Alternative and renewable energy technology. Carbon capture and reducing CO2 emissions. Creating cutting-edge nanomaterials. These are just a few of the challenges chemical engineers are working to address today.

Chemical engineering students at CU Boulder learn the skills necessary to address the energy, climate change and technology challenges of tomorrow. Learn from world-class faculty leveraging innovative, award-winning education practices and hands-on lab experiences. Benefit from department connections to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the BioFrontiers Institute, the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute and more.

Requirements

Prerequisites and Passing Grades

Unless otherwise specified, minimum passing grades for all courses that are prerequisites for other required courses is C-. If a grade of D+ or lower is received in a course which is a prerequisite to another, the student may not register for the subsequent course until the first grade has been raised to a C- or higher. In addition CHEN core courses taken in a student’s senior year also require a minimum grade of C-, even though they are not prerequisites. 

Unless specified otherwise, the minimum passing grade for a course that is not specifically a prerequisite for another required course is D-.

Students may be dropped from courses if they do not meet the minimum prerequisite grade requirements. It is the student's responsibility to communicate with the department if summer coursework and/or transfer credit will be used to meet the prerequisite requirement.

Required Courses

A total of 128 credit hours is required.

CHEN 1310Introduction to Engineering Computing3
CHEN 2120Chemical Engineering Material and Energy Balances3
CHEN 2810Biology for Engineers3
or MCDB 1150 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
or EBIO 1220 General Biology 2
CHEN 3010Applied Data Analysis3
or STAT 4010 Statistical Methods and Applications II
CHEN 3200Chemical Engineering Fluid Mechanics3
or MCEN 3021 Fluid Mechanics
CHEN 3210Chemical Engineering Heat and Mass Transfer4
CHEN 3220Chemical Engineering Separations3
CHEN 3320Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics3
CHEN 4090Undergraduate Seminar1
CHEN 4130Chemical Engineering Laboratory3
or CHEN 4010
CHEN 4020
Chemical Engineering Senior Thesis 1
and Chemical Engineering Senior Thesis 2
CHEN 4330Chemical Engineering Reaction Kinetics3
CHEN 4440Chemical Engineering Materials3
CHEN 4520Chemical Process Synthesis3
CHEN 4521Physical Chemistry for Engineers3
CHEN 4530Chemical Engineering Design Project2
CHEN 4570Instrumentation and Process Control4

Required Mathematics Courses

APPM 1350Calculus 1 for Engineers4
or MATH 1300 Calculus 1
or APPM 1345 Calculus 1 with Algebra, Part B
APPM 1360Calculus 2 for Engineers4
or MATH 2300 Calculus 2
APPM 2350Calculus 3 for Engineers4
or MATH 2400 Calculus 3
APPM 2360Introduction to Differential Equations with Linear Algebra4
or MATH 2130
MATH 3430
Introduction to Linear Algebra for Non-Mathematics Majors
and Ordinary Differential Equations
or MATH 2135
MATH 3430
Introduction to Linear Algebra for Mathematics Majors
and Ordinary Differential Equations

Required Science Courses

CHEM 1221Engineering General Chemistry Lab1
or CHEM 1134 Laboratory in General Chemistry 2
CHEN 1201General Chemistry for Engineers 1 (If a student completes CHEN 1211 instead of CHEN 1201 & CHEN 1203, then student must complete 2 additional credits as Free Electives)4
or CHEN 1211 Accelerated Chemistry for Engineers
CHEN 1203General Chemistry for Engineers 2 (If a student completes CHEN 1211 instead of CHEN 1201 & CHEN 1203, then student must complete 2 additional credits as Free Electives)2
or CHEN 1211 Accelerated Chemistry for Engineers
or CHEM 1133 General Chemistry 2
CHEM 3311Organic Chemistry 14
CHEM 3321Laboratory in Organic Chemistry 11
CHEM 3331Organic Chemistry 24
CHEM 3341Laboratory in Organic Chemistry 21
PHYS 1110General Physics 14
or PHYS 1115 General Physics 1 for Majors
PHYS 1120General Physics 24
or PHYS 1125 General Physics 2 for Majors
PHYS 1140Experimental Physics 11
Advanced Chemistry Elective3
Choose one of the following:
Principles of Biochemistry
Modern Inorganic Chemistry
Physical Chemistry 2

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). Visit the department's Current Students webpage and consult the current advising guide.

