The Chemical Engineering Program in the College of Engineering at the University of Iowa was first accredited in 1926 and has maintained accreditation since that time. We have continued to make appropriate revisions in the curriculum to better serve student needs and to ensure success in their chosen careers. In the spring of 2002, the faculty of the College of Engineering adopted a revised engineering core curriculum with three primary objectives: (1) to expose students to engineering design during the first semester of the freshman year; (2) to enact a three-semester common core for all programs in the College; and (3) to provide a flexible structure that allows students to tailor elective courses to their specific career goals. This college-wide curricular assessment and revision process has had a positive impact on the Chemical Engineering Program. For example, it has resulted in the creation of a new set of engineering mathematics courses that are more relevant and responsive to the needs of engineering students; it resulted in the establishment of the Center for Technical Communication; and it has led to the development of Chemical Engineering Elective Focus Areas in the fields of polymers, biochemical engineering, process engineering, environmental engineering, business, entrepreneurship, pre-medicine, and graduate studies. Other new college-wide educational initiatives include: the Certificate in Technological Entrepreneurship, the Program for Enhanced Design Experience, the Engineering and Business Student Leadership Seminar, the International Business in London Course, and the Regents Education Abroad Program.

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING PROGRAM EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

The Chemical Engineering Program at The University of Iowa produces graduates with a strong foundation of scientific and technical knowledge and who are equipped with problem solving, teamwork, and communication skills that will serve them throughout their careers consistent with the following Educational Objectives:

Within a few years of graduation, our graduates will:

1. Attain careers as practicing chemical engineers in fields such as pharmaceuticals, microelectronics, chemicals, polymers/advanced materials, food processing, energy, biotechnology, or environmental engineering;
2. Attain advanced studies in disciplines such as Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Medicine, Law, or Business;
3. Assume professional leadership roles.

The following methods and strategies are used in the Chemical Engineering undergraduate program to achieve these program educational objectives:

1. Foster a personalized, supportive environment for all students by taking advantage of the unique combination of a small college atmosphere in a major research university;
2. Enrich the undergraduate experience through cultural diversity and international opportunities or experiential learning;
3. Provide a solid foundation and understanding of the fundamental principles of mathematics, science, and engineering;
4. Provide students with experience in learning and applying tools (e.g., computer skills) to solve theoretical and open-ended chemical engineering problems;
5. Provide students with opportunities to participate in multidisciplinary teams and to develop and practice written and oral communication skills, both within the team and to a broader audience;
6. Provide students with opportunities to design and conduct chemical engineering experiments and to design systems, components, and chemical processes to meet specific needs and constraints;
7. Provide a contemporary grounding in professional responsibility, including ethics, the global and societal impact of engineering decisions, and the need for lifelong learning.

The resources available at The University of Iowa play an important role in student development. Our students are able to choose from a wide variety of courses outside the program. This helps provide a strong foundation to allow pursuit of a variety of careers and also provides our students with an awareness of the diversity of the world and its cultures. Students also have opportunities to work in research labs across campus, often participating in multidisciplinary research groups.

Our small college, situated in a major research university, helps us provide students with some distinctive opportunities. For example, with small class sizes, each student has a much greater chance of assuming a leadership role at some time in the curriculum.

The Chemical Engineering Student Outcomes are characteristics that a successful chemical engineer should have at the time of graduation. These outcomes are patterned after the basic requirements identified by the engineering accreditation board (ABET) and the AIChE Program Criteria, and are listed below.

