Chemical Engineering

Chemical Engineering | Courses | Faculty

159 Goessmann

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

Contact: Peter A. Monson

Office: 154B Goessmann

Phone: 545-0661

E-mail: monson@ecs.umass.edu

Head of Department: Professor Michael F. Malone. Undergraduate Program Director: Professor Peter A. Monson. Professors Sherman, Westmoreland, Winter; Associate Professors Conner, Tsapatsis; Assistant Professors Bhatia, Kokkoli, Roberts, Watkins, Zheng.

The Field

Chemical Engineering deals with the invention, development, design, and operation of processes and devices for bringing about chemical and physical changes in materials. The chemical engineer is involved at all stages, bringing laboratory discoveries into new products and processes. Chemical engineers engage in fundamental research, development, economic and market analysis, design, construction, operations, supervision, sales, technical service, and management. Traditional industries such as petroleum refining and petrochemical production, plastics, synthetic fibers and textiles, pulp and paper, and pharmaceuticals employ many chemical engineers. The training of a B.S. chemical engineer provides a very broad background in chemistry, physics, mathematics, and their applications. This broad background enables chemical engineers to be employed in emerging technologies such as biochemical engineering and advanced materials.

The Major

The Chemical Engineering undergraduate program is focused on the achievement of a set of educational objectives: a) to prepare B.S. graduates for careers in the professional practice of chemical engineering and allied professions; b) to prepare qualified students interested in further study for graduate and professional schools; and c) to maintain and develop a faculty with active, high-quality research programs linked to the curriculum for its continued improvement. The curriculum is organized around a set of expected program outcomes. Graduates are expected to be able to: apply knowledge of mathematics, science (particularly chemistry), and chemical engineering; design and conduct experiments, and analyze and interpret data; synthesize, design, and optimize systems, components, and processes; function on multidisciplinary teams; identify, formulate, and solve chemical engineering problems; communicate effectively in writing and orally, and use the techniques, skills, and modern science and engineering tools necessary for chemical engineering practice. Students acquire a broad education necessary to understand the impact of chemical engineering systems in a global and societal context; an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility; a knowledge of contemporary issues in chemical engineering; and a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in, lifelong learning.

Admission to the major is contingent upon completing the Engineering Freshman year with an average of C (2.0) with passing grades in the following courses: CHEM 111, CHEM 112, MATH 131, MATH 132, ENGIN 110 (or 111 or 112), PHYSIC 151 and PHYSIC 153. A student must maintain a cumulative average of C (2.0) in the core Chemical Engineering courses to remain in good standing, and to graduate.

The curriculum is designed to afford flexibility in the senior year for elective courses and the opportunity to do an internship. The courses of the last two semesters may be taken interchangeably.

Freshmen

Fall

ENGLWP 112 College Writing

MATH 131 Calculus I

CHEM 111 General Chemistry I

ENGIN 110 or 111 or 112 or 113

Social World Elective #1

Spring

MATH 132 Calculus II

CHEM 112 General Chemistry

PHYSIC 151 General Physics I

PHYSIC 153 General Physics Lab

CH E 120 or CEE 121 or ECE 122 or MIE 124 (CH E 120 is strongly recommended for the major. It is not required for admission to the major but it is required for graduation.)

Sophomores

Fall

PHYSIC 152 General Physics II

PHYSIC 154 General Physics Laboratory

CHEM 261 Organic Chemistry for Non-
majors I

CH E 226 Thermodynamics I

MATH 233 Multivariable Calculus 1

Social World Elective #2

Spring

CHEM 262 Organic Chemistry II for Non- majors

CHEM 269 Organic Lab for Non-majors

CH E 230 Fluid Mechanics

MATH 431 Ordinary Differential Equations

Biological Science Elective

Social World Elective #3

Juniors

Fall Semester

CH E 325 Thermodynamics II

CH E 333 Heat Transfer

ENGL 351 Technical Writing

CHEM 473 Physical Chemistry

CHEM 477 Physical Chemistry Lab

Social World Elective #4

Spring Semester

CH E 320 Kinetics and Reactor Design

CH E 334 Mass Transfer

CH E 338 Separations

Statistics or Mathematics Elective

Advanced Chemistry Elective

Seniors

Fall Semester

CH E 401 Chemical Engineering Lab I

CH E 444 Chemical Process Design

CH E 446 Chemical Process Control

CH E 491A Professional Development Seminar

Spring Semester

CH E 402 Chemical Engineering Lab II

Engineering Science Elective

Engineering Science Elective

Social World Elective #5

Social World Elective #6

In addition to fulfilling course requirements, all seniors must complete a survey, before graduation, that assesses their undergraduate education.

Notes

1. Mathematics sequence

MATH 131, 132, 233, 331 may be replaced by MATH 135, 136, 245, 246.

2. Chemistry sequence

CHEM 111 and 112 may be replaced by CHEM 121 and 122. CHEM 261, 262 and 269 may be replaced by CHEM 265, 266, 267, and 268.

3. Advanced Chemistry sequence

The sequence consists of two advanced chemistry courses approved by the undergraduate program director. At least one of these courses must be CHEM 475 or CHEM 476. Other approved courses include BIOCHM 420 and PS E 501.

4. Statistics or Mathematics elective

A course approved by the Undergraduate Program Director would include STATIS 497M, STATIS 501, STATIS 515, CH E 361, and MATH 235 or 236.

Writing Requirement

The successful completion of the Writing requirement will require: Completion of ENGLWP 112 with a C or better, Junior Year status in the Chemical Engineering (completion of all requirements up to the Spring Semester Junior Year), and completion of ENGL 351 with a C or better.

Study Abroad

The Chemical Engineering Department has a formal exchange agreement with University College, London (UK). Students are encouraged to consider participating in the many other exchange opportunities: the Universities of Queensland and Adelaide (Australia), McGill University in Montreal, Universities of Karls-ruhe and Stuttgart in Germany, The Indian Institute of Technology in New Delhi, ITESM (Monterey, Mexico), and three other universities in the United Kingdom, Kent, Leeds, and Wales, Swansea. Early inquiry at International Programs, tel. 545-2710, is recommended.

Cooperative Experience

Internships in an industrial setting provide significant advantages to students in their education and in the opportunities available to them upon graduation. The Chemical Engineering curriculum was recently reorganized to minimize the delay in graduation for those students who opt for some internship experience. The University supports internship programs through the Campus Career Network.

Chemical Engineering | Courses | Faculty