Mar 28, 2024  
Undergraduate Record 2018-2019 
    
Undergraduate Record 2018-2019 [ARCHIVED RECORD]

Chemical Engineering


Return to: School of Engineering and Applied Science: Departments/Programs  


Chemical engineering involves the application of mathematics, chemistry, physics and other natural sciences, such as biology, to develop economic ways of using materials and energy for the benefit of humankind.  Chemical engineers are involved in developing, processing, and marketing such varied products as fuels, pharmaceuticals, foods, plastics, metals, microelectronics, and basic chemicals.

The Chemical Engineering program educational objective is as follows:

Graduates of the Chemical Engineering program at the University of Virginia utilize their technical competency, communication and teamwork skills, and breadth of knowledge to serve effectively in the chemical engineering profession; to become technical leaders in industry, government or academia; or to pursue advanced study in engineering and applied sciences and in professions such as law, business, and medicine.

Our student outcomes are:

Undergraduate Program

  1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
  2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration for public health, safety, and welfare as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
  3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

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 career and graduate school opportunities, undergraduate studies for the B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering 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  develop not only  develop  technical capability, but also learn to consider the ethical, environmental, cultural, and economic impacts of technological activities.

First-Year and Second-Year Program


Chemical engineering students take two-semesters of general chemistry with the standard first-year program. Because of varied individual long-term goals and the many options available in the chemical engineering program, consultation with a CHE advisor in the first semester of studies is strongly recommended. For example, the second semester chemistry course and laboratory are required for CHE majors and should be taken during the first year. Further, those planning on medical school should schedule a full year of biology, including laboratories.

Concentration in Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering


A concentration in Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering prepares chemical engineering students for careers with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and for further graduate studies in these areas. The concentration consists of four electives: CHE 2246 - Introduction to Biotechnology, CHE 3347 - Biochemical Engineering, CHE 4448 – Bioseparations Engineering, and CHE 4456 - Bioproduct and Bioprocess Engineering. Additional bioscience or bioengineering elective courses may be taken from a list available in the department.

Chemical Engineering Curriculum (128 Credits)


Sixth Semester Credits: 16


Seventh Semester Credits: 15


Eighth Semester Credits: 15


Footnotes


(1) HSS Electives: chosen from the approved list available in A122 Thornton Hall or from the SEAS website.
(2) Technical electives: any 2000 to 5999 course in: APMA, MATH, CHEM, PHYS, BIOL, BIOM, CHE (other than required courses), ENGR 4880, CE, CS, ECE (except ECE 2066), MSE (except MSE 2010), MAE, SYS plus ENVS 2050, 2800, 3200, 3600, 3860, 4280, 4640, 4660, 4090. Special Topics and Special Projects courses as well as other courses introduced after the 2011-12 academic year must be individually approved.
(3) Engineering elective: Students must complete one course with substantial engineering content.  The list of acceptable choices can be obtained from the department office or through the ‘Academic Requirements’ page on SIS.
(4) Unrestricted electives: chosen from any graded course in the University except mathematics courses below MATH 1310 and courses that substantially duplicate any others offered for the degree, including PHYS 2010, 2020; CS 1010, 1020; or any introductory programming course. Students in doubt as to what is acceptable to satisfy a degree requirement should get the approval of their advisor and the dean’s office, located in Thornton Hall, Room A122. If APMA 1090 is taken as part of mathematics sequence, it counts as an unrestricted elective.
(5) CHE Electives: chosen from CHE 3347, CHE 4442, CHE 4448, CHE 4449, CHE 4450, CHE 4456, CHE 4561*, CHE 4562* (*courses listed under this special topics designation must be individually approved)

Minimum Grade Requirements for ChE Prerequisite Courses


C- is the standard required in ChE courses that are prerequisites for other ChE courses. Students cannot have more than one passing grade of less than C- in ChE prerequisites in order to enroll in higher-level ChE courses. Students with more than one grade below C- in more than one ChE prerequisite will have to retake the prerequisite(s) and receive a grade of at least C- before taking any higher-level ChE courses. This policy also applies to non-ChE majors who are pursuing a minor in chemical engineering.