Chemical Engineering Major (B.S.)

Chemical engineering is concerned with the analysis and design of processes that deal with the transfer and transformation of energy and material. The practice of chemical engineering includes the conception, development, design, and application of physicochemical processes and their products; the development, design, construction, operation, control, and management of plants for these processes; and activities relating to public service, education, and research.

The curriculum prepares students for productive careers in industry or government and provides a foundation for graduate studies. The program emphasizes chemical engineering fundamentals while offering opportunities for focused study in bioengineering, energy or environmental engineering.

Traditional employment areas in the chemical process industries include industrial chemicals, petroleum and petrochemicals, plastics, pharmaceuticals, metals, textiles, and food. Chemical engineers also are working in increasing numbers in the areas of energy engineering, pollution abatement, and biochemical and biomedical engineering; in addition, they are employed by many government laboratories and agencies as well as private industries and institutions.

Graduates from the program have the ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering to identify, formulate, and solve chemical engineering problems as well as to design and conduct experiments safely and analyze and interpret data. They are prepared to pursue advanced studies in chemical engineering. Program graduates gain a sense of professional and ethical responsibility with the ability to apply environmental, safety, economic, and ethical criteria in the design of engineering processes. They learn to function as individuals or in a team and gain skills in written and oral communication and effectively use computers for engineering practice, including information search in the library and online. They also understand the need for lifelong learning and the significance of societal and global issues relevant to chemical engineering.

The Chemical Engineering program (B Sci in Chemical Engineering) is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Chemical, Biochemical, Biomolecular and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

Degree Requirements

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

A minimum of 129 credits is required for graduation with the degree of bachelor of science in chemical engineering. There are nine electives in the chemical engineering curriculum. Six of these are for the Discovery Program requirements. The remaining three electives are chemical engineering electives.

Students are required to obtain a minimum 2.0 grade-point average in CHBE 501 Material Balances and CHBE 502 Energy Balances  and in overall standing at the end of the sophomore year in order to continue in the major. Study abroad (Exchange) chemical engineering students are required to have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in math, physics, chemistry, and CHBE courses at the end of the semester prior to their exchange semester.

Sample Degree Plan

This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.

¹

ENGL 401 First-Year Writing satisfies the Discovery Foundation Writing Skills category.

²

MATH 425 Calculus I satisifies the Discovery Foundation Quantitative Reasoning category.

³

PHYS 407 General Physics I or CHEM 405 Chemical Principles for Engineers satisfies the Discovery Physical Science (with lab) category.

⁴

CHBE 502 Energy Balances satisfies the Discovery Inquiry requirement.

⁵

CHBE 708 Chemical Engineering Design satisfies the Discovery Capstone Experience/Course. 

⁶

Chemical Engineering students do not have to take a course in the Discovery ETS category since they satisfy this requirement through a combination of courses in the curriculum. 

Program Learning Outcomes

By the time of graduation, students will have:

• an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
• an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
• an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
• an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
• an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
• an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
• an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.