Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineers apply physical, chemical, and engineering principles to the processing and utilization of fuels, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology products, foods, plastics, metals, and basic chemicals.

Given the broad applications of chemical engineering, our program has the following two objectives:

1. Graduates demonstrate technical competency, communication skills and breadth of knowledge in serving effectively in the chemical engineering profession and in becoming technical leaders in industry, government or academia.
2. Graduates engage successfully in advanced study in engineering and applied sciences and in professions such as law, business, and medicine.

Many chemical engineers serve in the traditional chemical process industries of petroleum, chemicals, paper, pharmaceuticals, and plastics. Some develop new products or processes through research, while others carry out the pilot studies and design work needed to bring innovations from the laboratory to manufacturing operations. Many are engaged in the operation and management of process plants. Others are in marketing, developing new applications for, or solving problems arising from, the use of chemical products. Often a chemical engineer moves from one function to another. Chemical engineers have long aided in energy and materials production from oil, gas, and coal. Today they are also heavily involved in  research, development, and production of energy from alternative renewable  resources. Similarly, their chemical expertise and broad knowledge of processes are valuable in the identification and control of environmental problems, in health care, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology, and in areas such as electronic materials production. A chemical engineer’s career path is varied and rewarding, allowing individual talents to grow and be fully utilized.

In preparation for these career and graduate school opportunities, undergraduate studies for the B.S. CHE degree are very broad in both science and engineering. The curriculum progresses from  mathematics and  basic sciences  (with an emphasis on chemistry), through engineering sciences, to applications in chemical process analysis, and culminates in a capstone design project. Computer methods, laboratory techniques, open-ended problem solving, team approaches, and effective written and oral communication are emphasized throughout the program of study. Elective courses permit minors or concentrations in diverse technical and non-technical areas; recent students have  completed minors in many other engineering disciplines,  in business , and in many different humanities and liberal arts programs. Throughout the CHE program, students  not only  develop  technical capability, but also learn to consider the ethical, environmental, cultural, and economic impacts of technological activities.