Chemical engineering applies the core scientific disciplines of chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics to transform raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms, invariably in processes that involve chemical change. All engineers employ mathematics, physics, and engineering to overcome technical problems in a safe and economical fashion. The chemical engineer provides the critical level of expertise needed to solve problems in which chemical specificity and change have particular relevance. They not only create new, more effective ways to manufacture chemicals, they also work collaboratively with chemists to pioneer the development of high-tech materials for specialized applications. Well-known contributions include the development and commercialization of synthetic rubber, synthetic fiber, pharmaceuticals, and plastics. Chemical engineers contribute significantly to advances in the food industry, alternative energy systems, semiconductor manufacturing, and environmental modeling and remediation. A special focus on process engineering cultivates a systems perspective that makes chemical engineers extremely versatile and capable of handling a wide spectrum of technical problems.

Students develop a firm and practical grasp of engineering principles and the underlying science associated with traditional and emerging chemical engineering applications. They also learn to tie together phenomena at small scales (micro- and nano-scale) with the behavior of systems at the macro-scale. While chemical engineers have always excelled at analyzing and designing processes with multiple length scales, modern chemical engineering applications require this knowledge to be extended to the nano-scale. The program provides training to address this emerging need.

The core curriculum of the chemical engineering major provides students with a solid foundation in engineering principles and their underlying science. Students choose professional technical electives that provide a more depth examination of the chemical engineering field or provide breadth in other engineering disciplines. These electives may be chosen from those offered within the major, as well as from a department-approved list of engineering courses offered throughout the college. A capstone design experience in the fifth year integrates chemical engineering theory, principles, and processes in a collaborative team environment. Four blocks (approximately one year) of cooperative education experience, mathematics and science courses, free electives, and liberal arts courses round out the curriculum.