1. Each graduate will have the ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering fundamentals.
2. Each graduate will have the ability to design and conduct experiments, and to analyze and interpret experimental results.
3. Each graduate will have the ability to design systems, components, or processes to meet specified objectives within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability in chemical engineering.
4. Each graduate will have the ability to work as a member of multidisciplinary teams, and have an understanding of team leadership
5. Each graduate will have the ability to identify, formulate, and solve chemical engineering problems.(1)
6. Each graduate will have an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
7. Each graduate will have the ability to communicate effectively in written, oral, and graphical forms.
8. Each graduate will have an education that is supportive of a broad awareness of the diversity of the world and its cultures, and that provides an understanding of the impact of engineering practice in the global, economic, environmental, and societal context.
9. Each graduate will recognize the need for and have the ability to engage in lifelong learning.
10. Each graduate will have knowledge of contemporary issues.
11. Each graduate will have the ability to use the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
12. Each graduate will have a thorough grounding in chemistry and a working knowledge of advanced chemistry, including organic and physical and either inorganic or analytical, depending upon their individual educational goals.
13. Each graduate will have a working knowledge of chemical process safety.
14. Each graduate will have a working knowledge of biochemical engineering.

(1) As an integral aspect of this outcome, each graduate will demonstrate a working knowledge, including safety and environmental aspects, of material and energy balances applied to chemical processes; thermodynamics of physical and chemical equilibria; heat, mass, and momentum transport; chemical reaction engineering; continuous and stage wise separation operations; process dynamics and control; and chemical engineering design.

The requirements for receiving a B. S. degree in Chemical Engineering are the following:

Successfully complete the required courses and an accepted Focus Area (see below);
Maintain a GPA of 2.0;
Complete an accepted enriching activity (see below).

The undergraduate program requires 128 semester hours of course work for graduation (129 semester hours for the Pre-med Focus Area). These courses are in the areas of mathematics, chemistry, general engineering, chemical engineering, and the general education component (GEC). Two semesters of calculus and one semester each of differential equations, matrix algebra, and probability and statistics satisfy the mathematics requirement. General and organic chemistry courses are required, with a lecture and lab portion for each area. In addition, an advanced chemical science sequence, including lecture and lab courses, consistent with the student's Focus Area, is also required. Starting Summer 2015, students admitted to the College of Engineering must fulfill the following GEC course policy:

• Every student must take a minimum of 15 SH of GEC courses.
• Among the 15 SH, 3 SH must be from the pool of courses designated as Engineering Be Creative courses.
• Among the 15 SH, 3 SH from the pool of courses designated as CLAS General Education Courses.
• Among the 15 SH, 9 SH from the list of Approved Course Subjects

The general engineering courses include statics, electrical circuits, thermodynamics, materials science, and computational methods. The chemical engineering courses are taken during the sophomore, junior and senior years. Chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, momentum transport, heat and mass transfer, economics, process control, design, and safety are covered in these classes. Focus Areas (see below) give the student an opportunity to explore an area of personal interest.

The four-year curriculum guides are listed below.  There is a Majors sequence and a Standard sequence.

The recommended four-year plan contains the Organics for Majors sequence, which generally allows for smaller class sizes and greater access to lab equipment.  However, if chemical engineering students switch to another engineering major, then the organic chemistry course taken during the first semester of the second year may not count towards the requirements of the new engineering major. The other four-year plan contains the Standard Organic Chemistry sequence, and all coursework taken through the first three semesters will satisfy other engineering departmental requirements.

Use the guides below to plan your undergraduate coursework and complete a plan of study worksheet.

Curriculum for Students Beginning Fall 2021 and Beyond
 

General 4-year Plan

Curriculum Flowchart for Chemical Engineering General Sequence

Curriculum for Students Beginning Between Fall 2017 and Fall 2021
 

Flowcharts:

• Chemical Engineering General Majors Organic Sequence
• Chemical Engineering General Standard Organic Sequence

The inclusion of Focus Areas (FAs) in the Chemical Engineering curriculum provides you with the opportunity to gain depth of knowledge in your chosen career path in addition to the strong fundamental grounding in the scientific, engineering, and chemical engineering principles provided by the common curriculum.

