Alternative and renewable energy. Carbon capture and CO2 emissions reduction. Semiconductor and microprocessor fabrication. Novel nanomaterials and polymers. Plastic upcycling. Data science. Chemical engineers are on the front lines of all of these cutting-edge technologies.
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.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHEN 1310 | Introduction to Engineering Computing | 3 |
| CHEN 2120 | Chemical Engineering Material and Energy Balances | 3 |
| BIEN 2810 | Biology for Engineers | 3 |
| or MCDB 1150 | Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology | |
| or EBIO 1220 | General Biology 2 | |
| CHEN 3010 | Applied Data Analysis | 3 |
| CHEN 3200 | Chemical Engineering Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| or MCEN 3021 | Fluid Mechanics | |
| CHEN 3210 | Chemical Engineering Heat and Mass Transfer | 4 |
| CHEN 3220 | Chemical Engineering Separations | 3 |
| CHEN 3320 | Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics 1 | 3 |
| CHEN 4090 | Undergraduate Seminar | 1 |
| CHEN 4130 | Chemical Engineering Laboratory | 3 |
| or CHEN 4010 & CHEN 4020 | Chemical Engineering Senior Thesis 1 and Chemical Engineering Senior Thesis 2 | |
| CHEN 4330 | Kinetics and Reactor Design | 3 |
| CHEN 4440 | Chemical Engineering Materials | 3 |
| CHEN 4520 | Chemical Process Design | 3 |
| CHEN 4521 | Physical Chemistry for Engineers | 3 |
| CHEN 4530 | Chemical Engineering Design Project | 2 |
| CHEN 4570 | Process Dynamics and Control | 4 |
Required Mathematics Courses
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| APPM 1350 | Calculus 1 for Engineers | 4 |
| or MATH 1300 | Calculus 1 | |
| or APPM 1345 | Calculus 1 with Algebra, Part B | |
| APPM 1360 | Calculus 2 for Engineers | 4 |
| or MATH 2300 | Calculus 2 | |
| APPM 2350 | Calculus 3 for Engineers | 4 |
| or MATH 2400 | Calculus 3 | |
| APPM 2360 | Introduction to Differential Equations with Linear Algebra | 4 |
| 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
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 1221 | Engineering General Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| or CHEM 1134 | Laboratory in General Chemistry 2 | |
| CHEN 1201 | General 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 1203 | General 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 3311 | Organic Chemistry 1 | 4 |
| CHEM 3321 | Laboratory in Organic Chemistry 1 | 1 |
| CHEM 3331 | Organic Chemistry 2 | 4 |
| CHEM 3341 | Laboratory in Organic Chemistry 2 | 1 |
| PHYS 1110 | General Physics 1 | 4 |
| or PHYS 1115 | General Physics 1 for Majors | |
| PHYS 1120 | General Physics 2 | 4 |
| or PHYS 1125 | General Physics 2 for Majors | |
| PHYS 1140 | Experimental Physics 1 | 1 |
| Advanced Chemistry Elective | 3 | |
| 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
To follow a curricular pathway in a field of particular interest requires careful planning and course selection by student and advisor.
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
The standard curriculum is shown below. For more details, visit the department's Current Students webpage.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credit Hours | |
| APPM 1350 | Calculus 1 for Engineers | 4 |
| CHEN 1201 | General Chemistry for Engineers 1 | 4 |
| CHEN 1300 | Introduction to Chemical and Biological Engineering (Optional 1-Credit Technical Elective) 1 | 1 |
| CHEN 1310 | Introduction to Engineering Computing | 3 |
| COEN 1500 | CEAS First Year Seminar | 1 |
| Humanities or Social Science Elective 2 | 2 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| APPM 1360 | Calculus 2 for Engineers | 4 |
| CHEM 1221 | Engineering General Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| CHEN 1203 | General Chemistry for Engineers 2 | 2 |
| BIEN 2810 | Biology for Engineers | 3 |
| PHYS 1110 | General Physics 1 | 4 |
| Humanities or Social Science Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| 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 Hours | 17 | |
| 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 Hours | 16 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CHEN 3010 | Applied Data Analysis | 3 |
| CHEN 3210 | Chemical Engineering Heat and Mass Transfer | 4 |
| CHEN 3320 | Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics 1 | 3 |
| College-Approved Writing Course 3 | 3 | |
| Free Electives 5 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CHEN 3220 | Chemical Engineering Separations | 3 |
| CHEN 4330 | Kinetics and Reactor Design | 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 Hours | 18 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CHEN 4130 | Chemical Engineering Laboratory | 3 |
| CHEN 4520 | Chemical Process Design | 3 |
| CHEN/BIEN 3000+ Technical Elective 5 | 3 | |
| Technical Elective 1, 5 | 3 | |
| Humanities or Social Science Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CHEN 4530 | Chemical Engineering Design Project | 2 |
| CHEN 4570 | Process Dynamics and Control | 4 |
| CHEN/BIEN 3000+ Technical Elective 5 | 3 | |
| Technical Elective 1, 5 | 3 | |
| Humanities or Social Science Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 128 | |
| 1 | CHEN 1300 is an optional Engineering Technical Elective. If it is taken, one of the Technical Elective courses in this Plan of Study will only require 2 credits (instead of 3 credits). |
| 2 | Students may choose courses from the list of college-approved humanities and social sciences (HSS) electives. |
| 3 | Students may choose a course from the list of college-approved writing courses. |
| 4 | Advanced Chemistry Electives include: Principles of Biochemistry (BCHM 4611, 3), Modern Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM 4011, 3), and Physical Chemistry 2 (CHEM 4531, 3). |
| 5 | General Technical Electives, Engineering Technical Electives, and Free Electives must meet specific requirements. Visit the department's Current Students webpage for more information. |
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 successful in an academic, industrial, or entrepreneurial position.
- Be successfully working and contributing in a variety of technical fields.
- Be adapting to new technologies and changing professional environments.
Student Outcomes
By the completion of the program, students will be able 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 3.00 or higher.
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.00 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.