Chemical Engineering, BS
for the degree of Bachelor of Science, Major in Chemical Engineering (Specialized Curriculum)
The first two years of the Chemical Engineering curriculum provide a strong foundation in basic sciences through Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, an introduction to what Chemical Engineers do, and the fundamental basis of Chemical Engineering (Mass and Energy Balances and Thermodynamics.) In the third year, students delve deeper into more specialized Chemistry courses such as Physical and Analytical Chemistry, while exploring fundamental Chemical Engineering courses such as Momentum Transfer, Separations, and Reactor Design. The Senior year incorporates all of this learning through high level technical electives, Process Control, Capstone Lab, and Capstone Design courses. It is through the lab and design class that students apply everything they have learned in previous Chemical Engineering courses to real-world team projects and presentations.
The Chemical Engineering specialized curriculum provides two areas of concentration: 1.) Chemical Engineering and 2.) Biomolecular Engineering. Each area is based on a strong fundamental understanding of Chemical Engineering, however the Biomolecular concentration’s technical electives focus more on bio-applied processing and technology.
Areas of Concentration
- Chemical Engineering: The chemical engineering concentration is designed to prepare students for careers in the energy, chemical, food, energy, pharmaceutical, semiconductor processing, personal care, fiber and materials industries.
- Biomolecular Engineering: The Biomolecular Engineering concentration builds upon the traditional principles of chemical engineering, but specializes in biological and biotechnological systems in order to better prepare students who are interested in or seek employment in the food, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science, Major in Chemical Engineering (Specialized Curriculum)
Graduation Requirements
Minimum hours required for graduation: 129 hours.
A grade point average of 2.5 or higher in all courses required for the major earned on the UIUC campus is required in order to be accepted by the department as juniors and seniors.
University Requirements
Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.
The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.
General Education Requirements
Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Composition I | 4-6 | |
| Advanced Composition | 3 | |
fulfilled by CHBE 431 | ||
| Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | 6-10 | |
| Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required.) | 0-15 | |
Orientation and Professional Development
These courses introduce opportunities and resources the college, department, and curriculum offers students. They also provide background on the Chemical Engineering curriculum, what chemical engineers do, and the skills to work effectively and successfully in the engineering profession.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHBE 121 | CHBE Profession | 1 |
For non-first-year students, CHBE 121 can be replaced with 1 hour of credit from Technical Elective List 1 or List 2. (Ref List 1 and List 2 below.) | ||
| ENG 100 | Grainger Engineering Orientation Seminar | 1 |
| Total Hours | 2 | |
Foundational Mathematics and Science
These courses stress the basic mathematical and scientific principles upon which the engineering discipline is based.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one group of courses (Accelerated or General Chemistry) | 10-12 | |
| Accelerated Chemistry I and Accelerated Chemistry Lab I and Accelerated Chemistry II and Accelerated Chemistry Lab II | ||
| OR | ||
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Lab I and General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Lab II and Quantitative Analysis Lecture and Quantitative Analysis Lab | ||
| MATH 221 | Calculus I (MATH 220 may be substituted. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus. 4 or 5 credit hours count towards the degree.) | 4 |
| MATH 231 | Calculus II | 3 |
| MATH 241 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 257 | Linear Algebra with Computational Applications | 3 |
| or MATH 415 | Applied Linear Algebra | |
| MATH 285 | Intro Differential Equations | 3 |
| or MATH 441 | Differential Equations | |
| PHYS 211 | University Physics: Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 212 | University Physics: Elec & Mag | 4 |
| PHYS 214 | Univ Physics: Quantum Physics | 2 |
| Total Hours | 37-39 | |
Chemical Engineering Technical Core
These courses stress fundamental concepts and basic laboratory techniques that comprise the common intellectual understanding of chemical engineering and chemical science.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHBE 221 | Principles of CHE | 3 |
| CHBE 321 | Thermodynamics | 4 |
| CHBE 421 | Momentum and Heat Transfer | 4 |
| CHBE 422 | Mass Transfer Operations | 4 |
| CHBE 424 | Chemical Reaction Engineering | 3 |
| CHBE 430 | Unit Operations Laboratory | 4 |
| CHBE 431 | Process Design | 4 |
| CHBE 440 | Process Control and Dynamics | 3 |
| CHEM 236 | Fundamental Organic Chem I | 4 |
| CHEM 237 | Structure and Synthesis | 2 |
| CHEM 315 | Instrumental Chem Systems Lab | 2 |
Students must register in one of the Chemical Engineering-specific CHEM 315 lab sections. | ||
| CHEM 420 | Instrumental Characterization | 2 |
| CHEM 442 | Physical Chemistry I | 4 |
| CS 101 | Intro Computing: Engrg & Sci | 3 |
| CHBE 411 | Probability and Statistics for ChBE | 3-4 |
| or IE 300 | Analysis of Data | |
| or STAT 400 | Statistics and Probability I | |
| Total Hours | 49-50 | |
Note: An optional Biomolecular Engineering concentration can be elected. See Chemical Engineering: Biomolecular Engineering, BS. Those who do not elect the optional concentration are required to take the coursework below.