As described below, you may choose a pre-approved FA in the following topics:

Biochemical Engineering  This FA allows students to choose from a selection of courses that combines concepts of biology, biochemistry, and engineering.  Biochemical engineers combine knowledge of these three areas to manufacture products of biological nature, including fermentation products and pharmaceuticals.  Students who complete this FA often go on to work in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries as production leaders or researchers. Biochemical Engineering FA Form Biochemical Engineering FA Form - For Students Entering Fall 2021 & Beyond

Business The business FA consists of eight core courses within the Tippie College of Business.  Students who choose this path gain foundational business knowledge on topics including finance, economics, accounting, marketing, law, and management.  Successful fulfillment of all requirements results in a minor in business, which provides students with skills to build and run successful businesses.  Past business FA students have applied their integrated business and technical knowledge to many different settings ranging from manufacturing plants to consulting and to corporate offices. Business FA Form Business FA Form - For Students Entering Fall 2021 & Beyond

Chemical Process Engineering Process engineering is the design, optimization, and operation of systems that transform raw materials into valuable products.  Products that process engineers are involved with include foods and beverages, electronic materials, metals, plastics, fuels, building materials, and pharmaceutics.  As this topic spans many aspects of engineering, business, applied math, and science, students who pursue the chemical process engineering FA have the freedom to choose 12 semester hours of electives from a broad selection of 3000-level engineering, math, and science courses.  This FA provides ample room for customization and opportunities to tailor to individualized interests.  Students who do not declare a different FA are automatically placed into chemical process engineering. Chemical Process Engineering FA Form Chemical Process Engineering FA Form - For Students Entering Fall 2021 & Beyond

Computation, Data Science, and Machine Learning The Computation, Data Science, and Machine Learning FA is made for students who intend to blend advanced computation and programming with their chemical engineering degree.  This program is customizable based on student interest areas, and can accommodate introductory training in cyber-physical systems, remote sensing, advanced simulation, supply chain management, in silico chemistry and biology, bioinformatics, software design, next-generation controls, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.  This FA leverages a wide and growing range of new course offerings across the college and University. Computation, Data Science, and Machine Learning FA Form Computation, Data Science, and Machine Learning FA Form - For Students Entering Fall 2021 & Beyond

Custom The Custom FA is a personalized option recommended for students whose career goals and interests are not consistent with any of the preexisting FA plans.  For this FA students work with their academic advisor to develop a course plan. Custom FA Form Custom FA Form - For Students Entering Fall 2021 & Beyond

Energy and Environment Students who are passionate about the environment should consider this path.  Courses prepare students to solve environmental challenges and to revolutionize energy systems.  Topics include air pollution, climate change, clean and renewable energy, environmental regulations, and sustainable systems.  This FA features the Green Chemical and Energy Technologies course that covers topics including solar energy conversion, life cycle analysis, greenhouse gas accounting, and biofuels. Energy and Environment FA Form Energy and Environment FA Form - For Students Entering Fall 2021 & Beyond

Entrepreneurship Interested in new businesses and new products?  The entrepreneurial FA allows students to focus on the process of succeeding in the world of startups, innovation, business ownership, and new products.  This FA is also designed to dovetail with the College’s certificate in technological entrepreneurship.  The entrepreneurship elective focus area is well suited for students who intend to start and operate their own business; it also serves students interested in gaining a better understanding of managing innovation in an existing business environment.  The wide range of electives permits students to tailor business courses best suited to their individual interests. Entrepreneurship FA Form Entrepreneurship FA Form - For Students Entering Fall 2021 & Beyond

Oil and Gas Engineering Meant for students interested in pursuing careers in oil and gas engineering, this FA explores foundational elements of chemistry, geology, petrochemical refining, and environmental science.  The course plan offers several recommendations put in place by experienced advisors with petrochemical backgrounds.  Often viewed as the birth of chemical engineering, the petroleum industry provides a host of challenging and lucrative opportunities for chemical engineers.  This path provides a unique and focused introduction to the field. Oil and Gas Engineering FA Form Oil and Gas Engineering FA Form - For Students Entering Fall 2021 & Beyond

