Chemical Engineering
College of Engineering
Emphases: Energy Engineering (optional)
Courses
Getting Started
- Enroll in first appropriate math course (ask CH EN advisor if unsure)
- When ready, enroll in Calculus I (Math 1210 or 1310)
- Take CH EN 1703 - Intro to Chemical Engineering
Making Progress
Take classes in core subjects:
- Numerical Methods, Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, Mass Transfer and Separations, Process Engineering, Statistics, Thermodynamics, and Chemical Reactions
Meet with your advisor regularly to
- Consider minors or certificates to enhance your degree
- Discuss your interests and learn about department resources/opportunities
- Track progress using degree audit
Finishing Up
- Enroll in the two-semester senior capstone - CH EN 4706 & 4707
- Finish technical electives and any remaining major/GE requirements
- Review degree audit & meet with advisor
Community
Getting Started
- Attend Engineering Club Rush to learn about student organizations
- Attend welcome events hosted by CH EN student groups (AIChE, K12 Outreach, Chem-E Car, & Women & Allies in Chem-E)
Making Progress
- Explore engineering student organizations within the college or department and join groups that interest you
- Attend CH EN student club events; check the CH EN Canvas calendar for these events and more!
- Establish strong study groups with peers
- Check out other student clubs/organizations on campus to connect with students who share your interests and expand your network
Finishing Up
- Apply to be a CH EN tutor or TA
- Consider running for a leadership position in an engineering-related club
- Network with your fellow classmates (they may be future coworkers)
Knowledge & Skills
Getting Started
- Become familiar with Python programming
- Identify career options & skills they require (programming languages, soft skills, class content, etc.)
- Utilize campus tutoring resources
Making Progress
- Decide on any minors or certificates you want to complete and include those requirements in your course plan
- Complete an internship to gain useful skills and experience
- Apply for an undergraduate research position and/or UROP grant if you’re pursuing an honors degree, considering grad school, or want additional experience
- Use the Projects Lab to practice & develop your skills
Finishing Up
- Select technical electives that prepare you for your desired career (consult advisor & faculty to explore options)
- Complete your senior design project
- Consider taking the FE exam
Transformation
Getting Started
- Talk to advisor about goal-setting for your time in college
- Evaluate your workload & create a graduation plan that works for you
- Read the Engineering Grand Challenges. Which do you want to address as an engineer?
Making Progress
- Research career options, do a mock job search and identify skills you want to develop in college to get you on that career path
- Analyze your study skills. What are you doing well to prepare? What could you do differently?
- Complete a job shadowing experience with alumni
- Review our research areas page to discover what area of Chem-E most interests you
- Complete an internship (find options through CPDC and/or COE)
Finishing Up
- Complete your senior design project & present at the Senior Capstone Symposium
- Wrap up an internship or co-op experience and reflect on what you learned with that company
Impact
Getting Started
- Consider a Learning Abroad experience; complete Learning Abroad 101 to get started
- Consider getting involved in the Grand Challenge Scholars Program
Making Progress
- Develop teamwork and communication skills while working in small groups with classmates
- Volunteer for leadership roles on lab projects
- Organize study groups with your peers
- Apply to be a TA or tutor in the dept./college
- Participate in or create your own community-service project through the Bennion Center
- Consider going on an Alternative Break trip
- Participate in K-12 CH EN outreach program
Finishing Up
- Lead an engineering student group in a national competition
- Present research at a conference and/or Undergraduate Research Symposium
Careers
Getting Started
- Connect with faculty & learn about their work in the CH EN Undergraduate Seminar
- Draft a resume with a Career Coach in the CPDC
- Check out COE’s Jobs Board to learn about jobs/internships
Making Progress
- Continue to network in the second CH EN Undergraduate Seminar course
- Complete an internship or undergraduate research experience
- Keep track of all experiences & skills you gain throughout classes, labs, and co-curricular activities
- Regularly update your resume
- Draft a cover letter
- Practice a mock interview with a Career Coach or an alum
- Attend STEM Career Fairs to find internship & career opportunities
Finishing Up
- Polish your resume/application materials
- Practice interviewing and create comprehensive job search plan with a Career Coach
- Apply for jobs and/or graduate programs
Start Your Career Journey
Find support at the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC)
About the Major
Chemical engineers take chemistry out of the laboratory and into the world around us; they are problem solvers who apply scientific knowledge, technical expertise, innovation, and creativity to make useful materials, all while considering long-term and immediate concerns for the environment, safety, and other human needs. Without chemical engineering, things like fertilizers, vaccines, and antibiotics wouldn’t exist in the quantities that we need.
In the U’s Chemical Engineering program, you take foundational courses in math, physics, and chemistry, and complete chemical engineering courses that cover topics like thermodynamics, fluid, mechanics, heat transfer, mass transfer and separation, biochemical engineering, process design, and more. You can also choose to add an optional emphasis in Energy Engineering. Our Chemical Engineering department is nationally recognized for its research and teaching, and our curriculum strives to balance practice, theory, and the development of professional skills. You can find opportunities to get involved in research in professors’ labs, and/or gain experience through our vibrant cooperative education program, which includes summer internships and semester-long work experiences in industry, government, and academic settings. A degree in Chemical Engineering prepares you with the skills and knowledge to pursue careers in a variety of technical areas as well as post-graduate training programs in engineering, law, business administration, and medicine.
In the U’s Chemical Engineering program, you take foundational courses in math, physics, and chemistry, and complete chemical engineering courses that cover topics like thermodynamics, fluid, mechanics, heat transfer, mass transfer and separation, biochemical engineering, process design, and more. You can also choose to add an optional emphasis in Energy Engineering. Our Chemical Engineering department is nationally recognized for its research and teaching, and our curriculum strives to balance practice, theory, and the development of professional skills. You can find opportunities to get involved in research in professors’ labs, and/or gain experience through our vibrant cooperative education program, which includes summer internships and semester-long work experiences in industry, government, and academic settings. A degree in Chemical Engineering prepares you with the skills and knowledge to pursue careers in a variety of technical areas as well as post-graduate training programs in engineering, law, business administration, and medicine.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop proficiency in the core subjects of fluid mechanics, heat transfer, chemical thermodynamics, reaction engineering and mass transfer and separations.
- Continue to learn and refine their critical thinking skills and will be aware of issues that affect society and the world and use that knowledge to strengthen their profession and contribute to the well-being of society.
- Behave ethically and promote a culture of safety and inclusion.
Plan & Prepare
At the U, we plan for our students to have an exceptional Educational Experience identified by four broad categories we call the Learning Framework: Community, Knowledge & Skills, Transformation, and Impact. This major map will help you envision, explore, design, and plan your personalized Exceptional Education Experience with the Learning Framework at the core. In addition to assisting you in planning your coursework and navigating the requirements of your major, this map will help you incorporate other kinds of experiences to expand your knowledge, support your development, and prepare you for the future you want.