chemical engineering course work

Chemical Engineering Major

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering offers students solid preparation for professional work in development, design, and operation of chemical products and processes. It prepares the student for employment in such industries as chemical, petroleum, electrochemical, biochemical, semiconductor, nuclear, aerospace, plastics, food processing, or environmental control.

Students with high scholastic attainment are well prepared to enter graduate programs leading to advanced degrees in chemical engineering or in related professional, scientific, and engineering fields. The undergraduate program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org .

Suggested Sequence of Courses

(F) course is offered in fall only

(S) course is offered in spring only

1 1 Students who have satisfied Math 1A and who plan to take Math 1B or 53 in the Fall may consider also taking Physics 7A or a programming course. Math 1B is a prerequisite or corequisite for these courses. Students may take either CS 61A or Eng 7 to satisfy the programming requirement.

CS 61A vs. Engineering 7: CS 61A is a foundational programming course that teaches important concepts like debugging code, persistence in debugging code, and writing clean code that minimizes bugs and is reproducible. Eng 7 places a greater emphasis on numerical methods. Since some of the material in Eng 7 is covered in CBE 130, the Chemical Engineering faculty recommend taking CS 61A. They note that CS 61A will teach students how to think critically about and design a project before you start coding. This foundation will provide a good transition to CBE 130 and other upper-division CBE classes, which will cover the scientific aspects of coding. The faculty also note that CS 61A will likely be more work than Eng 7, but that CS 61A will help build proficiency in coding which will pay off in the future.

2 Required co-requisite for CBE 140 for all new students beginning Fall 2022. Maybe be used as an elective for continuing students.

3 The breadth elective requirement is comprised of 22 units, including one semester of Reading & Composition (R1A) and the breadth series requirement. If a student took Chem Eng 185 Technical Communications by spring 2017, the breadth requirement is 19 units.

4  Student ID rule applies: Normal timing for students with SID numbers ending in 2, 4, 6, or 8 is spring of junior year, and for students with SID numbers ending in 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 is fall of senior year. Extenuating circumstances due to issues such as transfer status should be discussed with 154 instructor.

5 CBE C170L may be used to satisfy the Chemical Engineering lab requirement in lieu of CBE 154 beginning in Spring 2022, not before. CBE C170L also satisfies the prerequisite for CBE 160, 161S, and any other upper division CBE course in which 154 is a prerequisite. Students who take both C170L and 154 may use one to satisfy the lab requirement and the other to satisfy either the CBE elective requirement or an engineering elective. C170L may NOT be used to satisfy both the lab requirement AND an elective or concentration requirement.

Chemical Engineering Courses

Classes Students Are Expected to Take in College

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Are you interested in studying chemical engineering ?

Here's a look at some of the courses chemical engineering students are expected to take in college. The actual courses you would take depend on which institution you attend, but expect to take a lot of math, chemistry, and engineering courses.

You'll also study environmental sciences and materials. Many engineers take classes in economics and ethics, too.

• Computer Science
• Differential Equations
• Electronics
• Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• General Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• Reactor Design
• Reactor Kinetics
• Thermodynamics

Typical Course Requirements

Chemical engineering usually is a four-year degree, requiring 36 hours of coursework. The specific requirements vary from one institution to another, so here are some examples:

Princeton's School of Engineering and Applied Science requires:

• 9 engineering courses
• 4 math courses
• 2 physics courses
• 1 general chemistry course
• 1 computer class
• 1 general biology course
• Differential equations (math)
• Organic chemistry
• Advanced chemistry
• Electives in science and the humanities

What Makes It Special?

Studying chemical engineering opens opportunities not only for engineering, but also for biomechanical science, modeling, and simulations.

Courses specific to chemical engineering can include:

• Polymer science
• Bioengineering
• Sustainable energy
• Experimental biology
• Biomechanics
• Atmospheric physics
• Electrochemistry
• Drug development
• Protein folding

Examples of areas of chemical engineering specialization include:

• Biotechnology
• Microelectronics
• Environmental engineering
• Engineering mechanics
• Materials science
• Nanotechnology
• Process dynamics
• Thermal engineering

Now that you know what courses a chemistry major takes, you may be wondering why you should consider a career in engineering. There are several good reasons to study engineering .

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Bachelor of science in chemical engineering.

• ABET Student Outcomes

Portable Computing Devices

Honors program, area 1, process systems and product engineering, area 2, materials engineering, area 3, environmental engineering, track a: cellular and bioprocess engineering, track b: biomedical engineering, area 5, energy technologies, area 6, engineering economics and business leadership.

Chemical engineering is one of the most broadly-based engineering disciplines. Its field of practice covers the development, design, and control of processes and products that involve molecular change, both chemical and biological, and the operation of such processes. Because many of the products that sustain and improve life are produced by carefully designed and controlled molecular changes, the chemical engineer serves in a wide variety of industries. These industries range from chemical and energy companies to producers of all types of consumer and specialty products, pharmaceuticals, textiles, polymers, advanced materials, and solid-state and biomedical devices.

Careers are available in industry, government, consulting, and education. Areas of professional work include research and development, operations, technical service, product development, process and plant design, market analysis and development, process control, and pollution abatement.

The chemical engineering degree program prepares students for professional practice in chemically related careers after the bachelor's degree or an advanced degree. Chemical engineering graduates are expected to attain the following capabilities at or within a few years of graduation: apply the fundamentals of science and engineering to solve important chemical engineering problems in industry, government or academic settings; communicate effectively and demonstrate the interpersonal skills required to lead and/or participate in multidisciplinary projects; apply life-long learning to meet professional and personal goals of their chosen profession, including graduate study; articulate and practice professional, ethical, environmental and societal responsibilities, and value different global and cultural perspectives. To meet the program objective, the faculty has designed a rigorous, demanding, and state-of-the-art curriculum that integrates lectures and laboratory experience in basic science, mathematics, engineering science, engineering design, and the liberal arts.

ABET Student Outcomes:

• an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
• an ability to 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
• an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
• 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
• an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, crate a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
• an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
• an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Students entering chemical engineering are required to have a laptop computer at their disposal. Laptops do not need to be brought to campus on a daily basis, but individual courses may require that a laptop be brought to certain lectures, labs, and/or exams. Minimum requirements for the laptop are listed on the department’s website .

Course requirements are divided into three categories: lower-division courses in the major, upper-division courses in the major, and other required courses. Enrollment in some upper-division Chemical Engineering courses requires completion of eight hours of lower-division Chemical Engineering coursework ( Chemical Engineering 210 , 317 and 319 ) and 11 hours of non-Chemical Engineering coursework ( Chemistry 353 , Mathematics 427J ,  Physics 303L  and  105N ) in the major, while earning a grade of C- or better in each course. In addition, each student must complete the University's Core Curriculum . In some cases, a course required for the Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering may also be counted toward the core curriculum; these courses are identified below. 

In the process of fulfilling engineering degree requirements, students must also complete coursework to satisfy the following flag requirements: one independent inquiry flag, one course with a quantitative reasoning flag, one ethics flag, one global cultures flag, one cultural diversity in the United States flag, and two writing flags. The independent inquiry flag, the quantitative reasoning flag, the ethics flag, and the two writing flags are carried by courses specifically required for the degree; these courses are identified below. Courses that may be used to fulfill flag requirements are identified in the Course Schedule .

Chemical engineering students who are in the Engineering Honors Program and maintain a grade point average of at least 3.50 may take the honors research course, Chemical Engineering 679H . In this course the student performs research over two consecutive semesters under the supervision of a faculty member, makes two oral presentations, and writes a thesis. Chemical Engineering 679H may be used to fulfill either the approved area electives requirement or the approved area electives in chemical engineering requirement.

Technical Option Areas

Because of the broad training in natural sciences and engineering received by the chemical engineer, opportunities are provided for students also to develop particular talents and interests in one or two areas of emphasis. Each student must complete 12 semester hours in one of the following areas or six semester hours in each of two areas. These courses must include at least two engineering courses, of which one must be in Chemical Engineering. If two technical option areas are selected, then two courses from each technical option area should be completed. The technical area courses should be discussed with a faculty advisor during faculty advising for the next registration period. The courses listed in each area do not constitute a complete list of technical option area courses but illustrate the types of courses that are generally suitable for a given area. A list of suggested complementary biology, physics, mathematics, and chemistry electives for each of the technical option areas is available from the Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Office and published on the departmental Web page.

Students who are interested in seeking an advanced degree in chemical engineering are encouraged to discuss their plans with the graduate advisor or another faculty member. They should also inquire about undergraduate research positions in the department.

For all areas, Chemical Engineering 377K  or 377L  may be counted as chemical engineering electives. Chemical Engineering 377K may be counted only once toward the degree. For all areas, 3 hours of so-op may be counted as an engineering elective.

The chemical process industry is one of the most advanced in the applications of modern design and control techniques and computer technology. Competence in design, economics, fault detection, optimization, control, and simulation is essential in this industry. Chemical engineers are also frequently involved in the development of new consumer and specialty products, an assignment that requires not only technical skills but also an understanding of the principles of successful marketing and quality control. Chemical engineering courses in this technical focus area cover topics such as optimization and statistical quality control, while courses in mechanical engineering and electrical engineering deal with both theory and applications in statistics, computer control, economic analysis, and operations research.

Chemical Engineering 341 , Design for Environment Chemical Engineering 342 , Chemical Engineering Economics and Business Analysis   Chemical Engineering 356 , Optimization: Theory and Practice Chemical Engineering 376K , Process Evaluation and Quality Control Chemical Engineering 379 , Topics in Chemical Engineering * Electrical and Computer Engineering 370K , Computer Control Systems Electrical and Computer Engineering 379K * Architectural Engineering 323K , Project Management and Economics   Mechanical Engineering 335 , Engineering Statistics   Mechanical Engineering 348F , Advanced Mechatronics II   Mechanical Engineering 353 , Engineering Finance   Mechanical Engineering 366L , Operations Research Models   Marketing 320F , Foundations of Marketing Upper-division mathematics course

*Approved topics

Advances in technology and improvements in our quality of life are linked to the development, processing, and manufacture of engineering materials. Materials span the spectrum from “hard” to “soft” materials and include metals, ceramics, semiconductors, and polymers; all are prepared in carefully controlled chemical processes. These materials are used technologically in objects such as catalysts, fuel cells, microelectronic devices, membranes, solar cells, and high-performance plastics. With advancements in analytical probes and modeling, our understanding of materials has become increasingly more molecular and the traditional boundaries between disciplines have faded to the extent that this is a truly interdisciplinary area. Chemical engineers can assume a creative role in this area when provided with the appropriate fundamentals and applications background.

Chemical Engineering 322M , Molecular Thermodynamics   Chemical Engineering 323 , Chemical Engineering for Micro- and Nanofabrication   Chemical Engineering 355 , Introduction to Polymers   Chemical Engineering 379 * Chemistry 341 , Special Topics in Laboratory Chemistry   Chemistry 354 , Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy   Chemistry 354L , Physical Chemistry II Chemistry 367L , Macromolecular Chemistry Chemistry 376K , Advanced Analytical Chemistry Electrical and Computer Engineering 339 , Solid-State Electronic Devices   Mechanical Engineering 349 , Corrosion Engineering   Mechanical Engineering 359 , Materials Selection   Mechanical Engineering 374S , Solar Energy Systems Design   Physics 338K , Electronic Techniques   Physics 355 , Modern Physics and Thermodynamics   Physics 375S , Introductory Solid-State Physics

Chemical engineers are uniquely qualified to contribute to the solution of environmental problems and to design processes and products that minimize environmental hazards. From pollution prevention by process optimization, to new understanding of chemical processes that occur in the environment, to new materials for advanced catalysts and carbon-free energy sources, chemical engineers are creating the “green” technologies needed to sustain the planet.

Chemical Engineering 341 , Design for Environment   Chemical Engineering 357 , Technology and Its Impact on the Environment   Chemical Engineering 359 , Energy Technology and Policy Chemical Engineering 376K , Process Evaluation and Quality Control Chemical Engineering 379 * Civil Engineering 341 , Introduction to Environmental Engineering   Civil Engineering 342 , Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering   Civil Engineering 364 , Design of Wastewater and Water Treatment Facilities   Civil Engineering 369L , Air Pollution Engineering   Civil Engineering 370K , Environmental Sampling and Analysis   Mechanical Engineering 374S , Solar Energy Systems Design   Mechanical Engineering 379M , Topics in Mechanical Engineering

Area 4, Biochemical, Biomolecular, and Biomedical Engineering

Chemical engineers are developing innovative solutions to practical problems in biotechnology and in the biochemical, pharmaceutical, and life science industries. This track is designed to prepare students for a career or research in the areas of applied cellular engineering and bioprocess engineering in the chemicals and pharmaceutical industry. Chemical engineering and elective courses are available that cover chemical engineering principles applied to biological systems and the fundamentals of biomolecular, cellular, and metabolic processes. This track is also suitable for students interested in biofuels. Chemical Engineering 339 , Introduction to Biochemical Engineering Chemical Engineering 339P , Introduction to Biological Physics   Chemical Engineering 379 * Biochemistry 369 , Fundamentals of Biochemistry   Biochemistry 370 , Physical Methods of Biochemistry   Biology 325 , Genetics   Molecular Biosciences 326R , General Microbiology Molecular Biosciences 355 , Microbial Biochemistry   *Approved topics

This track is designed to prepare students for careers in the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries that deal with medical systems or improvement of health treatment alternatives. This is also a natural track to be followed by students who plan to attend medical school. Chemical engineering courses and electives are available that cover the application of chemical engineering principles to the design of new medical and therapeutic devices, as well as to the understanding of physiological processes.

Chemical Engineering 339 , Introduction to Biochemical Engineering   Chemical Engineering 339P , Introduction to Biological Physics   Chemical Engineering 339T , Cell and Tissue Engineering   Chemical Engineering 355 , Introduction to Polymers Chemical Engineering 379 * Molecular Biosciences 320 , Cell Biology   Biology 325 , Genetics   Molecular Biosciences 326R , General Microbiology   Integrative Biology 365S , Human Systems Physiology   Biomedical Engineering 352 , Engineering Biomaterials   Biomedical Engineering 353 , Transport Phenomena in Living Systems   Biomedical Engineering 365R , Quantitative Engineering Physiology I   Biochemistry 369 , Fundamentals of Biochemistry   Electrical and Computer Engineering 374K , Biomedical Electronic Instrument Design   Mechanical Engineering 354 , Introduction to Biomechanical Engineering

The need for energy sustainability and new energy technologies provides some of the most significant scientific and engineering challenges that face society. Chemical engineers are uniquely qualified to address these issues and contribute new solutions to the problem. Technologies include solar energy utilization in the form of photovoltaics, biofuels and solar fuels; new and more efficient ways to extract fossil fuels from existing reservoirs; alternative power sources like wind, geothermal, and nuclear. Policy is also an important and active area that involves chemical engineers. Chemical engineering and other elective courses are available that teach fundamentals of energy technology and policy.

Chemical Engineering 323 , Chemical Engineering for Micro- and Nanofabrication   Chemical Engineering 339 , Introduction to Biochemical Engineering   Chemical Engineering 341 , Design for Environment   Chemical Engineering 355 , Introduction to Polymers   Chemical Engineering 357 , Technology and Its Impact on the Environment   Chemical Engineering 359 , Energy Technology and Policy Chemical Engineering 379 * Civil Engineering 341 , Introduction to Environmental Engineering   Electrical and Computer Engineering 339 , Solid-State Electronic Devices   Mechanical Engineering 374S , Solar Energy Systems Design   Mechanical Engineering 379M , Topics in Mechanical Engineering   Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering 430 , Drilling and Well Completions

Chemical engineers who understand the economic and policy issues faced by modern chemical and materials companies are needed to solve the challenges of modern industry. Globalization, sustainability, safety and modern labor practices, intellectual property protection, and the process of innovation are all issues facing modern industry. This focus area is designed to prepare students for business leadership in a technical arena.

Chemical Engineering 342 , Chemical Engineering Economics and Business Analysis   Chemical Engineering 356 , Optimization: Theory and Practice Chemical Engineering 379 , Topics in Chemical Engineering * Architectural Engineering 323K , Project Management and Economics   Economics 304K , Introduction to Microeconomics   Economics 304L , Introduction to Macroeconomics   Economics 328 , Industrial Organization   Economics 339K , International Trade and Investment Economics 351K , Current Issues in Business Economics   International Business 378 , International Business Operations   Mechanical Engineering 353 , Engineering Finance   Mechanical Engineering 366L , Operations Research Models   Marketing 320F , Foundations of Marketing   Marketing 460 , Information and Analysis

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Department of Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineering encompasses the translation of molecular information into discovery of new products and processes. It involves molecular transformations—chemical, physical, and biological—with multi-scale description from the submolecular to the macroscopic, and the analysis and synthesis of such systems. The chemical engineer is well prepared for a rewarding career in a strikingly diverse array of industries and professional arenas. Whether these industries are at the cutting edge—e.g., nanotechnology or biotechnology—or traditional, they depend on chemical engineers to make their products and processes a reality. The effectiveness of chemical engineers in such a broad range of areas begins with foundational knowledge in chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics. From this foundation, chemical engineers develop core expertise in engineering thermodynamics, transport processes, and chemical kinetics, creating a powerful and widely applicable combination of molecular knowledge and engineering problem solving. To cope with complex, real-world problems, chemical engineers develop strong synthetic and analytic skills. Through creative application of these chemical engineering principles, chemical engineers create innovative solutions to important industrial and societal problems in areas such as development of clean energy sources, advancement of life sciences, production of pharmaceuticals, sustainable systems and responsible environmental stewardship, and discovery and production of new materials.

The Department of Chemical Engineering at MIT offers four undergraduate programs. Course 10 leads to the Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering through a curriculum that prepares the graduate for a wide range of career pursuits. Course 10-B leads to the Bachelor of Science in Chemical-Biological Engineering, which includes the basic engineering core from the Course 10 degree and adds material in basic and applied biology. Course 10-ENG leads to the Bachelor of Science in Engineering, a more flexible curriculum that supplements a chemical engineering foundation with an area of technical specialization. Course 10-C leads to the Bachelor of Science without specification; this non-accredited degree requires fewer chemical engineering subjects. Undergraduates have access to graduate-level subjects in their upper-level years. Undergraduate students are also encouraged to participate in research through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) .

The department offers a broad selection of graduate subjects and research topics leading to advanced degrees in chemical engineering. Multidisciplinary approaches are highly valued, leading to strong ties with other MIT departments. In addition, the department maintains alliances, arrangements, and connections with institutions and industries worldwide. Areas for specialization include, but are not limited to: biochemical engineering, biomedical engineering, biotechnology, chemical catalysis, chemical process development, environmental engineering, fuels and energy, polymer chemistry, surface and colloid chemistry, systems engineering, and transport processes. Additional information may be found under Graduate Education and on the department's website .

The School of Chemical Engineering Practice, leading to five-year bachelor's and master's degrees, involves one term of work under the direction of an Institute staff member resident at Practice School sites. This program provides students with a unique opportunity to apply basic professional principles to the solution of practical industrial problems.

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (Course 10)

Bachelor of science in chemical-biological engineering (course 10-b), bachelor of science as recommended by the department of chemical engineering (course 10-c), bachelor of science in engineering (course 10-eng), five-year programs and joint programs, undergraduate study.

The undergraduate curriculum in chemical engineering provides basic studies in physics, biology, and mathematics, advanced subjects in chemistry or biology, and a strong core of chemical engineering. The four-year undergraduate programs provide students with the fundamentals of the discipline and allow some room for focus in subdisciplines or subjects that strengthen their preparation for advanced work.

In addition to science and engineering, students take an integrated sequence of subjects in the humanities and social sciences. Specific subject selection allows students to meet individual areas of interest. The curriculum provides a sound preparation for jobs in industry or government, and for graduate work in chemical engineering.

Chemical engineering also provides excellent preparation for careers in medicine and related fields of health science and technology. The department's strong emphasis on chemistry and biology provides excellent preparation for medical school. Students interested in medical school work with their faculty and premedical advisor to create the best program. A minor in biomedical engineering is also available.

The Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering degree program is intended for the student who seeks a broad education in the application of chemical engineering to a variety of specific areas, including energy and the environment, nanotechnology, polymers and colloids, surface science, catalysis and reaction engineering, systems and process design, and biotechnology. The degree requirements include the core chemical engineering subjects with a chemistry emphasis, and the opportunity to add subjects in any of these application areas.

Course 10 is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a chemical engineering degree.

The Bachelor of Science in Chemical-Biological Engineering degree program is intended for the student who is specifically interested in the application of chemical engineering in the areas of biochemical and biomedical technologies. The degree requirements include core chemical engineering subjects and additional subjects in biological sciences and applied biology. This degree is excellent preparation for students also considering the biomedical engineering minor or medical school.

Course 10-B is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET as a chemical and biological engineering degree.

Students who decide early to major in either Course 10 or Course 10-B are encouraged to take subjects such as 5.111 / 5.112 Principles of Chemical Science , 5.12 Organic Chemistry I , and 7.01x Introductory Biology in their first year. Then 5.601 Thermodynamics I , 18.03 Differential Equations , 10.10 Introduction to Chemical Engineering , 10.213 Chemical and Biological Engineering Thermodynamics , and 10.301 Fluid Mechanics may be taken in the sophomore year. The student is then well positioned for more in-depth and specialized subjects in the third and fourth years.

Some students may wish to defer choice of a major field or exercise maximum freedom during the first two years. If the Restricted Electives in Science and Technology (REST) Requirement subjects chosen in the second year include 18.03 Differential Equations and two subjects in the fields of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, chemistry, biology, or chemical engineering, students can generally complete the requirements for a degree in chemical engineering in two more years. Students are advised to discuss their proposed program with a Course 10 faculty advisor as soon as they become interested in a degree in chemical engineering. Faculty advisors are assigned to students as soon as they declare their major and then work with the students through graduation. Further information may be obtained from Dr. Barry S. Johnston.

Additional information is available on the Chemical Engineering Department website . Undergraduates are encouraged to take part in the research activities of the department through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) .

The curriculum for the Bachelor of Science as Recommended by the Department of Chemical Engineering (Course 10-C) involves basic subjects in chemistry and chemical engineering. Instead of continuing in depth in these areas, students can add breadth by study in another field, such as another engineering discipline, biology, biomedical engineering, economics, or management. Course 10-C is attractive to students who wish to specialize in an area such as those cited above while simultaneously gaining a broad exposure to the chemical engineering approach to solving problems.

Students planning to follow this curriculum should discuss their interests with their faculty advisor in the department at the time they decide to enter the Course 10-C program, and submit to Dr. Barry S. Johnston in the department's Undergraduate Office a statement of goals and a coherent program of subjects no later than spring term of junior year. Please direct questions about this program to Dr. Johnston.

The Bachelor Science in Engineering (10-ENG) degree program is designed to offer flexibility within the context of chemical engineering while ensuring significant engineering content, and is a complement to our chemical engineering degree programs 10 and 10-B. The degree is designed to enable students to pursue a deeper level of understanding in a specific interdisciplinary field that is relevant to the chemical engineering core discipline. The degree requirements include all of the core chemical engineering coursework, plus a chosen set of three foundational concept subjects and four subjects with engineering content that make up a comprehensive concentration specific to the interdisciplinary area selected by the student. The concentrations have been selected by the Department of Chemical Engineering to represent new and developing cross-disciplinary areas that benefit from a strong foundation in engineering within the chemical engineering context. Details of the concentrations are available from the Chemical Engineering Student Office and the department's website .

The foundational concept component of the flexible engineering degree consist of basic science and engineering subjects that help lay the groundwork for the chosen concentration. Three subjects must be selected from a list of potential topics. One of the foundational concept subjects must be a chemical engineering CI-M subject, and one must be a laboratory subject that satisfies the Institute Laboratory Requirement. The subjects should be selected with the assistance of a 10-ENG degree advisor from the Chemical Engineering Department so as to be consistent with the degree requirements of the program and the General Institute Requirements. Several of these subjects can satisfy the program's CI-M requirement.

The flexible engineering concentration consists of four subjects that are selected by the student from a suggested subject list provided for each 10-ENG concentration; the student also may propose subjects that fit the theme of the chosen concentration. These lists are included in the concentration descriptions provided on the department's website and at the Chemical Engineering Student Office. Students work with their 10-ENG advisors to propose a 10-ENG degree program, which must then be approved by the Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Committee.

The flexible engineering degree major capstone experience consists of 12 units and/or a senior-level project. Alternatively, the student may choose to complete a senior thesis in a topic area relevant to the concentration. Senior-level projects or senior thesis projects are specifically designed to integrate engineering principles into specific applications or problems and are not standard UROP projects; such projects require the preliminary approval of the department's undergraduate officer.

Course 10-ENG is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET as an engineering degree.

In addition to offering separate programs leading to the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Chemical Engineering, the department offers a program leading to the simultaneous award of both degrees at the end of five years. A detailed description of this program is available from the Graduate Student Office. Students in the five-year program normally enroll in the School of Chemical Engineering Practice.

