Our History
Since its founding in 1938, the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering has trained many of the nation's leaders in the practical use of chemistry for the benefit of society. Cornell chemical engineers are currently employed throughout academia, government, and industry in research, engineering, and management positions.
The origins of the School predate its formal founding. As long ago as 1870, Cornell offered some courses in industrial chemistry. But it wasn't until 1930 that Fred H. "Dusty" Rhodes set up a true chemical engineering curriculum which flourished to become own School within College of Engineering.
The School's early focus on undergraduate education and professional training expanded broadly into a vigorous research program. Faculty research interests have led to extensive interdisciplinary associations with other research centers and programs at Cornell. The student body has changed, too. The first woman earned a PhD in chemical engineering from the School in 1967. Now, nearly a third of our students are women.
Olin Hall
The School of Chemical Engineering is housed in Olin Hall, which has about 55,000 square feet of offices, laboratories, classrooms, and other facilities. The laboratory wing of the building was completely renovated in 1989 at a cost of $6.3 million. Included in the renovation were special facilities for research in biotechnology, materials studies, thermodynamics, polymer studies, and fluid mechanics. The Hall alos houses a research computing center, with sophisticated computers and computer graphics equipment. Equipment for animation, advanced graphics, and visualization is also available to support research.
Our Faculty
The School's faculty of 16 include two members of the National Academy of Engineering, one fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and four National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigators. In the past fifteen years, five faculty members of the School have received awards for excellence in engineering teaching, which recognize the best teachers from among the College's two hundred member faculty. Recent additions to the faculty have expanded the School's research in emerging technologies such as advanced materials and bioengineering.
Our Students
Now, nearly forty per cent of our undergraduate students and 25% of our graduate students are women. The percentage of under-represented minorities is small but on the rise: they comprise roughly 6% of the undergraduates and 10% of the graduate population.
