The University of Iowa Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering offers both thesis and non-thesis Master's of Science programs, a Doctor of Philosophy program, and a five-year U2G program. Graduate students in the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering gain an understanding of the principles of engineering science, with a focus on a chosen research area.

Information for Graduate Students

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Prospective Students

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For Current Students

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U2G Programs

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Student Learning Outcomes

MS 

Graduates will:

  • Demonstrate a mastery of core chemical engineering concepts;
  • Effectively communicate scientific concepts and/or research results in both written and oral formats to scientific and general audiences;
  • Demonstrate knowledge of and commitment to safe and ethical behavior through adherence to best safety practices and academic integrity principles.
  • Students completing the program with thesis will additionally demonstrate the abilities to:
    • Demonstrate the ability to perform independent research, critically identify and solve research problems, summarize disciplinary information, evaluate research findings.


PhD 

Graduates will:

  • Demonstrate a mastery of core chemical engineering concepts;
  • effectively communicate scientific concepts and/or research results in both written and oral formats to scientific and general audiences;
  • Demonstrate the ability to perform independent research, critically identify and solve research problems, summarize disciplinary information, evaluate research findings;
  • Demonstrate knowledge of and commitment to safe and ethical behavior through adherence to best safety practices and academic integrity principles.

Contacts

Eric Nuxoll

Eric Nuxoll

Director of Graduate Admissions

Associate Professor, Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

The director of graduate admissions recruits and serves as the first point of contact for prospective graduate students.

Alec B. Scranton

Alec Scranton

Director of Graduate Studies

Professor, Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

The director of graduate studies is an advocate for graduate students and their success. He advises incoming students, coordinates the research advisor selection process, monitors and tracks student progress, and is a point of contact for graduate program questions.

Jun Wang

Jun Wang

Departmental Executive Officer

Lichtenberger Family Chair in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

The departmental executive officer is the academic administrator the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering.

Sara Hartman

Sara Hartman

Graduate Program Specialist

The graduate program specialist is a contact for prospective, incoming, and current students for anything related to the academic program.

Amanda Jensen

Amanda Jensen

Department Administrator

The department administrator is a point of contact for anything related to graduate student human resources, finance, travel, and administrative odds and ends.

News Highlights

Fatima Toor works with a student in her lab

Fatima Toor named ‘Senior Member’ of National Academy of Inventors

Thursday, February 26, 2026
Fatima Toor, University of Iowa professor of electrical and computer engineering Lowell G. Battershell Chair in Laser Engineering, has been selected for the 2026 class of Senior Members of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI).
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University of Iowa engineers contribute to NASA wildfire experiment

Tuesday, February 24, 2026
The University of Iowa College of Engineering is helping drive a major new NASA experiment to better understand the fastest-growing natural disaster hazard in North America: extreme wildfires and the towering storm clouds they create.
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CBE Alumni Spolight: Colin Houts

Thursday, February 5, 2026
Colin Houts is a Chemical Engineering alumna from the University of Iowa. He is currently working towards a PhD hoping to study self-assembly of polymer systems. Learn more about Colin and how he wants to utilize his ChemE degree throughout his career!