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 standard Chemical Engineering curriculum provides a strong fundamental understanding of Chemical Engineering and is designed to prepare students for careers in industries spanning the areas of energy, chemical processing, food, semiconductor processing, personal care products, specialized fibers and materials.
As an alternative, the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering provides a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering degree with a concentration in 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 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)
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree General and Education Requirements page.
*The sample sequence below assumes that the student has placed into the Accelerated Chemistry courses.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| ENG 100 | 1 | CHBE 121 | 1 |
| CHEM 202 | 3 | CHEM 204 | 3 |
| CHEM 203 | 2 | CHEM 205 | 2 |
| MATH 221 or 220 | 4 | MATH 231 | 3 |
| General Education course (choose a Humanities course with Cultural Studies designation) | 3 | PHYS 211 | 4 |
| General Education course (choose Social & Behavioral Sciences course) or Composition I | 4 | Composition I or General Education course (choose a Social & Behavioral Sciences course) | 3 |
| 17 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| CHBE 221 | 3 | CHBE 321 | 4 |
| MATH 241 | 4 | MATH 285 or 441 | 3 |
| PHYS 212 | 4 | MATH 257 or 415 | 3 |
| CHEM 236 | 4 | CS 101 | 3 |
| CHEM 237 | 2 | PHYS 214 | 2 |
| 17 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| CHBE 421 | 4 | CHBE 422 | 4 |
| CHEM 315 | 2 | CHBE 424 | 3 |
| CHBE 411, IE 300, or STAT 400 | 3 | CHEM 436 or MCB 450 | 3 |
| CHEM 420 | 2 | Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| CHEM 442 | 4 | Technical Elective (CHBE 400 Level) | 3 |
| 15 | 17 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| CHBE 430 | 4 | CHBE 431 | 4 |
| CHBE 440 | 3 | Technical Elective (List 1) | 3 |
| Technical Elective (CHBE 400 level) | 3 | Technical Elective (List 1) | 3 |
| Technical Elective (400 level, List 1 or 2) | 3 | General Education course (choose a Social & Behavioral Sciences course with Cultural Studies designation) | 3 |
| Technical Elective (400 level, List 1) | 3 | General Education course (choose Humanities course with Cultural Studies designation) | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Total Hours 129 | |||
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
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