For chemical engineering students interested in nuclear applications, the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Department of Nuclear Engineering offer a five-year program leading to the joint Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering. Such programs are approved on an individual basis between the registration officers of the two departments.

Additional information concerning undergraduate academic and research programs may be obtained by writing to Dr. Barry S. Johnston , undergraduate officer, Department of Chemical Engineering, Room 66-368, 617-258-7141, fax 617-258-0546. For information regarding admissions and financial aid, contact the Admissions Office, Room 3-108, 617-253-4791.

Master of Science in Chemical Engineering

Master of science in chemical engineering practice, doctor of science or doctor of philosophy, doctor of philosophy in chemical engineering practice, graduate study.

Graduate study provides both rigorous training in the fundamental core discipline of chemical engineering and the opportunity to focus on specific subdisciplines. In addition to completing the four core subject requirements in thermodynamics, reaction engineering, numerical methods, and transport phenomena, students select a research advisor and area for specialization, some of which are discussed below.

Thermodynamics and Molecular Computation. Thermodynamics is a cornerstone of chemical engineering. Processes as diverse as chemical production, bioreaction, creation of advanced materials, protein separation, and environmental treatment are governed by thermodynamics. The classical concepts of equilibrium, reversibility, energy, and entropy are basic to the analysis and design of these processes. The extension of classical thermodynamics to molecular scales by use of statistical mechanics has made molecular simulation an increasingly valuable tool for the chemical engineer. Prediction of macroscopic behavior from molecular computations is becoming ever more feasible. This venerable field continues to yield fruitful areas of inquiry.

Opportunities in the department for graduate study in this field include predicting properties of materials and polymers from molecular structure, applying quantum mechanics to catalyst design, supercritical fluid processing, the behavior of complex fluids with environmental and biomedical applications, phase equilibrium with simple and complex molecular species, immunology, protein stabilization, nucleation and crystallization of polymer and pharmaceuticals, and many other areas of classical and statistical thermodynamics.

Transport Processes. A fluid deforming and flowing as forces are imposed on it, its temperature varying as heat is transferred through it, the interdiffusion of its distinct molecular species—these are examples of the processes of transport. These transport processes govern the rates at which velocity, temperature, and composition vary in a fluid; chemical engineers study transport to be able to describe, predict, and manage these changes. Research includes experimental testing and analytical and computational modeling; its applications range among an enormous variety of mechanical, chemical, and biological processes.

Current work includes the study of polymer molecular theory and polymer processing, transport and separations in magnetorheological fluids, membrane separations, diffusion in complex fluids, defect formation and evolution in near-crystalline materials, microfluidics, fluid instability, transport in living tissue, numerical solution of field equations, and many other areas of transport phenomena.

Catalysis and Chemical Reaction Engineering. A simple chemical reaction—the rearrangement of electrons and bonding partners—occurs between two small molecules. From understanding the kinetics of the reaction, and the equilibrium extent to which it can proceed, come applications: the network of reactions during combustion, the chain reactions that form polymers, the multiple steps in the synthesis of a complex pharmaceutical molecule, the specialized reactions of proteins and metabolism. Chemical kinetics is the chemical engineer's tool for understanding chemical change.

A catalyst influences the reaction rate. Catalysts are sought for increasing production, improving the reaction conditions, and emphasizing a desired product among several possibilities. The challenge is to design the catalyst, to increase its effectiveness and stability, and to create methods to manufacture it.

A chemical reactor should produce a desired product reliably, safely, and economically. In designing a reactor, the chemical engineer must consider how the chemical kinetics, often modified by catalysis, interacts with the transport phenomena in flowing materials. New microreactor designs are expanding the concept of what a reactor may do, how reactions may be conducted, and what is required to scale a process from laboratory to production.

Research is being conducted in the department at the forefront of catalyst design, complex chemical synthesis, bioreactor design, surface- and gas-phase chemistry, miniaturization of reactors, mathematical modeling of chemical reaction networks, and many other areas of chemical reaction engineering. Applications include the manufacturing of chemicals, refining of fuels for transportation and power, and microreactors for highly reactive or potentially hazardous materials.

Polymers. Wondrous materials found in nature and now synthesized in enormous quantity and variety, polymers find an ever-increasing use in manufactured products. Polymers are versatile because their properties are so wide-ranging, as is evident even in the conceptually simple polymers made from a single molecular species. The versatility becomes more profound in the copolymers made from multiple precursors, and the polymers compounded with filler materials. Research in polymers encompasses the chemical reactions of their formation, methods of processing them into products, means of modifying their physical properties, and the relationship between the properties and the underlying molecular- and solid-phase structure.

Graduate research opportunities in the department include studies of polymerization kinetics, non-Newtonian rheology, polymer thin films and interfaces, block copolymers, liquid crystalline polymers, nanocomposites and nanofibers, self-assembly and patterning, and many other areas of polymer science and engineering. In addition to a program in graduate study in polymers within the department, the interdisciplinary Program in Polymers and Soft Matter (PPSM) provides a community for researchers in the polymer field and offers a program of study that focuses on the interdisciplinary nature of polymer science and engineering.

Materials. The inorganic compounds found in nature are the basis for new materials made by modifying molecular composition (such as purifying silicon and doping it with selected impurities) and structure (such as control of pore and grain size). These materials have electronic, mechanical, and optical properties that support a variety of novel technologies. Other materials are applied as coatings—thin films that create a functional surface. Still other materials have biological applications, such as diagnostic sensors that are compatible with living tissue, barriers that control the release of pharmaceutical molecules, and scaffolds for tissue repair. A new generation of biomaterials is being derived from biological molecules. Research in materials is wide-ranging and highly interdisciplinary, both fundamental and applied. In the department, materials research includes studies in plasma etching, thin-film chemical vapor deposition, crystal growth, nano-crystalline structure, molecular simulation, scaffolds for bone and soft tissue regeneration, biocompatible polymers, and many other areas of materials engineering.

Surfaces and Nanostructures. In many arrangements of matter, the interfaces between phases—more than their bulk compositions—are critical to the material structure and behavior. The surfaces of solids offer a platform for functional coating; coatings may be deposited from vapor, applied as a volatile liquid, or assembled from solution onto the solid, in a pattern determined by the molecular properties. This self-assembly tendency may be exploited to arrange desired patterns that have operational properties. Interfacial effects are also responsible for stable dispersions of immiscible phases, leading to fluids with complex microstructure. Other structured fluids arise from large molecules whose orientation in the solvent is constrained by molecular size and properties. In solids, tight control of pore size, grain size, chemical composition, and crystal structure offer a striking range of catalytic, mechanical, and electromagnetic properties. The understanding of gas-solid kinetics is crucial to the study of heterogeneous catalysis and integrated circuit fabrication. Structure is the basis for function, and by manipulating tiny length scales, the resulting nanostructure makes available new capabilities, and thus new technologies and products. Graduate study in surfaces and nanostructures may include studies of colloids, emulsions, surfactants, and other structured fluids with biological, medical, or environmental applications. It also encompasses thin films, liquid crystals, sol-gel processing, control of pharmaceutical morphology, nanostructured materials, carbon nanotubes, surface chemistry, surface patterning, and many other areas of nanotechnology and surface science.

Biological Engineering. Chemical engineering thermodynamics, transport, and chemical kinetics, so useful for manufacturing processes, are fruitful tools for exploring biological systems as well. Biological engineering research may be directed at molecular-level processes, the cell, tissues, the organism, and large-scale manufacturing in biotech processes. It may be applied to producing specialized proteins, genetic modification of cells, transport of nutrients and wastes in tissue, therapeutic methods of drug delivery, tissue repair and generation, purification of product molecules, and control strategies for complex bioproduction plants. Its methods include analytical chemistry and biochemistry techniques, bioinformatic processing of data, and computational solution of chemical reaction and transport models. Biological engineering is an extraordinarily rich area for chemical engineers, and its consequences—theoretical, medical, commercial—will be far-reaching.

Opportunities in the department for graduate study in biological engineering include manipulation and purification of proteins and other biomolecules, research into metabolic processes, tissue regeneration, gene regulation, bioprocesses, bioinformatics, drug delivery, and biomaterials, to name a few. Both experimental and computational methods are used, including statistical mechanics and systems theory. Chemical engineering faculty are also involved in the Center for Biomedical Engineering, created to enhance interdisciplinary research and education at the intersection of engineering, molecular and cell biology, and medicine. The Novartis-MIT Center for Continuous Manufacturing, another center of research activity involving chemical engineers, promises to revolutionize the chemical processing of pharmaceuticals.

Energy and Environmental Engineering. Making energy available to society requires finding and producing a range of fuels, improving the efficiency of energy use under the ultimate limits imposed by thermodynamics, and reducing the effects of these processes on the environment. The widespread use of fossil fuels increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, leading to concerns about global warming. Other sustainability indicators also suggest that we now need to transform our energy system to a more efficient, lower-carbon future. This transformation provides many opportunities for chemical engineers to evaluate and explore other energy supply options such as renewable energy from solar, biomass, and geothermal resources, nonconventional fuels from heavy oils, tar sands, natural gas hydrates, and oil shales. Developing technologies for transporting and storing thermal and electrical energy over a range of scales are also of interest.

Further environmental distress can result from manufacturing processes and society's use of the manufactured products. The traditional response of treating process wastes is still useful, but there is growing emphasis on designing new processes to produce less waste. This might be done by improving catalysts to decrease unwanted by-products, finding alternatives to volatile solvents, and developing more effective separation processes. Chemical engineers are at work in these areas, and in developing alternative energy sources and assessing the effects of pollutants on human health.

In the department, students will find expertise in combustion, chemical reaction networks, renewable energy and upgrading of nonconventional fuels, carbon dioxide capture and sequestration, water purification and catalytic treatment of pollutants, global air pollution modeling, design of novel energy conversion processes, energy supply chains, and many other areas of energy and environmental engineering. Faculty in the department are actively involved in the MIT Energy Initiative.

Systems Design and Simulation. From early in the development of chemical engineering, processes were represented as combinations of unit operations. This concept was useful in analyzing processes, as well as providing a library of building blocks for creating new processes. Process and product design are imaginative activities, an artful blend of intuition and analysis. Design is aided by mathematical tools that simulate the behavior of the process or product and seek optimum performance. Effective use of simulation and optimization tools allows unexpected pathways to be explored, dangerous operating regions to be identified, and transient and accident conditions to be tested. Process and product systems engineering brings it all together, placing the technical features of a process or product in the context of operations, economics, and business. The end result is improved economy, reliability, and safety. Methodologies for process and product modeling and simulation, computer-aided engineering, operations research, optimization theory and algorithms, process and product design strategy, treatment of uncertainty, multiscale systems engineering, and many other areas of systems engineering are being developed in the Department of Chemical Engineering. Such research leads to new prototypes for process systems, design of new molecules with desired properties, and processes with better operability, control, safety, and environmental performance.

School of Chemical Engineering Practice

Since 1916, the David H. Koch School of Chemical Engineering Practice has been a major feature of the graduate education in the department. In this unique program, students receive intensive instruction to broaden their education in the technical aspects of the profession, and also in communication skills and human relations, which are frequently decisive factors in the success of an engineering enterprise. The Practice School program stresses problem solving in an engineering internship format, where students undertake projects at industrial sites under the direct supervision of resident MIT faculty. Credit is granted for participation in the Practice School in lieu of preparing a master's thesis.

The operation of the Practice School is similar to that of a small consulting company. The resident staff work closely with the technical personnel of the host companies in identifying project assignments with significant educational merit, and with solutions that make important contributions to the operation of the company.

During Practice School, students work on three or four different projects. Groups and designated group leaders change from one project to another, giving every individual an opportunity to be a group leader at least once.

Students in the Practice School program are required to demonstrate proficiency, or take one graduate subject, in each of the following areas: thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, applied process chemistry, kinetics and reactor design, systems engineering, and applied mathematics.

Programs for the Master of Science in Chemical Engineering usually are arranged as a continuation of undergraduate professional training, but at a greater level of depth and maturity. The general requirements for a master's program are given in the section on Graduate Education . To complete the requirement of at least 66 graduate subject units, together with an acceptable thesis, generally takes four terms.

The unit requirements for the Master of Science in Chemical Engineering Practice (Course 10-A) are the same as those for the Master of Science in Chemical Engineering, except that 48 units of Practice School experience replace the master's thesis.

In some cases, Bachelor of Science graduates of this department can meet the requirements for the Master of Science in Chemical Engineering Practice (Course 10-A) in two terms. Beginning in September following graduation, students complete the required coursework at the Institute. The spring semester is spent at the Practice School field stations. Careful planning of the senior year schedule is important.

For students who have graduated in chemical engineering from other institutions, the usual program of study for the Master of Science in Chemical Engineering Practice involves two terms at the Institute followed by field station work in the Practice School. Graduates in chemistry from other institutions normally require an additional term.

Doctoral candidates are required to pass a qualifying exam which contains two parts - a written and oral examination. The written qualifying exam consists of a thesis proposal document. The oral qualifying exam consists of the presentation of the thesis proposal to a faculty committee, including discussion and questions. The qualifying exam is usually completed within 16 months of starting residence as a graduate student. Completing a master's degree is not a prerequisite for entering the doctoral program or obtaining a doctoral degree.

The requirements for the doctoral degree include a program of advanced study, a minor program, a biology requirement, and a thesis. The program of advanced study and research is normally carried out in one of the fields of chemical engineering under the supervision of one or more faculty members in the Department of Chemical Engineering. A thesis committee of selected faculty monitors the doctoral program of each candidate.

This degree program provides educational experience that combines advanced work in manufacturing, independent research, and management. The program is built on the outstanding research programs within the department, the unique resources of the David H. Koch School of Chemical Engineering Practice, and the world-class resources of the Sloan School of Management. Students are prepared for a rapid launch into positions of leadership in industry and provided with a foundation for completion of an MBA degree.

The program consists of three major parts: the first year is devoted to coursework and the Practice School, the two middle years are devoted to research, and the final year is completed in the Sloan School of Management. In addition, an integrative project combines the research and management portions of the program.

Students in the PhD in Chemical Engineering Practice (PhDCEP) program must pass the department's written and oral examinations. The progress of their research is monitored by a faculty committee, and the final thesis document is defended in a public forum. The normal completion time should be four calendar years for the PhDCEP program.

Interdisciplinary Programs

Computational science and engineering doctoral program.

The Doctoral Program in Computational Science and Engineering (CSE PhD) allows students to specialize in a computation-related field of their choice through focused coursework and a doctoral thesis through a number of participating host departments. The CSE PhD program is administered jointly by the Center for Computational Science and Engineering (CCSE) and the host departments, with the emphasis of thesis research activities being the development of new computational methods and/or the innovative application of computational techniques to important problems in engineering and science. For more information, see the full program description under Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs.

The 24-month Leaders for Global Operations (LGO)  program  combines graduate degrees in engineering and management for those with previous postgraduate work experience and strong undergraduate degrees in a technical field . During the two-year program, students complete a six-month internship  at one of LGO's partner companies, where  they conduct  research that  forms the basis of a dual-degree thesis. Students finish the program with two MIT degrees: an MBA (or SM in management) and an SM from one of eight engineering programs, some of which have optional or required LGO tracks.  After graduation, alumni  lead strategic initiatives in high-tech, operations, and manufacturing companies.

The MIT Microbiology Graduate PhD Program is an interdepartmental, interdisciplinary program that provides students broad exposure to underlying elements of modern microbiological research and engineering, and depth in specific areas of microbiology during the student‘s thesis work. MIT has a long-standing tradition of excellence in microbiological research; currently, more than 50 faculty from different departments study or use microbes in significant ways in their research. The program integrates educational resources across the participating departments to build connections among faculty with shared interests from different units and to build an educational community for training students in the study of microbial systems. Students apply to the Microbiology program and conduct research in the labs of faculty in one of the participating departments: Biology; Biological Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Chemistry; Civil and Environmental Engineering; Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences; Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; Materials Sciences and Engineering; Media Arts and Sciences; and Physics. Graduates of this program will be prepared to enter a range of fields in microbial science and engineering and will have excellent career options in academic, industrial, and government settings.

The Program in Polymers and Soft Matter (PPSM)  offers students from participating departments an interdisciplinary core curriculum in polymer science and engineering, exposure to the broader polymer community through seminars, contact with visitors from industry and academia, and interdepartmental collaboration while working towards a PhD or ScD degree.

Research opportunities include functional polymers, controlled drug delivery, nanostructured polymers, polymers at interfaces, biomaterials, molecular modeling, polymer synthesis, biomimetic materials, polymer mechanics and rheology, self-assembly, and polymers in energy. The program is described in more detail under Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs.

Financial Support

The department has a wide variety of financial support options for graduate students, including teaching and research assistantships, fellowships, and loans. Information about financial assistance may be obtained by writing to the Graduate Student Office, but consideration for awards cannot be given before admissions decisions have been made.

For additional information concerning graduate programs, admissions, financial aid, and assistantships, contact the Graduate Student Office , Department of Chemical Engineering, Room 66-366, 617-253-4579.

Faculty and Teaching Staff

Kristala L. Jones Prather, PhD

Arthur D. Little Professor

Professor of Chemical Engineering

Head, Department of Chemical Engineering

Bradley D. Olsen, PhD

Alexander and I. Michael Kasser (1960) Professor

Executive Officer, Department of Chemical Engineering

Daniel Griffith Anderson, PhD

Core Faculty, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science

Robert C. Armstrong, PhD

Chevron Professor Post-Tenure

Professor Post-Tenure of Chemical Engineering

Paul I. Barton, PhD

Lammot du Pont Professor of Chemical Engineering

Martin Z. Bazant, PhD

E. G. Roos Professor

Professor of Applied Mathematics

Daniel Blankschtein, PhD

Herman P. Meissner (1929) Professor of Chemical Engineering

Richard D. Braatz, PhD

Edwin R. Gilliland Professor

Fikile R. Brushett, PhD

Arup K. Chakraborty, PhD

John M. Deutch Institute Professor

Robert T. Haslam (1911) Professor in Chemical Engineering

Professor of Chemistry

Professor of Physics

Clark K. Colton, PhD

Mircea Dincă, PhD

W. M. Keck Professor of Energy

Patrick S. Doyle, PhD

Robert T. Haslam (1911) Professor of Chemical Engineering

(On sabbatical, spring)

William H. Green Jr, PhD

Hoyt Hottel Professor of Chemical Engineering

Paula T. Hammond, PhD

Institute Professor

Vice Provost for Faculty

T. Alan Hatton, PhD

Ralph Landau (1941) Professor Post-Tenure

Klavs F. Jensen, PhD

Warren K. Lewis Professor Post-Tenure of Chemical Engineering

Professor Post-Tenure of Materials Science and Engineering

Jesse Kroll, PhD

Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Heather J. Kulik, PhD

Robert Langer, ScD

David H. Koch (1962) Institute Professor

Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Professor of Biological Engineering

Affiliate Faculty, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science

Douglas A. Lauffenburger, PhD

Ford Foundation Professor

Professor of Biology

J. Christopher Love, PhD

Yuriy Román, PhD

Gregory C. Rutledge, PhD

Lammot Dupont Professor of Chemical Engineering

Hadley Sikes, PhD

George Stephanopoulos, PhD

Arthur Dehon Little Professor Post-Tenure

Gregory Stephanopoulos, PhD

Willard Henry Dow Professor of Chemical Engineering

Michael S. Strano, PhD

Carbon P. Dubbs Professor of Chemical Engineering

Yogesh Surendranath, PhD

William A. Tisdale, PhD

Bernhardt L. Trout, PhD

Raymond F. Baddour Professor

Karl Dane Wittrup, PhD

Associate Professors

Kwanghun Chung, PhD

Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering

Associate Professor of Brain and Cognitive Sciences

Connor W. Coley, PhD

Class of 1957 Career Development Professor

Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Brandon J. DeKosky, PhD

Phillip and Susan Ragon Career Development Professor of Chemical Engineering

Zachary P. Smith, PhD

Robert N. Noyce Career Development Professor

Assistant Professors

Ariel L. Furst, PhD

Paul M. Cook Career Development Professor

Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering

Kate E. Galloway, PhD

W. M. Keck Career Development Professor in Biomedical Engineering

Qin Maggie Qi, PhD

James R. Mares ’24 Career Development Chair

Sungho Shin, PhD

Texaco-Mangelsdorf Assistant Professor in Chemical Engineering

Professors of the Practice

Allan S. Myerson, PhD

Professor of the Practice of Chemical Engineering

Associate Professors of the Practice

Javit A. Drake, PhD

Associate Professor of the Practice of Chemical Engineering

Senior Lecturers

Robert J. Fisher, PhD

Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering

Robert T. Hanlon, ScD

Charles Baker, MS

Lecturer in Chemical Engineering

Thomas J. Blacklock, PhD

Daniel Adam Doneson, PhD

Joey Gu, PhD

Jean-François P. Hamel, PhD

Kathryn Elizabeth Hansen, PhD

Peter J. Hansen, PhD

Thomas A. Kinney, PhD

Alethia Mariotta, JD

Luis Perez-Breva, PhD

Michael S. Sarli, MS

Rory G. Schacter, PhD

Brian E. Stutts, PhD

Research Staff

Research scientists.

Lev E. Bromberg, PhD

Research Scientist in Chemical Engineering

Felice Frankel, BS

Professors Emeriti

Robert A. Brown, PhD

Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering

Robert E. Cohen, PhD

Raymond A. and Helen E. St. Laurent Professor Emeritus

Charles L. Cooney, PhD

Robert T. Haslam (1911) Professor Emeritus

William M. Deen, PhD

Carbon P. Dubbs Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering

Lawrence B. Evans, PhD

Karen K. Gleason, PhD

Alexander and I. Michael Kasser (1960) Professor Emerita

Professor Emerita of Chemical Engineering

Gregory J. McRae, PhD

Herbert Harold Sawin, PhD

Professor Emeritus of Electrical Engineering

Kenneth A. Smith, PhD

Jefferson W. Tester, PhD

Preetinder S. Virk, ScD

Associate Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering

10.00 Molecule Builders

Prereq: Chemistry (GIR) and Physics I (GIR) U (Spring) 1-3-2 units

Project-based introduction to the applications of engineering design at the molecular level. Working in teams, students complete an open-ended design project that focuses on a topic such as reactor or biomolecular engineering, chemical process design, materials and polymers, or energy. Provides students practical exposure to the field of chemical engineering as well as potential opportunities to continue their project designs in national/international competitions. Limited to 36; preference to first year students.

B. D. Olsen

10.000 Engineering Molecular Marvels: Careers and ChemE at MIT

Prereq: None U (Spring) Not offered regularly; consult department 2-0-0 units

Exposes students to the ways in which chemical technologies have profoundly altered the course of history. Discusses the next century's great challenges, such as curing cancer and supplying the planet's surging demand for clean water, food and energy, sustainably. Provides an overview of how ChemE students apply fundamental engineering principles and leverage technology, from molecules to systems, in the pursuit of practical solutions for these problems and more. Subject can count toward the 6-unit discovery-focused credit limit for first year students.

T. A. Kinney

10.01 Ethics for Engineers

Engineering School-Wide Elective Subject. Offered under: 1.082 , 2.900 , 6.9320 , 10.01 , 16.676 Subject meets with 6.9321 , 20.005 Prereq: None U (Fall, Spring) 2-0-4 units

Explores how to be an ethical engineer. Students examine engineering case studies alongside key readings by foundational ethical thinkers from Aristotle to Martin Luther King, Jr., and investigate which ethical approaches are best and how to apply them. Topics include justice, rights, cost-benefit analysis, safety, bias, genetic engineering, climate change, and the promise and peril of AI. Discussion-based, with the aim of introducing students to new ways of thinking. All sections cover the same core ethical frameworks, but some sections have a particular focus for case studies, such as bioengineering, or have an in-depth emphasis on particular thinkers. The subject is taught in separate sections. Students are eligible to take any section regardless of their registered subject number. For 20.005 , students additionally undertake an ethical-technical analysis of a BE-related topic of their choosing.

D. A. Lauffenburger, B. L. Trout

10.02 Foundations of Entrepreneurship for Engineers

Prereq: None U (Spring) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-9 units

Studies economic and leadership foundations of entrepreneurship as they relate to engineering. Case studies illustrate major impacts of engineering on the world and examine the leaders responsible for such impacts. Authors include Franklin, Keynes, Leonardo, Lincoln, Locke, Machiavelli, Marx, Schmidt, Schumpeter, Smith, Thiel, and Tocqueville. Discusses topics such as the difference between an entrepreneur and a manager, the entrepreneur as founder, and characteristics of principled entrepreneurship.

D. Doneson, B. L. Trout

10.03[J] Advances in Biomanufacturing

Same subject as 7.458[J] Subject meets with 7.548[J] , 10.53[J] Prereq: None U (Spring; second half of term) 1-0-2 units

Seminar examines how biopharmaceuticals, an increasingly important class of pharmaceuticals, are manufactured. Topics range from fundamental bioprocesses to new technologies to the economics of biomanufacturing. Also covers the impact of globalization on regulation and quality approaches as well as supply chain integrity. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments.

