PhD in Chemical Engineering
The Chemical Engineering Department offers a vibrant research program that balances chemical engineering fundamentals and industrial technology. From its foundation in the 1950s, the department has educated distinguished scholars and technical leaders. The wide-ranging research taking place within the department is broadly divided into the following areas:
- bioengineering
- catalysis and renewable energy
- materials science and nanotechnology
- molecular, multi-scale, and system-level modeling
Students who are accepted in the Chemical Engineering department's PhD program are offered a full graduate research assistantship that includes health-care coverage, tuition waiver, and a stipend for living expenses.
Each year, this highly selective program typically receives over 300 applications for a class size of 10–15 students. We accept students from all majors, and you do not need to have a master's degree to apply for a PhD.
Benefits list
Research with a real-world impact
Our PhDs are performing research in bioengineering, catalysis and sustainable energy, materials science, nanotechnology, fluid mechanics and transport phenomena, and other exciting fields. The department receives support at a level of over $4 million per year through external research grants.
State-of-the art facilities
The Chemical Engineering Department occupies instructional, research, and administrative space in four buildings in close proximity: the Goessmann Laboratory, the Conte National Center for Polymer Research, the Engineering Laboratory II (Elab II), and the Life Sciences Laboratories building.
Application information & deadlines
The Department welcomes applications from prospective graduate students for Fall admission only. The deadline for both MS and PhD applications is January 15.
Fall Admission Deadline:
Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineering students at UMass Amherst work diligently to develop new vaccines, discover alternative fuels, and create innovative materials.