Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering

Program Overview

Rowan University's Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering program prepares students for advanced research and development careers in industry, government, and academia. The program emphasizes advanced mathematics, core chemical engineering principles, and a range of technical subjects, enabling students to address complex challenges in real-world applications. Research opportunities span diverse areas, including additive manufacturing, biochemical engineering, and sustainable design. Graduates are equipped with the skills to conduct independent research, solve engineering problems, and contribute to the advancement of the field.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering program at Rowan University is a doctoral degree program designed to prepare students for advanced and specialized careers in research and development in industry, government, and academia. The program focuses on exploring new ideas, creating new knowledge, and addressing societal challenges by applying theory and experimentation in state-of-the-art facilities. Research opportunities are available in a diverse range of areas, including:

• Additive manufacturing
• Biochemical engineering
• Biomaterials
• Catalysis
• Crystallization kinetics and processes
• Experimental design and data analysis
• Green engineering
• Lean manufacturing
• Membrane separations
• Pharmaceutical processing
• Polymers, polymer composites, and polymer thin films
• Process design and optimization
• Process systems
• Reaction engineering
• Renewable energy
• Social life cycle analyses
• Sustainable design
• Tissue engineering

Outline:

The Rowan University Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Chemical Engineering program requires the completion of coursework, teaching assistantships, research requirements, qualifying and candidacy examinations, dissertation, and dissertation defense. For a student with a bachelor's degree, a minimum of 72 semester hours of graduate-level coursework will be required:

• Graduate Chemical Engineering Core Courses – 12 Credits
• Graduate Level Writing Course – 3 Credits
• Graduate Level Mathematics Course – 3 Credits
• Graduate Technical Electives – 12 Credits
• Doctoral Research – 42 Credits
• Total Required Credits – 72 Credits
For a student with a master's degree in a related field, a minimum of 42 semester hours (credits) of graduate-level coursework beyond the master's degree will be required. Student Learning Goals:
• Obtain a level of technical proficiency in advanced mathematics, core chemical engineering principles, and a breadth of technical subjects that prepare them to face complex challenges in real-world chemical engineering applications.
Student Learning Outcomes:
• Apply advanced mathematical principles to solve engineering problems.
• Have an in-depth understanding of the terminology and processes that are core to the field of chemical engineering.
• Read, understand, analyze, and critique research papers with advanced Chemical Engineering content.
• Develop a level of technical writing proficiency sufficient for them to produce quality manuscripts, grant proposals, and a meaningful dissertation.
• Demonstrate their ability to explain complex topics in written formats.
• Write effective external documents including manuscripts for journal submissions and grant proposals.
• Identify and approach unsolved problems in chemical engineering, formulate a hypothesis on how to solve such a problem, design and execute experimental or analytical methodologies to test the hypothesis, analyze results, and draw meaningful conclusions.
• Conduct independent research.
The following courses make up the Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering program:

Required Courses (18 Semester Hours):

• CHE 06586 Advanced Engineering Thermodynamics (3 S.H.)
• CHE 06514 Transport Phenomena for Engineers (3 S.H.)
• CHE 06515 Advanced Reactor Design (3 S.H.)
• CHE 06530 Experimental Methods in Chemical Engineering (3 S.H.)
• Strategic Technical Writing (3 S.H.)
• MATH 01515 Engineering Applications of Analysis (3 S.H.)

Elective Courses (12 Semester Hours):

• CHE 06587 Process Optimization (3 S.H.)
• CHE 06588 Advanced Process Control Automation and Design (3 S.H.)
• CHE 06502 Special Topics in Chemical Engineering (3 S.H.)
• CHE 06512 Safety in the Process Industries (3 S.H.)
• CHE 06510 Biochemical Engineering (3 S.H.)
• CHE 06506 Process Heat Transfer (3 S.H.)
• CHE 06516 Advanced Separation Process Technology (3 S.H.)
• CHE 06518 Polymer Engineering (3 S.H.)
• CHE 06575 Biopharmaceutical and Industrial Fluid Mixing (3 S.H.)
• CHE 06571 Biomedical Control Systems (3 S.H.)
• CHE 06572 Biomedical Process Engineering (3 S.H.)
• CHE 06574 Advances in Particle Technology (3 S.H.)
• CHE 06576 Bioseparation Processes (3 S.H.)
• CHE 06577 Advanced Engineering Process Analysis & Experimental Design (3 S.H.)
• CHE 06528 Fluid Flow Applications in Processing and Manufacturing (3 S.H.)

Careers:

Potential Industries and Occupations include:

• Chemical Industries
• Energy
• Oil and Gas
• Pharmaceuticals
• Polymers
• Cosmetics
• Consumer Goods
• Environmental Policy and Regulations
• Pollution Prevention
• Federal agencies
• National Labs
• Engineering Consultancy
• Health and Safety, etc.