J. C. Love, A. Sinskey, S. Springs

10.04 A Philosophical History of Energy

Philosophic and historical approach to conceptions of energy through the 19th century. Relation of long standing scientific and philosophic problems in the field of energy to 21st-century debates. Topics include the development of thermodynamics and kinetic theories, the foundation of the scientific project, the classical view of energy, and the harnessing of nature. Authors include Bacon, Boltzmann, Carnot, Compte, Descartes, Gibbs, Plato, Aristotle, Leibniz, Kant, Hegel, Mill, Peirce, Whitehead, and Maxwell. Key texts and controversies form topics of weekly writing assignments and term papers.

B. L. Trout, A. Schulman

10.05 Foundational Analyses of Problems in Energy and the Environment

Investigates key texts and papers on the foundational thought of current issues in energy and environmental science. Builds an understanding of key debates (scientific, ethical, and political). Aims to inform solutions to key problems related to procurement of energy and environmental degradation. Topics address alternative energy technologies and fossil fuel utilization and emissions, especially carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide sequestration, and geoengineering. Foundational readings from Homer and Greek playwrights, Aristotle, Genesis, Bacon, Locke, Rousseau, Coleridge, Carnot, Clausius, Marx, Heidegger, Carson, Gore, Singer, and Brundtland. Assignments include weekly analyses of readings, videos and related engineering calculations in addition to a final project. Limited to 18.

B. L. Trout

10.06 Advanced Topics in Ethics for Engineers

Prereq: 10.01 , 10.05 , or permission of instructor U (Fall, Spring) Not offered regularly; consult department 2-0-4 units Can be repeated for credit.

In-depth study of varying advanced topics in ethics for engineers. Focuses on foundational works and their significance for the choices that engineers make, both as students and as practicing engineers. Each semester, different works and topics, based on current and perennial issues in ethics and engineering, will be chosen in order to explore facets of the extremely complex and varied subject of the place of engineering for the individual and society. Examples of topics include genetic engineering and what it means to be human, artificial intelligence and thought, the scope and limits of engineering, and engineering and freedom. May be repeated for credit with permission of instructor. Limited to 20.

B. L. Trout, D. Doneson

10.07[J] Debating About Society and Engineering

Same subject as 21W.733[J] Prereq: None U (Spring) 3-0-6 units. HASS-H

Presents basic principles of argumentation and persuasive communication, and introduces students to thought-provoking, persuasive texts about science and engineering. Analysis of texts and practices together with case studies form the basis for students' weekly assignments. Students debate such topics as the future of biotechnology, genetic engineering, AI, climate change, social bias, and the connection between engineering and society. Includes oral presentations. Limited to 18.

E. Schiappa, B. L. Trout

10.08 Cultural Studies for Chemical Engineering Graduate Students

Prereq: None G (Fall) Not offered regularly; consult department 2-0-4 units

Seminar explores some of the key cultural developments of human beings and their related engineering aspects together with insights into the evolution of chemical engineering. Begins with discussion of Warren K. Lewis on culture and civilization, in addition to other chemical engineering luminaries, Rutherford Aris and John Prausnitz, and Sam Florman. Following their leads, seminar addresses key developments in Greek culture, followed by Renaissance culture, and culminating with contemporary culture. Discusses the influence of chemical engineering throughout the term, but focuses on broader cultural understanding as advocated by Lewis and Aris. Weekly meetings and study question responses are complemented with direct experience of culture and its connection to engineering. Includes guests with various expertise in culture and chemical engineering.

10.09 Models of Molecular Systems: from Newtonian Mechanics to Machine Learning

Prereq: None U (Spring) 2-0-7 units

Explores the significance and applicability of models of molecular systems, starting from modern modeling and going back to ancient possibilities. Newtonian mechanics and optics to thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics, simulations, and machine learning are covered together with foundational modern and ancient concepts of modeling. Addresses the questions of what models of molecular systems aim towards, what makes a good model, and how one should think about model robustness from phenomenological to first-principles models and from concrete to abstract. Foundational readings inform current approaches, applications including biology, optics and vision, and atomic science. Work consists of weekly assignments, class participation, and a final project.

10.10 Introduction to Chemical Engineering

Prereq: Chemistry (GIR) and Physics I (GIR) ; Coreq: 18.03 U (Fall, Spring) 4-0-8 units

Explores the diverse applications of chemical engineering through example problems designed to build computer skills and familiarity with the elements of engineering design. Solutions require application of fundamental concepts of mass and energy conservation to batch and continuous systems involving chemical and biological processes. Problem-solving exercises distributed among lectures and recitation.

K. L. J. Prather, T. Kinney

10.213 Chemical and Biological Engineering Thermodynamics

Prereq: 5.601 and 10.10 U (Spring) 4-0-8 units

Thermodynamics of multicomponent, multiphase chemical and biological systems. Applications of first, second, and third laws of thermodynamics to open and closed systems. Properties of mixtures, including colligative properties, chemical reaction equilibrium, and phase equilibrium; non-ideal solutions; power cycles; refrigeration; separation systems.

K. K. Gleason, H. D. Sikes

10.22 Molecular Engineering

Prereq: 5.60 and 10.213 U (Spring) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-9 units

Introduces molecular concepts in relation to engineering thermodynamics. Includes topics in statistical mechanics, molecular description of gases and liquids, property estimation, description of equilibrium and dynamic properties of fluids from molecular principles, and kinetics of activated processes. Also covers some basic aspects of molecular simulation and applications in systems of engineering interest.

G. C. Rutledge, P. S. Doyle

10.25 Industrial Chemistry and Chemical Process Pathways

Prereq: Chemistry (GIR) , 10.213 , and 10.37 G (Fall) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-6 units

Chemical and engineering principles involved in creation and operation of viable industrial processes. Topics: analysis of process chemistry by p-pathways (i.e., radical, ionic, and pericyclic reactions of organic syntheses) and d-pathways (i.e., catalysis by transition-metal complexes). Use of reaction mechanisms for inference of co-product formation, kinetics, and equilibria: process synthesis logic related to reaction selectivity, recycle, separations. Illustrations drawn from current and contemplated commercial practice.

10.26 Chemical Engineering Projects Laboratory

Subject meets with 10.27 , 10.29 Prereq: ( 10.302 and ( 2.671 , 5.310 , 7.003[J] , 12.335 , 20.109 , ( 1.106 and 1.107 ), or ( 5.351 , 5.352 , and 5.353 ))) or permission of instructor U (Spring) 3-8-4 units

Projects in applied chemical engineering research. Students work in teams on one project for the term. Projects often suggested by local industry. Includes training in project planning and project management, execution of experimental work, data analysis, oral presentation, individual and collaborative report writing.

G. C. Rutledge

10.27 Energy Engineering Projects Laboratory

Subject meets with 10.26 , 10.29 Prereq: ( 10.302 and ( 2.671 , 5.310 , 7.003[J] , 12.335 , 20.109 , ( 1.106 and 1.107 ), or ( 5.351 , 5.352 , and 5.353 ))) or permission of instructor U (Spring) 3-8-4 units

Projects in applied energy engineering research. Students work in teams on one project for the term. Projects often suggested by local industry. Includes training in project planning and project management, execution of experimental work, data analysis, oral presentation, individual and collaborative report writing. Preference to Energy Studies minors.

10.28 Chemical-Biological Engineering Laboratory

Prereq: (( 5.07[J] or 7.05 ) and ( 5.310 or 7.003[J] )) or permission of instructor U (Fall) 2-8-5 units Credit cannot also be received for 10.28B

Introduces the complete design of the bioprocess: from vector selection to production, separation, and characterization of recombinant products. Utilize concepts from many fields, such as, chemical and electrical engineering, and biology. Student teams work through parallel modules spanning microbial fermentation and animal cell culture. With the bioreactor at the core of the experiments, students study cell metabolism and biological pathways, kinetics of cell growth and product formation, oxygen mass transport, scale-up and techniques for the design of process control loops. Introduces novel bioreactors and powerful analytical instrumentation. Downstream processing and recombinant product purification also included. Credit cannot also be received for 10.28A . Enrollment limited.

J.-F. Hamel

10.28A Chemical-Biological Engineering Laboratory I: Introduction to Lab Experiments

Prereq: (( 5.07[J] or 7.05 ) and ( 5.310 or 7.003[J] )) or permission of instructor U (IAP, Spring) Not offered regularly; consult department 1-3-0 units

First in a two-subject sequence that spans IAP and spring term, and covers the same content as 10.28 ; see 10.28 for description. Course utilizes online learning technologies and simulations in addition to traditional lab experiments. 10.28A comprises the major lab portion of the subject.  Credit cannot also be received for 10.28 . Enrollment limited.

10.28B Chemical-Biological Engineering Laboratory II: Long-term, Online and Simulated Experiments

Prereq: 10.28A U (Spring) Not offered regularly; consult department 1-2-8 units Credit cannot also be received for 10.28

Second in a two-subject sequence that spans IAP and spring term, and covers the same content as 10.28 ; see 10.28 for description. Course utilizes online learning technologies and simulations in addition to traditional lab experiments. 10.28B comprises the simulation portion of the subject, and most of the communication component. Enrollment limited.

10.29 Biological Engineering Projects Laboratory

Subject meets with 10.26 , 10.27 Prereq: ( 10.302 and ( 2.671 , 5.310 , 7.003[J] , 12.335 , 20.109 , ( 1.106 and 1.107 ), or ( 5.351 , 5.352 , and 5.353 ))) or permission of instructor U (Spring) 3-8-4 units

Projects in applied biological engineering research. Students work in teams on one project for the term. Projects often suggested by local industry. Includes training in project planning and project management, execution of experimental work, data analysis, oral presentation, individual and collaborative report writing.

10.291[J] Introduction to Sustainable Energy

Same subject as 2.650[J] , 22.081[J] Subject meets with 1.818[J] , 2.65[J] , 10.391[J] , 11.371[J] , 22.811[J] Prereq: Permission of instructor Acad Year 2024-2025: Not offered Acad Year 2025-2026: U (Fall) 3-1-8 units

See description under subject 22.081[J] . Limited to juniors and seniors.

M. W. Golay

10.301 Fluid Mechanics

Prereq: 10.10 and 18.03 U (Spring) 4-0-8 units. REST

Introduces the mechanical principles governing fluid flow. Stress in a fluid. Conservation of mass and momentum, using differential and integral balances. Elementary constitutive equations. Hydrostatics. Exact solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations. Approximate solutions using control volume analysis. Mechanical energy balances and Bernoulli's equation. Dimensional analysis and dynamic similarity. Introduces boundary-layer theory and turbulence.

P. S. Doyle, F. R. Brushett

10.302 Transport Processes

Prereq: ( 5.601 , 10.213 , and 10.301 ) or permission of instructor U (Fall) 4-0-8 units

Principles of heat and mass transfer. Steady and transient conduction and diffusion. Radiative heat transfer. Convective transport of heat and mass in both laminar and turbulent flows. Emphasis on the development of a physical understanding of the underlying phenomena and upon the ability to solve real heat and mass transfer problems of engineering significance.

W. A. Tisdale, B. DeKosky

10.31 Nanoscale Energy Transport Processes

Subject meets with 10.51 Prereq: (( 2.51 or 10.302 ) and ( 3.033 or 5.61)) or permission of instructor Acad Year 2024-2025: U (Fall) Acad Year 2025-2026: Not offered 3-0-9 units

Explores the impact of nanoscale phenomena on macroscale transport of energy-carrying molecules, phonons, electrons, and excitons. Studies the effect of structural and energetic disorder, wave-like vs. particle-like transport, quantum and classical size effects, and quantum coherence. Emphasizes quantitative analysis, including the Boltzmann transport equation, Einstein relation, Wiedemann-Franz law, and Marcus electron transfer theory. Also addresses percolation theory and the connection to energy conversion technologies, such as solar cells, thermoelectrics, and LEDs. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments.

W. A. Tisdale

10.32 Separation Processes

Prereq: 10.213 and 10.302 U (Spring) 3-0-6 units

General principles of separation by equilibrium and rate processes. Staged cascades. Applications to distillation, absorption, adsorption, and membrane processes. Use of material balances, phase equilibria, and diffusion to understand and design separation processes.

T. A. Hatton

10.321 Design Principles in Mammalian Systems and Synthetic Biology

Subject meets with 10.521 Prereq: 7.05 and 18.03 Acad Year 2024-2025: U (Fall) Acad Year 2025-2026: Not offered 3-0-6 units

Focuses on the layers of design, from molecular to large networks, in mammalian biology. Formally introduces concepts in the emerging fields of mammalian systems and synthetic biology, including engineering principles in neurobiology and stem cell biology. Exposes advanced students from quantitative backgrounds to problem-solving opportunities at the interface of molecular biology and engineering. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments.

K. E. Galloway

10.333 Introduction to Modeling and Simulation

Engineering School-Wide Elective Subject. Offered under: 1.021 , 3.021 , 10.333 , 22.00 Prereq: 18.03 or permission of instructor U (Spring) 4-0-8 units. REST

See description under subject 3.021 .

10.34 Numerical Methods Applied to Chemical Engineering

Prereq: Permission of instructor G (Fall) 3-0-6 units

Numerical methods for solving problems arising in heat and mass transfer, fluid mechanics, chemical reaction engineering, and molecular simulation. Topics: numerical linear algebra, solution of nonlinear algebraic equations and ordinary differential equations, solution of partial differential equations (e.g., Navier-Stokes), numerical methods in molecular simulation (dynamics, geometry optimization). All methods are presented within the context of chemical engineering problems. Familiarity with structured programming is assumed.

C. Coley, W. Green

10.345 Fundamentals of Metabolic and Biochemical Engineering: Applications to Biomanufacturing

Subject meets with 10.545 Prereq: 5.07[J] , 7.05 , or permission of instructor U (Spring) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-9 units

Examines the fundamentals of cell and metabolic engineering for biocatalyst design and optimization, as well as biochemical engineering principles for bioreactor design and operation, and downstream processing. Presents applications of microbial processes for production of commodity and specialty chemicals and biofuels in addition to mammalian cell cultures for production of biopharmaceuticals. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments.

Gr. Stephanopoulos

10.352 Modern Control Design

Subject meets with 10.552 Prereq: 18.03 or permission of instructor U (Fall) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-6 units

Covers modern methods for dynamical systems analysis, state estimation, controller design, and related topics. Uses example applications to demonstrate Lyapunov and linear matrix inequality-based methods that explicitly address actuator constraints, nonlinearities, and model uncertainties. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments.  Limited to 30.

R. D. Braatz

10.353 Model Predictive Control

Subject meets with 10.553 Prereq: 18.03 or permission of instructor U (Fall) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-6 units

Provides an introduction to the multivariable control of dynamical systems with constraints on manipulated, state, and output variables. Covers multiple mathematical formulations that are popular in academia and industry, including dynamic matrix control and state-space model predictive control of uncertain, nonlinear, and large-scale systems. Uses numerous real industrial processes as examples. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments.

10.354[J] Process Data Analytics

Same subject as 2.874[J] Subject meets with 2.884[J] , 10.554[J] Prereq: 18.03 or permission of instructor Acad Year 2024-2025: U (Fall) Acad Year 2025-2026: Not offered 4-0-8 units

Provides an introduction to data analytics for manufacturing processes. Topics include chemometrics, discriminant analysis, hyperspectral imaging, machine learning, big data, Bayesian methods, experimental design, feature spaces, and pattern recognition as relevant to manufacturing process applications (e.g., output estimation, process control, and fault detection, identification and diagnosis). Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments.

R. D. Braatz, B. Anthony

10.37 Chemical Kinetics and Reactor Design

Prereq: 10.213 and 10.302 U (Spring) 3-0-9 units

Applies the concepts of reaction rate, stoichiometry and equilibrium to the analysis of chemical and biological reacting systems. Derivation of rate expressions from reaction mechanisms and equilibrium or steady state assumptions. Design of chemical and biochemical reactors via synthesis of chemical kinetics, transport phenomena, and mass and energy balances. Topics: chemical/biochemical pathways; enzymatic, pathway and cell growth kinetics; batch, plug flow and well-stirred reactors for chemical reactions and cultivations of microorganisms and mammalian cells; heterogeneous and enzymatic catalysis; heat and mass transport in reactors, including diffusion to and within catalyst particles and cells or immoblized enzymes.

Gr. Stephanopoulos, Y. Roman

10.380[J] Viruses, Pandemics, and Immunity

Same subject as 5.002[J] , HST.438[J] Subject meets with 5.003[J] , 8.245[J] , 10.382[J] , HST.439[J] Prereq: None U (Spring) Not offered regularly; consult department 2-0-1 units

See description under subject HST.438[J] . Preference to first-year students; all others should take HST.439[J] .

A. Chakraborty

10.382[J] Viruses, Pandemics, and Immunity

Same subject as 5.003[J] , 8.245[J] , HST.439[J] Subject meets with 5.002[J] , 10.380[J] , HST.438[J] Prereq: None U (Spring) Not offered regularly; consult department 2-0-1 units

See description under subject HST.439[J] . HST.438[J] intended for first-year students; all others should take HST.439[J] .

10.390[J] Fundamentals of Advanced Energy Conversion

Same subject as 2.60[J] Subject meets with 2.62[J] , 10.392[J] , 22.40[J] Prereq: 2.006 , (2.051 and 2.06), or permission of instructor U (Spring) 4-0-8 units

See description under subject 2.60[J] .

A. F. Ghoniem, W. Green

10.391[J] Sustainable Energy

Same subject as 1.818[J] , 2.65[J] , 11.371[J] , 22.811[J] Subject meets with 2.650[J] , 10.291[J] , 22.081[J] Prereq: Permission of instructor Acad Year 2024-2025: Not offered Acad Year 2025-2026: G (Fall) 3-1-8 units

See description under subject 22.811[J] .

10.392[J] Fundamentals of Advanced Energy Conversion

Same subject as 2.62[J] , 22.40[J] Subject meets with 2.60[J] , 10.390[J] Prereq: 2.006 , (2.051 and 2.06), or permission of instructor G (Spring) 4-0-8 units

See description under subject 2.62[J] .

10.40 Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics

Prereq: 10.213 G (Fall) 4-0-8 units

Basic postulates of classical thermodynamics. Application to transient open and closed systems. Criteria of stability and equilibria. Constitutive property models of pure materials and mixtures emphasizing molecular-level effects using the formalism of statistical mechanics. Phase and chemical equilibria of multicomponent systems. Applications emphasized through extensive problem work relating to practical cases.

B. Olsen, A. Charkraborty

10.407[J] Money for Startups

Same subject as 2.916[J] Prereq: None G (Spring; second half of term) 2-0-4 units

Introduction to the substance and process of funding technology startups. Topics include a comparative analysis of various sources of capital; templates to identify the optimal investor; legal frameworks, US and offshore, of the investment process and its related jargon; an introduction to understanding venture capital as a business; and market practice and standards for term sheet negotiation. Emphasizes strategy as well as tactics necessary to negotiate and build effective, long-term relationships with investors, particularly venture capital firms (VCs).

S. Loessberg, D. P. Hart

10.421[J] Energy Systems for Climate Change Mitigation

Same subject as 1.067[J] , IDS.065[J] Subject meets with 1.670[J] , 10.621[J] , IDS.521[J] Prereq: ( Calculus I (GIR) , Chemistry (GIR) , and Physics I (GIR) ) or permission of instructor U (Fall) 3-0-9 units

See description under subject IDS.065[J] . Preference to students in the Energy Studies or Environment and Sustainability minors.

10.424 Pharmaceutical Engineering

Subject meets with 10.524 Prereq: 10.213 Acad Year 2024-2025: Not offered Acad Year 2025-2026: U (Fall) 3-0-6 units

Presents engineering principles and unit operations involved in the manufacture of small molecules pharmaceuticals, from the isolation of purified active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) to the final production of drug product. Regulatory issues include quality by design and process analytical technologies of unit operations, such as crystallization, filtration, drying, milling, blending, granulation, tableting and coating. Also covers principles of formulation for solid dosage forms and parenteral drugs. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments. Limited to 50.

A. S. Myerson

10.426 Electrochemical Energy Systems

Subject meets with 10.626 Prereq: 10.302 or permission of instructor U (Fall) 3-0-9 units

Introduces electrochemical energy systems from the perspective of thermodynamics, kinetics, and transport. Surveys analysis and design of electrochemical reactions and processes by integrating chemical engineering fundamentals with knowledge from diverse fields, including chemistry, electrical engineering, and materials science. Includes applications to fuel cells, electrolyzers, and batteries. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments.

M. Z. Bazant

10.43 Introduction to Interfacial Phenomena

Prereq: 10.213 or introductory subject in thermodynamics or physical chemistry G (Spring) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-6 units

Introduces fundamental and applied aspects of interfacial systems. Theory of capillarity. Experimental determination of surface and interfacial tensions. Thermodynamics of interfaces. The Gibbs adsorption equation. Charged interfaces. Surfactant adsorption at interfaces. Insoluble monolayers. Curvature effects on the equilibrium state of fluids. Nucleation and growth. Fundamentals of wetting and contact angle. Adhesion, cohesion, and spreading. Wetting of textured surfaces. Super-hydrophilic and super-hydrophobic surfaces. Self-cleaning surfaces.

D. Blankschtein

10.437[J] Computational Chemistry

Same subject as 5.697[J] Subject meets with 5.698[J] , 10.637[J] Prereq: Permission of instructor Acad Year 2024-2025: Not offered Acad Year 2025-2026: U (Fall) 3-0-9 units

Addresses both the theory and application of first-principles computer simulations methods (i.e., quantum, chemical, or electronic structure), including Hartree-Fock theory, density functional theory, and correlated wavefunction methods. Covers enhanced sampling, ab initio molecular dynamics, and transition-path-finding approaches as well as errors and accuracy in total and free energies. Discusses applications such as the study and prediction of properties of chemical systems, including heterogeneous, molecular, and biological catalysts (enzymes), and physical properties of materials. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments. Limited to 35; no listeners.

H. J. Kulik

10.441[J] Molecular and Engineering Aspects of Biotechnology

Same subject as 7.37[J] , 20.361[J] Prereq: ( 7.06 and ( 2.005 , 3.012, 5.60, or 20.110[J] )) or permission of instructor Acad Year 2024-2025: Not offered Acad Year 2025-2026: U (Spring) 4-0-8 units Credit cannot also be received for 7.371

See description under subject 7.37[J] .

10.442 Biochemical Engineering and Biomanufacturing Principles

Subject meets with 10.542 Prereq: ( Biology (GIR) , 5.07[J] , and 10.37 ) or permission of instructor U (Spring) 3-0-6 units

Explores the interactions of chemical engineering, biochemical engineering, and microbiology with particular emphasis on applications to bioprocess development. Examines mathematical representations of microbial systems, especially with regard to the kinetics of growth, death, and metabolism. Discusses the fundamentals of bioreactor design and operation, including continuous fermentation, mass transfer, and agitation. Examples encompass both enzyme and whole cell systems. Presents concepts in process development for microbial and animal cell cultures, with considerations towards production of biological products ranging from chiral specialty chemicals/pharmaceuticals to therapeutic proteins. Concludes with a discussion of aspects of cellular engineering and the role of molecular biology in addressing process development problems.

K. J. Prather

10.443 Future Medicine: Drug Delivery, Therapeutics, and Diagnostics

Subject meets with 10.643[J] , HST.526[J] Prereq: 5.12 or permission of instructor U (Spring) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-6 units

Aims to describe the direction and future of medical technology. Introduces pharmaceutics, pharmacology, and conventional medical devices, then transitions to drug delivery systems, mechanical/electric-based and biological/cell-based therapies, and sensors. Covers nano- and micro drug delivery systems, including polymer-drug conjugates, protein therapeutics, liposomes and polymer nanoparticles, viral and non-viral genetic therapy, and tissue engineering. Previous coursework in cell biology and organic chemistry recommended. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments. Limited to 40.

D. G. Anderson

10.450 Process Dynamics, Operations, and Control

Prereq: 10.302 and 18.03 U (Spring) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-6 units

Introduction to dynamic processes and the engineering tasks of process operations and control. Subject covers modeling the static and dynamic behavior of processes; control strategies; design of feedback, feedforward, and other control structures; model-based control; applications to process equipment.

10.466 Structure of Soft Matter

Subject meets with 10.566 Prereq: 5.60 U (Fall) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-6 units

Provides an introduction to the basic thermodynamic language used for describing the structure of materials, followed by a survey of the scattering, microscopy and spectroscopic techniques for structure and morphology characterization. Applies these concepts to a series of case studies illustrating the diverse structures formed in soft materials and the common length, time and energy scales that unify this field. For students interested in studying polymer science, colloid science, nanotechnology, biomaterials, and liquid crystals. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments.

