M.Eng. Curriculum and Degree Requirements
The M.Eng. curriculum is rooted in chemical engineering electives and a project component, which makes it a highly flexible degree program. Choose which courses are most relevant to your career goals and focus.
Core requirements and components
There are no specific courses required, but there are certain types of credit hours that need to be fulfilled in order to earn your M.Eng. in chemical engineering. The M.Eng. program is typically completed in two semesters.
The requirements below assume that you have an undergraduate degree or significant experience in chemical engineering. If you’re interested in the M.Eng. in chemical engineering, but don’t necessarily have the background to meet admissions requirements, you may be able to take summer courses to get up to speed.
Specific requirements are:
- EngrD2190 Mass & Energy Balances (Fall)
- ChemE3130 Thermodynamics (Fall)
- ChemE3230 Fluid Mechanics (Spring)
- ChemE3240 Heat and Mass Transfer (Fall)
- ChemE3900 Reaction Kinetics & Reactor Design (Spring)
Fluid Mechanics and Heat & Mass courses may be waived by completing similar courses during your undergrad.
ChemE5201 Principles of Chemical Engineering is offered for non-cheme students over the summer by distance learning. If you take this course, you may be eligible for additional course exemptions based on your performance. You are encouraged to communicate directly with the Program Directors to determine how specific requirements apply to your individual situation.
M.Eng. in chemical engineering degree requirements:
- A total of 30 credits or more is required
- At least 12 credits must be CHEME electives
- Other electives (non-CHEME if desired) can account for 9 credits
- A business practice elective (3 credits)
- An Environmental and Societal Impact elective (3 credits)
- An M.Eng. project of at least 3 credits
Note: Up to 2 credits may be taken with the S/U grade option, and a GPA of at least 2.5 is required to be in good standing in the M.Eng. program. All courses of study require approval by the program director.
In addition to these requirements, you also have the option of taking hands-on experiential courses during winter and spring breaks as they become available. For example, the Shell EPOCH (Engineering, Process, Operations, Competence-based, Hand-on) field experience program.
| Fall (15 credits) | Spring (15 credits) |
|---|---|
| CHEME elective (3) | CHEME elective (3) |
| CHEME elective (3) | CHEME elective (3) |
| Business practice elective (3) | Environmental and societal impact elective (3) |
| Elective (3) | Elective (3) |
| Elective (3) | M.Eng. project (3) |
Graduate-level chemical engineering elective
Use electives to shape your course of study in the M.Eng. program. Many students choose to focus on a specialization in one of four areas, and they use electives to gain insights into those particular sectors. Specializations, however, are not required, so you may choose any CHEME elective to satisfy the minimum 12-credit requirement. Sample courses are listed at the bottom of this page.
Business practice and environmental societal impact electives
In their careers, M.Eng. graduates will benefit from knowledge of business practices and environmental and societal impact. All M.Eng. students must complete at least 3 credits (by taking one course worth 3 credits or a combination of courses for a total of 3 credits) in each of these areas.
This requirement may be waived if you can demonstrate relevant academic or industrial experience in one or both of these areas. Sample courses in the business practice and environmental and societal impact categories are listed at the bottom of this page.
Note: Students pursuing the Medical and Industrial Biotechnology specialization are not required to complete these elective requirements.
M.Eng. project requirement
A key component of the M.Eng. program is complete of a project that exemplifies knowledge acquired throughout the program. The M.Eng. project is conducted under the mentorship of a faculty member. You will earn between 3 and 6 credits for your project work—its pace, start time, final report format, and appropriate credit hours will be decided in consultation with your project mentor. Projects, depending on the subject matter, can be completed individually or as a group.
In order to replicate real-world scenarios and implications, M.Eng. projects will incorporate a financial analysis and feasibility study component. This requirement—based in project management principles—promotes teamwork, leadership, effective communication skills, and design aspects of industrially relevant processes and products.
If you choose to focus on a specialization, you may be able to fulfill your project requirement in a few different ways. Consult with your specialization coordinator to determine your options.