2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Chemical Engineering, B.S.


Program Coordinator: Michael Collura, Ph.D., Lehigh University

The B.S. program in chemical engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of  ABET, www.abet.org . The Chemical Engineering program is challenging, but for those genuinely interested, it develops the depth of knowledge required to embark on a fascinating and satisfying professional career in industry or government or to continue study at the graduate level.

The freshman year in chemical engineering is like that of the other engineering disciplines (see the section "Multidisciplinary Foundation for Engineering Programs "). Chemical Engineering students take EASC 1120 , Chemistry with Application to Biosystems, during the freshman year.

The first chemical engineering course, taken in the spring of the first year, is the beginning of a well-integrated sequence that builds on the multidisciplinary foundation. Each chemical engineering course contributes uniquely to the development of skills in problem solving, communication, computer usage, and engineering analysis and design. Several common themes weave throughout these courses, including safety, concern for the environment, and practical application of knowledge to real-world problems. A comprehensive laboratory experience is integrated into the program, including work in chemistry as well as chemical engineering. This laboratory experience contributes to these educational objectives through the use of modern, industrial-type data acquisition and control instruments on bench-scale to pilot-scale process equipment. A two-semester sequence of capstone design work in the senior year enables the student to synthesize and focus on the entire curriculum. Choice of chemistry electives along with several engineering or science electives allow flexibility in the program, to include areas of special interest.

Program Outcomes

  1. Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
  2. 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.
  3. Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  4. 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. Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
  6. Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  7. Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

 

Students in the Chemical Engineering program satisfy the University Core Curriculum requirements through specified courses and electives. University Core Curriculum categories are indicated in the list below for such electives.

Required Courses


(130 credits total)

Chemistry or Science Elective - Tier II: a 3 or 4 credit course chosen from the following:


Senior Year


Engineering or Science Electives


Upper-level courses (usually 3xxx level or higher) chosen from engineering, natural sciences, or mathematics.  Courses in elective Tiers I and II above will satisfy this requirement.  The chemical engineering department maintains a list of current courses which satisfy this requirement.  Consult  your advisor for details.

Note(s):


In some cases, students may wish to take courses beyond those required for the degree, to gain depth in an area of interest.

Accelerated Graduate Programs for B.S. Chemical Engineering


Qualified students in the B.S. Chemical Engineering program have the opportunity to gain early acceptance into 3 different M.S. programs at the University of New Haven. The accelerated programs allow students to take several graduate courses during their senior year and thus complete the M.S. program with one additional year of full-time study. Each of the choices is designed to augment the B.S. Chemical Engineering degree for those students who wish to gain depth in a specific area for application of their chemical engineering degree. To qualify for any of the accelerated programs, students must:

  • apply for admission no later than two semesters prior to the anticipated fulfillment of the B.S. Chemical Engineering degree requirements
  • maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 at the time of application to the accelerated program
  • submit one letter of recommendation by a chemical engineering faculty member
  • earn a minimum grade of B- is in any overlapping graduate courses taken during the senior year for them to apply to both programs

Some of the accelerated programs require that students choose particular electives within the B.S. program to prepare for graduate level work. Thus it is highly recommended that interested students discuss the accelerated option with their Chemical Engineering advisor as early as possible so as to plan appropriate schedules.  

Direct Entry B.S. Chemical Engineering/M.S. Chemistry


The direct entry, combined B.S. Chemical Engineering/M.S. Chemistry degree program augments the chemistry background that is included in the B.S. Chemical Engineering program to prepare students for careers that require a deeper understanding of chemistry. To prepare for entry to the M.S. Chemistry program, students work with their advisor to choose appropriate chemistry courses for the elective requirements of the B.S. Chemical Engineering program (eg., Organic Chemistry II, Instrumental Analysis and Physical Chemistry II). During the senior year, four graduate-level chemistry courses can be taken that count toward the M.S. in Chemistry. Students graduate with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering at the end of the fourth year and take the remaining graduate-level courses in the fifth year to complete the M.S. in Chemistry.

Direct Entry B.S. Chemical Engineering/M.S. Biomedical Engineering


The direct entry, combined B.S. Chemical Engineering/M.S. Biomedical Engineering degree program is a powerful combination for students interested in the biomedical field. Student choose particular electives in the B.S. Chemical Engineering program (eg., Organic Chemistry II and three Biology courses) to prepare for graduate biomedical engineering courses. During the senior year students may take three graduate-level biomedical engineering courses that count toward the M.S. in Biomedical Engineering. Students graduate with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering following their fourth year and take the remaining graduate-level courses in the fifth year to complete the M.S. in Biomedical Engineering.

Direct Entry B.S. Chemical Engineering/M.S. Environmental Engineering


The direct entry, combined B.S. Chemical Engineering/M.S. Environmental Engineering degree program is a great combination for students pursuing a career in the environmental area. During the senior year, students may take three graduate-level environmental engineering courses that count toward the M.S. in Environmental Engineering. Students graduate with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering following their fourth year and take the remaining graduate-level courses in the fifth year to complete the M.S. in Environmental Engineering.