10.467 Polymer Science Laboratory

Prereq: 5.12 and ( 5.310 , 7.003[J] , 20.109 , or permission of instructor) U (Fall) 2-7-6 units

Experiments broadly aimed at acquainting students with the range of properties of polymers, methods of synthesis, and physical chemistry. Examples: solution polymerization of acrylamide, bead polymerization of divinylbenzene, interfacial polymerization of nylon 6,10. Evaluation of networks by tensile and swelling experiments. Rheology of polymer solutions and suspensions. Physical properties of natural and silicone rubber. Preference to Course 10 seniors and juniors.

10.489 Concepts in Modern Heterogeneous Catalysis

Subject meets with 10.689 Prereq: 10.302 and 10.37 U (Spring) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-6 units

Explores topics in the design and implementation of heterogeneous catalysts for chemical transformations. Emphasizes use of catalysis for environmentally benign and sustainable chemical processes. Lectures address concepts in catalyst preparation, catalyst characterization, quantum chemical calculations, and microkinetic analysis of catalytic processes. Shows how experimental and theoretical approaches can illustrate important reactive intermediates and transition states involved in chemical reaction pathways, and uses that information to help identify possible new catalysts that may facilitate reactions of interest. Draws examples from current relevant topics in catalysis. Includes a group project in which students investigate a specific topic in greater depth. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments.

10.490 Integrated Chemical Engineering

Prereq: 10.37 U (Fall, Spring) 3-0-6 units Can be repeated for credit.

Presents and solves chemical engineering problems in an industrial context. Emphasis on the integration of fundamental concepts with approaches in process design, and on problems that demand synthesis, economic analysis, and process design; consideration of safety analysis, process dynamics and the use of process simulators and related tools to approach such problems. The specific application of these fundamental concepts will vary each term, and may include chemical, electrochemical, pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical (biologic) or related processes, operated in batch, semi-batch, continuous or hybrid mode. May be repeated once for credit with permission of instructor.

Y. Roman, P. I. Barton

10.492A Integrated Chemical Engineering Topics I

Prereq: 10.301 and permission of instructor U (Fall; first half of term) 2-0-4 units Can be repeated for credit.

Chemical engineering problems presented and analyzed in an industrial context. Emphasizes the integration of fundamentals with material property estimation, process control, product development, and computer simulation. Integration of societal issues, such as engineering ethics, environmental and safety considerations, and impact of technology on society are addressed in the context of case studies. 10.37 and 10.302 required for certain topic modules. See departmental website for individual ICE-T module descriptions.

10.492B Integrated Chemical Engineering Topics I

Prereq: 10.301 and permission of instructor U (Fall; second half of term) 2-0-4 units Can be repeated for credit.

K. F. Jensen

10.493 Integrated Chemical Engineering Topics II

Prereq: 10.301 and permission of instructor U (IAP; partial term) 2-0-4 units

10.494A Integrated Chemical Engineering Topics III

Prereq: 10.301 and permission of instructor Acad Year 2024-2025: U (Spring; first half of term) Acad Year 2025-2026: Not offered 2-0-4 units Can be repeated for credit.

W. H. Green

10.494B Integrated Chemical Engineering Topics III

Prereq: 10.301 and permission of instructor U (Spring; second half of term) 2-0-4 units Can be repeated for credit.

10.495 Molecular Design and Bioprocess Development of Immunotherapies

Subject meets with 10.595 Prereq: 7.06 or permission of instructor Acad Year 2024-2025: Not offered Acad Year 2025-2026: U (Fall) 3-0-6 units

Examines challenges and opportunities for applying chemical engineering principles to address the growing global burden of infectious disease, including drug-resistant strains and neglected pathogens. Topics include a historical overview of vaccines and immunotherapies, the molecular design considerations for new immunotherapies and adjuvants, the economic challenges for process development and manufacturing of immunotherapies, and new technologies for designing and assessing therapies. Case studies to cover topics for specific diseases. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments.

10.496[J] Design of Sustainable Polymer Systems

Same subject as 1.096[J] Prereq: ( 10.213 and 10.301 ) or permission of instructor U (Fall) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-9 units

Capstone subject in which students are charged with redesigning consumable plastics to improve their recyclability and illustrate the potential future of plastic sourcing and management. Students engage with industry partners and waste handlers to delineate the design space and understand downstream limitations in waste treatment. Instruction includes principles of plastic design, polymer selection, cost estimation, prototyping, and the principles of sustainable material design. Students plan and propose routes to make enhanced plastic kits. Industry partners and course instructors select winning designs. Those students can elect to proceed to a semester of independent study in which prototype kits are fabricated (using polymer extrusion, cutting, 3D printing), potentially winning seed funds to translate ideas into real impacts. Preference to juniors and seniors in Courses 10, 1, and 2.

B. D. Olsen, D. Plata

10.50 Analysis of Transport Phenomena

Prereq: 10.301 and 10.302 G (Spring) 4-0-8 units

Unified treatment of heat transfer, mass transfer, and fluid mechanics, emphasizing scaling concepts in formulating models and analytical methods for obtaining solutions. Topics include conduction and diffusion, laminar flow regimes, convective heat and mass transfer, and simultaneous heat and mass transfer with chemical reaction or phase change.

M. Z. Bazant, M. Qi

10.51 Nanoscale Energy Transport Processes

Subject meets with 10.31 Prereq: (( 2.51 or 10.302 ) and ( 3.033 or 5.61)) or permission of instructor Acad Year 2024-2025: G (Fall) Acad Year 2025-2026: Not offered 3-0-9 units

10.52 Mechanics of Fluids

Prereq: 10.50 Acad Year 2024-2025: G (Fall) Acad Year 2025-2026: Not offered 3-0-6 units

Advanced subject in fluid and continuum mechanics. Content includes kinematics, macroscopic balances for linear and angular momentum, the stress tensor, creeping flows and the lubrication approximation, the boundary layer approximation, linear stability theory, and some simple turbulent flows.

10.521 Design Principles in Mammalian Systems and Synthetic Biology

Subject meets with 10.321 Prereq: ( 7.05 and 18.03 ) or permission of instructor Acad Year 2024-2025: G (Fall) Acad Year 2025-2026: Not offered 3-0-6 units

10.524 Pharmaceutical Engineering

Subject meets with 10.424 Prereq: None Acad Year 2024-2025: Not offered Acad Year 2025-2026: G (Fall) 3-0-6 units

10.53[J] Advances in Biomanufacturing

Same subject as 7.548[J] Subject meets with 7.458[J] , 10.03[J] Prereq: None G (Spring; second half of term) 1-0-2 units

10.531[J] Macromolecular Hydrodynamics

Same subject as 2.341[J] Prereq: 2.25 , 10.301 , or permission of instructor G (Spring) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-6 units

See description under subject 2.341[J] .

R. C. Armstrong, G. H. McKinley

10.534 Bioelectrochemistry

Prereq: None Acad Year 2024-2025: G (Spring) Acad Year 2025-2026: Not offered 3-0-6 units

Provides an overview of electrochemistry as it relates to biology, with an emphasis on electron transport in living systems. Primary literature used as a guide for discussion. Objective is to enable students to learn the fundamental principles of electrochemistry and electrochemical engineering applied to biological systems, explore the role of electron transfer in the natural world using examples from the primary literature, analyze recent work related to bioelectrochemistry, and develop an original research proposal based on course material. Topics include thermodynamics and transport processes in bioelectrical systems, electron transport chains in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, electroanalytical techniques for the evaluation of biological systems, and engineering bioenergetic systems.

A. L. Furst

10.535[J] Protein Engineering

Same subject as 20.535[J] Prereq: 18.03 and ( 5.07[J] or 7.05 ) G (Spring) 3-0-9 units

Introduces the field of protein engineering. Develops understanding of key biophysical chemistry concepts in protein structure/function and their applications. Explores formulation of simple kinetic, statistical, and transport models for directed evolution and drug biodistribution. Students read and critically discuss seminal papers from the literature.

K. D. Wittrup

10.536[J] Thermal Hydraulics in Power Technology

Same subject as 2.59[J] , 22.313[J] Prereq: 2.006 , 10.302 , 22.312 , or permission of instructor G (Fall) 3-2-7 units

See description under subject 22.313[J] .

E. Baglietto, M. Bucci

10.537[J] Molecular, Cellular, and Tissue Biomechanics

Same subject as 2.798[J] , 3.971[J] , 6.4842[J] , 20.410[J] Subject meets with 2.797[J] , 3.053[J] , 6.4840[J] , 20.310[J] Prereq: Biology (GIR) and 18.03 G (Spring) 3-0-9 units

See description under subject 20.410[J] .

M. Bathe, K. Ribbeck, P. T. So

10.538[J] Principles of Molecular Bioengineering

Same subject as 20.420[J] Prereq: 7.06 and 18.03 G (Fall) 3-0-9 units

See description under subject 20.420[J] .

A. Jasanoff, E. Fraenkel

10.539[J] Fields, Forces, and Flows in Biological Systems

Same subject as 2.795[J] , 6.4832[J] , 20.430[J] Prereq: Permission of instructor G (Fall) 3-0-9 units

See description under subject 20.430[J] .

M. Bathe, A. J. Grodzinsky

10.540 Intracellular Dynamics

Prereq: 7.06 , 10.302 , 18.03 , or permission of instructor G (Spring) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-9 units

Covers current models and descriptions of the internal cell dynamics of macromolecules due to reaction and transport. Two major areas will be explored: the process of gene expression, including protein-DNA interactions, chromatin dynamics, and the stochastic nature of gene expression; and cell signaling systems, especially those that lead to or rely on intracellular protein gradients. This class is intended for graduate students or advanced undergraduates with some background in cell biology, transport, and kinetics. An introductory class in probability is recommended.

N. Maheshri

10.542 Biochemical Engineering and Biomanufacturing Principles

Subject meets with 10.442 Prereq: ( 5.07[J] , 10.37 , and ( 7.012 , 7.013 , 7.014 , 7.015 , or 7.016 )) or permission of instructor G (Spring) 3-0-6 units

10.544 Metabolic and Cell Engineering

Prereq: 7.05 , 10.302 , and 18.03 G (Fall, Spring) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-9 units

Presentation of a framework for quantitative understanding of cell functions as integrated molecular systems. Analysis of cell-level processes in terms of underlying molecular mechanisms based on thermodynamics, kinetics, mechanics, and transport principles, emphasizing an engineering, problem-oriented perspective. Objective is to rationalize target selection for genetic engineering and evaluate the physiology of recombinant cells. Topics include cell metabolism and energy production, transport across cell compartment barriers, protein synthesis and secretion, regulation of gene expression, transduction of signals from extracellular environment, cell proliferation, cell adhesion and migration.

10.545 Fundamentals of Metabolic and Biochemical Engineering: Applications to Biomanufacturing

Subject meets with 10.345 Prereq: 5.07[J] , 7.05 , or permission of instructor G (Spring) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-9 units

10.546[J] Statistical Thermodynamics

Same subject as 5.70[J] Prereq: 5.601 or permission of instructor G (Fall) 3-0-9 units

See description under subject 5.70[J] .

J. Cao, B. Zhang

10.547[J] Principles and Practice of Drug Development

Same subject as 15.136[J] , HST.920[J] , IDS.620[J] Prereq: Permission of instructor G (Fall) 3-0-6 units

See description under subject 15.136[J] .

S. Finkelstein, A. J. Sinskey, R. Rubin

10.548[J] Tumor Microenvironment and Immuno-Oncology: A Systems Biology Approach

Same subject as HST.525[J] Prereq: None Acad Year 2024-2025: G (Fall) Acad Year 2025-2026: Not offered 2-0-4 units

See description under subject HST.525[J] .

R. K. Jain, L. Munn

10.55 Colloid and Surfactant Science

Prereq: Permission of instructor G (Fall) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-6 units

Introduces fundamental and applied aspects of colloidal dispersions, where the typical particle size is less than a micrometer. Discusses the characterization and unique behavior of colloidal dispersions, including their large surface-to-volume ratio, tendency to sediment in gravitational and centrifugal fields, diffusion characteristics, and ability to generate osmotic pressure and establish Donnan equilibrium. Covers the fundamentals of attractive van der Waals forces and repulsive electrostatic forces. Presents an in-depth discussion of electrostatic and polymer-induced colloid stabilization, including the DLVO theory of colloid stability. Presents an introductory discussion of surfactant physical chemistry.

10.551 Systems Engineering

Prereq: 10.213 , 10.302 , and 10.37 G (Spring) 3-0-6 units

Introduction to the elements of systems engineering. Special attention devoted to those tools that help students structure and solve complex problems. Illustrative examples drawn from a broad variety of chemical engineering topics, including product development and design, process development and design, experimental and theoretical analysis of physico-chemical process, analysis of process operations.

R. D. Braatz, P. I. Barton

10.552 Modern Control Design

Subject meets with 10.352 Prereq: None G (Fall) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-9 units

Covers modern methods for dynamical systems analysis, state estimation, controller design, and related topics. Uses example applications to demonstrate Lyapunov and linear matrix inequality-based methods that explicitly address actuator constraints, nonlinearities, and model uncertainties. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments. Limited to 30.

10.553 Model Predictive Control

Subject meets with 10.353 Prereq: None G (Fall) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-9 units

10.554[J] Process Data Analytics

Same subject as 2.884[J] Subject meets with 2.874[J] , 10.354[J] Prereq: None Acad Year 2024-2025: G (Fall) Acad Year 2025-2026: Not offered 4-0-8 units

Provides an introduction to data analytics for manufacturing processes. Topics include chemometrics, discriminant analysis, hyperspectral imaging, machine learning, big data, Bayesian methods, experimental design, feature spaces, and pattern recognition as relevant to manufacturing process applications (e.g., output estimation, process control, and fault detection, identification and diagnosis). Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments.

10.555[J] Bioinformatics: Principles, Methods and Applications

Same subject as HST.940[J] Prereq: Permission of instructor G (Spring) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-9 units

Introduction to bioinformatics, the collection of principles and computational methods used to upgrade the information content of biological data generated by genome sequencing, proteomics, and cell-wide physiological measurements of gene expression and metabolic fluxes. Fundamentals from systems theory presented to define modeling philosophies and simulation methodologies for the integration of genomic and physiological data in the analysis of complex biological processes. Various computational methods address a broad spectrum of problems in functional genomics and cell physiology. Application of bioinformatics to metabolic engineering, drug design, and biotechnology also discussed.

Gr. Stephanopoulos, I. Rigoutsos

10.557 Mixed-integer and Nonconvex Optimization

Prereq: 10.34 or 15.053 Acad Year 2024-2025: G (Spring) Acad Year 2025-2026: Not offered 3-0-9 units

Presents the theory and practice of deterministic algorithms for locating the global solution of NP-hard optimization problems. Recurring themes and methods are convex relaxations, branch-and-bound, cutting planes, outer approximation and primal-relaxed dual approaches. Emphasis is placed on the connections between methods. These methods will be applied and illustrated in the development of algorithms for mixed-integer linear programs, mixed-integer convex programs, nonconvex programs, mixed-integer nonconvex programs, and programs with ordinary differential equations embedded. The broad range of engineering applications for these optimization formulations will also be emphasized. Students will be assessed on homework and a term project for which examples from own research are encouraged.

P. I. Barton

10.56 Advanced Topics in Surfactant Science

Prereq: Permission of instructor G (Spring) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-6 units

Introduces fundamental advances and practical aspects of surfactant self-assembly in aqueous media. In-depth discussion of surfactant micellization, including statistical-thermodynamics of micellar solutions, models of micellar growth, molecular models for the free energy of micellization, and geometric packing theories. Presents an introductory examination of mixed micelle and vesicle formation, polymer-surfactant complexation, biomolecule-surfactant interactions, and micellar-assisted solubilization. Discusses molecular dynamics simulations of self-assembling systems. Covers recent advances in surfactant-induced dispersion and stabilization of colloidal particles (e.g., carbon nanotubes and graphene) in aqueous media. Examines surfactant applications in consumer products, environmental and biological separations, enhanced oil recovery using surfactant flooding, mitigation of skin irritation induced by surfactant-containing cosmetic products, and enhanced transdermal drug delivery using ultrasound and surfactants.

10.560 Structure and Properties of Polymers

Prereq: 10.213 or permission of instructor G (Spring) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-6 units

Review of polymer molecular structure and bulk morphology; survey of molecular and morphological influence on bulk physical properties including non-Newtonian flow, macromolecular diffusion, gas transport in polymers, electrical and optical properties, solid-state deformation, and toughness. Case studies for product design.

R. E. Cohen

10.562[J] Pioneering Technologies for Interrogating Complex Biological Systems

Same subject as 9.271[J] , HST.562[J] Prereq: None G (Spring) 3-0-9 units

See description under subject HST.562[J] . Limited to 15.

10.566 Structure of Soft Matter

Subject meets with 10.466 Prereq: 5.60 G (Fall) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-6 units

10.568 Physical Chemistry of Polymers

Subject meets with 3.063 , 3.942 Prereq: Prereq: 10.213 , 10.40 , or ( 5.601 AND 5.602 ) Acad Year 2024-2025: G (Fall) Acad Year 2025-2026: Not offered 3-0-9 units

Introduction to polymer science from a molecular perspective. Covers topics in macromolecular confirmation and spatial extent, polymer solution thermodynamics and the theta state, linear viscoelasticity, rubber elasticity, and the thermodynamics and kinetics of formation of glasses and semicrystalline solids. Also provides a basic introduction to dynamics of macromolecules in solutions and melts, with entanglements. Presents methods for characterizing the molecular structure of polymers.

G. C. Rutledge, A. Alexander-Katz

10.569 Synthesis of Polymers

Prereq: 5.12 G (Fall) 3-0-6 units

Studies synthesis of polymeric materials, emphasizing interrelationships of chemical pathways, process conditions, and microarchitecture of molecules produced. Chemical pathways include traditional approaches such as anionic, radical condensation, and ring-opening polymerizations. New techniques, including stable free radicals and atom transfer free radicals, new catalytic approaches to well-defined architectures, and polymer functionalization in bulk and at surfaces. Process conditions include bulk, solution, emulsion, suspension, gas phase, and batch vs continuous fluidized bed. Microarchitecture includes tacticity, molecular-weight distribution, sequence distributions in copolymers, errors in chains such as branches, head-to-head addition, and peroxide incorporation.

10.571[J] Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry

Same subject as 12.806[J] Subject meets with 12.306 Prereq: ( 18.075 and (5.60 or 5.61)) or permission of instructor G (Spring) 3-0-9 units

See description under subject 12.806[J] .

R. G. Prinn

10.580 Solid-State Surface Science

Prereq: 10.213 G (Fall) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-6 units

Structural, chemical, and electronic properties of solids and solid surfaces. Analytical tools used to characterize surfaces including Auger and photoelectron spectroscopies and electron diffraction techniques. Surface thermodynamics and kinetics including adsorption-desorption, catalytic properties, and sputtering processes. Applications to microelectronics, optical materials, and catalysis.

K. K. Gleason

10.585 Engineering Nanotechnology

Prereq: 10.213 , 10.302 , or permission of instructor G (Fall) 3-0-9 units

Review of fundamental concepts of energy, mass and electron transport in materials confined or geometrically patterned at the nanoscale, where departures from classical laws are dominant. Specific applications to contemporary engineering challenges are discussed including problems in energy, biology, medicine, electronics, and material design.

10.586 Crystallization Science and Technology

Prereq: 10.213 Acad Year 2024-2025: G (Fall) Acad Year 2025-2026: Not offered 3-0-6 units

Studies the nucleation and growth of crystals from a melt or a liquid solution and their important role in a wide range of applications, including pharmaeuticals, proteins, and semiconductor materials. Provides background information and covers topics needed to understand, perform experiments, construct and simulate mechanistic models, and design, monitor, and control crystallization processes. Limited to 30.

10.591 Case Studies in Bioengineering

Prereq: Biology (GIR) or permission of instructor G (Spring) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-6 units

Analysis and discussion of recent research in areas of bioengineering, including drug delivery, protein and tissue engineering, physiological transport, stem cell technology, and quantitative immunology by senior investigators in the Boston area. Students will read and critique papers, then have discussions with authors about their work.

C. K. Colton

10.595 Molecular Design and Bioprocess Development of Immunotherapies

Subject meets with 10.495 Prereq: Permission of instructor Acad Year 2024-2025: Not offered Acad Year 2025-2026: G (Fall) 3-0-6 units

10.600[J] Dimensions of Geoengineering

Same subject as 1.850[J] , 5.000[J] , 11.388[J] , 12.884[J] , 15.036[J] , 16.645[J] Prereq: None G (Fall; first half of term) Not offered regularly; consult department 2-0-4 units

See description under subject 5.000[J] . Limited to 100.

J. Deutch, M. Zuber

10.606 Picturing Science and Engineering

Prereq: None G (Spring; second half of term) Not offered regularly; consult department 1-2-2 units

Provides instruction in best practices for creating more effective graphics and photographs to support and communicate research in science and engineering. Discusses in depth specific examples from a range of scientific contexts, such as journal articles, presentations, grant submissions, and cover art. Topics include graphics for figures depicting form and structure, process, and change over time. Prepares students to create effective graphics for submissions to existing journals and calls attention to the future of published graphics with the advent of interactivity. Limited to 10.

10.621[J] Energy Systems for Climate Change Mitigation

Same subject as 1.670[J] , IDS.521[J] Subject meets with 1.067[J] , 10.421[J] , IDS.065[J] Prereq: Permission of instructor G (Fall) 3-0-9 units

See description under subject IDS.521[J] .

10.625[J] Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage: Fundamentals, Materials and Applications

Same subject as 2.625[J] Prereq: 2.005 , 3.046 , 3.53 , 10.40 , (2.051 and 2.06), or permission of instructor G (Fall) Not offered regularly; consult department 4-0-8 units

See description under subject 2.625[J] .

Y. Shao-Horn

10.626 Electrochemical Energy Systems

Subject meets with 10.426 Prereq: 10.50 or permission of instructor G (Fall) 3-0-9 units

10.631 Structural Theories of Polymer Fluid Mechanics

Prereq: 10.301 G (Spring) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-6 units

Structural and molecular models for polymeric liquids. Nonequilibrium properties are emphasized. Elementary kinetic theory of polymer solutions. General phase space kinetic for polymer melts and solutions. Network theories. Interrelations between structure and rheological properties.

R. C. Armstrong

10.637[J] Computational Chemistry

Same subject as 5.698[J] Subject meets with 5.697[J] , 10.437[J] Prereq: Permission of instructor Acad Year 2024-2025: Not offered Acad Year 2025-2026: G (Fall) 3-0-9 units

10.643[J] Future Medicine: Drug Delivery, Therapeutics, and Diagnostics

Same subject as HST.526[J] Subject meets with 10.443 Prereq: 5.12 or permission of instructor G (Spring) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-6 units

10.65 Chemical Reactor Engineering

Prereq: 10.37 or permission of instructor G (Spring) 4-0-8 units

Fundamentals of chemically reacting systems with emphasis on synthesis of chemical kinetics and transport phenomena. Topics include kinetics of gas, liquid, and surface reactions; quantum chemistry; transition state theory; surface adsorption, diffusion, and desorption processes; mechanism and kinetics of biological processes; mechanism formulation and sensitivity analysis. Reactor topics include nonideal flow reactors, residence time distribution and dispersion models; multiphase reaction systems; nonlinear reactor phenomena. Examples are drawn from different applications, including heterogeneous catalysis, polymerization, combustion, biochemical systems, and materials processing.

M. Strano, G. Stephanopoulos

10.652[J] Kinetics of Chemical Reactions

Same subject as 5.68[J] Prereq: 5.62 , 10.37 , or 10.65 Acad Year 2024-2025: Not offered Acad Year 2025-2026: G (Fall) 3-0-6 units

See description under subject 5.68[J] .

10.668[J] Statistical Mechanics of Polymers

Same subject as 3.941[J] Prereq: 10.568 or permission of instructor Acad Year 2024-2025: Not offered Acad Year 2025-2026: G (Fall) 3-0-9 units

Concepts of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics applied to macromolecules: polymer conformations in melts, solutions, and gels; Rotational Isomeric State theory, Markov processes and molecular simulation methods applied to polymers; incompatibility and segregation in incompressible and compressible systems; molecular theory of viscoelasticity; relation to scattering and experimental measurements.

10.677 Topics in Applied Microfluidics

Prereq: 10.301 or permission of instructor G (Fall) 3-0-6 units

Provides an introduction to the field of microfluidics. Reviews fundamental concepts in transport phenomena and dimensional analysis, focusing on new phenomena which arise at small scales. Discusses current applications, with an emphasis on the contributions engineers bring to the field. Local and visiting experts in the field discuss their work. Limited to 30.

10.689 Concepts in Modern Heterogeneous Catalysis

Subject meets with 10.489 Prereq: 10.302 and 10.37 G (Spring) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-6 units

10.7003[J] Applied Molecular Biology Laboratory

Same subject as 7.003[J] Prereq: 7.002 U (Fall, Spring) 2-7-3 units. Partial Lab

See description under subject 7.003[J] . Enrollment limited; admittance may be controlled by lottery.

