Chemical Engineering

Sc.B. in Chemical Engineering

The traditional role of a chemical engineer is to design and operate large-scale processes for producing chemicals. While this remains a cornerstone of the discipline, advances in nanotechnology (the ability to control matter at molecular scales) have transformed the role of the chemical engineer. Today, chemical engineers work on inter-disciplinary teams to design pharmaceuticals, artificial organs, biomedical devices, chemical sensors, and drug delivery systems. They work on energy technologies, such as batteries, fuel and solar cells. They are at the forefront of sustainable design and manufacturing.

The concentration has the following structure:

  • The interdisciplinary core program for the Sc.B., taken primarily in the first four semesters
  • Five upper level engineering courses, one of which is the required capstone design course for Chemical Engineering
  • Organic chemistry and one approved upper level chemistry elective
  • One approved, upper level elective course in the natural sciences
  • Four approved humanities or social science courses 

Students may also elect to take specialized courses focusing on

  • Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology
  • Computer Applications in Chemical Processing
  • Electronics Applications in Chemical Processing
  • Energy Production and Conversion
  • Environmental Issues and Pollution Prevention
  • Materials Processing and Synthesis 

For complete requirements, please see the University Bulletin.

SEM. COURSE DESCRIPTION
I ENGN 0030 or ENGN 0031 Introduction to Engineering or Honors Introduction to Engineering
  MATH 0190 AP Calculus (Physics/Engineering)
  CHEM 0330 Equilibrium, Rate, and Structure
  Elective †  
II ENGN 0040 Dynamics and Vibrations
  MATH 0200 Intermediate Calculus (Physics/Engineering)
  BIOL 0200 The Foundation of Living Systems
  Elective  
III APMA 0350 Applied Ordinary Differential Equations
  ENGN 0510 Electricity and Magnetism
  ENGN 0410 Materials Science
  Elective  
IV APMA 0360 or APMA 1650 Applied Partial Differential Equations I or Statistical Inference I
  ENGN 0720 Thermodynamics
  ENGN 0520 Electrical Circuits and Signals
  Elective  
V ENGN 0810 Fluid Mechanics
  ENGN 1130*  Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
  Chemical Engineering Elective **  
  Elective  
VI ENGN 1710 Heat and Mass Transfer
  ENGN 1110 Transport and Biotransport Processes
  Elective  
  Elective  
VII ENGN 1120*  Reaction Kinetics and Reactor Design
  Elective  
  Chemical Engineering Elective  
  Elective  
VIII ENGN 1140 Chemical Process Design
  Chemical Engineering Elective  
  Elective  
  Elective  
† A minimum of four electives must be in the humanities and social sciences.
* ENGN 1120 and ENGN 1130 are offered in the fall semester in alternate years.
** Of the listed electives, one must be CHEM 0350, one must be an advanced chemistry course, and one must be either an upper-level engineering or an upper level natural science course.