Free Electives

3 credits of Free Electives allowed.

Modified Pathways

Curricular pathways have been established in fields of major importance and particular interest. To follow one of these pathways requires careful planning and course selection by student and advisor.

Materials Option

The need to develop new materials for a rapidly broadening spectrum of applications is one of the major technological challenges confronting applied science. Chemical engineers have the required background in chemistry and transport theory to contribute significantly in this area. This option focuses on polymeric and ceramic materials by complementing the chemical engineering curriculum with elective courses stressing the interrelationship between materials fabrication, structure, properties and performance. For information on the materials option, visit the department's current students webpage and consult the current advising guide.

Required Courses

A total of 15 credit hours is required.

Advanced Chemistry Elective3
CHEM 4011Modern Inorganic Chemistry3
General Technical Electives6
Materials Electives6
(3 credit hours must be CHEN 3000 or above level)
Choose two from the following:
CHEN 3840Independent Study3
or CHEN 4840 Independent Study
CHEN 4450Polymer Chemistry3
CHEN 4460Polymer Engineering3
CHEN 4650Particle Technology3
CHEN 4805Biomaterials3
CHEN 4836Nanomaterials3
CHEN 4480Solar Cells and Optical Devices for Sustainable Buildings3
MCEN 2024Materials Science3

Premed Path

This path is offered for students preparing for medical school. Since chemical engineering already requires most of the premed courses, it is a logical choice for students who desire an engineering degree and the opportunity to pursue a medical profession. For information on the premed path, visit the department's current students webpage and consult the current advising guide.

Recommended Four-Year Plan of Study

While there are several tracks, only the Standard Curriculum is shown here. For details on the other tracks, visit the department's Current Students webpage and consult the current advising guide.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Fall SemesterCredit Hours
APPM 1350 Calculus 1 for Engineers 4
CHEN 1201 General Chemistry for Engineers 1 4
CHEN 1300 Introduction to Chemical Engineering (Optional 1-Credit Technical Elective) 1  
CHEN 1310 Introduction to Engineering Computing 3
Humanities or Social Science Elective 2 3
 Credit Hours14
Spring Semester
APPM 1360 Calculus 2 for Engineers 4
CHEM 1221 Engineering General Chemistry Lab 1
CHEN 1203 General Chemistry for Engineers 2 2
CHEN 2810 Biology for Engineers 3
PHYS 1110 General Physics 1 4
Humanities or Social Science Elective 2 3
 Credit Hours17
Year Two
Fall Semester
APPM 2350 Calculus 3 for Engineers 4
CHEM 3311 Organic Chemistry 1 4
CHEM 3321 Laboratory in Organic Chemistry 1 1
CHEN 2120 Chemical Engineering Material and Energy Balances 3
PHYS 1120 General Physics 2 4
PHYS 1140 Experimental Physics 1 1
 Credit Hours17
Spring Semester
APPM 2360 Introduction to Differential Equations with Linear Algebra 4
CHEM 3331 Organic Chemistry 2 4
CHEM 3341 Laboratory in Organic Chemistry 2 1
CHEN 3200 Chemical Engineering Fluid Mechanics 3
CHEN 4090 Undergraduate Seminar 1
CHEN 4521 Physical Chemistry for Engineers 3
 Credit Hours16
Year Three
Fall Semester
CHEN 3010 Applied Data Analysis 3
CHEN 3210 Chemical Engineering Heat and Mass Transfer 4
CHEN 3320 Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics 3
College-Approved Writing Course 3 3
Free Electives 5 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring Semester
CHEN 3220 Chemical Engineering Separations 3
CHEN 4330 Chemical Engineering Reaction Kinetics 3
CHEN 4440 Chemical Engineering Materials 3
Advanced Chemistry Elective 4 3
Technical Elective 1, 5 3
Humanities or Social Science Elective 2 3
 Credit Hours18
Year Four
Fall Semester
CHEN 4130 Chemical Engineering Laboratory 3
CHEN 4520 Chemical Process Synthesis 3
CHEN 3000+ Technical Elective 5 3
Technical Elective 1, 5 3
Humanities or Social Science Elective 2 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
CHEN 4530 Chemical Engineering Design Project 2
CHEN 4570 Instrumentation and Process Control 4
CHEN 3000+ Technical Elective 5 3
Technical Elective 1, 5 3
Humanities or Social Science Elective 2 3
 Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours128