Chemical Engineering Technical Core (cont.)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 436 | Fundamental Organic Chem II | 3 |
| or MCB 450 | Introductory Biochemistry | |
| Total Hours for Chemical Engineering Technical Core | 52-53 | |
Chemical Engineering Technical Electives
These courses stress the rigorous analysis and design principles practiced in the major subdisciplines of chemical engineering, embodied in the standard chemical engineering program and biomolecular engineering concentration.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select 18 credit hours from List 1 and List 2, with specific requirements noted below. | ||
Note: A maximum of 10 credit hours of undergraduate research may be counted toward Technical Elective credit. | ||
| Two 400-level ChBE courses from List 1, with not more than 3 hours being CHBE 497 or CHBE 499 | 6 | |
| One Additional 400-level course from List 1 | 3 | |
| Two Additional courses from List 1 | 6 | |
| One Additional 400-level course from List 1 or List 2 | 3 | |
| Total Hours for Chemical Engineering Technical Electives | 18 | |
| LIST 1 | ||
| Renewable Energy Systems | ||
| Engineering Properties of Food Materials | ||
| Bioprocessing Biomass for Fuel | ||
| Atmospheric Chemistry | ||
| Tissue Engineering | ||
| Construction Engineering | ||
| Environmental Engineering | ||
| Water Resources Engineering | ||
| Construction Planning | ||
| Construction Cost Analysis | ||
| Stream Ecology | ||
| Water Quality Engineering | ||
| Fate Cleanup Environ Pollutant | ||
| Environmental Engineering Principles, Physical | ||
| Env Eng Principles, Chemical | ||
| Surface Hydrology | ||
| Hydraulic Analysis and Design | ||
| Individual Study Sophomores | ||
| Individual Study for Juniors | ||
| Numerical Methods I | ||
| Database Systems | ||
| Software Engineering I | ||
| Artificial Intelligence | ||
| Machine Learning | ||
| Numerical Analysis | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Photonic Devices | ||
| Probability with Engrg Applic | ||
| Green Electric Energy | ||
| Biomedical Imaging | ||
| Biosensors | ||
| IC Device Theory & Fabrication | ||
| Nanotechnology | ||
| Introduction to Optimization | ||
| Energy Conversion Systems | ||
| Finite Element Analysis | ||
| Musculoskel Tissue Mechanics | ||
| Mechanobiology | ||
| MEMS-NEMS Theory & Fabrication | ||
| Electronic Properties of Matls | ||
| Materials Laboratory I | ||
| Materials Laboratory II | ||
| Thermodynamics of Materials | ||
| Kinetic Processes in Materials | ||
| Synthesis of Materials | ||
| Thermal-Mech Behavior of Matls | ||
| Ceramic Materials & Properties | ||
| Metals Processing | ||
| Polymer Science & Engineering | ||
| Polymer Chemistry | ||
| Polymer Physics | ||
| Electronic Materials I | ||
| Design and Use of Biomaterials | ||
| Biomolecular Materials Science | ||
| Biomaterials and Nanomedicine | ||
| Surfaces and Colloids | ||
| Materials for Nanotechnology | ||
| Matl Select for Sustainability | ||
| Energy Systems | ||
| Nuclear Power Engineering | ||
| Nuclear Power Econ & Fuel Mgmt | ||
| Radiation Protection | ||
| Radioactive Waste Management | ||
| Safety Anlys Nucl Reactor Syst | ||
| Probabilistic Risk Assessment | ||
| Fuel Cells & Hydrogen Sources | ||
| Wind Power Systems | ||
| Energy and Security | ||
| Reliability Engineering | ||
| Statics | ||
| Introductory Solid Mechanics | ||
| Cellular Biomechanics | ||
| LIST 2 | ||
| Engrg Measurement Systems | ||
| Project Management | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Statistical Methods | ||
| Comparative Immunobiology | ||
| Earth Systems Modeling | ||
| Tech, Eng, & Mgt Final Project | ||
| Physical Biochemistry | ||
| Airport Design | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Fundamental Organic Chem II | ||
| Organic Chemistry Lab | ||
| Physical Chemistry II | ||
| Physical Principles Lab I | ||
| Solid State Structural Anlys | ||
| Individual Study Senior | ||
| Forage Crops & Pasture Ecology | ||
| Bioenergy Crops | ||
| Crop Growth and Management | ||
| Midwest Agricultural Practices | ||
| Principles of Plant Breeding | ||
| Food Chemistry | ||
| Food Analysis | ||
| Biochemical Nutrition I | ||
| Community Nutrition | ||
| Food Processing Engineering | ||
| Principles of Food Technology | ||
| Food & Industrial Microbiology | ||
| Basic Toxicology | ||
| Food Processing Unit Operations I | ||
| Food Processing Unit Operations II | ||
| Investigating the Earth’s Interior | ||
| Environmental Geophysics | ||
| Introduction to Seismology | ||
