Chemical engineers are involved in the transfer of scientific discoveries to modern technologies and novel products that benefit society and minimize the impact on the environment. They deal with multiscale aspects of generating clean energy, producing novel and superior materials, and utilizing the biological revolution to manufacture new products. They are involved in the development and manufacture of consumer products, as well as in design, operation, and control of processes in a variety of industries (e.g., petroleum, petrochemical, chemical, consumer products, food, feed, pharmaceuticals). Their broad training in basic sciences (e.g., chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics) coupled with a strong foundation in chemical engineering principles (e.g., thermodynamics, mass and energy balances, transport phenomena, kinetics, separations, reaction engineering, control, product development, and process design) makes them invaluable team members and leaders in any engineering enterprise. It also prepares them well for graduate studies in biochemical, biomedical, chemical, environmental, and materials engineering. In addition, the B.S. degree in chemical engineering is a great starting point for pursing a degree in business, law, or medicine.
Majors and Minors
Click here for our department's Missouri Statement and Program Educational Objectives. The department offers two undergraduate majors and two minors. The Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (BSChE) degree requires the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 126 units. The Bachelor of Science in Applied Science with Major in Chemical Engineering (BSAS-ChE) degree requires the satifsactory completion of a minimum of 120 units. This degree serves students who wish to be exposed to key chemical engineering principles yet seek a more flexible curriculum.
Click here for details about the Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
Click here for details about the Bachelors of Science in Applied Science with Major in Chemical Engineering
Minors are offered in Energy Engineering or Environmental Engineering Science. Click here for details.
Double Majors and Premedical Program
Some students may be able to take more than 126-unit minimum during a four-year program, especially if they have Advanced Placement units. This permits the choice of additional free electives from such areas as biology, computer science, humanities, social sciences or other engineering courses. It also provides an opportunity to pursue a double major. The rules for combining majors in engineering and multiple majors involving other university divisions are described in the general section on the School of Engineering & Applied Science website. Particularly popular with chemical engineering students is the combined degree program in Process Control Systems.
Traditionally, the undergraduate chemical engineering degree (both the accredited degree and the applied science option) have been popular with students interested in medicine because the curriculum automatically satisfies many of the premedical requirements.