Fall: E. Calo, K. Knouse. Spring: L. Case, H. Moura Silva

10.792[J] Global Operations Leadership Seminar

Same subject as 2.890[J] , 15.792[J] , 16.985[J] Prereq: None G (Fall, Spring) 2-0-0 units Can be repeated for credit.

See description under subject 15.792[J] . Preference to LGO students.

10.801 Project Management and Problem Solving in Academia and Industry

Prereq: None G (IAP) 3-0-3 units

Teaches both soft and hard skills to foster student success through one-month team projects, as part of the Master of Science in Chemical Engineering Practice (M.S.CEP) program. The same skills are expected to be valuable for problem-solving in both academic and industrial settings at large. Themes to be covered include career development, project management, leadership, project economics, techniques for problem solving, literature search, safety, professional behavior, and time management. Students participate in activities and discussions during class time, study preparatory and review materials on MITx and complete active-learning assessments between meetings, and complete a quiz at the end of the course. Enrollment will be limited to students in the School of Chemical Engineering Practice.

10.805[J] Technology, Law, and the Working Environment

Same subject as IDS.436[J] Subject meets with 1.802[J] , 1.812[J] , 11.022[J] , 11.631[J] , IDS.061[J] , IDS.541[J] Prereq: Permission of instructor G (Spring) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-6 units

See description under subject IDS.436[J] .

N. A. Ashford, C. C. Caldart

10.806 Management in Engineering

Engineering School-Wide Elective Subject. Offered under: 2.96 , 6.9360 , 10.806 , 16.653 Prereq: None U (Fall) 3-1-8 units

See description under subject 2.96 . Restricted to juniors and seniors.

H. S. Marcus, J.-H. Chun

10.807[J] Innovation Teams

Same subject as 2.907[J] , 15.371[J] Prereq: None G (Fall) 4-4-4 units

Introduces skills and capabilities for real-world problem solving to take technology from lab to societal impact: technical and functional exploration, opportunity discovery, market understanding, value economics, scale-up, intellectual property, and communicating/working for impact across disciplines. Students work in multidisciplinary teams formed around MIT research breakthroughs, with extensive in-class coaching and guidance from faculty, lab members, and select mentors. Follows a structured approach to innovating in which everything is a variable and the product, technology, and opportunities for new ventures can be seen as an act of synthesis. Teams gather evidence that permits a fact-based iteration across multiple application domains, markets, functionalities, technologies, and products, leading to a recommendation that maps a space of opportunity and includes actionable next steps to evolve the market and technology.

L. Perez-Breva, D. Hart

10.817[J] Atmospheric Chemistry

Same subject as 1.84[J] , 12.807[J] Prereq: 5.601 and 5.602 G (Fall) 3-0-9 units

See description under subject 1.84[J] .

J. H. Kroll

10.80 (10.82, 10.84, 10.86) School of Chemical Engineering Practice -- Technical Accomplishment

Prereq: None G (Fall, Spring, Summer) 0-6-0 units

Conducted at industrial field stations of the School of Chemical Engineering Practice. Group problem assignments include process development design, simulation and control, technical service, and new-product development. Grading based on technical accomplishment. Credit granted in lieu of master's thesis. See departmental descripton on School of Chemical Engineering Practice for details. Enrollment limited and subject to plant availability.

10.81 (10.83, 10.85, 10.87) School of Chemical Engineering Practice -- Communication Skills and Human Relations

Conducted at industrial field stations of the School of Chemical Engineering Practice. Group problem assignments include process development, design, simulation and control, technical service, and new-product development. Grading based on communication skills and human relations in group assignments. Credit granted in lieu of master's thesis; see departmental description on School of Chemical Engineering Practice for details. Enrollment limited and subject to plant availability.

10.90 Independent Research Problem

Prereq: Permission of instructor G (Fall, Spring, Summer) Units arranged Can be repeated for credit.

For special and graduate students who wish to carry out some minor investigation in a particular field. Subject and hours to fit individual requirements.

P. S. Doyle

10.910 Independent Research Problem

Prereq: None U (Fall, IAP, Spring, Summer) Units arranged Can be repeated for credit.

For undergraduate students who wish to carry out a special investigation in a particular field. Topic and hours arranged.

B. S. Johnston

10.911 Independent Research Problem

Prereq: None U (Fall, IAP, Spring, Summer) Units arranged [P/D/F] Can be repeated for credit.

10.912 Practical Internship in Chemical Engineering

Prereq: None U (Fall, IAP, Spring, Summer) 0-1-0 units Can be repeated for credit.

Provides academic credit for professional experiences in chemical engineering at external facilities, such as companies or laboratories. At the end of the internship, students must submit a report that describes the experience, details their accomplishments, and synthesizes the perspectives, knowledge, and skills to be carried forward into the rest of their studies.

10.951 Seminar in Biological Systems

Prereq: Permission of instructor G (Fall, IAP, Spring, Summer) 2-0-4 units Can be repeated for credit.

Students, postdocs, and visitors to present their work on design, construction, and characterization of biological systems expanding on topics in synthetic biology, molecular systems biology, and cellular reprogramming. 

10.952 Seminar in Bioelectrochemical Engineering

Students, postdocs and visitors present and discuss their research in bioelectrochemistry. Specific topics include electrochemical platform design for diagnostics and screening tools, fundamental studies of metalloproteins and electron transfer-proficient microbes, materials for bioelectronics, and in vitro disease models.

10.953 Seminar in Heterogeneous Catalysis

Prereq: None G (Fall, Spring) 2-0-4 units Can be repeated for credit.

Students present their research to other students and staff. Research topics include heterogeneous catalysis, design of catalytic materials, biomass conversion, biofuels, and CO 2 utilization.

10.954 Seminar in Applied Optical Spectroscopy

Prereq: Permission of instructor G (Fall, Spring) 2-0-4 units Can be repeated for credit.

Research seminars given by students, postdocs, and visitors. Topics covered include applied optical spectroscopy and imaging, with particular emphasis on nanomaterials and how they relate to alternative energy technologies.

10.955 Seminar in Electrochemical Engineering

Designed to allow students to present and discuss their research in the area of electrochemical engineering with a particular emphasis on energy storage and conversion (e.g., batteries, fuel cells, electroreactors). Specific topics include active materials design, electroanalytical platform development, and integration of electrochemical and imaging techniques.

F. R. Brushett

10.956 Seminar in Atomistic Simulation

Seminar allows students to present their research to other students and staff. The research topics include electronic structure theory, computational chemistry techniques, and density functional theory with a focus on applications to catalysis and materials science.

10.957 Seminar in Bioengineering Technology

Research seminars presented by students and guest speakers on emerging biotechnologies.

10.958 Seminar in the Fluid Mechanics and Self-assembly of Soft Matter

Prereq: Permission of instructor G (Fall, Spring) Not offered regularly; consult department 2-0-4 units Can be repeated for credit.

Covers topics related to low Reynolds number hydrodynamics and the statistical physics of particulate media. Specifics include the kinetics of phase transitions in soft matter and the time-varying deformation of colloidal dispersions, glasses and gels.

10.960[J] Seminar in Polymers and Soft Matter

Same subject as 3.903[J] Prereq: None G (Fall, Spring) 2-0-0 units Can be repeated for credit.

A series of seminars covering a broad spectrum of topics in polymer science and engineering, featuring both on- and off-campus speakers.

A. Alexander-Katz, R. E. Cohen, D. Irvine

10.961 Seminar in Advanced Air Pollution Research

Research seminars, presented by students engaged in thesis work in the field of air pollution. Particular emphasis given to atmospheric chemistry, mathematical modeling, and policy analysis.

G. J. McRae

10.962 Seminar in Molecular Cell Engineering

Weekly seminar with discussion of ongoing research and relevant literature by graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scientists on issues at the interface of chemical engineering with molecular cell biology. Emphasis is on quantitative aspects of physicochemical mechanisms involved in receptor/ligand interactions, receptor signal transduction processes, receptor-mediated cell behavioral responses, and applications of these in biotechnology and medicine.

D. A. Lauffenburger

10.963 Seminar in Computer-Assisted Molecular Discovery

Allows students to present their research and literature reviews to other students and staff. Topics include the use of automation and computational methods for understanding the biological, chemical, and physical properties of molecular structures, as well as the design of new functional molecules and the synthetic processes to produce them.

C. W. Coley

10.964 Seminar on Transport Theory

Research seminars presented by students and guest speakers on mathematical modeling of transport phenomena, focusing on electrochemical systems, electrokinetics, and microfluidics.

10.965 Seminar in Biosystems Engineering

Advanced topics on the state-of-the-art in design and implementation of analytical processes for biological systems, including single-cell analysis, micro/nanotechnologies, systems biology, biomanufacturing, and process engineering. Seminars and discussions guided by the research interests of participating graduate students, postdoctoral associates, faculty, and visiting lecturers.

10.966 Seminar in Drug Delivery, Biomaterials, and Tissue Engineering

Focuses on presentations by students and staff on current research in the area of drug delivery, biomaterials, and tissue engineering. Includes topics such as nanotherapeutics, intracellular delivery, and therapies for diabetes.

10.967 Seminar in Protein-Polymer Materials Engineering

Research seminar covers topics on protein-based polymeric materials. Specific topics include bioelectronic materials, protein-polymer hybrids, and nanostructured proteins and polymers.

10.968 Seminar in Biomolecular Engineering

Covers research progress in the area of design, testing and mechanistic investigation of novel molecular systems for biotechnological applications.

H. D. Sikes

10.969 Molecular Engineering Seminar

Seminar allows students to present their research to other students and staff. Research topics include molecular simulations techniques and applications, and molecular engineering of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical processes and formulations.

10.970 Seminar in Molecular Computation

Seminar allows students to present their research to other students and staff. The research topics include computational chemistry techniques, kinetics, and catalysis. Focus is on molecular-level understanding of chemical change.

10.971 Seminar in Fluid Mechanics and Transport Phenomena

Seminar series on current research on Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluid mechanics and transport phenomena, and applications to materials processing. Seminars given by guest speakers and research students.

P. S. Doyle, G. H. McKinley

10.972 Biochemical Engineering Research Seminar

Seminar allows students to present their research programs to other students and staff. The research topics include fermentation and enzyme technology, mammalian and animal cell cultivation, and biological product separation.

D. I. C. Wang, C. L. Cooney

10.973 Bioengineering

Seminar covering topics related to current research in the application of chemical engineering principles to biomedical science and biotechnology.

10.974 Seminar in Chemical Engineering Nanotechnology

Seminar covering topics related to current research in the application of chemical engineering principles to nanotechnology. Limited to 30.

M. S. Strano

10.975 Seminar in Polymer Science and Engineering

Research seminars, presented by students engaged in thesis work in the field of polymers and by visiting lecturers from industry and academia.

P. T. Hammond, G. C. Rutledge 

10.976 Process Design, Operations, and Control

Seminars on the state of the art in design, operations, and control of processing systems, with emphasis on computer-based tools. Discussions guided by the research interests of participating students. Topics include mathematical and numerical techniques, representational methodologies, and software development.

10.977 Seminar in Electrocatalysis

Seminar held every week, with presentations by graduate students and postdoctoral researchers on topics related to the molecular engineering of electrocatalysts. Emphasis on correlating atomic-level understanding of surfaces, their interactions with adsorbates, and the resulting impact on catalytic mechanisms.

K. Manthiram

10.978 Seminar in Advanced Materials for Energy Applications

Students, postdocs, and visitors to present their work on synthesis, design, and characterization of polymeric and inorganic materials for applications related to membrane and adsorption-based separations.

Z. P. Smith

10.979 Seminar in Biological Soft Matter

Students, postdocs, and visitors present their work on understanding and designing soft materials and complex fluids related to human health and medical applications. Both experimental and modeling approaches are discussed, covering topics such as macromolecular transport, microhydrodynamics, biomechanics, microfluidics, and microphysiological systems.

10.981 Seminar in Colloid and Interface Science

Review of current topics in colloid and interface science. Topics include statistical mechanics and thermodynamics of micellar solutions, self-assembling systems, and microemulsions; solubilization of simple ions, amino acids, and proteins in reversed micelles; enzymatic reactions in reversed micelles; phase equilibria in colloidal systems; interfacial phenomena in colloidal systems; biomedical aspects of colloidal systems.

10.982 Seminar in Experimental Colloid and Surface Chemistry

In-depth discussion of fundamental physical relationships underlying techniques commonly used in the study of colloids and surfaces with a focus on recent advances and experimental applications. Topics have included the application of steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopies, infrared spectroscopy, and scanning probe microscopies.

10.983 Reactive Processing and Microfabricated Chemical Systems

Advanced topics in synthesis of materials through processes involving transport phenomena and chemical reactions. Chemical vapor deposition, modeling, and experimental approaches to kinetics of gas phase and surface reactions, transport phenomena in complex systems, materials synthesis, and materials characterization. Design fabrication and applications of microfabricated chemical systems. Seminars by graduate students, postdoctoral associates, participating faculty, and visiting lecturers.

10.984 Biomedical Applications of Chemical Engineering

Weekly seminar with lectures on current research by graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scientists on topics related to biomedical applications of chemical engineering. Specific topics include polymeric controlled release technology, extracorporal reactor design, biomedical polymers, bioengineering aspects of pharmaceuticals, and biomaterials/tissue and cell interactions.

R. S. Langer

10.985 Advanced Manufacturing Seminar

Focuses on the state of the art in the systems engineering of materials products and materials manufacturing processes. Addresses topics such as pharmaceuticals manufacturing, polymeric drug delivery systems, and nano- and microstructured materials. Discussions guided by the research interests of participating students. Includes techniques from applied mathematics and numerical methods, multiscale systems analysis, and control theory.

10.986 Seminar in Energy Systems

Seminar series on current research on energy systems modeling and analysis. Seminars given by guest speakers and research students.

10.987 Solid Thin Films and Interfaces

Current research topics and fundamental issues relating to the deposition and properties of solid thin films and interfaces. Emphasis on applying analytical techniques, such as solid-state NMR, to explore the thermodynamics and kinetics of growth, defect formation, and structural modification incurred during film growth and post processing.

10.988 Seminar in Immune Engineering

Students, postdocs, and visitors present their work on the discovery of protein drugs and the engineering of immune responses to advance human health and enhance fundamental knowledge of immune systems. Experimental and computational methods are discussed, covering topics such as antibodies, T cell receptors, vaccines, protein therapeutics, infectious diseases, autoimmune mechanisms, and cancer treatments. 

10.989 Seminar in Biotechnology

Research seminars, presented by graduate students and visitors from industry and academia, covering a broad range of topics of current interest in biotechnology. Discussion focuses on generic questions with potential biotechnological applications and the quest for solutions through a coordinated interdisciplinary approach.

10.990 Introduction to Chemical Engineering Research

Prereq: None G (Fall) 2-4-0 units

Introduction to research in chemical engineering by faculty of chemical engineering department. Focus is on recent developments and research projects available to new graduate students.

P. T. Hammond

10.991 Seminar in Chemical Engineering

Prereq: Permission of instructor G (Fall) 2-0-4 units Can be repeated for credit.

For students working on doctoral theses.

10.992 Seminar in Chemical Engineering

Prereq: Permission of instructor G (Spring) 2-0-4 units Can be repeated for credit.

10.994 Molecular Bioengineering

Presentations and discussion by graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scientists of current literature and research on the engineering of protein biopharmaceuticals. Topics include combinatorial library construction and screening strategies, antibody engineering, gene therapy, cytokine engineering, and immunotherapy engineering strategies.

10.995 Cellular and Metabolic Engineering

Graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, visiting scientists, and guest industrial practitioners to present their own research and highlight important advances from the literature in biochemical and bioprocess engineering. Topics of interest include metabolic engineering, novel microbial pathway design and optimization, synthetic biology, and applications of molecular biology to bioprocess development.

10.997 Theoretical and Computational Immunology Seminar

Presentations and discussions of current literature and research in theoretical and computational immunology. Topics include T cell biology, cell-cell recognition in immunology, polymers and membranes, and statistical mechanics.

A. K. Chakraborty

10.998 Seminar in Crystallization Science and Technology

Focuses on current topics related to crystallization science and technology in the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries. Discusses fundamental work on nucleation, polymorphism, impurity crystal interactions and nano-crystal formation, along with industrial applications of crystallization.

10.C01[J] Machine Learning for Molecular Engineering

Same subject as 3.C01[J] , 20.C01[J] Subject meets with 3.C51[J] , 7.C01 , 7.C51 , 10.C51[J] , 20.C51[J] Prereq: Calculus II (GIR) and 6.100A ; Coreq: 6.C01 U (Spring) 2-0-4 units Credit cannot also be received for 1.C01 , 1.C51 , 2.C01 , 2.C51 , 3.C51[J] , 7.C01 , 7.C51 , 10.C51[J] , 20.C51[J] , 22.C01 , 22.C51 , SCM.C51

See description under subject 3.C01[J] .

R. Gomez-Bombarelli, C. Coley, E. Fraenkel

10.C51[J] Machine Learning for Molecular Engineering

Same subject as 3.C51[J] , 20.C51[J] Subject meets with 3.C01[J] , 7.C01 , 7.C51 , 10.C01[J] , 20.C01[J] Prereq: Calculus II (GIR) and 6.100A ; Coreq: 6.C51 G (Spring) 2-0-4 units Credit cannot also be received for 1.C01 , 1.C51 , 2.C01 , 2.C51 , 3.C01[J] , 7.C01 , 7.C51 , 10.C01[J] , 20.C01[J] , 22.C01 , 22.C51 , SCM.C51

See description under subject 3.C51[J] .

10.EPE UPOP Engineering Practice Experience

Engineering School-Wide Elective Subject. Offered under: 1.EPE , 2.EPE , 3.EPE , 6.EPE , 8.EPE , 10.EPE , 15.EPE , 16.EPE , 20.EPE , 22.EPE Prereq: None U (Fall, Spring) 0-0-1 units Can be repeated for credit.

See description under subject 2.EPE . Application required; consult UPOP website for more information.

K. Tan-Tiongco, D. Fordell

10.EPW UPOP Engineering Practice Workshop

Engineering School-Wide Elective Subject. Offered under: 1.EPW , 2.EPW , 3.EPW , 6.EPW , 10.EPW , 16.EPW , 20.EPW , 22.EPW Prereq: 2.EPE U (Fall, IAP, Spring) 1-0-0 units

See description under subject 2.EPW . Enrollment limited to those in the UPOP program.

10.S28 Special Laboratory Subject in Chemical Engineering

Prereq: Permission of instructor U (Fall) Not offered regularly; consult department 2-8-5 units

Laboratory subject that covers content not offered in the regular curriculum. Consult department to learn of offerings for a particular term. Enrollment limited.

10.S94 Special Problems in Chemical Engineering

Prereq: Permission of instructor U (IAP) Units arranged Can be repeated for credit.

Focuses on problem of current interest not covered in regular curriculum; topic varies from year to year.

10.S95 Special Problems in Chemical Engineering

Prereq: None G (Fall, Spring) Not offered regularly; consult department Units arranged Can be repeated for credit.

10.S96 Special Problems in Chemical Engineering

Prereq: None G (Fall, IAP, Spring) Units arranged [P/D/F] Can be repeated for credit.

10.TAC Teaching Experience in Chemical Engineering (New)

Prereq: Permission of instructor G (Fall, IAP, Spring, Summer) Units arranged [P/D/F] Can be repeated for credit.

For teaching assistants in chemical engineering, in cases where teaching assignment is approved for academic credit by the department. Development of laboratory, field, recitation, or classroom teaching skills through practical experience in laboratory, field, recitation, or classroom teaching under supervision of a faculty member. Total enrollment limited by availability of suitable teaching opportunities.

10.THG Graduate Thesis

Prereq: Permission of instructor G (Fall, IAP, Spring, Summer) Units arranged Can be repeated for credit.

Program of research leading to the writing of an SM, PhD, or ScD thesis; to be arranged by the student and appropriate MIT faculty member.

10.THU Undergraduate Thesis

Program of research leading to writing an SB thesis; topic arranged between student and MIT faculty member.

10.UAR Individual Laboratory Experience

Prereq: 5.310 , 7.002 , or ( Coreq: 12 units UROP or other approved laboratory subject and permission of instructor) U (Spring) 1-0-5 units

Companion subject for students pursuing UROP or other supervised project experience. Instruction in responsible conduct of research and technical communication skills. Concurrent enrollment in an approved UROP or other supervised project required. Limited to Course 10 juniors and seniors; requires advance enrollment application subject to instructor approval.

10.UR Undergraduate Research

Opportunity for participation in the work of a research group, or for special investigation in a particular field. Topic and hours to fit individual requirements.

10.URG Undergraduate Research

Opportunity for participation in a research group, or for special investigation in a particular field. Topic and hours to fit individual requirements.

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Undergraduate Programs

Chemical engineering requires a foundational knowledge in chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics. From this foundation, chemical engineers develop core expertise in thermodynamics, transport processes, and chemical kinetics. Combined with a range of complementary elective courses, this describes the essential academic structure behind our three undergraduate degree programs, which are each described below.

Whatever your interests, you should consider the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) as part of your curriculum. In a UROP, you work for an advisor while conducting a research project. This program offers opportunities for in-depth knowledge, laboratory experience, and mentoring.

Within MIT, Chemical Engineering and related programs are known collectively as Course 10; our programs, therefore, are often identified as Course 10, Course 10B, Course 10C, and Course 10-ENG.

Course 10: Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering >>

This program is for students who seek a broad education in the application of chemical engineering to a variety of specific areas, including energy and the environment, nanotechnology, polymers and colloids, surface science, catalysis and reaction engineering, systems and process design, and biotechnology. Program requirements include the core chemical engineering subjects with a chemistry emphasis. Course Requirements   | Typical Roadmap

The Chemical Engineering program (Course 10) is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org . [ Enrollments | Degrees ]

Course 10B: Bachelor of Science in Chemical-Biological Engineering >>

This program is for students who are specifically interested in the application of chemical engineering in the areas of biochemical and biomedical technologies. Program requirements include core chemical engineering subjects and additional subjects in biological sciences and applied biology. This program is excellent preparation for students also considering the biomedical engineering minor or medical school. Course Requirements | Typical Roadmap

The Chemical Biological Engineering program (Course 10B) is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org . [ Enrollments | Degrees ]

Course 10-ENG: Bachelor of Science in Engineering >>

This flexible program incorporates many of the core components of the traditional chemical engineering program, while providing concentrations for specific relevant areas in the field, which can be designed from a set of courses offered by departments across the Institute. Students can choose one of seven established concentrations (biomedical, energy, computations, environment & sustainability, manufacturing design, materials, or process data analytics) or work with their advisor to develop a program that suits their area of interest. Course Information | Typical Roadmap

The Engineering (Course 10-ENG) program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org . [ Enrollments | Degrees ]

Course 10C: Bachelor of Science >>

This program is for students who wish to specialize in a different academic area while simultaneously learning chemical engineering principles. The curriculum involves basic subjects in chemistry and chemical engineering. Instead of continuing in depth in these areas, however, students also pursue study in another field, such as another engineering discipline, biology, biomedical engineering, economics, or management. Course Requirements

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Stanford Online

Chemical engineering ms degree.

Stanford School of Engineering

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Life. Energy. Environment. This triad of engineering priorities is perhaps unmatched in its potential for improving the quality of life for all inhabitants of planet Earth. And at the heart of all three is chemical engineering, which holds the key to a healthier, cleaner and more efficient world, and a better tomorrow for all.

In an effort to propel this vision forward, the Stanford Chemical Engineering department has launched a fully online, part-time master’s degree program, which will expand the reach of chemical engineering to working professionals around the world.

Online master’s degree students will have the opportunity to combine Chemical Engineering studies with a wide range of engineering coursework offered by Stanford. Students will take core chemical engineering courses in areas like chemical kinetics, molecular thermodynamics and biochemical engineering. Students are then encouraged to follow their own interests and goal by selecting elective courses in areas like entrepreneurship, optimization, energy or applied mathematics. All program proposals will be reviewed and approved by an advisor.

For more information on the degree program, please visit the Stanford Chemical Engineering Master’s Degree page .

How Much It Will Cost

How long it will take.

To earn the Master of Science in Chemical Engineering Degree, you must complete 45 units. Most student finish the degree in 2 to 5 years.

What You Need to Get Started

For admissions information , please visit the department’s site or contact [email protected] .

For degree requirements , please review either the department’s website or Stanford Bulletin . See the department's  FAQs page .

For more about the policies, procedures, and logistics, please review our website .

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2024-25 edition, chemical engineering, b.s..

Program Educational Objectives: Graduates of the Chemical Engineering program will (1) demonstrate achievement by applying a broad knowledge of chemical engineering; (2) apply critical reasoning and quantitative skills to identify and solve problems in chemical engineering; (3) implement skills for effective communication and teamwork; (4) demonstrate the potential to effectively lead chemical engineering projects in industry, government, or academia; and (5) exhibit a commitment to lifelong learning.

