Graduate Program

Director of Graduate Programs
Sang Eon Han

Degrees Offered

Master of Science in Chemical Engineering (M.S.)
Concentration: Entrepreneurship and Technology Management.
Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering (Ph.D.)
Concentration: Chemical Engineering

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering offers programs in chemical engineering leading to the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees. A GPA of 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate study, and/or in previous engineering graduate study, is normally required for admission. In addition, the GRE is required of all Chemical Engineering applicants.

Students with an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering may directly enter the graduate chemical engineering program. Students from other engineering/science fields are also encouraged to apply. However, certain undergraduate background courses, as determined by the graduate advisor on an individual basis, must be completed as prerequisites to graduate study.

Shared-Credit Undergraduate/Graduate Degrees Program

Undergraduate students in the School of Engineering may seek admission to the M.S. in Chemical Engineering under the Shared-Credit Undergraduate/Graduate Degrees Program. See the School of Engineering section of this Catalog for specific admission information and requirements.

Interdisciplinary Programs

Biomedical Engineering: This department participates in the Biomedical Engineering M.S. and Ph.D. concentration programs. For more information, see the Biomedical Engineering: Graduate Program section of this Catalog.

Computational Science and Engineering: The Computational Science and Engineering interdisciplinary graduate certificate program prepares students to effectively use high-performance computing within their disciplines and is open to graduate students in this department. See the School of Engineering section of this Catalog.

Manufacturing Engineering: The department is a participating home department in the Master of Engineering in Manufacturing Engineering (M.E.M.E.) program. For more information, see the School of Engineering section of this Catalog.

Nanoscience and Microsystems Engineering: This department participates in the interdisciplinary Nanoscience and Microsystems Engineering M.S. and Ph.D. programs; for more information, see the Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies section of this Catalog.

Application Deadlines

Fall semester:	July 15
Spring semester:	November 10
Summer session:	April 29

NOTE: Deadlines for international applicants are found in the Admissions section of this Catalog.

Introduction

The Department has a variety of established research programs in chemical, biological and materials engineering. These include nano- and biomaterials synthesis, ceramics, bioanalytical micro- and nanosystems, tissue engineering, catalysis, fuel cells, optoelectronic materials, and interfacial and transport phenomena. In many cases, research is done in conjunction with industry and national laboratories. Research is being conducted in a variety of areas, including etching and thin films deposition for microelectronics, fuel cell technology, sol-gel synthesis, CVD thin films, ceramic composites, surface science, catalysis, coal utilization, solar energy, radioactive waste management, ceramics, inorganic membranes, advanced thermal insulation, separation processes and biomedical research.

The principal characterization facilities in the chemical engineering research laboratories provide equipment for: particle size analysis based on sedimentation as well as light scattering, surface area and density measurement of powders, surface analysis via x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, confocal microscopy with hyperspectral imaging, fluorescence and UV-Vis spectroscopy, in-situ IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis with mass spectrometry, fluid rheology and surface tension measurements and a small angle x-ray scattering facility based on a rotating anode generator and pinhole and Bonse-Hart optics. Additional facilities are available in the Center for Biomedical Engineering (CBME), Center for Emerging Energy Technologies (CEET), Center for Microengineered Materials (CMEM) and the Center for High Technology Materials (CHTM). These include aerosol and catalytic reactors, fuel cell test stations, tissue culture and microbiology laboratories, MOCVD and MBE crystal growth facilities, sol-gel synthesis and optoelectronic materials fabrication and testing.

Master of Science in Chemical Engineering

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Chemical Engineering degree is offered under Plan I, Plan II, and Plan III. Under Plan I (thesis), 30 credit hours are required with 24 credit hours of coursework and 6 credit hours of thesis. Of the 24 credit hours of coursework, 9 credit hours are required at the 500-level with a maximum of 3 credit hours in problems courses. Plan II (non-thesis) requires 30 credit hours of coursework, including a maximum of 6 credit hours for problems courses and completion of a Master's Project and Master's Examination. Plan III (coursework) requires 30 credit hours of coursework, including a maximum of 6 credit hours of problems courses.

A program that allows the Plan II to be completed in one calendar year is also offered. This program should be requested at the time of application and should begin in the summer or fall semester. The program typically includes a course load of 14 credit hours in the fall semester (two core courses, two electives and graduate seminar), 13 credit hours in the spring semester (two core courses, two electives and graduate seminar) and 6 credit hours in the summer semester (elective courses and/or individual problems).

