Program Overview

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Chemical Engineering - Bachelor of Science (BSCHE)

The Chemical Engineering program at CU Boulder focuses on cutting-edge technologies such as alternative and renewable energy, carbon capture, semiconductor fabrication, novel nanomaterials, and data science. Students learn from world-class faculty and benefit from connections to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the BioFrontiers Institute, and more.

Requirements

• Prerequisites and Passing Grades: Minimum passing grades for prerequisite courses are C-.
• Required Courses: A total of 128 credit hours is required, including:
  • Introduction to Engineering Computing (CHEN 1310)
  • Chemical Engineering Material and Energy Balances (CHEN 2120)
  • Biology for Engineers (BIEN 2810)
  • Applied Data Analysis (CHEN 3010)
  • Chemical Engineering Fluid Mechanics (CHEN 3200)
  • Chemical Engineering Heat and Mass Transfer (CHEN 3210)
  • Chemical Engineering Separations (CHEN 3220)
  • Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics 1 (CHEN 3320)
  • Undergraduate Seminar (CHEN 4090)
  • Chemical Engineering Laboratory (CHEN 4130)
  • Kinetics and Reactor Design (CHEN 4330)
  • Chemical Engineering Materials (CHEN 4440)
  • Chemical Process Design (CHEN 4520)
  • Physical Chemistry for Engineers (CHEN 4521)
  • Chemical Engineering Design Project (CHEN 4530)
  • Process Dynamics and Control (CHEN 4570)

Required Mathematics Courses

• Calculus 1 for Engineers (APPM 1350)
• Calculus 2 for Engineers (APPM 1360)
• Calculus 3 for Engineers (APPM 2350)
• Introduction to Differential Equations with Linear Algebra (APPM 2360)

Required Science Courses

• General Chemistry for Engineers 1 (CHEN 1201)
• General Chemistry for Engineers 2 (CHEN 1203)
• Organic Chemistry 1 (CHEM 3311)
• Laboratory in Organic Chemistry 1 (CHEM 3321)
• Organic Chemistry 2 (CHEM 3331)
• Laboratory in Organic Chemistry 2 (CHEM 3341)
• General Physics 1 (PHYS 1110)
• General Physics 2 (PHYS 1120)
• Experimental Physics 1 (PHYS 1140)
• Advanced Chemistry Elective (3 credits)

Humanities, Social Sciences, and Writing

• Complete the College's Humanities, Social Sciences, and Writing requirements (18 credits total)

Technical Electives

• General Technical and Engineering Technical Electives must meet specific requirements (15 credits total)

Free Electives

• 3 credits of Free Electives allowed

Modified Pathways

• Premed Path: For students preparing for medical school, with careful planning and course selection

Recommended Four-Year Plan of Study

• Year One: Introduction to Engineering Computing, General Chemistry for Engineers, Calculus 1 for Engineers, etc.
• Year Two: Chemical Engineering Material and Energy Balances, Organic Chemistry 1, Calculus 3 for Engineers, etc.
• Year Three: Applied Data Analysis, Chemical Engineering Heat and Mass Transfer, Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics 1, etc.
• Year Four: Chemical Engineering Laboratory, Chemical Process Design, Process Dynamics and Control, etc.

Learning Outcomes

• Program Educational Objectives: Graduates will be established in a professional career, pursuing an advanced degree, or seeking advanced certification
• Student Outcomes: By completion, students will be able to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems, apply engineering design, communicate effectively, and recognize ethical and professional responsibilities

Bachelor's-Accelerated Master's Degree Program(s)

• BS and MS in Chemical Engineering: Allows students to receive a bachelor's and master's degree in a shorter period, with some courses double-counting towards both degrees
• BS in Chemical Engineering, Professional MS in Materials Science: Students can specialize in a track and take up to 12 hours of graduate coursework as undergraduates, with some courses double-counting towards both degrees

Admissions Requirements

• Cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher
• Minimum GPA of 3.00 in CHEN coursework
• Completion of specific prerequisite courses with grades of B- or higher
• Statement of Purpose
• GRE (for some programs)
• Unofficial transcript

Program Requirements

• Students must apply to graduate with the bachelor's degree and apply to continue with the master's degree
• Up to 12 hours of graduate coursework can be taken as an undergraduate, with some courses double-counting towards both degrees
• Students must declare a track in which to specialize (for the Professional MS in Materials Science program)