Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

Program Overview

Clarkson University's Chemical Engineering program offers a comprehensive curriculum with a focus on core principles, professional experience, and hands-on research opportunities. Students gain a strong foundation in chemical engineering fundamentals, including thermodynamics, mass transfer, and reactor design. The program prepares graduates for careers in various industries, including biochemical, energy, and pharmaceuticals, with a 100% placement rate for the Class of 2023.

Program Outline

Outline:

• The chemical engineering program consists of 30 credit hours in chemical engineering, 25 credit hours in science, 12 credit hours in mathematics, and 30 credit hours in professional electives.
33 credit hours are in free electives, which is enough to complete a minor or second major if you so choose.
• Clarkson Common Experience
• The following courses are required for all students, irrespective of their program of study.
These courses are offered during the fall semester, with FY100 First-Year Seminar being required of only first-year students. Both FY100 and UNIV190 are typically taken during the fall semester of the first year at Clarkson.
• FY100 First-Year Seminar (1 credits)
• UNIV190 The Clarkson Seminar (3 credits)
• Chemical Engineering Core Requirements
• Students are required to complete the following courses:
• Chemical Engineering
• CH210 Molecular Properties
• CH220 Material Balances
• CH260 Thermodynamics & Energy Balances
• CH320 Phase Equilibria
• CH330 Transfer Process Fundamentals
• CH350 Chemical Engineering Laboratory (1 credits)
• CH360 Chemical Reactor Analysis I
• CH370 Design of Transfer Process Equipment
• CH410 Chemical Engineering Laboratory (2 credits)
• CH420 Process Economics & Conceptual Design
• CH430 Chemical Process Safety
• CH460 Process Dynamics & Control
• Professional Experience
• Students are required to complete the following Professional Experience:
• ES499 Professional Experience (0 credits)
• School of Engineering Common First Year
• Students must complete the following courses in their first year:
• CM131 General Chemistry I (4 credits)
• CS141 Introduction to Computer Science (4 credits)
• ES100 Introduction to Engineering Use of the Computer (2 credits)
• ES110 Engineering & Society
• MA131 Calculus I
• MA132 Calculus II
• PH131 Physics I (4 credits)
• PH132 Physics II (4 credits)
• Chemical Engineering Core Electives
• Students must complete the following courses:
• Core Electives
• BY160 Biology II - Cellular & Molecular Biology
• CM132 General Chemistry II (4 credits)
• CM241 Organic Chemistry I
• CM242 Organic Chemistry II
• CM244 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
• EC350 Economic Principles & Engineering Economics
• MA231 Calculus III
• MA232 Elementary Differential Equations
• Professional Electives
• 1 x Mathematics (MA) elective
• 2 x ES electives from two different areas (mechanics/electrical science/materials science)
• 3 x engineering electives
• 2 x technical electives (science/engineering/mathematics)
• 2 x undesignated electives
• Knowledge Area/University Course Electives
• Students will have at least 18 credit hours available to use toward Knowledge Area and/or University Course electives to satisfy the Clarkson Common Experience requirements.
• Free Electives
• Students will have approximately 33 credit hours available to use toward courses of their choice.
• Biochemical and biomaterials
• Design
• Design and development of control systems
• Economic evaluation of new plants and processes
• Electronics manufacturing
• Energy conservation and energy resource development
• Materials process engineering
• Improvement of existing processes and products
• Petrochemicals
• Pharmaceuticals
• Process safety
• Research and development of new processes and products
• Sustainability and pollution control

Other:

• As an undergraduate, you can sign up for up to three credits per semester to conduct research with a faculty member.
Examples of research topics include:
• Advanced membranes
• Biomaterials
• Environmental electrochemistry
• Chemical-mechanical polishing for microelectronics
• Nanotechnology
• Plasma chemistry
• Process control, optimization and AI
• Our faculty are experts in what they do, and they engage our students in the pursuit of interdisciplinary research, scholarship and innovation.
Chemical engineering students work closely with faculty members to help with research, develop ideas and acquire internships.
• As a chemical engineering major, you'll have opportunities for internships and co-ops in the chemical, pharmaceutical, oil and gas and microelectronics industries, among others.
Students make connections; apply for internships, co-ops and full-time positions; attend informational sessions hosted by companies and interview for positions during these Career Fairs. Students represent the Department with our Chem-E Car team, competing in the annual American Institute of Chemical Engineers competition with their design of a shoebox-sized car powered by chemical reactions.
• Chemical engineering students can get involved in more than 200 clubs and organizations on campus, including several related to engineering.
These include:
• American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
• American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
• National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
• Omega Chi Epsilon (OXE) - National Chemical Engineering Society
• Sigma Xi - The Scientific Research Society
• Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE)
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
• Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
• Tau Beta Pi - National Engineering Honor Society
• The Electrochemical Society (ECS)