Overview
Chemical engineers are involved in transfer of scientific discoveries to modern technologies and novel products that benefit society and minimize the impact to the environment. They deal with multi-scale aspects of generating clean energy, producing novel and superior materials, and utilizing the biological revolution in manufacturing new products. They are involved in the development and manufacture of consumer products as well as in design, operation, and control of processes in a variety of industries (e.g., petroleum, petrochemical, chemical, consumer products, food, feed, pharmaceutical, etc.). Their broad training in basic sciences (e.g., chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics) coupled with the strong foundation in chemical engineering principles (e.g., thermodynamics, mass and energy balances, transport phenomena, kinetics, separations, reaction engineering, control, product development, and process design) makes them invaluable team members and leaders in any engineering enterprise. It also prepares them well for graduate studies in biochemical, biomedical, chemical, environmental, and materials engineering. In addition, the B.S. degree in chemical engineering is a great starting point for pursuing a degree in business, law, or medicine.
The curriculum is planned so as to provide students with a strong background in basic chemical engineering concepts while allowing individual latitude to emphasize study in a specialized area. The faculty devotes a considerable amount of time to individual advising. A contemporary approach to chemical engineering is emphasized, consistent with modern developments in computer-supported problem solving, focused on the multi-scale aspects of the discipline. Molecular-level understanding is utilized in product development and process design, which in turn are evaluated in terms of their impact on the environment and society according to the principles of green engineering.
Mission Statement
The mission of our department is to teach chemical and biochemical principles their application in an inspiring learning environment and to prepare students for engineering careers by developing the skills of critical thinking, analytical abilities, and communication proficiency and by instilling a sense of professional ethics and societal responsibility.
Program Objectives
Our Program Educational Objectives (PEOs) are as follows. (a) After graduation, graduates employed in the chemical processing and product design, life sciences, and manufacturing industries will have applied process design tools, and product development concepts, assisted in plant operation and process control, and taken on managerial responsibilities. (b) Graduates pursuing doctoral studies will demonstrate superior preparedness by making reasonable progress towards degree, excelling in course work, and conducting productive research. (c) Graduates capitalizing on the versatility of our program will excel in diverse career paths such as business, law, consulting, government, and education. After graduation, they will have taken concrete steps towards advancing their careers in such areas. Irrespective of the profession they choose, the graduates will benefit from critical thinking and problem solving abilities which we foster/emphasize throughout our curriculum. (d) Graduates will demonstrate an appreciation for ethical behavior, social responsibility, and diversity in their chosen professions. (e) Graduates will also be engaged in lifelong learning through further graduate education, short courses, or other training programs in their chosen professions.
Advising
The department takes pride in mentoring undergraduate students. Each student who declares chemical engineering as a (potential) major is assigned an academic adviser from the tenure–track ChE faculty. Typically, the same adviser follows the student’s academic progress and serves as a mentor from the freshman year through graduation.
The Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering
For students entering Fall 2008 and later, this ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accredited B.S. ChE degree requires the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 127 units (Table 1). The program of study consists of 38 units of basic sciences (e.g., biology, Chemistry, mathematics, and physics), 11 units of engineering sciences, 39 units of core Chemical engineering courses, and 21 units of humanities, social sciences, and technical writing. The remaining units 18 units are Chemical engineering electives whish must satisfy the requirements listed below. Table 2 shows the sample year by year ChE curriculum.
The department provides students with the opportunity to tailor the 18 units of Chemical engineering electives towards their specific interests. The choice of electives should be planned carefully in consultation with the academic adviser. A ChE Course of Elective Study Approval Form [link pending] must be completed by no later than the end of the spring semester in the sophomore year (the form is submitted to the department through your academic advisor). While most students will make changes to the list of elective courses, this process ensures an awareness of both the opportunities and requirements. Students should review and update this form during subsequent planning meetings with their academic advisor which are held each semester though graduation. The 18 units of Chemical Engineering Electives must fulfill the following requirements: (a) all courses must be at the advanced level (300-or-higher) and must be in engineering
or the physical science; (b) at least one advanced (300-or-higher) laboratory course in engineering or physical sciences (e.g. ChE 433); (c) at least two advanced (300-or-higher) courses in Chemical Engineering (in addition to the laboratory requirement); and (d) a minimum of 10.0 Engineering Topics units for students matriculating as freshmen, and a minimum of 11.5 Engineering Topics units for dual degree program students. Engineering Topics units are denoted by the designation EN/TU in the course listings book. For example, ChE 345 (Pollution Abatement & Waste Minimization) has designation EN/TU 3 which means it carries three units of Engineering Topics. Exception: Chemistry 252 (Organic Chemistry II), although it is a 200-level course, can be counted towards the Chemical Engineering Electives. Other exceptions to the Chemical Engineering Electives requirements require approval from the EECE Department Chair and the EECE Undergraduate Curriculum Committee Chair. Up to 3 units of CHE 400 (Independent Study) can be counted towards the Chemical Engineering Electives requirement; at this time, CHE 400 carries zero units of Engineering Topics.
Students pursuing the B.S. ChE degree trough the school’s Dual-Degree program (page 320 of the 2008-2010 Undergraduate Programs book) have modestly different requirements. [details to be inserted]
In addition to the accredited B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering, another choice is to pursue a course of study leading to the B.S. degree in Applied Science with Major in Chemical Engineering. This is not an ABET-accredited degree but offers additional flexibility in selection of courses and exposes students to key Chemical engineering principles. General requirements for the degree are described on pages 320-321 of the 2008-2010 Undergraduate Programs book. Furthermore, the B.S. degree in Applied Science with Major in Chemical Engineering requires 18 units of 300-or-higher level Chemical Engineering Core Courses (see the list of such courses in Table 1).
Double Majors, Minor, Premedical Program
Some students may be able to take more than the 127-unit minimum during a four-year program, especially if they have advanced-placement units. This permits the choice of additional free electives from such areas as biology, computer science, the social sciences, or other engineering courses. It also provides an opportunity to pursue a double major. The rules for combining majors in engineering and multiple majors involving other university divisions are described on page 319-320 of the 2008-2010 Undergraduate Programs book. Particularly popular with Chemical engineering students is a double major with biomedical engineering or a combined degree program in process control systems described on page 371 of the 2008-2010 Undergraduate Programs book. Traditionally, the undergraduate Chemical engineering degrees, both the accredited degree and the applied science option, have been popular with students interested in medicine since the curriculum automatically satisfies most of the premedical education requirements. Premedical education within the engineering school is described in general on page 320 of the 2008-2010 Undergraduate Programs book. Students following a premedical education are required to take Chemistry 252 (Organic Chemistry II) which can count as a Chemical Engineering Elective (see above) and can take Chemistry 257 (Organic Chemistry Laboratory) instead of ChE 257 (Organic Chemistry Laboratory for Chemical Engineers) to satisfy both the B.S. ChE and premedical education requirements.
Minor in Environmental Engineering Science
The Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering sponsors an undergraduate minor in environmental engineering science. This 21-22 unit program prepares you to seek an entry-level position as an environmental engineer, scientist, or analyst. The minor also provides a solid foundation for undertaking graduate study in environmental engineering. Click the following hyperlinks for the requirements for the minor and a mapping of these requirements onto the B.S. ChE degree requirements.
Upcoming Semester Course Offerings
Undergradute Program Initatives