| Introduction to Hydrogeology | ||
| Conservation Biology | ||
| Ethics and Policy for Data Science | ||
| Non Euclidean Geometry | ||
| Intro to Combinatorics | ||
| Intro to Abstract Algebra | ||
| Intro Partial Diff Equations | ||
| Applied Complex Variables | ||
| Probability Theory | ||
| Advanced Engineering Math | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Microbial Biochemistry | ||
| Global Biosecurity | ||
| Introductory Biochemistry | ||
| Integrative Neuroscience | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Seminar on Security | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Soil Fertility and Fertilizers | ||
| Electromagnetic Fields I | ||
| Subatomic Physics | ||
| Engineering Law | ||
| Statistics and Probability I | ||
| Statistics and Probability II | ||
| Methods of Applied Statistics | ||
| Topics in Applied Statistics | ||
| Statistical Data Management | ||
| Urban Ecology | ||
| Urban Transportation Planning | ||
for the degree of Bachelor of Science, Major in Chemical Engineering (Specialized Curriculum)
The schedule that follows is illustrative, showing the typical sequence in which courses would be taken by a student with no college course credit already earned and who intends to graduate in four years. Each individual’s case may vary, but the position of required named courses is generally indicative of the order in which they should be taken. The first three semesters of the Suggested Sequence is the same for all chemical engineering students. The fifth through eights semesters vary with the area of concentration chosen. Refer to the appropriate sequence continuation below.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| CHEM 2021 | 3 | CHBE 1212 | 1 |
| CHEM 203 | 2 | CHEM 204 | 3 |
| ENG 1002 | 0 | CHEM 205 | 2 |
| MATH 2213 | 4 | CS 101 | 3 |
| RHET 105 | 4 | MATH 231 | 3 |
| Elective in Social Sciences or Humanities4,5 | 3 | PHYS 2116 | 4 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | ||
| CHBE 221 | 3 | ||
| CHEM 236 | 4 | ||
| CHEM 237 | 2 | ||
| MATH 241 | 4 | ||
| PHYS 2126 | 4 | ||
| 17 | |||
| Total Hours 49 | |||
Major in Chemical Engineering
For the Concentration in Biomolecular Engineering, see below
| Second Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Second Year First Semester course information is above in the Suggested Sequence that is common for all students | 17 | CHBE 321 | 4 |
| CHEM 436 or MCB 450 | 3 | ||
| MATH 2857a | 3 | ||
| MATH 415 | 3 | ||
| PHYS 2146 | 2 | ||
| Elective in Social Sciences or Humanities or Technical Elective4,5,8a | 3 | ||
| 17 | 18 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| CHBE 421 | 4 | CHBE 422 | 4 |
| CHEM 3159 | 2 | CHBE 424 | 3 |
| CHEM 420 | 2 | IE 300 | 3 |
| CHEM 442 | 4 | Elective in Social Sciences or Humanities or Technical Elective4,5,8a | 7 |
| Elective in Social Sciences or Humanities or Technical Elective4,5,8a | 3 | ||
| 15 | 17 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| CHBE 43010,11 | 4 | CHBE 43110,11 | 4 |
| CHBE 440 | 3 | Elective in Social Sciences or Humanities or Technical Elective4,5,8a | 10 |
| Elective in Social Sciences or Humanities or Technical Elective4,5,8a | 9 | ||
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Total Hours 97 | |||
Concentration in Biomolecular Engineering
| Second Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Second Year First Semester course information is above in the Suggested Sequence that is common for all students | 17 | CHBE 321 | 4 |
| MCB 450 | 3 | ||
| MATH 2857b | 3 | ||
| MATH 415 | 3 | ||
| PHYS 2146 | 2 | ||
| Elective in Social Sciences or Humanities or Technical Elective4,5,8a | 3 | ||
| 17 | 18 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| CHBE 421 | 4 | CHBE 422 | 4 |
| CHEM 315 | 2 | CHBE 424 | 3 |
| CHEM 420 | 2 | IE 300 | 3 |
| CHEM 442 | 4 | Elective in Social Sciences or Humanities or Technical Elective4,5,8a | 7 |
| Elective in Social Sciences or Humanities or Technical Elective4,5,8a | 3 | ||
| 15 | 17 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| CHBE 43010,11 | 4 | CHBE 43110,11 | 4 |
| CHBE 440 | 3 | Elective in Social Sciences or Humanities or Technical Elective4,5,8a | 10 |
| Elective in Social Sciences or Humanities or Technical Elective4,5,8a | 9 | ||
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Total Hours 97 | |||
- 1
Students who do not place into CHEM 202, or who do not satisfy the mathematics prerequisite for CHEM 202, may substitute the sequence CHEM 102, CHEM 103, CHEM 104, CHEM 105, CHEM 222, and CHEM 223 for CHEM 202, CHEM 203, CHEM 204, and CHEM 205.