All candidates for the M.S. degree must satisfactorily pass a final examination which emphasizes the fundamental principles and applications in chemical engineering. This examination is normally the thesis defense for Plan I students, and is normally based on a short-term project for Plan II students, including those in the one year program. The examination is conducted by a committee of at least three faculty members. This committee is formed in consultation with the student’s research advisor or project advisor and is approved by the Department Chairperson.

Requirements

The following courses are required of all M.S. in Chemical Engineering students:

		Credit Hours
CBE 501	Chemical and Biological Engineering Seminar	1
CBE 502	Chemical and Biological Engineering Research Practices	3
CBE 521	Advanced Transport Phenomena I	3
CBE 525	Methods of Analysis in Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Engineering	3
CBE 542	Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics	3
CBE 561	Kinetics of Chemical Processes	3

Equivalent courses taken at another institution may be used to satisfy these requirements, but they must be approved by the graduate committee. A maximum of 3 credit hours of Seminar can be applied toward the minimum degree requirement for the M.S. Additional coursework is chosen in consultation with the research advisor or Graduate Advisor.

Concentration in Entrepreneurship and Technology Management: For information and requirements, see the School of Engineering section of this Catalog.

Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering

Concentration in Chemical Engineering

General requirements for the Ph.D. degree are set by the School of Engineering and Graduate Studies, and are stated on other pages of this Catalog. Required core courses are mentioned above. Students who wish to be admitted to the doctoral program in Chemical Engineering must pass a program qualifying examination. The qualifying examination consists primarily of an oral examination based on a short research proposal developed by the student. Written exams in core subject areas may also be required depending on performance in the core courses. The qualifying exam should be completed as soon as possible after entering the program and completing the core courses. Advancement to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering requires the student to demonstrate potential for independent study and research. A comprehensive examination based on the student’s written research proposal for their dissertation research is used to determine if the student should be advanced to candidacy status.

Course Requirements

In addition to the general University doctoral degree requirements listed in the Graduate Program section of this Catalog, students pursing a Ph.D. in Engineering with a concentration in Chemical Engineering must meet the following criteria:

A maximum of 6 credit hours of problems courses (CBE 551/552) are allowed beyond the master’s degree.
All students are required to enroll in CBE 501 every semester up to a maximum of eight semesters beyond the B.S.Ch.E., or four semesters beyond the Masters degree. Up to 3 credit hours of CBE 501 earned after an M.S. degree, or 6 credit hours total beyond a Bachelors degree, may be applied toward the 48 credit hour coursework requirement for the Ph.D. Students at remote locations who are unable to attend departmental seminars must make special arrangements with the seminar instructor to satisfy the seminar requirements.
Students must complete CBE 502 Chemical and Biological Engineering Research Practices, preferably in their first semester in the program. This course is a prerequisite to taking the oral portion of the Ph.D. Qualifying Exam.
Students admitted to the chemical engineering doctoral program are required to complete the chemical engineering core courses listed below. Otherwise, no specific courses are required for doctoral students. Courses are selected by the student in consultation with the research advisor and Committee on Studies.

Core Courses

The following core courses are required of all Ph.D. Engineering students who concentrate in Chemical Engineering:

		Credit Hours
CBE 501	Chemical and Biological Engineering Seminar
CBE 502	Chemical and Biological Engineering Research Practices
CBE 521	Advanced Transport Phenomena I	3
CBE 525	Methods of Analysis in Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Engineering	3
CBE 542	Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics	3
CBE 561	Kinetics of Chemical Processes	3

Equivalent graduate-level courses taken at another institution may be used to satisfy these requirements, but this must be decided on a case-by-case basis by the Graduate Advisor or Graduate Committee in the CBE department. A maximum 6 credit hours of Seminar can be applied toward the minimum degree requirement for the Ph.D.

Qualifying Examination: The Qualifying Examination must be passed before applying for Candidacy or proceeding to the Comprehensive Exam.

Comprehensive Exam/Admission to Candidacy: Students are admitted to candidacy for the doctoral degree by the University following approval of their application for candidacy by the program faculty and Dean of Graduate Studies and successfully passing a Doctoral Comprehensive Examination.

Defense of Dissertation: All candidates must pass a Final examination (Defense of Dissertation). The Dissertation Committee conducts the defense of the dissertation.

Minor in Chemical Engineering (Ph.D.)

Graduate students interested in obtaining a minor in Chemical Engineering must apply to the program. Forms are available on the department Web site. The student must complete a total of 9 credit hours by choosing three out of the four core courses listed below:

		Credit Hours
CBE 521	Advanced Transport Phenomena I	3
CBE 525	Methods of Analysis in Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Engineering	3
CBE 542	Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics	3
CBE 561	Kinetics of Chemical Processes	3