Pharmaceuticals Chemical and biochemical engineering is central to the design, formulation, and manufacturing of pharmaceutical products.  Students who are passionate about medical applications can align their chemical engineering skills toward a career in pharmaceuticals by choosing this FA.  The curriculum features biology, drug delivery, and the mechanisms and chemistry of drug interactions.  Course options span many departments in addition to CBE, including biomedical engineering, biochemistry, pharmacy, and pharmacology. Pharmaceuticals FA Form Pharmaceuticals FA Form - For Students Entering Fall 2021 & Beyond

Polymers The polymers elective focus area enables students to study the development of chemical compounds by polymerization, i.e., combining small molecules into engineered networks to produce valuable plastics and other advanced materials.  This program is well suited for students who intend to use their knowledge to design new materials; it also serves students interested in gaining a better understanding of the links between molecular scale structure and macroscopic scale properties.  Many students in this FA take an advanced chemistry course resulting in a chemistry minor. Polymers FA Form Polymers FA Form - For Students Entering Fall 2021 & Beyond

Pre-Medicine Concepts of chemical engineering are naturally applicable to the processes in living organisms. The Pre-Medicine elective focus area enables students to apply these concepts to gain a deeper understanding of the atoms and molecules that comprise living organisms, and the pathways through which they operate.  This program is well suited for students who intend to use their knowledge to gain acceptance to post-graduate education in the medical field. Pre-Medicine FA Form Pre-Medicine FA Form - For Students Entering Fall 2021 & Beyond

Safety & Health The Safety & Health FA prepares students to (i) prevent incidents and accidents in chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing, particularly those resulting from the unintentional release of hazardous materials and energy into the environment, and (ii) provide a safe and healthy workplace by preventing injuries and hazards in the workplace environment. Safety & Health FA Form Safety & Health FA Form - For Students Entering Fall 2021 & Beyond

Sustainability  The sustainability FA covers the most important and current topics in environmental science, societal impacts, energy usage, and natural systems.  Courses prepare students to understand and discuss these topics as they relate to chemical engineering.  The sustainability FA is designed for students pursuing the University-wide certificate in sustainability along with an engineering degree. Sustainability FA Form Sustainability FA Form - For Students Entering Fall 2021 & Beyond

You must select a Focus Area in the third semester (first semester of sophomore standing).  You must meet with your faculty advisor to develop and submit an electronic FA Application Form and a plan of study worksheet prior to enrolling in the first FA course.  When completing the semester-by-semester plan, it is important to note that some of the elective courses are not offered every year.  To aid in planning, the recurring schedule of CBE electives is published on the CBE web page.  All students who have not completed the FA paperwork by the end of the Sophomore year (first semester of Junior standing) will be automatically placed in the Chemical Process Engineering FA.  Changes to the FA track can be made by completing the FA application process.

Alternatively, you may choose to develop your own FA consistent with your career goals subject to approval by the Chemical Engineering Curriculum Committee.  The Chemical Engineering Program has developed the following guidelines for the FAs after careful consideration of the required elements for a chemical engineering degree (including the advanced chemistry requirement and the other program requirements specified by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers):
 

Guidelines for Focus Areas in the Chemical Engineering Program

Advanced Chemical Science Electives

* Students completing one 3 s.h. advanced CHEM course qualify for a minor in Chemistry. The minor is obtained by indicating the request on MyUI (Student Records > Courses & Grades > Minors) before the second to last semester.