- 2
For students entering the curriculum after the freshman year, 1 additional hr of credit from the list of approved engineering technical electives (List 1) may be substituted in place of CHBE 121. The ENG 100 requirement will be waived. Under no circumstances will these requirements be waived for students who are in the chemical engineering curriculum during their freshman year.
- 3
MATH 220 may be substituted, with four of the five credit hours applying toward the degree. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus.
- 4
At least 16 hours must be taken. All Campus General Education requirements must be satisfied, including those in approved course work in the Humanities/Arts, Social/Behavioral Sciences, and Cultural Studies, including the Western, Non-Western and/or U.S. Minorities components. The requirements for the Campus General Education categories Natural Sciences/Technology, Quantitative Reasoning I and II, Composition I, and Advanced Composition are fulfilled through required course work in the curriculum.
- 5
Three semesters of college credit in one foreign language is required. Three years of high school credit in one foreign language are equivalent to three semesters of college credit and satisfy the requirement.
- 6
Under no circumstances will PHYS 101-PHYS 102 be accepted as a substitute for any part of the Physics sequence.
- 7a
MATH 441 may be substituted for MATH 285. MATH 286 may be substituted for MATH 285.
- 7b
MATH 441 may be substituted for MATH 285. MATH 286 may be substituted for MATH 285.
- 8a
At least 19 hours must be selected from the departmentally approved List of Approved Chemical Engineering Technical Electives, satisfying these distribution requirements:
a) 6 hours must be 400-level ChBE courses, with not more than 3 hours being CHBE 497 or 499.
b) 3 hours any 400-level course from List 1.
c) 6 hours any courses from List 1.
d) 4 hours any 400-level courses from List 2.A maximum of 10 total hours of undergraduate research may be counted toward Technical Elective credit. The List of Approved Chemical Engineering Technical Electives may be obtained in 99 RAL or from the department Web site.
- 8b
At least 19 hours must be selected from the departmentally approved List of Approved Biomolecular Engineering Technical Electives Categories, satisfying these distribution requirements:
a) 9 hours must be from Category A
b) 6 hours must be from Category B
c) 4 hours must be 400-level courses from List 2.A maximum of 3 hours from Category A may be undergraduate research credit. A maximum of 9 total hours of undergraduate research may be counted toward Technical Elective credit. The List of Approved Biomolecular Engineering Technical Electives may be obtained in Room 99 RAL or from the department Web site.
- 9
Students must register in one of the Chemical Engineering-specific CHEM 315 lab sections.
- 10
Enrollment in CHBE 430 is limited. Thus CHBE 430 may need to be taken in the second semester and CHBE 431 and/or additional electives taken in the first semester instead. Students in their final semester will have priority for getting into CHBE 430 and CHBE 431.
- 11
The sequence CHBE 430 and CHBE 431 satisfies the General Education Advanced Composition requirement.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science, Major in Chemical Engineering (Specialized Curriculum)
Student learning outcomes are based on learning outcomes in line with the ABET accreditation process.
Chemical Engineering graduates 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.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science, Major in Chemical Engineering (Specialized Curriculum)
Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering website
Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering faculty
Overview of College Admissions & Requirements: Liberal Arts & Sciences