Chemical Engineering, M.S.

Program Overview

The Chemical Engineering M.S. program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is designed for students pursuing a Ph.D. Students must complete 30 graduate-level credits, including 12 in chemical engineering courses and 12 in electives. The program culminates in an oral examination and either an M.S. thesis or an independent study project.

Program Outline

Outline:

• The Chemical Engineering M.S.
program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is offered for work leading to the Ph.D.
• Students may not apply directly for the master’s degree but should instead see the admissions information for the Ph.D.
• Students must complete a minimum of 30 graduate-level credits (numbered 300 and above), divided into two groups:
• Professional group: minimum of 12 credits of chemical engineering courses.
• At least 6 credits must be numbered 600–899 (excluding research).
• Elective group: minimum of 12 credits of graduate courses.
• At least 6 of these credits shall be in departments other than CBE and shall be chosen in consultation with the advisor(s) for their relevance to chemical and biological engineering.
• Up to 6 credits will be allowed for chemical and biological engineering courses numbered between 300 and 499 in groups I and II combined, provided equivalent courses were not previously taken by the student.
• The independent study project will comprise no fewer than 3 credits of supervised CBE 790 Master's Research or Thesis and may involve a lab project, theoretical work, or a critical review of an advanced engineering topic.
• An M.S.
candidate must successfully complete an oral examination before a departmental examining committee.
• When a candidate presents a thesis, no fewer than 5 nor more than 14 credits of research (CBE 790) may be counted toward the 30-credit-total requirement.
• When a thesis is not presented, a maximum of 6 credits of research may be counted toward the total.

Assessment:

• An M.S.
candidate not planning to seek re-admission to the Ph.D. program must successfully complete an oral examination before a departmental examining committee of the advisor(s) plus two other CBE faculty members.
• The candidate may defend an M.S.
thesis or an independent study project that will comprise a minimum of three credits of supervised CBE 790 and may involve a lab project, theoretical work, or a critical review of an advanced engineering topic.
• An M.S.
candidate who is seeking re-admission to the Ph.D. program must successfully complete an oral examination before a departmental examining committee of the advisor(s) plus three other CBE faculty members.
• The candidate must defend an M.S.
thesis in order to petition to return to the Ph.D.