(Program educational objectives are those aspects of engineering that help shape the curriculum; achievement of these objectives is a shared responsibility between the student and UCI.)

High School Students: See School Admissions information.

Transfer Students: Preference will be given to junior-level applicants with the highest grades overall, and who have satisfactorily completed the following required courses: two years of approved calculus, one year of calculus-based physics with laboratories (mechanics, electricity and magnetism), completion of lower-division writing, one year of general chemistry (with laboratory), one year of organic chemistry (with laboratory),  and one course in introductory programming. For course equivalency specific to each college, visit http://assist.org .

Students are encouraged to complete as many of the lower-division degree requirements as possible prior to transfer. Students who enroll at UCI in need of completing lower-division coursework may find that it will take longer than two years to complete their degrees. For further information, contact The Henry Samueli School of Engineering at 949-824-4334.

All students are required to meet the University Requirements .

All students are required to meet the school requirements ., major requirements.

The sample program of study chart shown is typical for the major in Chemical Engineering. Students should keep in mind that this program is based upon a sequence of prerequisites, beginning with adequate preparation in high school mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Students who are not adequately prepared, or who wish to make changes in the sequence for other reasons, must have their program approved by their faculty advisor. Chemical Engineering majors are encouraged to consult with academic counselors as needed, and students who are academically at risk are mandated to see a counselor as frequently as deemed necessary by the advising staff.

• Biomedical Engineering, B.S.
• Biomedical Engineering, M.S.
• Biomedical Engineering, Minor
• Biomedical Engineering, Ph.D.
• Biomedical Engineering: Premedical, B.S.

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2024-2025 Catalogue

A PDF of the entire 2024-2025 catalogue.

Browse Course Material

Course info, instructors.

• Juliana Furgala
• Jennifer Swanson
• David Maurer
• Maxsimo Salazar
• Amanda C. Prescott
• Cristina Gath

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• Engineering

Learning Resource Types

Ll educate: introduction to engineering concepts, chemical engineering.

The field of chemical engineering offers unique opportunities to make a real difference by applying the principles of chemistry, biology, physics , and math to problems that involve the production or use of chemicals, fuel, drugs, food, and many other products.

Specializations:

• Chemical manufacturing
• Petroleum, petrochemicals, and coal products manufacturing
• Resin, synthetic rubber, and artificial synthetic fibers and filaments
• Pharmaceuticals/healthcare
• Food processing
• Specialty chemicals
• Biotechnology
• Environmental health and safety industries/hazardous materials
• Nanotechnology
• Math (statistics, advanced algebra, calculus, trigonometry, geometry)
• Sciences (chemistry, biology, molecular biology, physics)
• Programming
• Fundamental engineering
• Thermodynamics
• Fluid dynamics
• Heat and mass transfer
• American Chemical Society (ACS) : The society is recognized as a world leader in fostering scientific education and research and promoting public understanding of science.
• American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) : AIChE promotes excellence in chemical engineering education and global practice.
• Electrochemical Society (ECS) : ECS is an international educational, non-profit organization concerned with a broad range of phenomena related to electrochemical and solid-state science and technology.
• National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) : NOBCChE is committed to the professional and educational growth of underrepresented minorities in the sciences.
• American Hydrogen Association (AHA) : The AHA is a non-profit association of individuals and institutions, technical and non-technical, who are dedicated to the advancement of inexpensive, clean, and safe hydrogen energy systems.

Conferences:

• ICAC 2021: Applied Chemistry Conference
• ICCBEE 2021: Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering Conference
• ICACCE 2021: Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Conference
• ICERAERACP 2021: Environmental Risk Assessment and Environmental Risk Assessment of Chemical Products Conference

Wikipedia, Try Engineering (IEEE) , Chemical Engineering Conferences , Engineering Professional Associations & Organizations , Engineering Societies & Organizations , professional association websites

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Texas A&M University Catalogs

Chemical engineering - bs.

The chemical engineering curriculum provides a balanced education in virtually all aspects of chemical engineering principles and practice and includes education in economics, language, philosophy and culture and communication. Chemical engineering courses emphasize fundamentals and methods that are applicable to the analysis, development, design and operation of a wide variety of chemical engineering systems and processes, thereby providing the necessary background for entry into the wide array of activities described above. At the same time, specific example applications provide the student with insight into the ability of chemical engineers to work in such a variety of areas. The curriculum is structured to offer students an opportunity to extend and apply the fundamentals developed in the basic courses toward more focused areas of specialization. The sequence of courses converges in the senior year into a comprehensive capstone design course that includes elements of economics, safety and environmental issues. The course provides an experience much like that of an industry design project. It is this philosophy of fundamentals, applications and design that has enabled our chemical engineering graduates to adapt readily to a dynamic and rapidly changing world and to solve problems they have not previously experienced.

The freshman year is identical for degrees in aerospace engineering, architectural engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, computer science, data engineering, electrical engineering, electronic systems engineering technology, environmental engineering, industrial distribution, industrial engineering, interdisciplinary engineering, manufacturing and mechanical engineering technology, mechanical engineering, multidisciplinary engineering technology, nuclear engineering, ocean engineering, and petroleum engineering (Note: not all programs listed are offered in Qatar). The freshman year is slightly different for chemical engineering, biomedical engineering and materials science and engineering degrees in that students take CHEM 119 or CHEM 107 / CHEM 117 and CHEM 120 .  Students pursuing degrees in biological and agricultural engineering should refer to the specific curriculum for this major. It is recognized that many students will change the sequence and number of courses taken in any semester. Deviations from the prescribed course sequence, however, should be made with care to ensure that prerequisites for all courses are met.

A grade of C or better is required.

Entering students will be given a math placement exam. Test results will be used in selecting the appropriate starting course which may be at a higher or lower level.

Of the 21 hours shown as University Core Curriculum electives, 3 must be from creative arts (see AREN curriculum for more information), 3 from social and behavioral sciences (see DAEN and IDIS curriculum for more information), 3 from language, philosophy and culture (see CVEN, EVEN and PETE curriculum for more information), 6 from American history and 6 from government/political science. The required 3 hours of international and cultural diversity and 3 hours of cultural discourse may be met by courses satisfying the creative arts, social and behavioral sciences, language, philosophy and culture, and American history requirements if they are also on the approved list of international and cultural diversity courses and cultural discourse courses.

BMEN, CHEN and MSEN require 8 hours of fundamentals of chemistry which are satisfied with  CHEM 119 or CHEM 107 / CHEM 117 and CHEM 120 ; Students with an interest in BMEN, CHEN and MSEN can take CHEM 120 second semester freshman year.  CHEM 120 will substitute for CHEM 107 / CHEM 117 .

For BS-PETE, allocate 3 hours to core communications course ( ENGL 210 , COMM 203 , COMM 205 , or COMM 243 ) and/or 3 hours to UCC elective. For BS-MEEN, allocate 3 hours to core communications course ( ENGL 203 , ENGL 210 , or COMM 205 ) and/or 3 hours to UCC elective.

For a list of approved specialty options, please see a chemical engineering advisor.

All students are required to complete a high-impact experience in order to graduate. The list of possible high-impact experiences is available in the CHEN advising office.

A grade of C or better is required in all CHEN courses.

Total Program Hours 128

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Chemical Engineering

College of engineering, chemical engineering major, intro heading link copy link.

Chemical engineering answers the question of what chemistry can do to improve the world around us. Chemical engineers are problem-solvers who take raw materials and turn them into useful materials. Our undergraduate program includes a thorough immersion in the core concepts of chemistry—general, organic, physical, and analytical—followed by a series of upper-level chemical engineering courses that develop your ability to apply these concepts to develop new, innovative solutions to engineering problems.

The coursework in our program culminates in the Senior Design course, in which student teams, working with industry mentors, put their knowledge to work on a real-world issue that matters to them. Recent projects have focused on creating biofuels from wood chips, reducing greenhouse-gas emissions by using chemical solvents to capture carbon dioxide, and meeting an increasing global demand for the chemical propylene. Senior Design projects offer a true opportunity to pick a cause you are passionate about and spend two semesters working on it—and the experience often proves valuable when applying for full-time jobs.

UIC chemical engineering also is home to a concentration in biochemical engineering, which is of particular interest to students who love not only chemistry, but also biology. This concentration helps to position students for jobs or further study at the intersection of bioengineering and chemical engineering.

Download our 1-page major overview Heading link Copy link

Considering chemical engineering? This at-a-glance sheet highlights some of the main reasons to choose this field — and UIC.

Chemical engineering major requirements Heading link Copy link

Chemical engineering majors complete coursework in four categories:

• Nonengineering and general education courses:  Nonengineering and general education courses provide your foundation in chemistry and other core sciences, and include courses that will make you a well-informed and well-rounded college graduate. You will take 73 credit hours in this category, including eight courses in chemistry, two in physics, four in math, and a range of “chart-your-own-path” classes in areas such as Exploring World Cultures and Understanding the Creative Arts. For details on general education requirements, consult the course catalog .
• Required engineering courses:  Students earn 49 credit hours from engineering courses that all chemical engineering majors must take. These courses—including Transport Phenomena I, II, and III, Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics, and Material Energy Balances—offer a thorough introduction to the field. Details on these requirements are in the course catalog .
• Technical electives: Chemical engineering majors choose one upper-level elective (3 credit hours) within the department. Options include Nanotechnology for Pharmaceutical Applications, Process Simulation with Aspen Plus, Computational Molecular Modeling, Renewable Energy Technologies, Biochemical Engineering, and more (see the course catalog for details).
• Free elective:  Chemical engineering majors also choose one elective (3 credit hours) from anywhere in the College of Engineering or UIC as a whole.

Customize your major with a concentration! Heading link Copy link

UIC chemical engineering wants to help you stand out in the eyes of future employers.

To that end, chemical engineering majors have the chance to choose one of six concentrations. This represents an area of focus that will  demonstrate your interest and expertise , potentially setting you apart from other internship and job applicants.

Open the sections below to learn more about each concentration. Want some additional guidance after you’ve read this information? In this video , Vikas Berry, the department head of chemical engineering, and Alan Zdunek, the director of undergraduate studies, take nine minutes to talk you through it all.

Biochemical engineering

UIC offers a concentration in biochemical engineering for students who want to add an additional layer of specificity to their degree. This option is ideal for students who have an interest in biology or medicine, or for students who envision themselves working with applications of chemical engineering that can have a positive impact on medical treatment and the human body.

Students who choose this concentration complete CHE 422 Biochemical Engineering as their technical elective. In addition, their free elective  plus one additional free elective must come from this list:

• BIOS 350 General Microbiology
• BIOS 351 Microbiology Laboratory
• CHEM 352 Introductory Biochemistry
• CHEM 452 Biochemistry I

Because students in the biochemical engineering concentration must choose two free electives, this may elevate the number of credit hours required for the degree to 130 rather than the standard 128 for the chemical engineering major.

Energy and environment

Required courses

• CHE 230 Molecular Systems in Chemical Engineering (3 credits)
• CHE 330 Polymer Science (3 credits*)

ChE technical elective

• CHE 451. Renewable Energy Technologies (3 credits**)

Enroll in the following course (electives outside the chemical engineering department)

• CME 322 Environmental Engineering (3 credits ***)

Choose one from the following list (second technical elective)

• CHE 450 Air Pollution Engineering
• CHE 453 Electrochemistry
• 400-level course approved by the director of undergraduate studies
• CHE 392 Undergraduate research on a topic thematically linked with polymer science or molecular engineering and approved by a chemical engineering faculty member

Note: Students in this concentration will be required to take a minimum of 134 semester hours for the degree.

* Course fulfills degree’s selective requirement

** Course fulfills degree’s technical elective requirement

*** Course fulfills degree’s electives outside the major rubric requirement

Entrepreneurship

Required course

• CHE 427 Entrepreneurship in Engineering (3 credits*)
• ENTR 310 Introduction to Entrepreneurship
• ENTR 200 Survey of Entrepreneurship
• 400-level course approved by the chemical engineering department’s director of undergraduate studies
• ENTR 445 New Venture Planning

One non-ChE course from the above list of electives will fulfill the degree’s “elective outside the major rubric” requirement.

Note: Students in this concentration will be required to take a minimum of 131 semester hours for the degree.

Nanotechnology

• CHE 455 Nanoscale Systems in Chemical Engineering (3 credits**)

Select one of the following*** (electives outside the chemical engineering department)

• ECE 346 Solid State Device Theory
• ME 418 Transport Phenomena in Nanotechnology
• PHYS 431 Modern Physics: Condensed Matter
• ECE 440 Nanoelectronics
• ECE 449/ME 449 Microdevices and Micromachining Technology
• CHEM 458/BIOS 458. Biotechnology and Drug Discovery
• BIOE 485. Nanobiosensors
• CHE 425 Nanotechnology for Pharmaceutical Applications
• CHE 457 Colloidal and Interfacial Phenomena

Polymers and molecular engineering

• CHE 454 Molecular and Macromolecular Engineering (3 credits**)

Select one of the following (electives outside the chemical engineering department)

• PHAR 422 Fundamentals of Drug Action (3 credits *** )
• PHAR 423 Biomedicinal Chemistry (3 credits *** )
• PHYS 450/BIOE 450 Molecular Biophysics of the Cell (3 credits *** )
• CHEM 452 Biochemistry I (3 credits *** )
• CHEM 458/BIOS 458 Biotechnology and Drug Discovery (3 credits *** )
• PHYS 461 Thermal and Statistical Physics (3 credits *** )
• BIOE 485 Biosensors (3 credits***)
• CHE 438 Computational Molecular Modeling
• CHE 440 Non-Newtonian Fluids
• CHE 455 Nanoscale Systems in Chemical Engineering
• 400-level course approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies

Process automation

• CHE 433 Process Simulation with Aspen Plus (3 credits*)

Choose two courses from the following:

• ECON 120 Principles of Microeconomics
• IE 201 Financial Engineering
• MATH 310 Applied Linear Algebra
• MATH 419 Models in Applied Mathematics

One of the above courses will fulfill the degree’s “electives outside the major rubric” requirement.

ChE majors in their own words Heading link Copy link

Daniela Estarita Chemical Engineering, BS ’21 | Northwest suburbs

Favorite course:  CHE 312 Transport Phenomena II .

Favorite thing about your department:  The new Engineering Innovation Building and Professor Sharma ‘s research!

Most challenging engineering project/assignment you’ve conquered so far:  Going from ordinary to partial differential equations and using dimensionless analysis.

Which was the most valuable internship or lab experience you’ve had, and how did it help you? The  Optics, Dynamics, Elasticity and Self-Assembly Lab  taught me the importance of teamwork and guidance.

Geraldine Guerrero Heading link Copy link

Geraldine Guerrero Chemical Engineering, BS ’22 | Chicago, IL

Engineering project/assignment you did that you’re most proud of: Making mini solar panels.

Coolest department at UIC outside of your major: Gender and Women Studies .

Would you recommend the College of Engineering to new applicants?  Yes. I believe they would be making one of the best choices for their career and for their own personal experience.

Favorite place in Chicago: The 606 .

Learn more about the chemical engineering major Heading link Copy link

• Degree requirements
• Course descriptions
• Undergrad admissions

Program Educational Objectives: ChE Major Heading link Copy link

The chemical engineering program at UIC is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org .

As part of our accreditation process, ABET asks our department to capture the overall goals of the chemical engineering program. These are called our  educational program objectives . They are:

• In engineering practice, advanced study, or original research, UIC chemical engineering bachelor’s degree graduates will be effective in applying fundamental principles, scientific knowledge, rigorous analysis, creative design, and conceptual innovation.
• Based upon mastery of engineering in a broad, societal context, UIC chemical engineering graduates will have successful careers in the public or private sectors, or in the pursuit of graduate education.
• In the service of industry, government, the engineering profession, and society at large, graduates will function effectively in the complex modern work environment with clear communication, responsible teamwork, and high standards of ethics, professionalism, safety, and protection of the environment.
• Based upon a rigorous undergraduate program that is innovative, challenging, open, and supportive, graduates will enhance their skills and knowledge through life-long learning and will demonstrate professional leadership.

Student Outcomes: ChE Major Heading link Copy link

Another part of the ABET accreditation process requires the department to identify the specific knowledge and skills that students are intended to have when they complete their undergraduate education. These are called  student outcomes .

Students graduating from the chemical engineering program at UIC will have:

• an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
• an ability to 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.
• an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
• 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.
• 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.
• an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
• an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

In the 2021-2022 academic year, 245 students are enrolled at UIC Engineering as chemical engineering majors across all class years. The department graduated 58 chemical engineering majors in the academic year ending August 2021. View historical enrollment and graduation data here.

Apply to UIC! Click here

Chemical Engineering

Why study chemical engineering.

As a student in the Chemical Engineering B.S. program at the University of Cincinnati, you will gain the knowledge and skills to produce, design, transport and transform energy and materials to improve today’s society. Chemical engineers use their expertise in chemical reactions and separations to solve environmental problems and produce new materials on a large scale.

At UC College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS), it’s all about you – we strive to help develop you into the person employers want to hire. Throughout your time with us, you will:

• Gain hands-on training to design and optimize large-scale processes to produce petrochemicals, plastics, fibers, fuel cells, pharmaceuticals, and microelectronics
• Take courses that cover the materials, transport phenomena, process dynamics and controls, and systems analysis
• Customize your experience with more than 600 organizations, including American Institute of Chemical Engineering, American Society of Quality Engineers, ChemE Car, ChemCats, and more
• Build an impressive resume at companies such as BASF Corporation, The Dow Chemical Company, Johnson & Johnson Medical Center, Patheon Pharmaceuticals, and Procter & Gamble

Admission Requirements

Admission criteria for this program vary based on a comprehensive review of the relative strength of courses, academic performance, co-curricular activities, and supplemental information provided through the application. First-year students applying to this program should also have completed the following college preparatory subjects:

• English (4 units)
• Mathematics, including algebra, geometry and either pre-calculus or calculus (4 units)
• Science, including Chemistry and Physics (3 units)
• Social sciences (3 units)
• Electives (5 units)

Careers in Chemical Engineering are transformative and often lead to ground-breaking developments. Possible career paths include:

• Chemical manufacturing
• Energy engineer
• Technical sales and support
• Environmental management
• Product and materials development
• Chemical processing

At the University of Cincinnati, we believe that learning is doing and doing is learning. That’s why we invented the first ever Cooperative Education (Co-op) program in 1906. Today, it’s the largest of its kind in the United States. The Co-op model—which places students in full-time employment in their field—supplements the classroom curriculum to make for an educational experience like no other. 

Transfer students in good standing from accredited colleges and universities will be considered for admission to the college at the first, second and third-year levels. The degree requirement of professional practice experience normally precludes acceptance beyond the third-year level. For further detailed information such as required grade point average, please refer to the Transfer Students page .

Students changing majors from outside programs or colleges within UC, please visit the Transition students page .

For additional information on international requirements, visit the  UC International Admissions page .

• Guide: Chemical Engineering (BS) Curriculum Class of 2029
• Guide: Chemical Engineering (BS) Curriculum Class of 2028
• Guide: Chemical Engineering (BS) Curriculum Class of 2027
• Guide: Chemical Engineering Class of 2026
• Guide: Chemical Engineering Class of 2025
• Guide: Chemical Engineering Class of 2024

Application Deadlines

Early Admission

General Admission

First-year students must begin the program during fall semester. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. High school students who wish to be considered for scholarships must apply by December 1 of their senior year in high school.

The Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Chemical, Biochemical, Biomolecular and Similarly Named Engineering Programs Program Criteria.

Contact Information

Find related programs in the following interest areas:.

• Computers & Technology
• Engineering
• Natural Science & Math

Program Code: 20BC-CHE-BSCHE

Chemical Engineering Program

Main navigation, 2023-24 chemical engineering undergraduate program (cheme-bs, bsh, bash, or min).

Chemical Engineering is a discipline that relates to numerous areas of technology. In broad terms, chemical engineers are responsible for the conception and design of processes for the purpose of production, transformation, and transport of biochemicals, chemicals, energy, and materials.

More recently, chemical engineers are increasingly involved in the design of new products that are enabled by emerging process technologies. These activities begin with experimentation in the laboratory and are followed by implementation of the technology to full-scale production. The mission of the Chemical Engineering department at Stanford is to provide professional training, development, and education for the next generation of leaders in chemical sciences and engineering.

The large number of industries that depend on the synthesis and processing of chemicals and materials place the chemical engineer in great demand. In addition to traditional examples such as the chemical, energy and oil industries, opportunities in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, electronic materials and device fabrication, and environmental engineering are increasing. The unique training of the chemical engineer becomes essential in these areas whenever processes involve the chemical or physical transformation of matter. For example, chemical engineers working in the chemical industry investigate the creation of new polymeric materials with important electrical, optical, or mechanical properties. This requires attention not only to the synthesis of the polymer, but also to the flow and forming processes necessary to create a final product.

In biotechnology, chemical engineers have responsibilities in the design of production processes and facilities to use microorganisms and enzymes to synthesize new drugs. Chemical engineers also solve environmental problems by developing technology and processes, such as catalytic converters and effluent treatment facilities, to minimize the release of products harmful to the environment.

To carry out these activities, the chemical engineer requires a complete and quantitative understanding of both the scientific and engineering principles underlying these technological processes. This is reflected in the curriculum of the chemical engineering department, which includes the study of applied mathematics, material and energy balances, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, energy and mass transfer, separations technologies, chemical reaction kinetics and reactor design, biochemical engineering and process design. Courses are built on a foundation in the sciences of chemistry, physics, and biology.

The individual student’s mathematics and science course preparation for the chemical engineering major depends on his or her previous background in these areas. Following are five representative sequences or 4-year plans. Plan 5 is representative of the schedule of courses for students approved for honors research, which requires a minimum of 12 units in addition to the normal requirements for the major.

Representative programs:

1) Little preparation in math and chemistry: This plan starts with MATH 19, 20, 21, and CHEM 31A & 31B, with study abroad.

2) No AP math credits, prepared to start with MATH 19/20/21 series, then move to CME math series. Strong chemistry preparation; start with CHEM 31M.

3) AP math credits, prepared to start with CME 100 (which is recommended instead of MATH 51 and 52). Start with CHEM 31M.

4) Same preparation as #3, but with a quarter abroad.

5) Same preparation as #3, but with a degree goal of a B.S. with Honors in Chemical Engineering. This departmental Honors Program is by application only; see departmental student services. This plan is for students interested in an in-depth research experience in addition to the normal coursework for the major.

Check our  Departmental website  or  Intranet website . Our faculty, staff, and students would be glad to talk with you about majoring in Chemical Engineering. If you would like more information about this major, please contact our departmental student services staff in Shriram Center, room 129 or email at  [email protected] .

CHEME Program Sheet

CHEME 4-Year Plans

CHEME Flowcharts

UG Program Director: Prof Gerald Fuller, [email protected] -- Shriram Center 129 Student Services: (located in Shriram Center 129) Andrew LeMat

Chair: Andy Spakowitz [email protected]

For instructions on how to declare the CHEME major,  jump to the bottom of this page .

Objectives and Outcomes for Chemical Engineering

Objectives:

• Graduates will be effective in applying the basic chemical engineering principles along with analytical problem-solving and communication skills necessary to succeed in diverse careers including chemical engineering practice and academic research.
• Graduates will be effective life-long learners especially in a field whose focus areas, tools, and professional and societal expectations are constantly changing.
• Graduates will be equipped to successfully pursue postgraduate study whether in engineering or in other fields.
• Graduates will consider the broader context of social, environmental, economic and safety issues and demonstrate high standards of professional and ethical responsibility to become responsible citizens and leaders in the community and in the field of chemical science.
• (a) An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.
• (b) An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
• (c) An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
• (d) An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams
• (e) An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
• (f) An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
• (g) An ability to communicate effectively
• (h) The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context
• (i) A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
• (j) A knowledge of contemporary issues
• (k) An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

Instructions for Finding Out More About the Chemical Engineering Major

• Contact Chemical Engineering Student Services at  [email protected] . Drop-in visits are encouraged in Shriram Center, room 129. We encourage you to let the department know that you are considering the major so we can give you an opportunity to ask questions and get more information about chemical engineering, our advising program, summer internships, year-round research opportunities, etc.
• Attend the annual ChemE advising symposium in autumn quarter.
• Attend monthly departmental advising sessions.
• Check  4-Year Plans and Flowchart  for ways to negotiate requirements in four years.

Find current major requirements for this and all other School of Engineering major programs at  Explore Degrees

Chemical Engineering Program Requirements

Mathematics and science (38-43 units).

• CME 100 is the recommended math course for ChemE majors.

Technology in Society (3-5 units)

Select one course from the approved  TiS List ; the course chosen must be on the SoE Approved List the year it is taken.

