with thesis. For students electing this option, 30 semester hours of coursework, including six hours in the thesis course, are required. At least 15 hours must be completed in graduate-level organized chemical engineering courses. Up to nine hours of graduate research in chemical engineering may be counted towards the 30 hours requirement. A grade point average of at least 3.00 must be attained on graduate coursework in the major.

A thesis problem is selected after the student has consulted members of the Graduate Studies Committee. The thesis research problem should be selected during the first semester and initial research begun at that time. At least one full year is required to complete the master’s degree program.

Master of Science in Engineering with report. This option requires 30 hours of coursework, including three hours in the report course. At least 18 hours must be completed in graduate-level coursework, of which at least 15 hours must be in chemical engineering. Up to nine hours of graduate research in chemical engineering may be counted towards the 30 hour requirement. A grade point average of at least 3.00 must be attained on graduate coursework in the major.

Master of Science in Engineering without thesis or report. For students electing this option, 30 semester hours of coursework are required. At least 18 semester hours must be completed in graduate coursework in chemical engineering, and at least six hours must be outside chemical engineering. Three hours of upper-division coursework may be included, and three hours of graduate research in chemical engineering may be included. No research is required, but a grade point average of at least 3.00 must be attained on graduate coursework in the major. Enrollment in this option must be approved by the Chair of the Graduate Studies Committee in chemical engineering.

Doctor of Philosophy

A student may choose to pursue the doctoral degree without first obtaining a master’s degree. To be eligible for admission to candidacy, the student must pass the three core curriculum graduate courses in thermodynamics, transport phenomena, and kinetics, followed by a preliminary oral examination. Three additional courses in any field or major are required for the degree; organized graduate courses in Chemical Engineering or upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses outside Chemical Engineering will be counted towards this requirement. Only courses in which a student earns a C or higher will be counted. The doctoral candidate must also complete annual meetings with their committee and pass a final oral examination covering the research program. 

For a student with a Bachelor of Science degree, at least three years are required to complete the Doctor of Philosophy degree program.