Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineers are leading new developments in medicine, advanced materials, energy, consumer products, manufacturing and environmental solutions.

Applying their knowledge of chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics, chemical engineers create processes and products that are safe, environmentally friendly, energy efficient and economical.

From developing more efficient fuel cells to creating innovations that advance space exploration, our chemical engineering students and faculty are at the forefront of research.

As a chemical engineering graduate, you can work in a variety of fields from manufacturing and healthcare to food processing and environmental health and safety.

The chemical engineering department awards degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in chemical engineering.

What will I study?

Energy
Chemical engineers are used in the energy sector to explore for new reserves of oil and gas, process these raw materials into fuels and other useful chemicals, and developed new technologies like solar, wind, batteries and fuel cells that are sustainable and more environmentally sound.

Advanced Materials and Specialty Chemicals
Chemical engineers design, construct and operate unique processes to produce a range of highly tailored chemicals like lubricants, elastomers, composites, fragrances, polymers, and surfactants for the automobile, aerospace, cosmetics, agriculture, paper, textile and construction industries

Pharmaceuticals
Chemical engineers are involved in the conception, design, construction, and operation of research facilities and manufacturing plants that develop and produce valuable pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical therapies. They also have to implement FDA (Food and Drug Administration) regulations to ensure quality control over these products and processes.

Biotechnology
Chemical engineers leverage molecular-level insight and fundamental biological understanding with engineering principles to develop processes for producing products from natural materials that can range from biofuels to synthetic tissue to organic semiconductors.

Food Processing
Chemical engineers in the food and beverage industries handle, process, prepare, package, and preserve food and beverages. They formulate new flavors and preservatives, develop new processes that provide more consistent texture, flavor and appearance, and design aseptic packaging to ensure a longer shelf life.

Environmental Health and Safety
Pick an industry and chemical engineers are working there to improve the environment, minimize waste, and protect the personal health and safety of employees and the surrounding community. Chemical engineers help minimize waste through process monitoring and control, and by designing new processes that are more efficient and take advantage of sustainable raw materials.

Microelectronics
The microelectronics industry is not just for electrical engineers. Many steps in the production of microelectronics involved chemistry, from electroplating to etching. Chemical engineers are involved in material development and production, process control, and the manufacturing of microchips and intricate circuitry.

Chemical Engineering At A Glance

• Top 50 - Nationally Ranked Graduate Program - US News and World Report
• Top 30 - Nationally Ranked Graduate Program - National Research Council
• 14th - Nationally in Federally Funded Chemical R&D - National Science Foundation
• $72k - The average starting salary for a chemical engineer.

Cost & Fees