Engineering Fundamentals  (2 courses, 8 units minimum)

• ENGR 20, Intro to Chemical Engineering, 4 units, (W), Fr/So (same as CHEMENG 20)
• CHEMENG 55, Foundational Biology for Engineers, 4 units, (A), Fr/So (same as ENGR 55)

Engineering Depth (46 units)

Instructions for Declaring a Major in CHEME

• Log onto Axess and request to major in Chemical Engineering
• Print or download your unofficial Stanford transcript from Axess
• Download a CHEME  program sheet  in Excel and complete it electronically. You must choose and follow the requirements from a year you were enrolled at Stanford. Enter "AP" instead of a course grade for any course waived due to AP credit.
• Save the electronic file for your records
• Send your unofficial transcript and completed Program Sheet to the Chemical Engineering Services Specialist.

Coterm Application Deadlines and Contacts

Visit the  Coterm website  or contact Andrew LeMat at [email protected]

• 6/30/23 for Aut 22-23 
• 11/3/23 for Wtr 23-24 
• 02/9/24 for Spr 23-24 
• 5/17/24 for Aut 23-24

Additional Resources

Chemical Engineering American Institute of Chemical Engineers

• People Finder

Chemical Engineering (CHEN)

The AU Bulletin lists the University Core Curriculum requirements for students in the College of Engineering.  Students must complete a sequence in either Literature or History.  Because of the disciple specific requirements for the Humanities courses, it is recommended that a History sequence be completed in the Social Sciences courses.

Electives, Technical Electives: See adviser for approved course listing. At least three (3) hours of Technical Electives must be coursework considered as Engineering Topics.

CHEM 1110, 1111, 1120 and 1121 are preferred, but CHEM 1030, 1031, 1040 and 1041 are acceptable substitutes. Honors sections of all courses will be accepted for this curriculum.

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Chemical engineering (che).

CHE 110 Introduction to Chemical Engineering (1 credit)

Introduction to chemical engineering career opportunities and process principles including problem solving and documentation skills. Graded P/F.

CHE 123 Computations in Chemical Engineering (2 credits)

Methods of analyzing and solving problems in chemical engineering using personal computers; spreadsheet applications, data handling, data fitting, material balances, experimental measurements, separations, and equation solving. Coordinated lec-lab periods.

Prereqs: Minimum 520 SAT Math or minimum 22 ACT Math or 49 COMPASS Algebra or MATH 143 or MATH 170 ; or Permission.

Coreqs: MATH 143 , MATH 170 , or higher

CHE 204 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits)

Credit arranged

CHE 210 Integrated Chemical Engineering Fundamentals (1 credit)

Recitation support for fundamental STEM courses and process principles including problem solving and documentation skills. Twice a week, 2 hour recitation sessions. Graded P/F.

Prereqs: CHE 110 and CHE 123

CHE 220 Programming for Chemical Engineers (3 credits)

Algorithm development, principles of structured programming techniques, coding of numerical and graphical techniques for solutions of engineering systems.

Prereqs: MATH 170 , CHEM 111 , and CHE 123 ; or Instructor Permission

CHE 223 Material and Energy Balances (3 credits)

Conservation of mass and energy calculations in chemical process systems.

Prereqs: CHEM 112 , CHEM 112L , MATH 175

CHE 299 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits)

CHE 307 Group Mentoring (1 credit, max 3)

Mentoring of student groups in engineering classes where a process education environment is used; students taking this course will improve their engineering skill in the area they are mentoring as well as improving their team, communication, and leadership skills. Students must attend all classes or labs where group activities in the process education environment are done (a minimum of 2 mentoring sessions per week).

Prereqs: Permission

CHE 326 Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics (3 credits)

Behavior and property estimation for nonideal fluids; phase and reaction equilibria; applications to industrial chemical processes.

Prereqs: CHE 223 , ENGR 320 and ENGR 335 , MATH 310

Coreqs: CHEM 305

CHE 330 Separation Processes I (3 credits)

Equilibrium stagewise operations, including distillation, extraction, absorption.

Prereqs: CHE 326 , CHEM 305

CHE 340 Transport and Rate Processes I (4 credits)

Cross-listed with MSE 340

Transport phenomena involving momentum, energy, and mass with applications to process equipment design. Coordinated lec-lab periods.

Prereqs: ENGR 335 , MATH 310 , and CHE 223 or MSE 201

CHE 341 Transport and Rate Processes II (4 credits)

Transport phenomena involving momentum, energy, and mass with applications to process equipment design. Coordinated lecture-lab periods.

Prereqs: CHE 340

CHE 393 Chemical Engineering Projects (1-3 credits, max 9)

Problems of a research or exploratory nature.

Prereqs: Permission of department

CHE 398 (s) Engineering Cooperative Internship (3 credits)

Supervised internship in professional engineering settings, integrating academic study with work experience; requires written report; positions are assigned according to student's ability and interest. Graded P/F.

CHE 400 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits)

CHE 404 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits)

CHE 415 Integrated Circuit Fabrication (3 credits, max 3)

Growth of semiconductor crystals, microlithography, and processing methods for integrated circuit fabrication. Recommended Preparation: CHE 223 Typically Offered: Varies.

CHE 423 Reactor Kinetics and Design (3 credits)

Chemical reaction equilibria, rates, and kinetics; design of chemical and catalytic reactors.

Prereqs: CHE 223 , MATH 310 , CHEM 305

CHE 433 Chemical Engineering Lab I (1 credit)

Senior lab experiments in chemical engineering.

Prereqs: CHE 330 , CHE 341 , CHE 423

CHE 434 Chemical Engineering Lab II (1 credit)

CHE 444 Process Analysis and Control (3 credits)

Process modeling, dynamics, and analysis. Coordinated lecture-lab periods. Recommended Preparation: CHE 223 , MATH 310 .

CHE 445 Digital Process Control (3 credits)

Cross-listed with ECE 477

Dynamic simulation of industrial processes and design of digital control systems. Coordinated lecture-lab periods. Recommended Preparation: CHE 444 (Recommended Preparation for EE majors: ECE 350 ).

CHE 453 Process Analysis & Design I (3 credits)

Cross-listed with MSE 453

Estimation of equipment and total plant costs, annual costs, profitability decisions, optimization; design of equipment, alternate process systems and economics, case studies of selected processes. CHE 453 and CHE 454 / MSE 453 and MSE 454 are to be taken in sequence. (Fall only)

Prereqs: CHE 330 , CHE 341 , and CHE 423 ; or MSE 201, MSE 308 , MSE 313 , MSE 340 , and MSE 412

CHE 454 Process Analysis and Design II (3 credits)

General Education: Senior Experience

Estimation of equipment and total plant costs, annual costs, profitability decisions, optimization; design of equipment, alternate process systems and economics, case studies of selected processes. CHE 453 and CHE 454 are to be taken in sequence. (Spring only)

CHE 455 Surfaces and Colloids (3 credits)

Chemical and physical phenomena near material interfaces and behaviors of colloidal particles in dispersing media.

Prereqs: CHE 326 or CHEM 305 or permission

CHE 460 Biochemical Engineering (3 credits)

Joint-listed with CHE 560

Application of chemical engineering to biological systems including fermentation processes, biochemical reactor design, and biological separation processes. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.

CHE 491 Senior Seminar (1 credit)

Professional aspects of the field, employment opportunities, and preparation of occupational inventories. Graded P/F.

Prereqs: Senior standing.

CHE 498 (s) Internship (1-16 credits)

CHE 499 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits)

CHE 500 Master's Research and Thesis (1-16 credits)

CHE 501 (s) Seminar (0-1 credits, max 2)

Cross-listed with BE 501

Graded P/F.

CHE 502 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits)

CHE 504 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits)

CHE 505 (s) Professional Development (1-16 credits)

CHE 515 Transport Phenomena (3 credits)

Advanced treatment of momentum, energy, and mass transport processes; solution techniques. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.

Prereqs: B. S. Ch. E. and Equivalent of CHE 340 , CHE 341 or Permission

CHE 517 Chemicals and Materials Analysis (3 credits)

Theory and experiments in photon/particle interactions, including x-ray diffraction, electron spectroscopy and microscopy techniques for chemical and physical property analyses applied to chemical, materials and nuclear engineering.

Prereqs: Graduate Standing or Permission

CHE 527 Thermodynamics (3 credits)

Thermodynamic laws for design and optimization of thermodynamic systems, equations of state, properties of ideal and real fluids and fluid mixtures, stability, phase equilibrium, chemical equilibrium, applications of thermodynamic principles. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.

Prereqs: B. S. Ch. E. and Equivalent of CHE 326 or Permission

CHE 529 Chemical Engineering Kinetics (3 credits)

Interpretation of kinetic data and design of reactors for heterogeneous chemical reaction systems; heterogeneous catalysis, gas-solid reactions, gas-liquid reactions; packed bed reactors, fluidized bed reactors. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.

Prereqs: B. S. Ch. E. and Equivalent of CHE 423 or Permission

CHE 536 Electrochemical Engineering (3 credits)

Cross-listed with NE 536

Application of chemical engineering principles to electrochemical systems; thermodynamics, kinetics, and mass transport in electrochemical systems; electrochemical process design. Recommended preparation: graduate engineering standing.

CHE 541 Chemical Engineering Analysis I (3 credits)

Mathematical analysis of chemical engineering operations and processes; mathematical modeling and computer applications. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.

Prereqs: B. S. Ch. E. and Equivalent of CHE 444 or Permission

CHE 560 Biochemical Engineering (3 credits)

Joint-listed with CHE 460

CHE 599 (s) Non-thesis Master's Research (1-16 credits)

CHE 600 Doctoral Research and Dissertation (1-45 credits)

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Chemical engineering

What's on this page, study options.

• Subjects it's useful to have studied first

Careers: Where it can take you

Getting in: entry requirements, other subjects you may be interested in, considering an apprenticeship, explore further, application advice.

If you study chemical engineering, you’ll learn how to alter the chemical, biochemical, or physical state of a substance, and transform raw materials into a whole host of everyday products from face creams, to medicine, to the fibres that are used in the fashion industry. Chemical engineers are doing vital work towards achieving a more sustainable world, including Net Zero and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. They’re also some of the most in-demand graduates in the UK and globally, with some of the best career prospects of any subject. You could work in the public or private sector, researching renewable energy, waste management, food production, or a whole range of other things. You could also work towards chartered status and earn a well above average salary.  

• Work on textiles products to create sustainable, environmentally-friendly fibres for clothing
• Develop new technologies to help us transition efficiently to green energy
• Create an effective water purification system for use in countries affected by environmental disaster or war
• Separation processes
• Thermodynamics
• Heat, mass, and momentum
• Petroleum engineering
• Fluid mechanics
• Industrial chemistry
• Environmental management
• Process design and analysis

Product design

Options to study in this field include:

• undergraduate courses
• apprenticeships

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Your place to discover your options and research your future.

Subjects it's useful to have studied first

Some chemical engineering courses or apprenticeships will have requirements for previous qualifications in certain subjects

• Analytical chemistry
• New product development
• Good manufacturing practices
• Project management
• Critical thinking
• Problem solving
• Communication

The expert view

Career options.

Chemical engineer

Environment professional

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What is a... food scientist.

Find out more about what you'll need to study chemical engineering at university or as an apprenticeship. 

Average requirements for undergraduate degrees 

Entry requirements differ between university and course, but this should give you a guide to what is usually expected from chemical engineering applicants. 

Let’s talk about engineering apprenticeships

• Biology  
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Where to apply

Apply to university and apprenticeships, find out more, the chemical engineer, chemical engineering explained in 4 minutes .

Follow  Shawn Esquivel  as he explains what chemical engineering is, and offers feature videos about his degree and a ‘day in the life’ of a chemical engineering student. 

Check out the Science Museum’s ‘ Engineers ' exhibition online or in-person in London, celebrating products and systems and the engineers who invented them.  

• Consider the characteristics of what might make a good chemical engineer, including team work, problem solving, and combining knowledge from different topics to resolve an issue. Then think of times you’ve shown those characteristics – maybe you’ve done a part-time job or sport outside of school that requires team work? When have you been faced with a problem you had to solve?
• Admissions tutors are looking for creative people with initiative, curiosity, and a bit of originality. Play on your skills and talents in research, experimentation, calculation, analysis, and your hands-on curiosity. Have you worked on a project at home or in a club that required you to be practical and figure out how something worked, like fixing an electronic toy, or doing some background coding?
• Engineers need to have good time management and self-organisation too. Can you give examples of when you displayed these qualities, like balancing schoolwork with extracurricular activities and hobbies? Demonstrate you have the motivation and ability to complete this potentially challenging course.
• Where do you see yourself afterwards? If you have a particular goal in mind, then mention what you plan to do with your chemical engineering degree. Show you understand something of the industry you intend to head into.

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Explore courses

Chemical Engineering

The University of Edinburgh

BEng (Hon) · 4 Years · Full-time · Edinburgh · 08/09/2025

Tariff points: N/A

Aston University, Birmingham

MEng (Hon) · 5 Years · Sandwich · Birmingham · 15/09/2025

Tariff points: 96/128

University of Surrey

BEng (Hon) · 3 Years · Full-time · Guildford · 15/09/2025

Queen Mary University of London

MEng (Hon) · 4 Years · Full-time · London · 15/09/2025

University of Aberdeen

BEng (Hon) · 4 Years · Full-time · Aberdeen · 15/09/2025

University of Bradford

MEng · 4 Years · Full-time · Bradford · 09/2025

Tariff points: 112/112

University of Greenwich

BEng (Hon) · 6 Years · Part-time · Chatham · 09/2025

Tariff points: 112/120

University of Huddersfield

MEng · 4 Years · Full-time · Huddersfield · 22/09/2025

Tariff points: 120/136

University of Hull

MEng (Hon) · 4 Years · Full-time · Hull · 15/09/2025

Tariff points: 128/128

University of Wolverhampton

BEng (Hon) · 3 Years · Full-time · Wolverhampton · 09/2025

Tariff points: 104/104

University of Bath

MEng (Hon) · 4 Years · Full-time · Bath · 29/09/2025

University of Birmingham

BEng (Hon) · 4 Years · Full-time with year in industry · Birmingham · 29/09/2025

Brunel University London

MEng (Hon) · 4 Years · Full-time · Uxbridge · 09/2025

University of Chester

MEng (Hon) · 4 Years · Full-time · Chester · 09/2025

Tariff points: 120/120

Heriot-Watt University

MEng (Hon) · 5 Years · Full-time · Edinburgh · 08/09/2025

Lancaster University

MEng (Hon) · 4 Years · Full-time · Lancaster · 01/10/2025

University of Nottingham

BEng (Hon) · 3 Years · Full-time · Nottingham · 22/09/2025

Sheffield Hallam University

BEng (Hon) · 3 Years · Full-time · Sheffield · 22/09/2025

University of Sheffield

BEng (Hon) · 3 Years · Full-time · Sheffield · 29/09/2025

Swansea University

BEng (Hon) · 3 Years · Full-time · Swansea · 22/09/2025

Tariff points: 120/168

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Chemical Engineering (BEng)

Chemical Engineering (BEng) starting September 2023 for 3 years

About this course

This chemical engineering degree focuses on sustainability. On completion, you’ll have the skills to help the world transition to a more sustainable future. Demand is high for chemical engineering graduates. You’ll have excellent job prospects in sectors such as food, energy, pharmaceuticals and biochemicals.

Chemical engineering is a multi-disciplinary branch of engineering, focused on using chemicals and materials to design sustainable processes and giving them practical applications in the real world. This course focuses particularly on employability, sustainability and design.

The skills you’ll gain include:

• computational methods
• reaction engineering
• thermofluids

On this Chemical Engineering BEng degree you’ll be able to:

• take part in a challenging group design project
• complete an optional extra year on a paid industrial placement
• learn real-world skills with our dedicated computer suite and simulation software
• use our virtual control room to gain experience working in a chemical plant
• select from a range of specialist modules

You’ll work in our brand new, bespoke chemical engineering laboratories, which are part of our £12m chemistry building renovation. You’ll also have access to our engineering facilities, which consist of over 10,000m² of specialist workshops, laboratories and testing services.

This is a new course. The course is currently undergoing the accreditation process for the Institution of Chemical Engineers   (IChemE).   

Year in industry

Enhance your employability by taking this course with a paid industrial placement year.

Apply using:

• Course name: Chemical Engineering with Industrial Placement Year
• UCAS code: H802

You'll spend this extra year at an engineering firm, applying the skills and knowledge you've learned so far.

The fee is 20% of the standard annual tuition fee.

Foundation year

If you have not studied the required Science subjects for this course, you may be eligible to apply for and enter through our Science Foundation Year .

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes .

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Learn more about this subject area

Chemistry and chemical engineering

Course locations.

This course is based at Highfield and Boldrewood .

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

Entry requirements

For academic year 202526.

AAA including chemistry and mathematics

A-levels additional information

General Studies, Critical Thinking and use of mathematics are excluded for entry. A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. Applicants with A-level chemistry who have not studied A-level mathematics can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year . Applicants with A-level mathematics who have not studied A-level chemistry can apply for the Science Foundation Year .

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: AAB including chemistry (minimum grade A) and mathematics (minimum grade A), plus grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 36 points overall with 18 points at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in chemistry and 6 at Higher Level in mathematics (Analysis and Approaches) or 7 at Higher Level in mathematics (Applications and Interpretation)

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

Applicants with Higher Level chemistry who have not studied Higher Level mathematics can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year . Applicants with Higher Level mathematics who have not studied Higher Level chemistry can apply for the Science Foundation Year .

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International baccalaureate career programme (ibcp) statement.

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus A in A-level chemistry and A in A-level mathematics. We will consider the BTEC National Diploma and BTEC National Extended Diploma if studied alongside A-level chemistry and A-level mathematics.

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows: AAB, including chemistry (minimum grade A) and mathematics (minimum grade A)

Additional information

A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. Applicants with A-level chemistry who have not studied A-level mathematics can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year . Applicants with A-level mathematics who have not studied A-level chemistry can apply for the Science Foundation Year .

D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grade A in A-level chemistry and grade A in A-level mathematics. We will consider the BTEC Diploma and BTEC Extended Diploma if studied alongside A-level chemistry and A-level mathematics.

Access to HE Diploma

Not accepted for this course. Applicants with an Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish leaving certificate (first awarded 2017).

H1 H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 including chemistry, mathematics and applied mathematics

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

A1 A1 A2 A2 A2 A2 including chemistry, mathematics and applied mathematics

Irish certificate additional information

Applicants who have not studied mathematics can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year Applicants who have not studied chemistry can apply for the Science Foundation Year.

Scottish Qualification

Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.

Please see the  University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF)  for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

Cambridge Pre-U

D3 D3 D3 in three Principal subjects including chemistry and mathematics

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A-levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer, where D3 can be used in lieu of A-level grade A or grade M2 can be used in lieu of grade B. Applicants who have not studied mathematics can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year Applicants who have not studied chemistry can apply for the Science Foundation Year.

Welsh Baccalaureate

AAA from three A-levels including chemistry and mathematics or AA from two A-levels including chemistry and mathematics, and A from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate.

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Welsh baccalaureate contextual offer.

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Not accepted for this course.

Other requirements

• UK students
• Other ways to qualify

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

Find the  equivalent international qualifications  for our entry requirements.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

IELTS score requirements

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need. Find out more about:

• skills you might have gained through work or other life experiences (otherwise known as recognition of prior learning )

Find out more about our Admissions Policy .

Science Foundation Year

The Science Foundation Year will give you the skills and knowledge to progress to this course if you don't have the right qualifications for direct entry.

It could be the right option if you:

are studying for A levels in subjects other than those we normally ask for

are a mature applicant with skills and experience from employment and can show recent study

you come from a part of the world where the education system is different from the British A level system

Find full details on our Science Foundation Year page .

For Academic year 202425

Got a question.

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email:  [email protected] Tel:  +44(0)23 8059 5000

Course structure

This is a full-time course starting September 2021. 

During the first two years, you'll learn the fundamentals of chemical engineering. As you progress through the course, you'll learn to apply these fundamentals to real-world problems. 

Design and computational methods are a key focus of the course throughout.

In your third year you’ll have the option to specialise in your key areas of interest from a range of optional modules.

You have the option to take this degree with an extra year in employment.

Year 1 overview

You’ll develop your understanding of the core underlying principles of chemical engineering. You'll explore topics like:

• design and computing
• chemical principles
• maths for engineering

Year 2 overview

You’ll learn to apply your knowledge and skills within a practical context and analyse your results using computational methods. You'll study topics like:

• practical operations and chemical analysis
• fluids and solids
• process control, safety and integration

Year 3 overview

You’ll deepen your understanding of the relationship between design, manufacturing and material properties.

Topics include:

• advanced reaction engineering (bioreactors and catalysis)
• engineering management and law
• process integration and intensification

Design project

You'll complete a group design project that will bring together all of your theoretical knowledge and practical skills to create a design solution. This may be a simulation, a report to meet a brief, or even building part of a chemical engineering plant. Your project may be chosen to take part in our annual Engineering Design Show.

Follow your interests

In the third year you’ll be able to specialise with optional modules ranging from chemical engineering for sustainable energy, to chemical engineering in the pharmaceutical sector.

Optional year in industry

You have the option to take this degree as a 4-year degree with a year in industry during your third year. 

We'll help you find a paid placement in the UK for this year. This could be in an industry such as energy systems, pharmaceutical, food or emerging technologies. You’ll develop knowledge and skills to prepare you for the workplace, whilst you remain enrolled as a student, with access to all the University’s support services.

If you wish to apply for this degree with a year in industry you will need to use the UCAS code H802 .

Want more detail?  See all the modules in the course.

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes .

Year 1 modules

You must study the following modules in year 1:

An Introduction to Engineering Design

Engineers design physical products, systems and processes. They think big with vision, research, analyse, create, refine and deliver solutions. Engineering is a design discipline that is broad, creative, logical and holistic, while also focused and ex...

Chemical Principles

This module introduces the structure of atoms and molecules and how structure affects their behaviour and properties. Practical exercises are included to reinforce the theoretical aspects of the module.

Mathematics for Engineering and the Environment

This course lays the mathematical foundation for all engineering degrees. Its structure allows students with different levels of previous knowledge to work at their own pace. Pre-requisite for MATH2048 One of the pre-requisites for MATH3081 and MATH...

Mechanics, Structures and Materials

This module covers the fundamentals of mechanics, statics, dynamics and materials. Providing a firm basis for all subsequent modules in these areas in later Parts and a further career in engineering. This module consists of four parts, Statics-1, Statics...

Principles of Chemical Engineering

This module covers the chemical aspects of thermodynamics, equilibria, and kinetics, with a focus on their relationship to mass and energy balances and application of the concepts of physical chemistry in chemical engineering.

ThermoFluids

Core Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics for all Engineering Themes. Students should be aware that this module requires pre requisites of Mathematics

Year 2 modules

You must study the following modules in year 2:

Unit Operations 1 -Particle Technology

The module will develop a detailed understanding of advanced particle technology and processes, including processes that have simultaneous heat and mass transfer. The main objective will be to learn how to design and size sustainable processes that invol...

Chemical Reactions

Heat and mass transfer.

This course is designed to introduce the phenomena of heat and mass transfer, to develop methodologies for solving a wide variety of practical engineering problems, and to provide useful information concerning the performance and design of particular syst...

Mathematics for Engineering and the Environment Part II

The module aims to teach mathematical methods relevant for engineering. The first part is about differential equations and how solve them, from ordinary differential equations to partial differential equations. The second part is about either vector calcu...

Practical Operations and Chemical Analysis

A practical based module to reinforce lecture material from other modules on unit operations and to develop understanding of spectroscopic methods of chemical characterisation.

Process Control and Safety

The primary objective of process control is to maintain and regulate the output of a process within desired or optimal parameters. In other words, process control involves managing and manipulating several factors and variables in a system to ensure that ...

Reaction Engineering

The module will develop concepts related to reaction engineering and the design of reactors. Reaction engineering is at the heart of chemical engineering and one of the main requirements of chemical engineers is to design equipment where reactions take pl...

Unit Operations 2 - Fluid Technology

This module provides a comprehensive overview of fluids and separation processes, focusing on key mechanisms, principles and design of units for industrial processes with an emphasis on processes that have simultaneous heat and mass transfer.

Year 3 modules

You must study the following modules in year 3:

Advanced Reaction Engineering (Bio Reactors and Catalysis)

The module will further develop the understanding of reaction engineering and will look in detail in biochemical and biological reactors, real reactors and catalytic reactors.

Chemical Engineering Group Design Project

This group project enables you to apply your conceptual engineering and science knowledge to a chemical engineering design problem. The ideas are developed through detailed design, experimentation, computer modelling and/or manufacture. You will need ...

Chemical Engineering Part 3 Labs

Engineering management and law.

This module will provide students with an introduction to management and law – knowledge and skills which can be applied to the operations of an engineering-based organisation. The learning outcomes address: managerial decisions, commercial aspects of eng...

Management of Safety in Chemical Plants

Unit operations 3 - separation processes.

The module will develop a detailed understanding of advanced separation processes, including processes that have simultaneous heat and mass transfer. The main objective will be to learn how to design and size processes that are used in industrial separat...

You must also choose from the following modules in year 3:

Chemical Engineering for Sustainable Energy

This module covers the contributions of chemical engineering to the sustainable production of energy and the use of sustainable energy management to improve chemical production and processing.

