Chemical Engineering, BS

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (420000BS)

The Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering can be combined with the "Cooperative Education, College of Engineering and Polymer Science" certificate, for a nominal five-year plan of study that includes four total years of coursework and one full year of relevant work experience.  Alternatively, the Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering can be earned without the certificate, with a nominal four-year plan of study.

The Chemical Engineering program helps students develop intellectual capacity and the ability to apply the principles of transport phenomena, thermodynamics, and chemical reaction kinetics to the creative resolution of technological problems.

All engineers are trained in the application of mechanics, materials, economics, systems, and controls. Chemical engineers, however, apply chemical principles to design, evaluate, build, and operate systems capable of converting inexpensive raw materials into marketable products via chemical reactions, biological processes, and physical separations.

Graduates of the Chemical Engineering program find career opportunities in the chemical process industries, usually involving polymer production, petroleum refining, environmental remediation, materials research and development, process design and development, and process operations and control. In addition, chemical engineers are increasingly in demand in areas such as biotechnology, food production, and solids processing. Critical thinking skills developed throughout the curriculum enable chemical engineers to succeed in other fields including medicine, patent law, and international business.

The Chemical Engineering program maintains a balance between theory and practice to prepare students for careers in a highly technical global society. The curriculum stresses the integration of mathematics, science, and chemical engineering fundamentals throughout the program. At each level of the program, from freshman through seniors, students have the opportunity to gain experience in a wide range of emerging technologies through laboratory courses and design or research electives. Exciting work is performed in biocompatible polymeric materials, biological cellular and enzymatic processes, nanocomposite materials, chemical sensing, computational molecular science, microscale separations, green chemistry, and novel catalytic reactions. Students are also encouraged to gain important practical experience through the optional cooperative education program.

The Chemical Engineering undergraduate program offered by the Department of Chemical, Biomolecular, and Corrosion Engineering at The University of Akron is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org/.

Requirements for Admission

The following information has official approval of the Department of Chemical, Biomolecular, and Corrosion Engineering and The College of Engineering and Polymer Science, but is intended only as a supplemental guide. Official degree requirements are established at the time of transfer and admission to the degree-granting college. Students should refer to the Degree Progress Report (DPR) which is definitive for graduation requirements. Completion of this degree within the identified time frame below is contingent upon many factors, including but not limited to: class availability, total number of required credits, work schedule, finances, family, course drops/withdrawals, successfully passing courses, prerequisites, among others. The transfer process is completed through an appointment with your academic advisor. 

Requirements

Summary

General Education Courses

Program-Specific General Education

The program-specific courses also satisfy General Education requirements.

Math and Natural Science

 Advanced Chemistry

 Engineering Core

 Chemical Engineering

 Technical Electives

Consult the department for a list of courses that meet elective requirements.

Recommended Sequence

Recommended Schedule with Cooperative Education

This plan of study shows the recommended schedule for students who are also earning the "Cooperative Education, College of Engineering and Polymer Science" certificate.  Together, the Bachelor of Science and certificate require a five-year plan of study.  The program recommends that students earn this certificate.

Recommended Schedule without Cooperative Education

If a student chooses not to earn the Cooperative Education certificate, the following four-year plan of study is used.

¹

Honors sections may be available; check the schedule of classes.

²

 The Chemical, Biomolecular, and Corrosion Engineering Department recommends that ENGL:111 English Composition I be used to satisfy the Writing First Course requirement but other choices may be available. See the General Education Program for details.

³

Check General Education Program or Honors Distribution to find courses that satisfy the Writing Second Course requirement.

⁴

Credit hours shown for General Education or Honors Distribution are general guidelines only. These courses should be chosen in accordance with the appropriate General Education curriculum guide (for non-honors students) or Honors Distribution (for honors students). Honors students must also ensure that their course selections meet additional requirements not shown on this curriculum guide.

⁵

Honors students must take the Honors Project, which may count as a Chemical Engineering Elective or Chemical Engineering Design Elective. Consult your academic advisor.