Possible Statistics Electives

Fall of Even Years

             CBE:5152  Transport Phenomena I

             CBE:5315  Polymer Chemistry

Fall of Odd Years

             CBE:5310  Polymer Science and Technology

Spring of Even Years

             CBE:5110  Intermediate Thermodynamics

             CBE:5210 Bioseparations

             CBE:5425  Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics

Spring of Odd Years

             CBE:5405  Green Chemical and Energy Technologies

Chemical engineers in the workplace inevitably work in multidisciplinary teams, and are frequently working on projects that impact society both locally and globally. Therefore, our program will provide enriching activities to enable each student to develop effective multidisciplinary team skills and to develop an understanding of the impact of chemical engineering practice on both the micro and macro scales. All Chemical Engineering students will complete at least one of the following enriching activities as a requirement to receive a BS degree:

• Cooperative education experience
• Three semester hour equivalent of an approved research experience
• Internship experience
• Study abroad
• Entrepreneurial program (i.e., receive the corresponding certificate)
• Other approved multidisciplinary experience*

Completion of any of these activities will require that the student briefly summarize (~250 words) the contribution of their experience to the development of multidisciplinary team skills and to the increased understanding of the impact of engineering practice both locally and globally. While enriching activities can be completed at any point during the undergraduate career, students will register for 052:092 (CBE:4195) Enriching Activities Seminar during their senior and fulfill the reporting requirement.

Chemical Engineering undergraduate students may obtain minors in several disciplines automatically or by taking one or two extra courses.   Students must sign up for these minors in MyUI (myui.uiowa.edu) under Student Records—Courses & Grades—Minors.  Students with credits at other colleges and/or universities and students with AP credits should contact the respective departments to ensure that those transfer credits will count towards the minor.  Common minors obtained by Chemical Engineering students are listed below:

• Minor in Business: Students obtain this minor automatically by completing all courses listed in the Business FA.
• Minor in Chemistry: Students obtain this minor automatically by completing either the Analytical Chemistry or Physical Chemistry advanced chemistry sequence.
• Minor in Mathematics: Students obtain this minor by completing two advanced mathematics courses beyond those required in the curriculum.  For instance, students can take MATH:4120 —History of Mathematics (however, MATH:4120 will NOT count as your approved GEC) and MATH:3550 —Engineering Math V: Vector Calculus.

CBE U2G Programs

View the Code of Student Life here. 

View the College fo Engineering's policy on academic misconduct here. 

The Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Department Seminar 52:090 (CBE:1000)  for first-year students is held weekly during the Spring semester. This seminar is designed to introduce students to the chemical engineering profession and the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at The University of Iowa.

The Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Professional Seminar 52:091 (CBE:3000)  is held weekly during the Fall and Spring semesters. Four semesters of this seminar are required for graduation and usually begins in the Spring semester of the Sophomore year. This seminar also serves as The University of Iowa's student chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). Speakers from industry and academia are invited to speak at the seminar. Students are strongly encouraged to attend Regional and National AIChE meetings. In order to receive credit for the seminar, the student must do all of the following every semester:
· Pay $5 in dues
· Attend every scheduled seminar
· Become a national AIChE member (http://www.aiche.org/community/membership) 
· Attend Professional Enhancement Activity and submit a summary*  

*In support of enhancing our students' awareness of the diversity of the world and its cultures (see Program Outcome (h)) and their knowledge of contemporary issues (see Program Outcome (j)), each student will be required to participate in one Professional Enhancement Activity consistent with these outcomes during the semester. The student will be required to write a 50 to 100 word summary of the activity and how it contributed to Program Outcome(s) (h) and/or (j). Possible activities include attendance at (i) an appropriate activity at Hancher, (ii) a seminar in a department outside the College of Engineering, (iii) an appropriate University Lecture, and (iv) a reading at Prairie Lights Bookstore.

• Four Year Plans
• Four Year Plan of Study Worksheet

• FA Plans
• FA Plan of Study Form 
• FA Informational Handout

• Independent Study Cover Sheet
• Petition for Course Substitution
• Co-requisite Waiver

• Scholarship Information
• NOAA Scholarship Program

• Application for Fall Teaching Assistantship
• Application for Spring Teaching Assistantship