The Department of Chemical Engineering was founded in 1911 by Brother William Wohlleben, S.M. In fact, chemical engineering was the first department founded in the School of Engineering. The department has grown to include seven full-time faculty members and approximately 170 full-time undergraduate students.

Our program features a balance between classroom and laboratory work and is designed to prepare you for careers in product and process development, manufacturing, process design or research. Employment opportunities for our graduates scan a wide range of fields including aerospace, biochemical/biomedical/medical, consumer products, conventional and alternative energy, food, agricultural, pharmaceutical, materials, environmental and traditional chemical industries. Ultimately, about three-quarters of our graduates obtain an advanced degree.

The laboratory facilities for chemical engineering are situated in the Science Center. Department facilities include a transport phenomena lab, a unit of operations lab and a process control lab, in addition to support facilities such as a chemical preparation lab. We also have a state-of-the-art computer lab, which is available only to chemical engineering students.

Each lab is used in conjunction with formal class instruction in the subject area, so students learn theory and receive hands-on experience as well. Students are also given the opportunity to develop skills in teamwork. The development of communication skills is emphasized through written projects and class presentations. Three required major laboratory courses give our students hands-on experience with real-life problems and solutions, while technical electives allow our students to obtain a minor in environmental, materials or bioengineering.

The chemical engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.