Program Coordinator: W. David Harding, Ph.D.
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 EAS 120 , Chemistry with Application to Biosystems, during the freshman year.
The first chemical engineering course, taken in the sophomore 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 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 most of the chemical engineering courses and culminates with the chemical engineering laboratory course during the senior year. This laboratory experience contributes to these educational objectives through the use of modern, industrial-type data acquisition and control instruments and computers on pilot-scale process equipment. Comprehensive design projects in the senior year enable the student to synthesize and focus on the entire curriculum. Several engineering or science electives allow flexibility in the program, to include areas of special interest.
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.