Learning Outcomes

Program Educational Objectives

The department prepares graduates to make significant contributions in many diverse areas. Specifically, within a few years of graduation our graduates will have achieved one or more of the following attributes:

  • In their chosen field, be established in a professional career, be pursuing an advanced degree or be seeking advanced certification.
  • Be recognized as academic, industrial or entrepreneurial leaders.
  • Be successfully working and contributing in a variety of technical fields.
  • Be adapting to new technologies and changing professional environments

Student Outcomes

At the time of graduation, students will demonstrate the ability to:

  • Identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics.
  • Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors.
  • Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  • Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental and societal contexts.
  • Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives.
  • Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  • Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

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

The bachelor's–accelerated master's (BAM) degree program options offer currently enrolled CU Boulder undergraduate students the opportunity to receive a bachelor's and master's degree in a shorter period of time. Students receive the bachelor's degree first, but begin taking graduate coursework as undergraduates (typically in their senior year).

Because some courses are allowed to double count for both the bachelor's and the master's degrees, students receive a master's degree in less time and at a lower cost than if they were to enroll in a stand-alone master's degree program after completion of their baccalaureate degree. In addition, staying at CU Boulder to pursue a bachelor's–accelerated master's program enables students to continue working with their established faculty mentors.

BS and MS in Chemical Engineering

Admissions Requirements

In order to gain admission to the BAM program named above, a student must meet the following criteria:

  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or higher.
  • Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in CHEN coursework.
  • Students must have completed CHEN 2120, CHEN 3200, CHEN 3210, CHEN 3320 and CHEN 3010 prerequisite courses with grades of B- in each course.
  • Have at least junior class standing.
  • Completion of all MAPS requirements and no deficiencies remaining (students admitted to CU Boulder prior to Summer 2023 only).
  • Provide a one-page Statement of Purpose. The statement should briefly describe your past work in the field, including non-course educational experiences, teaching, or other relevant employment, publication, theses, research in progress, other scholarly activities and your plans for graduate study and a professional career
  • GRE.
  • Provide an unofficial transcript.

Program Requirements

Students may take up to and including 12 hours while in the undergraduate program which can later be used toward the master’s degree. However, only six credit hours may be double counted toward the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree. Students must apply to graduate with the bachelor’s degree, and apply to continue with the master’s degree, early in the semester in which the undergraduate requirements will be completed.

BS in Chemical Engineering, Professional MS in Materials Science

Admissions Requirements

In order to gain admission to the BAM program named above, a student must meet the following criteria:

  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher.
  • Completion of all MAPS requirements (students admitted to CU Boulder prior to Summer 2023 only).
  • Completion of the following five CHEN core courses with a minimum grade of B- in each course: CHEN 2120, CHEN 3200, CHEN 3210, CHEN 3320 and CHEN 3010.
  • Be enrolled in CHEN 4440.
  • Provide an unofficial transcript.

Students with a GPA below 3.25 (but above 3.0, the university minimum standard) may submit a petition with a letter of recommendation from a professor and a one-page statement of purpose. The statement should briefly describe the student’s past work in the field, including any non-course educational experiences or other relevant employment, and the student’s plans for graduate study and a professional career.

Program Requirements

Students must declare a track in which to specialize. Students may take up to and including 12 hours while in the undergraduate program that satisfy the specialized track courses and/or the breadth elective courses, which can later be used toward the master’s degree. However, only six credit hours may be double counted toward the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree. Students must apply to graduate with the bachelor’s degree, and apply to continue with the master’s degree, early in the semester in which the undergraduate requirements will be completed.

Please see the BAM degree program web page for more information.