Chemical Engineering + Data Science, BS

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major 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 major 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 Major 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
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

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
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
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 Major 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 Major 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 SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
ENG 1001CHBE 1211
CHEM 2023CHEM 2043
CHEM 2032CHEM 2052
MATH 221 or 2204MATH 2313
General Education course (choose a Humanities course with Cultural Studies designation)3PHYS 2114
General Education course (choose a Social & Behavioral Science course) or Composition I3Composition I or General Education course (choose a Social & Behavioral Science course)4
 16 17
Second Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
CHBE 2213CHBE 3214
MATH 2414CHBE 4113
PHYS 2124CS 1013
CHEM 2364MATH 2573
CHEM 2372PHYS 2142
 General Education course (choose a Humanities course with Cultural Studies designation)3
 17 18
Third Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
CHBE 4214CHBE 4224
STAT 2074CHBE 4123
MATH 285 or 4413CHBE 413 or CS 3074
CHEM 4424CHEM 3152
CHEM 4202CS 2774
 17 17
Fourth Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
CHBE 4243CHBE 4314
CHBE 4304CHBE 4403
IS 4673CHBE 4153
Language Other Than English (3rd level)4IS 4773
General Education course (choose a Social & Behavioral Science Course with Cultural Studies designation)3 
 17 13
Total Hours 132

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


Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering website

Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering faculty

SCS Academic Advising

Overview of College Admissions & Requirements: Liberal Arts & Sciences

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences website