Typical Job Titles
Chemical Engineer | Semiconductor Engineer |
Environmental Engineer | Chemical Process Engineer |
Manufacturing Engineer | Quality Engineer |
Systems Engineer |
Program start date | Application deadline |
2023-09-02 | - |
2024-01-20 | - |
2024-09-15 | - |
A chemical engineering BS prepares you to advance nano-scale composites, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, plastics, fibers, metals, and ceramics and develop alternative energy systems, biomedical materials and therapies, and more.
Accelerated Bachelor’s/
Master’s Available
Co-op Required
STEM-OPT Visa Eligible
RIT’s degree in chemical engineering is a comprehensive program of study that prepares you to advance nano-scale composites, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, plastics, fibers, metals, and ceramics and to develop alternative energy systems, biomedical materials and therapies, and strategies that minimize the environmental impact of technological advancements.
Chemical engineering applies the core scientific disciplines of chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics to transform raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms, invariably in processes that involve chemical change. All engineers employ mathematics, physics, and engineering to overcome technical problems in a safe and economical fashion. A chemical engineer provides the critical level of expertise needed to solve problems in which chemical specificity and change have particular relevance. They not only create new, more effective ways to manufacture chemicals, they also work collaboratively with chemists to pioneer the development of high-tech materials for specialized applications. Well-known contributions include the development and commercialization of synthetic rubber, synthetic fiber, pharmaceuticals, and plastics. Chemical engineers contribute significantly to advances in the food industry, alternative energy systems, semiconductor manufacturing, and environmental modeling and remediation. A special focus on process engineering cultivates a systems perspective that makes chemical engineers extremely versatile and capable of handling a wide spectrum of technical problems. Students develop a firm and practical grasp of engineering principles and the underlying science associated with traditional and emerging chemical engineering applications.
The core curriculum of RIT’s chemical engineering BS degree provides you with a solid foundation in engineering principles and their underlying science.
You will choose professional technical electives from within the major, as well as from a department-approved list of engineering courses offered throughout the Kate Gleason College of Engineering. These electives provide an in-depth examination of the chemical engineering field or provide breadth in other engineering disciplines. Mathematics and science courses, free electives, and liberal arts courses round out the curriculum.
Learn more about the Student Learning Outcomes and Program Educational Objectives for the chemical engineering BS degree.
Virtually every aspect of a modern industrial economy is critically dependent upon chemical engineering for manufacturing bulk and specialty chemicals and high-tech materials needed to create a limitless array of value-added products. Chemical engineering applies the core scientific disciplines of chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics to transform raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms, invariably in processes that involve chemical change. They work in multidisciplinary teams to create novel materials that are at the heart of virtually every product and service that enhances our quality of life. Examples include nano-scale composites, pharmaceuticals, plastics, fibers, metals, and ceramics. Key applications include the development of alternative energy systems, biomedical materials and therapies, and strategies to minimize the environmental impact of technological advancements.
The line between the functions of chemists and chemical engineers can be blurred, but a general distinction can be made between the function of the two disciplines. Perhaps the clearest distinction can be made in the area of chemical transformation. Typically, chemists develop new molecules via chemical reaction, examine the underlying mechanisms involved, and make precise measurements of both physical and organic chemistry parameters on a bench scale in small volumes. Chemical engineers utilize the work of chemists to build processes to manufacture and purify chemicals and new materials on a larger scale. Using their knowledge of scientific principles (physical and organic chemistry integrated with physics, mathematics, and biology) and design constraints (such as economics, environmental requirements) chemical engineers develop processes to manufacture raw materials with desired purity on a scale that meets the demands of virtually every industry in our modern society.
As a student in the chemical engineering BS you will gain valuable hands-on experience through specific program requirements, including a capstone experience that features two dynamic courses:
Your degree in chemical engineering opens doors to a variety of options when it comes to furthering their education:
RIT’s Combined Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degrees enable you to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in as little as five years, giving you a competitive advantage.
It’s a question we’re asked all the time. While there are subtle differences in the course work between the two, choosing the right major in engineering or engineering technology is more about identifying what you like to do and how you like to do it.
Chemical Engineer | Semiconductor Engineer |
Environmental Engineer | Chemical Process Engineer |
Manufacturing Engineer | Quality Engineer |
Systems Engineer |
What’s different about an RIT education? It’s the career experience you gain by completing cooperative education and internships with top companies in every single industry. You’ll earn more than a degree. You’ll gain real-world career experience that sets you apart. It’s exposure–early and often–to a variety of professional work environments, career paths, and industries.
Co-ops and internships take your knowledge and turn it into know-how. Your engineering co-ops will provide hands-on experience that enables you to apply your engineering knowledge in professional settings while you make valuable connections between classwork and real-world applications.
Students in the chemical engineering degree are required to complete four blocks (48 weeks) of cooperative education. This work experience, coupled with the professional networks created by our students and alumni, often translates into job opportunities after graduation. Additionally, for those students who develop an interest in research and demonstrate aptitude in the classroom, a limited number of co-op opportunities are possible in which students will work alongside professors as they conduct research in the chemical engineering field.