Chemical Engineering for the Pharmaceutical Sector

Urban water and wastewater engineering.

The module covers two main themes. One looks at the types of process that are used to purify water to a standard acceptable for distribution. The subject material is taught so as to give a fundamental understanding of the physical, chemical and biological...

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

• classes and tutorials
• individual and group projects
• independent learning (studying on your own)

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Course leader

Mohamed Hassan Sayed is the course leader.

Chemical engineering is a career that can make a real difference in the world, but it’s also well-rewarded. Average salaries for experienced chartered chemical engineers reach £79,000 in the UK ( Institution of Chemical Engineers ).

Chemical engineers are in demand in many different sectors, including medicine, food and beverages, renewable fuels and resource and waste management. This course’s focus on practical experience and commercialisation will give you a head start in the jobs market.

If you take the optional year in employment you’ll gain additional work skills and useful contacts.

As a chemical engineering graduate you’ll be qualified to take up roles as:

• process engineer
• energy consultant
• thermo-fluid engineer
• quality assurance specialist
• environmental engineer
• biochemical engineer
• food processing expert
• pharmaceutical engineer 

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV and interview skills and workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds , is open to every student.

Work in industry

You have the option to take this degree as a 4-year degree with a year in industry during your third year.

We'll help you find a paid placement in the UK for this year. This could be in an industry such as energy systems, pharmaceutical, food or emerging technologies. You’ll develop knowledge and skills to prepare you for the workplace, whilst you remain enrolled as a student, with access to all the University’s support services.

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees.

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £27,400.

Your fees will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and standard exams.

Find out how to:

• pay your tuition fees
• calculate your student finances

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges, and expenses regulations  

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary .

Get in touch for advice about student money matters .

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a  scholarship  or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

When you apply use:

• UCAS course code: H800
• UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for this course

What happens after you apply?

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

• predicted grades
• academic achievements
• personal statement
• academic reference

We'll aim to process your application within 2 to 6 weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our  Equality and Diversity Statement .

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Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering

Industry Networking Night Oct. 8

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Engineering Physics Building Rm. 419

Chemical & Biological Engineering University of Idaho 875 Perimeter Drive Moscow, ID 83844

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Design and create more efficient biological and chemical processes to benefit society, advance technology, and reduce negative impacts on our planet.

Our graduates:

• Enhance human health and quality of life.
• Solve environmental problems.
• Improve energy independence.

Build skills to decrease pollution, clean water, make sustainable energy, utilize precision and regenerative agriculture, engineering better medicines, regenerate tissues and organs, process chemicals and foods, fabricate advanced materials, and refine oil and other petroleum products. Reach your goals through collaboration with our broad network of partners from all fields of life science, chemistry, physics, engineering, and beyond.

The University of Idaho Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees .

Experience the difference and what it means to engineer like a Vandal.

• No. 1 Best Value Public University in the West – ranked for the fourth year in a row by U.S. News and World Report . We’re also the only public university in Idaho to be ranked best value by Forbes , Money , and The Princeton Review .
• Top 7 in the Nation for “infusing real-world experiences into engineering education” through our undergraduate Senior Capstone Design Program – National Academy of Engineering
• Personalized Attention from nationally and internationally recognized faculty and staff through small class sizes, 1-on-1 interaction, mentorship, advising and research collaboration. All faculty  hold Ph.D.s in their field.
• 93% Graduate with Jobs or are enrolled in graduate education or military service – First Destination Survey
• Highest Salary Earnings for early- and mid-career undergraduate degree recipients than any other public university in Idaho – Payscale
• More Scholarships Awarded than any 4-year public engineering college in Idaho.
• Hands-On Experience, Guaranteed ALL U of I College of Engineering students participate in hands-on experiences, through our nationally recognized Senior Capstone Design Program   and Engineering Design EXPO , Cooperative Education Program (Co-op) , Idaho’s only Grand Challenge Scholars Program   and paid undergraduate assistantships.

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Our department offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in chemical engineering and biological engineering.

The Micron Student Center provides academic advising, career services, tutoring and other support into one central location.

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Schedule a personalized campus tour of labs and facilities and meet our students, advisors, faculty and staff.

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree programs in chemical engineering and biological engineering at the University of Idaho are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org .

Chemical Engineering

Why Chemical Engineering?

• Sample courses
• Customize your degree
• Co-op & careers
• Capstone design projects

Student design teams

• Alumni stories

Chemical engineering deals with the use and transformation of raw materials and energy. Chemical engineers apply principles of math, physics and chemistry to re-engineer products the world relies on. They are responsible for creating global solutions to a wide range of industrial, environmental and societal problems in safe, sustainable and energy-efficient ways. Whether you’re creating the next generation of life-saving pharmaceuticals, cybernetic systems or alternative energy, as a chemical engineer you’ll be contributing to the betterment of society.

In one of the world's top Chemical Engineering programs, you’ll enhance your knowledge of physics, chemistry, biology and math to transform raw materials into useful products. You'll also design and control complex physical and chemical processes. Upon graduation, you'll be ready for a career in renewable energy, electrochemical systems, agriculture and food processing, biotechnology and biomedical, pharmaceuticals, environmental remediation and more.

Courses in Chemical Engineering

In first year, you'll take a mix of engineering, math, biology, chemistry and physics courses. After first year, most of your classes will be Chemical Engineering courses. You'll learn to design batteries, optimize and control chemical and biological processes and design separation processes. 

Sample first-year courses

This is a sample schedule. Courses are subject to change.

Upper year courses

For information about courses past your first year, check out the Undergraduate Academic Calendar.

Customize your degree with options and specializations

Options are a way to provide you with a path to expand your degree and get a secondary emphasis in another subject or area. Students should decide if they are interested in taking options as they enter second year. Some available options are:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Biomechanics
• Computer Engineering
• Entrepreneurship
• Environmental Engineering
• Life Sciences
• Management Sciences
• Mechatronics
• Physical Sciences
• Quantum Engineering
• Software Engineering

Specializations

A specialization is recognition of selected elective courses within your degree. Specialization offerings are unique to your engineering program and are listed on your diploma. Specializations that are available to Chemical Engineering students include:

• Chemical Process Modelling
• Optimization & Control Specialization
• Energy & Environmental Systems & Processes Specialization
• Materials & Manufacturing Processes Specialization

Co-op for Chemical Engineering students

You’ll have an unrivalled opportunity to gain paid work experience before you even graduate. We’ll help you navigate job applications, résumés, and interviews; you’ll have the added benefit of trying out different roles and/or industries to find the one that fits you while building your work experience and reinforcing your in-class learning out in the real world. It all adds up to a competitive advantage after graduation.

Starting in first year, you'll normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience. You can return to the same employer for a couple of work terms to gain greater knowledge and responsibility or work for different employers to get a broad range of experience.

Your first work term will be halfway through first year

or  at the end of first year.

There are two options for co-op sequences. You can request your preference if you receive an offer of admission.  Learn more about co-op .

Example co-op positions for Chemical Engineering students

• Supply chain assistant
• Research assistant
• Data analyst
• Product execution specialist
• Reliability engineering
• Materials scientist
• Production coordinator
• Process specialist
• Quality project coordinator
• Process analyst

Working remotely across time zones

Anand nair, chemical engineering student.

Anand, a third-year Chemical Engineering student, shares what it was like working and completing courses remotely , all in a different time zone.

He shared "One of the most important things that I learned, and I think builds cumulatively over time, is the ability to ask questions and not shy away from them, even when you don’t understand anything. It helps you think outside the box and come up with alternative solutions. Because the entire point of having a co-op student work with you is you get a fresh set of eyes on the same problem that you've been dealing with. No employer would say no to asking a question and they will really appreciate your genuine interest in the work that you're doing.”

Example careers for Chemical Engineering graduates

• Test systems engineer
• Supply chain analyst
• Associate project manager
• Production engineer
• Laboratory technologist
• Design engineer

Capstone design projects in Chemical Engineering

Capstone Design is the culmination of the engineering undergraduate student experience, creating a blueprint for innovation in engineering design.

Supported by numerous awards, Capstone Design provides Waterloo Engineering students with the unique opportunity to conceptualize and design a project related to their chosen discipline.

A requirement for completion of their degrees, Capstone Design challenges students teams to push their own boundaries, and apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom and on co-op work terms.  It reinforces the concepts of teamwork, project management, research and development. 

For a full list of previous capstone design projects, see our Capstone Design website .

Enzymatic PET Depolymerization (Capstone 2024)

Samantha Chim, Julie Duong, Deric (Sangwook) Park, Forrest Yuan

Only 7% of PET plastic gets recycled, the rest eventuate in landfills or degrade into microplastics that enter aquatic ecosystems, thus a large-scale strategy for PET depolymerization is needed to reduce the PET plastic waste. Our project utilizes enzymatic reactions to depolymerize PET into its monomers to be recycled as industrial chemicals, promoting a sustainable approach to plastic use.

Improving the Battery Efficiency in Pacemakers (Capstone 2024)

Hannah Adey, Patrick Bandurski, Derry Tong

This project explores the application of Lithium-Sulfur (Li-S) battery technology in pacemakers, aiming to enhance battery efficiency and lifespan over traditional Lithium-Iodine cells. We aim to contribute to the evolution of cardiac medical devices, fostering advancements that enhance patient outcomes, reduce healthcare burdens, and pave the way for the next generation of implantable medical technologies.

The Sedra Student Design Centre consists of over 20,000 square feet of space dedicated to design teams and student projects. There are more than two dozen design teams , all of which are student-led, and many of which represent Waterloo internationally.

Some examples include:

International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) team

The goal of the Waterloo iGEM team is to engineer biological processes like electrical and software systems, rewiring naturally-occurring genetic components using principles from synthetic biology.

Formula Nano

Formula Nano is dedicated to designing, building, and racing molecular machines at the nanoscale. We're working towards competing in the next international Nanocar Race where teams compete to race single molecules using a specialized scanning tunneling microscope.

Alternative Protein Project

The Waterloo Alternative Protein Project is the first chapter of the Good Food Institute’s Alt. Protein Project in Canada. The project aims to create a sustainable and secure food system through research, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

Chemical Engineering alumni

Kayli dale & jacqueline hutchings.

Kayli and Jacqueline (class of 2020) made the Forbes Magazine’s 30 Under 30 list for 2023. The pair are the co-founders of Friendlier, a company dedicated to eradicating single-use plastics in food businesses.

Read more about Kayli and Jacqueline's story.

Kartik Subramanian

Kartik (class of 1998) "I chose to study Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo because I wanted to study a discipline of engineering that related to food, energy, advanced materials, and medicine".

Read more about Kartik's time in Chemical Engineering.

Sarah Vandaiyar

Sarah (class of 2009), "I think the co-op program is probably one of the best opportunities an undergrad can have. It gives you real-world experience, teaches you how to interact with people in the workplace and gives you great connections for after you graduate".

Read more about Sarah's time in Chemical Engineering .

Daniel Tuana

Daniel (class of 2020), "I aim to leverage my unique insight stemming from my chemical engineering degree and manufacturing experience to help commercialize the most promising new nuclear technologies”.

Read more about Daniel's time in Chemical Engineering.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What's the difference between chemical engineering and chemistry.

Chemical engineering and chemistry are closely related fields, but they have distinct focuses and applications.

Chemistry is the scientific study of matter, its properties, how it interacts with other matter and the changes it undergoes during chemical reactions. It is primarily concerned with understanding the fundamental principles of chemical reactions, molecular composition and material properties at a molecular level. Chemists typically work in laboratories conducting experiments to discover new compounds, understand chemical processes and develop new materials. Chemistry is applied in various industries such as pharmaceuticals, materials science, environmental science and biotechnology to develop new products and solutions.

On the other hand, chemical engineering is the application of chemistry, physics, biology and mathematics to design, develop and optimize processes for large-scale production and manufacturing. It is more concerned with transforming raw materials into useful products through chemical, physical and biological processes. Chemical engineers design equipment, systems and processes for refining raw materials, producing chemicals and managing byproducts. Chemical engineering is involved in industries such as oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, energy and consumer goods, focusing on scaling up production, improving efficiency and ensuring safety and sustainability.

In summary, while chemistry focuses on understanding the nature and behavior of substances, chemical engineering focuses on applying this knowledge to develop practical processes for producing and using these substances efficiently and safely on an industrial scale.

What do the Chemical Engineering lab spaces look like?

Watch our tour video for a glimpse inside our Chemical Engineering lab spaces in the Douglas Wright Engineering building at the University of Waterloo.

Interested in Chemical Engineering?

Advanced Chemical Engineering MSc

Year of entry 2024, sign up for masters updates.

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Course overview

The Advanced Chemical Engineering MSc at Leeds will build on the core foundations you’ve learned already in chemical engineering, advancing your skills in this continually evolving discipline.

The course has been specifically designed to provide greater depth in aspects of advanced chemical engineering and a range of up-to-date process technologies. These will enable you to design, operate and manage processes and associated manufacturing plants whilst providing leadership in innovation, research and development and technology transfer.

You’ll study in the School of Chemical and Process Engineering which is actively involved in developing ‘internationally excellent’ research that has impacted the world. This gives us first-hand insight into the latest trends and practices in modern chemical engineering — much of which is fed directly into the course.

This means that, once you graduate, you’ll be fully equipped with the forward-thinking, relevant and topical knowledge sought after by global companies in industry. Plus, your extensive skill set will open the door to many different career paths — including developing sustainable chemical products, functional materials and pharmaceuticals.

During your studies, you’ll also have access to specialist facilities that will complement your curriculum requirements and be taught by expert lecturers who are leaders in their fields.

Why study at Leeds:

• This Masters degree is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers.
• Our globally-renowned research conducted right here in our School feeds into your course, shaping your learning with the latest thinking in areas such as sustainable systems and processes.
• Advance your knowledge and skills in critical areas sought after in industry such as reaction engineering, multi-scale modelling and product design and development.
• Tailor the course to specialise in your career interests through a variety of optional modules including energy management and conservation, fuel processing and nanomaterials.
• Conduct your own individual research project as part of your course and gain industry experience in planning, executing and reporting.
• Access UK-leading research laboratories and specialist facilities , including computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for modelling and simulation of a wide range of processes, and facilities for nanotechnology and colloid science and technology.
• Experience excellent practical and theoretical teaching delivered by a programme team with a wealth of expertise and experience across many chemical and process engineering disciplines.
• Enhance your career prospects and become part of our successful alumni who have pursued exciting careers in global companies including P&G, Syngenta and Origin Energy.
• Master the most up-to-date practices and techniques recognised in industry on a course that has been directly informed and advised by the Industrial Advisory Board .

Accreditation

Institution of Chemical Engineers

Accreditation is the assurance that a university course meets the quality standards established by the profession for which it prepares its students.

This course is accredited by the  Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) on behalf of the  Engineering Council .

This Masters degree is accredited as meeting the requirements for Further Learning to Masters Level if you have an IChemE-accredited bachelor's degree (or have the academic equivalent assessed through the IChemE Individual Case Procedure). This provides the fast-track route to professional Chartered Engineer (CEng) status and ensures the quality of the education provided.

Course details

The compulsory modules on the course include industry-relevant topics surrounding smarter product development through the digitalisation of processes. This includes recent advances in chemical engineering, multi-scale modelling and simulation (including CFD), advanced reaction engineering and product design and development. Alongside the core modules, you’ll also have a choice of optional modules, allowing you to gain specialist knowledge in a topic that suits your career plans or personal interests. Optional module topics include energy management and conservation, fule processing and nanomaterials.

Project work

You’ll also undertake an independent research project which will equate to one-third of your course credits. Not only will you be able to choose a topic that explores your interests — normally related to one of our globally-renowned research areas — you’ll also gain invaluable experience planning and executing a real-world project while immersed in one of our research groups, working alongside PhD students. You'll gain experience reporting research data to various a broad range of audiences, preparing you for the next steps in your career.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Advanced Chemical Engineering MSc in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Learning and teaching

We use a variety of teaching and learning methods including lectures, practicals, tutorials and seminars. Independent study is also an important element of the course, as you develop your problem-solving and research skills as well as your subject knowledge.

Specialist facilities

We have UK-leading facilities for carrying out research in manufacturing (including crystallisation), processing and characterising particulate systems for a wide range of technological materials, as well as facilities for nanotechnology and colloid engineering.

We also have high-performance computing facilities and state-of-the-art computer software, including computational fluid dynamics (CFD), for modelling and simulation of a wide range of processes. This provides students with strong background knowledge in industrial process and equipment design and optimisation.

Programme team

The Programme Leader, Dr Tariq Mahmud , is an Associate Professor whose research interests include chemical process modelling and simulation, the synthesis of particulate product materials, and carbon capture and advanced H2 production processes. Dr Mahmud has led a number of projects in these areas funded by the UK research councils and industries including Pfizer, AstraZeneca, National Nuclear Laboratories, P&G and Syngenta.

The wider programme team has broad and extensive experience across a range of chemical and process engineering disciplines.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

You’ll be assessed using a range of techniques including problem sheets, technical reports, presentations, in-class tests, assignments and exams. Optional modules may also use alternative assessments.

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in chemical engineering. Applicants must have strong marks across a breadth of relevant modules, including mathematics and physical sciences.

Applicants with a high 2.2 will be considered on an individual basis where they can demonstrate competence in specific modules and/or with relevant professional industrial experience.

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications . For more information please contact the Admissions Team .

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications .

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read  Language for Engineering (6 weeks)  and  Language for Science: Engineering (10 weeks) . 

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals.  Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional .

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses .

How to apply

Application deadlines

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

31 July 2024  – International applicants

8 September 2024 – UK applicants

Click below to access the University’s online application system and find out more about the application process.

If you're still unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

The UK Government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) operates a scheme called the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS). If you are an international (non-EU/EEA or Swiss citizen) applicant and require a student visa to study in the UK then you will need an ATAS certificate to study this course at the University of Leeds.

To apply for an ATAS certificate online, you will need your programme details and the relevant Common Aggregation Hierarchy (CAH) code and descriptor. For this course, the CAH code is: CAH10-01-09 and the descriptor is Chemical, Process and Energy Engineering . Your supervisor will be Dr Tariq Mahmud.

More information and details on how to apply for your ATAS certificate can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme .

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students . We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

This course is taught by

School of Chemical and Process Engineering

Postgraduate Admissions Team – Masters courses

Email: [email protected] Telephone:

UK: £13,750 (Total)

International: £31,000 (Total)

Read more about paying fees and charges .

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees .

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page .

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview .

Scholarships

Career opportunities.

Chemical engineering is an ever-evolving discipline which is constantly moving with the times — and the career opportunities are far-reaching in the chemical and allied industries.

As we move toward a more technologically advanced and sustainable future, the demand for skilled engineers will continue to grow — which is why studying an IChemE-accredited MSc in advanced chemical engineering will give you the specialist skills and knowledge sought after by a wide range of employers in industry.

Plus, University of Leeds students are among the top 5 most targeted by top employers according to  The Graduate Market 2024, High Fliers Research .

Our graduates from this course have secured positions at companies such as:

• Manufacturing Engineer, Akzo Nobel India
• Senior Process Engineer, Evonik Industries
• Commissioning Inspection Engineer, Origin Energy
• Chemical Engineer, Methode Electronics
• Process Engineer, Syngenta
• Support Engineer, Heineken
• Project Manager, Procter & Gamble
• Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE) Consultant, Tilone Subsea Limited
• Process Engineer, NNPC
• Project Planning Engineer, Hyundai Heavy Industries

Careers support

At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one. We have a wide range of careers resources — including our award-winning Employability team who are in contact with many employers around the country and advertise placements and jobs. They are also on hand to provide guidance and support through the whole job application process, ensuring you are prepared to take your next steps after graduation and get you where you want to be.

• Employability events — we run a full range of events including careers fairs in specialist areas and across broader industries — all with employers who are actively recruiting for roles. 
• MyCareer system — on your course and after you graduate, you’ll have access to a dedicated careers portal where you can book appointments with our team, get information on careers and see job vacancies and upcoming events.
• Qualified careers consultants — gain guidance, support and information to help you choose a career path. You’ll have access to 1-2-1 meetings and events to learn how to find employers to target, write your CV and cover letter, research before interviews and brush up on your interview skills.
• Opportunities at Leeds — there are plenty of exciting opportunities offered by our Leeds University Union , including volunteering and over 300 clubs and societies to get involved in.

Find out more about career support.

Related courses

Chemistry msc, energy and environment msc, materials science and engineering msc, rankings and awards, top 100 in the world for chemical engineering.

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024

Top 10 in the UK for Chemical Engineering

Guardian University Guide 2025

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Chemical Engineering

Develop new biodegradable polymers. Use nanomaterials to build next-gen semiconductors and LEDs. Refine lithium-sulphur batteries to make them more energy efficient. Or design sustainable packaging to reduce plastic and food waste.

Explore industrial-scale processes that convert raw materials into commercial products to solve the energy, environmental and healthcare challenges of our times.

* Chemical engineering specialisation is for the Master of Professional Engineering .

Biological engineering is only available in the one year  Master of Engineering degree

Specialisation overview

Scale up biochemical breakthroughs for industrial production as you collaborate with physicists, chemists and biologists to solve complex problems. Equip yourself with advanced knowledge of thermodynamics, reaction engineering, fluid dynamics, separation processes, enzymes and advanced biotechnology.

With chemical engineering, you might purify contaminated water using state-of-the-art nanomembranes. Support the circular economy to build a zero-waste future. Or engineer full-flavour foods and beverages from plant-based ingredients.

Want to delve even deeper into bioprocesses with biological engineering? You might refine the next gen of mRNA vaccines, develop new biologic drugs to treat rare diseases or produce sustainable fibres from renewable sources.

You could join innovative biotech businesses or multinational pharmaceutical firms. Want to pursue a breakthrough of your own? Monash will provide you with the support and guidance to turn your spark into a start-up.

The masters course has helped me realise the potential for industry to produce sustainable, highvalue bio-products and I’ve developed valuable connections with other students from across the industry.”

Deanne Heier

Masters graduate Scientist, Norske Skog Australasia

Careers in Chemical and Biological engineering

Chemical and biological engineers are highly sought after in areas like nanotechnology, renewable energy, food production and biotechnology. While local demand remains strong, Australia seeks to strengthen its sovereign capabilities to produce biochemicals. You might enter industry to:

• Develop cleaner biofuels to protect the environment
• Improve water purification using nanomembranes
• Advance hydrogen storage for vehicles
• Save lives through tissue engineering
• Make smart drug delivery even smarter
• Process wastes to harness energy, recover high-value metals, make fuels and chemicals
• Work with consulting firms to advise biochemical manufacturers
• Drive climate action and inform policy in the public sector
• Support the renewable energy transition through next-gen products
• Craft new beer flavours and develop plant-based food alternatives

What you will learn

Chemical engineering*.

You’ll gain advanced technical knowledge across a range of topics like advanced reaction engineering, advanced thermodynamics, advanced fluid dynamics, advanced separations processes, sustainability and innovation, process modelling and optimisation, and research practice. Then sharpen your skills as you choose from one of two streams:

Engineering design

Want to expand your knowledge of engineering processing in industries like mining, plastics and petrochemicals? Upskill in advanced techniques to convert raw materials into final products and investigate shifts in sustainability needs.

Bioprocessing and food engineering

Get up to speed with the latest breakthroughs and trends in bioprocessing for pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and food production. Extend your knowledge as you engineer products to improve healthcare for all – and develop delicious food and beverages.

Biological Engineering*

This specialisation is only available in the Master of Engineering , where you can explore the following units:

Advanced bioprocess technology

Learn about producing mRNA vaccines. Work with nanoparticles and explore the wider biotech industry – including manufacturing practices, genetically modified products and international regulations.

Biomass and biorefineries

Explore what’s possible with bioreactors, reaction classes, enzymatics, fermentation and separation processes, carbon cycle, water sustainability and how to minimise by-products.

Advanced biochemical engineering

Get up to speed working with cells, nutrients and bioreactors. Boost production from suspended, genetically engineered and immobilised cultures. Then select the right processes to scale up production for industry commercialisation.

Advanced biopolymers

Cover the latest in lignocellulose fibres, alternative fibre sources and biopolymers like chitosan. Explore biodegradable alternatives to petroleumderived products, new packaging materials and producing fibres from renewable sources.

* Chemical engineering specialisation is for the Master of Professional Engineering . Biological engineering is only available in the one year  Master of Engineering degree

Ready to apply?

Are you ready to start your Master of Professional Engineering journey?

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Got a question?

If you have any queries about the Master of Professional Engineering, or if you’d like to find out more, please contact us:

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Telephone: 1800 MONASH (1800 666 274) Domestic student enquiry form

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Telephone: +61 3 9903 4788 International student enquiry form

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Engineering Graduate course guide

Discover all the graduate courses available to help you achieve your professional goals

Other masters specialisations

Electrical engineering, materials engineering, mechanical engineering, master of engineering, biological engineering, engineering management, renewable energy engineering, smart manufacturing engineering.