The chemical engineering minor provides students with a foundational set of tools to tackle the world’s energy and climate change challenges from a new perspective. From materials and microelectronics to alternative energy, chemical engineers have the technical background to provide sustainable solutions.
Upon taking select core chemical engineering classes including separations and heat & mass transfer, students can pick from more advanced chemical engineering electives based on their interests.
A minor in chemical engineering can be earned in conjunction with any CU Boulder engineering major.
Requirements
Course Requirements
The chemical engineering minor requires a minimum of 18 credit hours, distributed as follows:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CHEN 2120 | Chemical Engineering Material and Energy Balances | 3 |
| CHEN 3210 | Chemical Engineering Heat and Mass Transfer | 4 |
| CHEN 3320 | Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics 1 | 3 |
| CHEN 3220 | Chemical Engineering Separations | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Choose five credits from any of the following: | 5 | |
| Introduction to Chemical and Biological Engineering | ||
| Energy Fundamentals | ||
| Chemical Engineering Laboratory | ||
| Chemical Engineering Materials | ||
| Polymer Chemistry | ||
| Polymer Engineering | ||
| Solar Cells and Optical Devices for Sustainable Buildings | ||
| Electrochemical Engineering | ||
| Chemical Process Design | ||
| Chemical Engineering Design Project | ||
| Process Dynamics and Control | ||
| Intellectual Property Law and Engineering | ||
| Particle Technology | ||
| Nanomaterials | ||
| Special Topics in Chemical Engineering | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
Additional guidelines regarding the requirements:
- Relevant independent study coursework can be petitioned.
- 5000-level CHEN courses are allowed where undergraduate students are eligible to enroll.
- Prior coursework may be transferred from other institutions with approval.
- At least 9 credit hours need to be taken on the CU Boulder campus, at least 6 credits of which must be at the upper-division level.
Grade Requirements
A grade point average (GPA) of 2.000 or better is required in the courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for this minor. Each individual course that is counted towards these requirements must be passed with a C- or better.
Plan(s) of Study
| Year Two | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credit Hours | |
| CHEN 2120 | Chemical Engineering Material and Energy Balances | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CHEN 3210 | Chemical Engineering Heat and Mass Transfer | 4 |
| CHEN 3320 | Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics 1 | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 7 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CHEN 3220 | Chemical Engineering Separations | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Elective 1 | 2 | |
| Credit Hours | 2 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
| 1 | This is a sample distribution of electives. A total of at least 5 credit hours of approved electives must be completed for the minor and the actual distribution may look different depending on actual courses chosen. |