Chemical Engineering + Data Science, BS

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering plus Data Science

This major is sponsored jointly by the Departments of Statistics, Mathematics and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, the Siebel School of Computer and Data Science, and the iSchool. The Chemical Engineering + Data Science degree is designed for students wanting a strong foundation in Data Science with a deep B.S. level specialization in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. The major prepares students for professional or graduate work in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering with additional mastery of statistics, data analysis, data modeling, machine learning, and other data science topics. 

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering plus Data Science

Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 132 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.

Composition I4-6
Advanced Composition3
fulfilled by CHBE 431
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)6
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)6
fulfilled by CHEM 202 & CHEM 204 or CHEM 102 & CHEM 104; PHYS 211, PHYS 212
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
fulfilled by CS 101, MATH 221 or MATH 220, MATH 231, MATH 241, PHYS 211, PHYS 212, STAT 207
Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required)0-15

Data Science Core

Mathematical Foundations

MATH 221Calculus I4
or MATH 220 Calculus
MATH 231Calculus II3
MATH 241Calculus III4
MATH 257Linear Algebra with Computational Applications3
MATH 285Intro Differential Equations3
or MATH 441 Differential Equations
Total Hours17

Data Science Fundamentals

CHBE 411Probability and Statistics for ChBE3
STAT 207Data Science Exploration4
CS 307Modeling and Learning in Data Science4
or CHBE 413 Data Science for Chemistry and Engineering
IS 477Data Management, Curation & Reproducibility3
Total Hours14

Computational Fundamentals

CS 101Intro Computing: Engrg & Sci3
CS 277Algorithms and Data Structures for Data Science4
CHBE 412Computational Tools in Chemical Engineering3
Total Hours10

Social Impact in Data Science

IS 467Ethics and Policy for Data Science3
Total Hours3

Coursework in Area of Specialization

Chemical Engineering

ENG 100Grainger Engineering Orientation Seminar1
CHBE 121CHBE Profession1
For students entering the curriculum after the freshman year, 1 additional hour of credit may be substituted in consultation with an academic advisor.
CHBE 221Principles of CHE3
CHBE 321Thermodynamics4
CHBE 421Momentum and Heat Transfer4
CHBE 422Mass Transfer Operations4
CHBE 424Chemical Reaction Engineering3
CHBE 430Unit Operations Laboratory4
CHBE 431Process Design4
CHBE 440Process Control and Dynamics3
Total Hours31

Chemistry Fundamentals

Select one group of courses (Accelerated or General Chemistry)10-12
CHEM 202
& CHEM 203
& CHEM 204
& CHEM 205
Accelerated Chemistry I
and Accelerated Chemistry Lab I
and Accelerated Chemistry II
and Accelerated Chemistry Lab II
OR
CHEM 102
& CHEM 103
& CHEM 104
& CHEM 105
& CHEM 222
& CHEM 223
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
CHEM 236Fundamental Organic Chem I4
CHEM 237Structure and Synthesis2
CHEM 315Instrumental Chem Systems Lab2
Students must register in one of the Chemical Engineering-specific CHEM 315 lab sections.
CHEM 420Instrumental Characterization2
CHEM 442Physical Chemistry I4
Total Hours24-26

Physics Fundamentals

PHYS 211University Physics: Mechanics4
PHYS 212University Physics: Elec & Mag4
PHYS 214Univ Physics: Quantum Physics2
Total Hours10

Data Science Experience

CHBE 415Chemical Engineering Data Science Experience3
Total Hours3

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering plus Data Science

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 and General Education Requirements page.

The sample sequence below assumes that the student has placed into the Accelerated Chemistry courses. 

First Year
First SemesterHours
ENG 1001
CHEM 2023
CHEM 2032
MATH 221 or 2204
General Education course (Choose a Humanities course with Cultural Studies designation)3
General Education course (Choose a Social & Behavioral Science course or Composition I)3
 16
Total Hours 16
First Year
Second SemesterHours
CHBE 1211
CHEM 2043
CHEM 2052
MATH 2313
PHYS 2114
Composition I or General Education course (Choose a Social & Behavioral Science course)4
 17
Total Hours 17
Second Year
First SemesterHours
CHBE 2213
MATH 2414
PHYS 2124
CHEM 2364
CHEM 2372
 17
Total Hours 17
Second Year
Second SemesterHours
CHBE 3214
CHBE 4113
CS 1013
MATH 2573
PHYS 2142
General Education course (choose a Humanities course with Cultural Studies designation)3
 18
Total Hours 18
Third Year
First SemesterHours
CHBE 4214
STAT 2074
MATH 285 or 4413
CHEM 4424
CHEM 4202
 17
Total Hours 17
Third Year
Second SemesterHours
CHBE 4224
CHBE 4123
CHBE 413 or CS 3074
CHEM 3152
CS 2774
 17
Total Hours 17
Fourth Year
First SemesterHours
CHBE 4243
CHBE 4304
IS 4673
Language Other Than English (3rd level)4
General Education course (Choose a Social & Behavioral Science Course with Cultural Studies designation)3
 17
Total Hours 17
Fourth Year
Second SemesterHours
CHBE 4314
CHBE 4403
CHBE 4153
IS 4773
 13
Total Hours 13

Total Hours: 132

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering plus Data Science

Student learning outcomes are based on learning outcomes in line with the Accreditation Board of Engineering (ABET) accreditation process.

Upon completing the program, Chemical Engineering + Data Science students are expected to:

  1. Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
  2. 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.
  3. Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  4. 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.
  5. Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
  6. Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  7. Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering plus Data Science

Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering

Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering faculty
SCS Academic Advising

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Overview of College Admissions & Requirements: Liberal Arts & Sciences